Sicilian Defense: Smith Morra Accepted Classical Formation
Sicilian Defense
Definition
The Sicilian Defense is the family of chess openings that arises after the moves 1.e4 c5. Black immediately strikes at the center from the flank, creating an unbalanced pawn structure that promises counter-chances and rich middlegame play.
How It Is Used
- By playing 1…c5 Black avoids the symmetrical positions of 1…e5 and steers the game into dynamic territory.
- White generally follows with 2.Nf3 and 3.d4, letting Black capture on d4 to obtain a central pawn majority, while Black gains the semi-open c-file for active piece play.
- The opening branches into many major systems: Najdorf, Dragon, Scheveningen, Classical, Taimanov, Kan, and countless sidelines and gambits—one of which is the Smith–Morra Gambit.
Strategic & Historical Significance
- The Sicilian is the most popular reply to 1.e4 from club level to world-championship play. Over a third of all master games beginning with 1.e4 feature 1…c5.
- World Champions from Tal to Kasparov, Anand, and Carlsen have kept it in their repertoires; Bobby Fischer called it “the Cadillac of openings.”
- Its asymmetry makes it an ideal fighting weapon when Black needs to play for a win.
Illustrative Example
Kasparov vs. Anand, World Championship (PCA) 1995, Game 10 featured the Najdorf Sicilian and is often cited as a model of Sicilian counter-play.
Interesting Facts
- The earliest known Sicilian appears in a manuscript by Giulio Cesare Polerio (c. 1594), centuries before it became fashionable.
- The ECO (Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings) devotes an entire volume (“B”) to the Sicilian.
Smith–Morra Gambit
Definition
The Smith–Morra Gambit is an aggressive anti-Sicilian beginning 1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3. White sacrifices a center pawn to accelerate development and seize the initiative.
Typical Move Order
After 3.c3 Black has three principal choices:
- Accepted: 3…dxc3 4.Nxc3 (the subject of the next entry).
- 3…Nf6 declining, leading to the Morra Deferred.
- 3…e6 or 3…d3 as rarer anti-gambit tries.
Strategic Ideas for White
- Rapid development: Bc4, Nf3, 0-0, Qe2 and Rd1 often appear within the first ten moves.
- Domination of the open d- and c-files with rooks and minor pieces.
- Tactical patterns: the Nd5 shot, the Bxf7+ sacrifice, and pressure on f7/f8.
Origin and Evolution
The gambit was analyzed by the French player Pierre Morra in the 1950s and popularized in the United States by Dallas master Ken Smith, who printed thousands of pamphlets extolling its attacking potential.
Notable Examples
- Esserman – Pruess, U.S. Championship 2013: a modern-day model game ending in a crushing kingside attack.
- Smith – Evans, U.S. Open 1963: Ken Smith topples the future author of Modern Chess Openings in 24 moves.
Engaging Tidbit
IM Marc Esserman’s 2012 book Mayhem in the Morra starts with the line: “It’s not a gambit— it’s an experiment.” The work rekindled interest in the gambit among a new generation of players.
Smith–Morra Gambit, Accepted
Definition
The Accepted variation occurs after 1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3 dxc3 4.Nxc3, when Black pockets the pawn and must decide on an appropriate defensive setup.
Key Defensive Set-ups for Black
- Classical Formation (…Nc6, …d6, …e6, …Nf6, …a6) – the most solid and flexible scheme.
- Scheveningen Formation (…d6 & …e6 without …Nc6) – controls the dark squares.
- Harmonic Dragon (…g6 & …Bg7) – exploits the long diagonal but allows White swift piece activity.
- Chicago Defense (…e6, …a6, …Qb6) – an early queen sortie to target b2.
Strategic Themes
White has two tempi in development while Black holds an extra pawn. The middlegame revolves around whether Black can complete development and consolidate before White’s initiative crashes through.
Illustrative Sample Line
Historical Note
Initially considered dubious for Black in the 1970s, modern engines and grandmaster praxis have rehabilitated the Accepted lines: the extra pawn is real, and accurate defense often neutralizes White’s initiative.
Classical Formation (in the Smith–Morra Accepted)
Definition
The Classical Formation is Black’s most respected setup against the Accepted Smith–Morra Gambit. After accepting the pawn, Black adopts a Najdorf-like structure with pieces placed on natural squares:
- Pawns: …e6 and …d6 form a robust central chain.
- Knights: …Nc6 and …Nf6 develop rapidly without weakening dark squares.
- Bishop: …Be7 (or sometimes …Bc5) overprotects the king.
- …a6 keeps White’s minor pieces off b5 and prepares …b5 in some lines.
Canonical Move Order
A commonly cited sequence is:
1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3 dxc3 4.Nxc3 Nc6 5.Nf3 d6 6.Bc4 e6 7.0-0 Nf6 8.Qe2 Be7 9.Rd1 e5
Strategic Aims
- Neutralize the Initiative: …e6 limits the scope of White’s Bc4 and Qe2 battery.
- Solid Center: …d6–…e6 stifles central sacrifices like Nd5 and Bxf7+.
- Gradual Counter-play: After consolidation Black can expand with …b5 or strike in the center with …d5.
Model Game
Kaidanov – Bacrot, Reykjavik Open 2006 showcased the Classical Formation. Bacrot absorbed White’s early pressure and later converted the extra pawn in a rook endgame.
Interesting Facts
- The structure mirrors the Classical Scheveningen, so many Sicilian specialists feel at home maneuvering in familiar pawn skeletons.
- Engines evaluate the starting position of the Classical Formation near equality, illustrating the modern reassessment of the gambit.