Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit

An entry in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO B21), reached after 3 half-moves: 1. e4 c5 2. d4.

Black rook — Use ← → arrows or click moves to step through.

Black knight — Use ← → arrows or click moves to step through.

End of this line

No further variations branch from this position in our database. To explore neighbouring ideas:

About this opening

Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit is an opening in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings, classified under code B21. ECO group B (B00–B99) covers semi-open games (1.e4 with Black playing anything other than 1…e5), with the Sicilian, French, Caro-Kann and Pirc/Modern at its heart. This particular variation is reached after 3 half-moves from the starting position, with the move sequence 1. e4 c5 2. d4.

It belongs to the Sicilian Defense family. Within that family this is a sub-variation (the Smith-Morra Gambit line).

The opening sequence in prose form: 1.e4 c5, 2.d4. From this position the encyclopaedia records no further canonical continuations — practical play branches into unnamed transpositions or returns to the parent line for alternative ideas.