Chess Openings Lab
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Sicilian Defense: Morphy Gambit

The Morphy Gambit is 2.d4 cxd4 3.Nf3, where White leaves the d4 pawn to develop the knight first. White plans to regain the pawn with Nxd4 or offer it with c3, while Black can return to an Open Sicilian with ...Nc6 or play ...e5 to keep the pawn.

Moves
1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.Nf3
ECO
B21
Engine
+0.06 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
890 games in our lichess sample
White scores
47.0%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Regain the pawn with Nxd4, reaching a normal Open Sicilian with development ahead.
  • Against ...e5, c3 and Bc4 offer more material for quick development and an attack on f7.
  • After ...a6, Be2 and Nxd4 calmly recover the pawn with a standard position.
  • Use the knight on f3 to support e5 or d4 later in the opening.

Black

  • 3...Nc6 lets White recapture on d4 and transposes to familiar Open Sicilian play.
  • 3...e5 holds the pawn on d4; after c3, ...Nc6 and ...Nf6 develop with counterplay.
  • After Nxd4, ...Nf6 and ...e5 lead to Sveshnikov-style positions.
  • Do not grab material with the queen; quick development matters more.

Plans and pawn structure

If Black returns to the Open Sicilian with ...Nc6, White regains the pawn and the game follows main-line theory. If Black holds the pawn with ...e5, White's plan is c3, Bc4 and castling, with pressure on f7 and the open lines. Black must develop fast with ...Nc6 and ...Nf6, sometimes taking on e4 with the knight. The engine's ...Nxe4 line shows Black can grab a central pawn but must handle Qb3 pressure on f7.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.06: level. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. +0.06 3...e5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Bc4 Nf6 6.O-O
  2. +0.21 3...Nc6 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5 6.Ndb5
  3. +0.22 3...a6 4.Be2 Nc6 5.Nxd4 Nf6 6.Nxc6

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

890 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 47.0%.

under 120045.9%
1200–159941.4%
1600–199947.2%
2000 and up52.2%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

Where it goes next

  • Morphy Gambit, Andreaschek Gambit3...e5 · rare

How to play against it

As Black, play 3...Nc6 and enter a normal Open Sicilian, or 3...e5 if you want to keep the pawn and know the lines. Avoid passive moves that let White attack f7 with c3 and Bc4.

Questions

What are the moves of the Sicilian Defense: Morphy Gambit?

The Sicilian Defense: Morphy Gambit starts 1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.Nf3. Its ECO code is B21.

Is the Sicilian Defense: Morphy Gambit good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.06 at depth 20, which is level. In 890 lichess games from our sample, White scored 47.0%. A practical move-order for White players who want gambit chances, while Black can steer into familiar Open Sicilian play.

What is the main idea of the Sicilian Defense: Morphy Gambit?

White develops the knight before regaining the d4 pawn, keeping gambit options with c3. Black can return to an Open Sicilian with ...Nc6 or keep the pawn with ...e5.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is e5, with Nc6 and a6 close behind. 3...e5 holds the extra pawn, and after c3 Black must develop quickly to meet Bc4.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.