Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Smith-Morra Declined
The Smith-Morra Declined line arises from the Alapin after 2...Nf6 3.e5 Nd5 4.d4 cxd4, with Black's knight planted on d5 and White's pawn already on e5. White picks a recapture on d4, and Black prepares ...d6 to undermine e5 before White can build a stable center.
- Moves
- 1.e4 c5 2.c3 Nf6 3.e5 Nd5 4.d4 cxd4
- ECO
- B22
- Engine
- +0.02 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 2,057 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 47.9%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- 5.cxd4 gives a classical pawn pair on d4 and e5; then Nf3, Bc4 and Bb3 push the d5 knight around.
- 5.Nf3 delays the recapture, and after ...d6 Bc4 the queen can take on d4 later, as in the engine's second line.
- 5.Qxd4 develops the queen with an eye on the d5 knight, but ...e6 and ...Nc6 gain time on it.
- Do not overextend with f4; the e5 pawn needs pieces, not more pawns, behind it.
Black
- Answer the recapture with ...d6 at once, attacking e5 and opening the c8 bishop.
- When Bc4 hits the knight, step back with ...Nb6 and gain time on the bishop.
- After the trade on e5, use ...Nc6 and ...e6 to pile on the d4 pawn.
- Keep the d5 knight centralized as long as it is not chased; it blocks White's d-pawn.
Plans and pawn structure
The fight is about the e5 pawn. After 5.cxd4 d6 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Bc4 Nb6 8.Bb3 dxe5, White usually takes back on e5 with the d-pawn or a knight and plays for central space and quick castling. Black puts pieces on d5 and c6, challenges d4, and can fianchetto with ...g6 or play ...e6 and ...Be7. If White ends up with an isolated d4 pawn, Black blockades on d5; if White keeps e5 supported, Black must keep hitting it.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.02: level. Its three top choices for White:
- +0.02 5.cxd4 d6 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Bc4 Nb6
- −0.01 5.Nf3 d6 6.Bc4 dxe5 7.Nxe5 e6
- −0.21 5.Qxd4 e6 6.Bc4 d6 7.Nf3 Nc6
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
2,057 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 47.9%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
How to play against it
With White, the simple path is 5.cxd4 and quick development with Nf3 and Bc4. Do not chase the knight with too many pawn moves. With Black, play ...d6 right away and be ready to drop the knight back to b6 when the bishop arrives.
Questions
What are the moves of the Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Smith-Morra Declined?
The Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Smith-Morra Declined starts 1.e4 c5 2.c3 Nf6 3.e5 Nd5 4.d4 cxd4. Its ECO code is B22.
Is the Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Smith-Morra Declined good for Black?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.02 at depth 20, which is level. In 2,057 lichess games from our sample, White scored 47.9%. A comfortable, practical line for Black players who like piece activity, while White needs accurate development to keep any edge.
What is the main idea of the Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Smith-Morra Declined?
White has an advanced pawn on e5 and wants to support it with d4. Black uses the d5 knight and the ...d6 break to attack e5 before White's center becomes stable.
What should White play next?
The engine's first choice is cxd4, with Nf3 and Qxd4 close behind. 5.cxd4 recaptures with a pawn and builds a d4 and e5 center, the main point of 2.c3.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.