Chess Openings·Sicilian Defence, Smith-Morra Gambit

Semi-Open Game

Sicilian Defence, Smith-Morra Gambit

1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3

Step through

5 / 5
  1. 1.
  3. 2.
  5. 3.

Tap a move to jump to that position.

Instead of copying the centre, the reply comes from the side. Both kings come under fire early, so one slip decides it. Of the four central squares, pawns stand on d4 · e4. 1 pieces have left the board. Neither side has castled yet.

The position

Length
5 moves
To move
Black
Legal replies
23
Minor pieces out
White 0 · Black 0
Material
38 · 39
Castling rights left
KQkq
FEN
rnbqkbnr/pp1ppppp/8/8/3pP3/2P5/PP3PPP/RNBQKBNR b KQkq - 0 3

Move by move

Each move spelled out: which piece went from where to where.

  1. 1.e4White: Pawn e2→e4
  2. 1…c5Black: Pawn c7→c5
  3. 2.d4White: Pawn d2→d4
  4. 2…cxd4Black: Pawn c5→d4 (capture)
  5. 3.c3White: Pawn c2→c3

Nearby lines

first 2 moves shared

Sicilian Defencee4 c5Sicilian Defence, Alapin Variation…c3Sicilian Defence, Wing Gambit…b4Sicilian Defence, Hyper-Accelerated Dragon…Nf3 g6Sicilian Defence, Nimzowitsch Variation…Nf3 Nf6Sicilian Defence, Closed Variation…Nc3 Nc6 g3

Common questions

Q. What are the moves of Sicilian Defence, Smith-Morra Gambit?

1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3

Q. Which family does it belong to?

Semi-Open Game — 1.e4 met by anything other than 1…e5.

Q. Who is to move next?

After 5 moves it is Black to move.