Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...c5/2. d4/2...cxd4/3. c3/3...dxc3/4. Nxc3/4...Nc6/5. Nf3/5...e6

Smith-Morra gambit accepted B21 Sicilian defence → Smith-Morra gambit → 5. Nf3 5...e6 Black has opened a line for the king's bishop to develop, and the pawn on e6 has the added advantage of relieving the bishop's pressure on f7. Nevertheless, 6. Bc4 is the main move. White still would like to develop their king's bishop and prepare to castle, and c4 is as good a square as any. The game reaches the main tabiya of the Smith-Morra accepted and Black chooses between 6...a6, playing in the style of the Paulsen, 6...d6, playing in the style of the Scheveningen, 6...Qc7, the Siberian variation, or 6...Bb4, the pin variation. 6. Be2 is reasonable alternative but uncommon; it at least allows White to castle. 6. Bb5?! gives Black fuel to start expanding on the queen's side with 6...a6 7. Ba4 (7. Bxc6? bxc6. White has already given up a pawn and is doing Black's job for them if they also start trading down) b5, and the bishop ends up on the same restricted diagonal as if White had played 6. Bc4. Theory table References