Chess Openings Lab
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Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit

The Smith-Morra Gambit begins 2.d4, where White offers the d-pawn and plans c3 to lure Black into a pawn grab. White wants open lines and fast development for the material, while Black takes with ...cxd4 and then chooses to accept or decline the c3 offer.

Moves
1.e4 c5 2.d4
ECO
B21
Engine
+0.08 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
14,302 games in our lichess sample
White scores
50.4%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • After 2...cxd4, play c3 to offer a second pawn for open c- and d-files and quick Bc4 and Nf3.
  • 3.Nf3 is a flexible order: it keeps c3 in reserve and meets ...e5 with c3 and a capture on d4.
  • If Black avoids the trade with ...e6, push d5 to gain space, as in the engine line.

Black

  • Take with 2...cxd4. Other moves, like ...e6 or ...g6, let White gain space for free.
  • Against c3, accept with ...dxc3 or decline with ...d5, ...e5 or ...Nf6, depending on your style.
  • Against 3.Nf3, the ...e5 move holds the extra pawn for now and leads to open play.

Plans and pawn structure

The Smith-Morra trades material for time. If Black accepts the second pawn, White develops with Nc3, Nf3, Bc4, castling, Qe2 and rooks on the central files, aiming at d6 and f7. Black's task is to finish development with a solid setup such as ...e6 and ...d6. If Black declines, the game becomes a calmer c3 Sicilian where White's center is the main issue.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.08: level. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. +0.08 2...cxd4 3.Nf3 e5 4.c3 Nc6 5.cxd4
  2. +0.77 2...e6 3.d5 Nf6 4.Nc3 d6 5.h3
  3. +0.78 2...g6 3.dxc5 Bg7 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

14,302 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 50.4%.

under 120051.0%
1200–159949.5%
1600–199950.6%
2000 and up51.7%

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

Traps and pitfalls

Siberian Trap (Black sets it)

In the Smith-Morra Gambit, Black lines up the queen on c7 and a knight on g4 against h2. When White plays 9.h3, the reply 9...Nd4 attacks the queen and lures away the f3 knight, the only guard of h2.

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The Siberian Trap explained

Where it goes next

  • Morphy Gambit2...cxd4 · 890 games
  • Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Chicago Defense2...cxd4 · rare

How to play against it

As Black, take with 2...cxd4. Then decide: accepting with ...dxc3 means learning a solid setup, while ...d5 or ...Nf6 declines with an even game. Avoid ...e6 or ...g6 on move two, which let White grab space with d5 or dxc5.

Other lines with this name

The lichess opening list also files this line under the same name, though it reaches a different position: 1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3.

Questions

What are the moves of the Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit?

The Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit starts 1.e4 c5 2.d4. Its ECO code is B21.

Is the Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.08 at depth 20, which is level. In 14,302 lichess games from our sample, White scored 50.4%. A favorite of attacking White players at club level, and Black should pick one setup, accept or decline, and learn it well.

What is the main idea of the Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit?

White gives up the d-pawn and often a second pawn on c3 to get open files and fast development. Black can accept and defend with a solid setup or decline the second pawn for a calm, even game.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is cxd4, with e6 and g6 close behind. 2...cxd4 trades a wing pawn for White's center pawn and keeps Black's options open against c3.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.