Sicilian DefenseB21
Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted
1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3
Open on the interactive boardEvery move explained, never a dead end.
Both sides plans
White's plan
Smith-Morra Gambit: a pawn for two open files and three tempi. The standard setup is Bc4, Nf3, O-O, Qe2, Rd1, with pressure on d6 and f7.
Black's plan
Accept, then give the pawn back at the right moment. The reference setup is ...a6, ...e6, ...Nf6, ...Be7, ...Qc7, which neutralizes the pressure on d6 and f7 before converting the extra pawn.
The line, move by move
- 1. e4e4 occupies the center.
- ... c5c5 controls d4.
- 2. d4d4 strikes at the center.
- ... cxd4cxd4 captures a pawn, occupies the center.
- 3. c3c3 strikes at the center.
- ... dxc3dxc3 captures a pawn, gains space.