Sicilian: Smith-Morra, 5.Nf3 d6 6.Bc4 e6 7.O-O Nf6 8.Qe2 Be7
Sicilian Defense: Smith–Morra Gambit, 5.Nf3 d6 6.Bc4 e6 7.O-O Nf6 8.Qe2 Be7
Definition
The Smith–Morra Gambit is an aggressive anti-Sicilian system that arises after 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3, when White sacrifices a pawn for rapid development and attacking chances. The line 5.Nf3 d6 6.Bc4 e6 7.O-O Nf6 8.Qe2 Be7 is a mainstream way for both sides to continue:
- e4 c5
- d4 cxd4
- c3 dxc3
- Nxc3 Nc6
- Nf3 d6
- Bc4 e6
- O-O Nf6
- Qe2 Be7
With the queen on e2 and the bishop on c4 eyeing f7, White threatens e4-e5 or Rd1, while Black intends to complete development and blunt the initiative.
Strategic Themes
- White’s Compensation – Lead in development, open c and d files, pressure on f7, and potential kingside attack.
- Black’s Objectives – Return material if needed, trade pieces, solidify the extra pawn, and aim for …d6-d5 to free the position.
- Key Squares – f7 (tactical target), d5 (Black’s break), d6 (outpost for a white knight after e4-e5), and the half-open c/d files for rooks.
- Piece Placement – White often doubles rooks on the d-file (Rd1, Rac1); Black typically castles short and may place a knight on e5 or d7 to guard f7.
Usage in Practice
The move order up to 8…Be7 is considered one of Black’s most respectable antidotes to the Smith–Morra. Club players employ it to sidestep the sharpest traps, while grandmasters occasionally adopt it when they want a solid extra pawn but are comfortable defending an initiative. For White, the line is a practical, surprise-value weapon that keeps pieces on the board and creates imbalanced play.
Typical Plans for White
- Break with e4-e5, sometimes supported by Rd1.
- Bring the dark-squared bishop to f4 or g5 to pin the knight on f6.
- Lift the rook via Ra1-e1-e3 or Rf1-e1-e3 to swarm the kingside.
- Push f2-f4-f5 in positions where Black castles short and delays …d6-d5.
Typical Plans for Black
- Complete development with …O-O, …a6, …Qc7, and …b5 to expand on the queenside.
- Seek the freeing break …d6-d5 at an opportune moment to exchange central pawns.
- Trade minor pieces—especially the powerful Bc4—by maneuvering …Na5 or …Ng4.
- Return the pawn with …d5 or …e5 if necessary to reach a favorable endgame.
Historical Background
The gambit is named after U.S. master Ken Smith and French postal-player Pierre Morra, who independently championed 3.c3 in the 1950s-1960s. The sub-variation beginning 5.Nf3 was popularized in the 1980s by gambit specialists such as GM Marc-André Hamdouchi and IM Marc Esserman, who showcased its attacking potential in open tournaments.
Illustrative Game
Marc Esserman – Hikaru Nakamura, Internet Blitz 2020 (abridged after move 16)
The game continued 33.Rxc8+ Rxc8 34.Qxe7, when White regained the pawn and retained pressure. Although Nakamura eventually prevailed, the opening demonstrated both the venom and resilience of the 8…Be7 line.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Ken Smith allegedly mailed thousands of copies of his Smith–Morra Gambit booklet to U.S. chess clubs, fueling the opening’s boom in the 1970s.
- In 2011 the gambit scored a sensational win in Shulman – Short, World Team Championship: GM Yury Shulman used a related Bc4/Qe2 setup to defeat GM Nigel Short in just 26 moves.
- Computers evaluate the position after 8…Be7 as roughly equal (≈0.00 with modern engines), yet the practical score in master practice still favors White by a small margin thanks to the initiative.
Further Study
- Review the miniature Smith – Gordon, San Antonio 1972 for classic attacking themes.
- Analyze modern correspondence games, where Black often employs the …Qa5-…h6-…g5 setup to blunt White’s bishop pair.
- Consult Sicilian Defense mainline theory to compare Black’s structural goals in non-gambit lines.