Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...c5/2. d4/2...cxd4/3. c3/3...dxc3

Smith-Morra gambit accepted B21 Sicilian defence → Smith-Morra gambit 3...dxc4 · Smith-Morra gambit accepted Black accepts the gambit by taking another pawn. 4. Nxc3 retakes the pawn while developing a piece. White's advantage is that they have managed to move both their e- and d-pawns, meaning they are ready to develop both their bishops without making any more pawn moves, without Black having had time to develop anything. All they had to give up was their central d-pawn: Black's advantage is that they are a pawn up and have both d- and e-pawns on the board. Offering up another pawn, e.g. 4. Bc4? cxb2 5. Bxb2 à la the Danish gambit is considered to give up too much material for the compensation on offer, but it is aggressive and may still be played especially at shorter time controls. 4. bxc3?? is inferior: preventing the development of the knight to c3, and leaving White with isolated a- and c-pawns, gives them no compensation for the sacrifice. Theory table 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4 5 Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted Nxc3Nc6 Nf3d6 References Smith-Morra Gambit