Sicilian: Smith-Morra, 4.Nxc3 d6
Sicilian: Smith-Morra Gambit
Definition
The Smith-Morra Gambit is an aggressive line for White against the Sicilian Defence that arises after the moves 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3. White deliberately sacrifices a pawn in order to accelerate development, seize the initiative, and generate attacking chances, especially against the f7–square and along the open c- and d-files.
Typical Move-Order
- e4 c5
- d4 cxd4
- c3 dxc3 (Accepted) or 3…d3 / 3…Nf6 (Declined)
- Nxc3 … (many options for Black, such as 4…Nc6, 4…d6, or 4…e6)
Strategic Themes
- Rapid Development: White typically plays Nf3, Bc4, 0-0, Qe2, and Rd1 in quick succession, mobilising every piece while Black is still taking care of his extra pawn.
- Open Lines: The half-open c-file and the completely open d-file give White natural pressure against Black’s queenside and centre.
- Central Outposts: White often aims for a knight on d5 or e4, supported by rooks and a queen battery.
- King-side Attack: In many variations White sacs a piece on e6 or f7, banking on piece activity and latent mating nets.
Historical Background
The gambit combines the ideas of two aficionados: Pierre Morra, a French correspondence master who analysed 3. c3 in the 1930s-40s, and Kenneth Smith, a Texas chess publisher who popularised it in over-the-board play during the 1960s-70s. Smith’s spectacular wins—often annotated in his self-published booklets— convinced generations of club players that the line was a practical weapon, even if not 100 % sound at master level.
Illustrative Game
An early showcase is the attacking miniature Ken Smith – GM Bent Larsen, Hastings 1976. After 1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3 dxc3 4.Nxc3 Nc6 5.Nf3 d6 6.Bc4 Nf6 7.0-0 e6 8.Qe2 a6 9.Rd1 Qc7 10.Bf4 Ne5 11.Nxe5 dxe5 12.Bb5+! axb5 13.Nxb5! Qb8 14.Qc4! exf4 15.Nc7+ Ke7 16.Qc5#—a vivid demonstration of the latent tactics.
Interesting Facts
- The “Smith-Morra Theme Tournament” (Dallas 1972) required every game to begin 1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3. Smith scored +7 =0 −0.
- FIDE Master Marc Esserman, author of “Mayhem in the Morra”, is a modern ambassador of the gambit and famously defeated GM Topalov in a 2009 blitz exhibition with it.
- The gambit can be used as a surprise weapon in faster time controls—it scores surprisingly well in online bullet and blitz databases.
4.Nxc3 d6 (Smith-Morra Accepted – d6 Defence)
Definition
“4.Nxc3 d6” denotes a branch of the Smith-Morra Gambit in which Black accepts the pawn (…dxc3) and immediately fortifies the centre with 4…d6 instead of the more common 4…Nc6 or 4…e6. The resulting position resembles a Scheveningen-style Sicilian but with Black a pawn up and White enjoying rapid development.
Typical Continuation
- e4 c5
- d4 cxd4
- c3 dxc3
- Nxc3 d6
- Nf3 Nf6
- Bc4 e6
- 0-0 Be7 (Black keeps a compact pawn chain: e6-d6-c5)
Strategic Significance
- Solid Structure for Black: By playing …d6 first, Black stops an immediate Nb5 jump and prepares …Nf6 and …e6 without worrying about Bxf7+ tricks.
- Scheveningen Transposition: After …Nf6, …e6, and …Be7, Black essentially transposes into a Scheveningen, but must keep an eye on the open lines and White’s pressure on e6 and d6.
- White’s Plan: White proceeds with Bc4, 0-0, Qe2, Rd1 and often Bf4 or Bg5 followed by pushing e4-e5 or f2-f4 to pry open the position before Black completes development.
Theoretical Assessment
Modern engines evaluate the position after 4…d6 as roughly equal (±0.20) but complicated. White retains full compensation in practical play thanks to easier piece play, while Black must defend accurately to consolidate the extra pawn.
Sample Line with Ideas
• 13.Rd1-d6! is a recurring tactical motif, exploiting the pin on the
d-file.
• If Black replies 13…Qxd6, 14.e5! forces the knight to an awkward
square and reignites the attack.
Historical & Practical Use
- The 4…d6 system was a favourite of GM Sergey Shipov in the early 2000s, who used it to out-prepare Smith-Morra specialists in rapid events.
- IM Marc Esserman-GM Loek van Wely, Las Vegas 2011 (blitz) saw White sacrifice a second pawn with e4-e5 and eventually win after a fierce kingside onslaught.
Interesting Tidbits
- Because the move …d6 is so thematic in many Sicilians, some players adopt this line as an “anti-Smith-Morra autopilot” and learn very little new theory—yet they must still face White’s home-prepared novelties on the open files.
- John Nunn once quipped that 4…d6 “takes the fun out of the Morra,” but statistics show that White still scores close to 50 %, remarkable for a pawn down opening.