Chess Openings Lab
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Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted

The Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted is 3...dxc3, where Black takes the second pawn and White develops with tempo. White gets open c- and d-files and fast development for the pawn, while Black wants to develop calmly with ...e6, ...Nc6 and ...d6 and keep the material.

Moves
1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3 dxc3
ECO
B21
Engine
−0.37 · a slight edge for Black (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
9,430 games in our lichess sample
White scores
52.1%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Recapture with 4.Nxc3, the engine's first choice; taking back keeps the deficit to a single pawn.
  • Develop with Nf3, Bc4 and O-O, then put rooks on c1 and d1 against Black's c- and d-file weaknesses.
  • Avoid 4.Bc4 and 4.Nf3: after ...cxb2 Bxb2, White is two pawns down for development.

Black

  • Develop with ...e6, ...Nc6 and ...d6, as in the top engine line, keeping a solid small center.
  • Hold back ...Nf6 until it cannot be hit by e5 with tempo, and castle before opening lines.
  • Watch the d6 and c7 squares: White's knights love jumps to b5 and d5.

Plans and pawn structure

White is a pawn down but has open lines and quick development. The usual setup is Nc3, Nf3, Bc4, O-O, Qe2 and rooks on c1 and d1, aiming at d6 and c7. Black's best structure is the small center with ...e6 and ...d6, plus ...Nc6 and ...Nf6, castling short before opening anything. If Black survives the opening, the extra pawn starts to count in the endgame.

Where the engine's main line heads: Scheveningen small center: Black pawns d6 and e6. The Scheveningen small center: Black pawns on d6 and e6 cover the central squares and wait for the right moment to break with ...d5 or ...e5.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −0.37: a slight edge for Black. Its three top choices for White:

  1. −0.37 4.Nxc3 e6 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.Be2 d6
  2. −0.91 4.Bc4 cxb2 5.Bxb2 e6 6.Nf3 Nf6
  3. −0.97 4.Nf3 cxb2 5.Bxb2 e6 6.Bc4 Nf6

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

9,430 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 52.1%.

under 120051.6%
1200–159950.9%
1600–199952.6%
2000 and up52.0%

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

How to play against it

As White, take back with 4.Nxc3 and develop with Nf3, Bc4 and O-O before any attack. Do not play 4.Bc4 or 4.Nf3, which allow ...cxb2 and a second pawn. Aim the rooks at c7 and d6, and be patient: the pressure lasts as long as every piece stays active.

Questions

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

The Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted starts 1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3 dxc3. Its ECO code is B21.

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

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.37 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for Black. In 9,430 lichess games from our sample, White scored 52.1%. White's side suits attacking players who accept long-term pawn deficits, while Black needs a calm, well-known setup.

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

Black takes the second pawn, and White recaptures with the knight for a lead in development. White aims rooks and knights at d6 and c7, while Black builds a solid ...e6 and ...d6 setup and hopes to keep the pawn.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is Nxc3, with Bc4 and Nf3 close behind. 4.Nxc3 takes back a pawn and develops, keeping White only one pawn down with fast play.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.