Chess Openings Lab
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Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Declined, Scandinavian Formation

The Scandinavian Formation is 3...d5, where Black declines the Smith-Morra by hitting e4 at once. White should take with exd5 and, after ...Qxd5, play cxd4 for an open, nearly symmetrical game, while Black aims for ...e5 and active pieces.

Moves
1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3 d5
ECO
B21
Engine
+0.24 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
679 games in our lichess sample
White scores
45.5%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Play 4.exd5 and after ...Qxd5, cxd4 restores the material balance in the center.
  • After ...e5 and the trades on d4, Qxd4 offers a queen trade and leaves White with easy development.
  • Avoid 4.Bb5+ and 4.Qxd4: both let Black trade pieces or take on e4 with an easy game.

Black

  • After exd5, recapture with the queen; it cannot be hit by a knight from c3 while the pawn sits there.
  • Strike with ...e5 after cxd4 to trade the last central pawn and open lines for the bishops.
  • Develop ...Nf6 and ...Nc6 quickly; the queen on d5 controls key central squares.

Plans and pawn structure

This line often turns into an open game with few pawns in the center. After 4.exd5 Qxd5 5.cxd4 e5, the d4 pawn is challenged and usually traded, leaving both sides with active pieces. White uses Nf3, Be2 and quick castling; Black develops ...Nf6, ...Nc6 and ...Bg4. Small edges in development decide such positions. White should keep the queen trade in mind as a safe way to reach a calm, equal game.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.24: level. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.24 4.exd5 Qxd5 5.cxd4 e5 6.Nf3 exd4
  2. −0.29 4.Bb5+ Bd7 5.Bxd7+ Qxd7 6.exd5 Nf6
  3. −0.42 4.Qxd4 dxe4 5.Qxe4 Nf6 6.Bb5+ Nbd7

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

679 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 45.5%.

1200–159932.6%
1600–199944.9%
2000 and up48.9%

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

How to play against it

As White, take on d5 at once and play cxd4 next. A queen trade is fine for White if development stays ahead. Do not play 4.Qxd4, which lets ...dxe4 grab the center pawn with tempo. Develop with Nf3 and Be2, and castle before the center opens further.

Questions

What are the moves of the Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Declined, Scandinavian Formation?

The Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Declined, Scandinavian Formation starts 1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3 d5. Its ECO code is B21.

Is the Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Declined, Scandinavian Formation good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.24 at depth 20, which is level. In 679 lichess games from our sample, White scored 45.5%. A good practical way to decline the gambit, and White must take on d5 at once to keep the balance.

What is the main idea of the Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Declined, Scandinavian Formation?

Black answers c3 with an immediate ...d5, striking at e4 instead of grabbing a second pawn. After exd5 Qxd5 and cxd4, the game opens up and both sides develop quickly.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is exd5, with Bb5+ and Qxd4 close behind. 4.exd5 removes the attacker of e4 and prepares cxd4, keeping the center balanced.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.