Smith morra is quite solid even objectively, not sure what your talking about. Also, this is for lower rated players.
@SveshnikovisKing said in #11:
> Smith morra is quite solid even objectively, not sure what your talking about. Also, this is for lower rated players.
If you intend to stay low rated, then sure... it's fine. Just like Englund gambit btw, which is a more extreme example of that.
But if you're going to invest in developing a repertoire and get stronger and stronger, you will inevitably reach a point where it simply no longer makes sense to play smith morra. At that point, all the time you've spent mastering it will turn out wasted.
And that point is nowhere near master level. From, say, 1900 fide and up the best you can hope for is not losing. Especially against opponents who know you play it and prepare for it.
If you don't play sicilian for black, and want to invest in an anti-sicilian, something like alapin is just much more reliable. Or even obscure lines like 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Qxd4 Nc6 5. Qd2 g6 6. b3 Bh6 7. f4 Nf6 8. Bb2 O-O 9. O-O-O just give better results.
> Smith morra is quite solid even objectively, not sure what your talking about. Also, this is for lower rated players.
If you intend to stay low rated, then sure... it's fine. Just like Englund gambit btw, which is a more extreme example of that.
But if you're going to invest in developing a repertoire and get stronger and stronger, you will inevitably reach a point where it simply no longer makes sense to play smith morra. At that point, all the time you've spent mastering it will turn out wasted.
And that point is nowhere near master level. From, say, 1900 fide and up the best you can hope for is not losing. Especially against opponents who know you play it and prepare for it.
If you don't play sicilian for black, and want to invest in an anti-sicilian, something like alapin is just much more reliable. Or even obscure lines like 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Qxd4 Nc6 5. Qd2 g6 6. b3 Bh6 7. f4 Nf6 8. Bb2 O-O 9. O-O-O just give better results.
I am not sure but i think morra is somewhat serious.
@Molurus said in #12:
> If you intend to stay low rated, then sure... it's fine. Just like Englund gambit btw, which is a more extreme example of that.
>
> But if you're going to invest in developing a repertoire and get stronger and stronger, you will inevitably reach a point where it simply no longer makes sense to play smith morra. At that point, all the time you've spent mastering it will turn out wasted.
>
> And that point is nowhere near master level. From, say, 1900 fide and up the best you can hope for is not losing. Especially against opponents who know you play it and prepare for it.
>
> If you don't play sicilian for black, and want to invest in an anti-sicilian, something like alapin is just much more reliable. Or even obscure lines like 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Qxd4 Nc6 5. Qd2 g6 6. b3 Bh6 7. f4 Nf6 8. Bb2 O-O 9. O-O-O just give better results.
I am a 2200 Fide rated player and i play Morra with good results. The engine evaluation is -0.1, so there is nothing to fear about. Also it's a great way to train' middlegame patterns and sharp play.
> If you intend to stay low rated, then sure... it's fine. Just like Englund gambit btw, which is a more extreme example of that.
>
> But if you're going to invest in developing a repertoire and get stronger and stronger, you will inevitably reach a point where it simply no longer makes sense to play smith morra. At that point, all the time you've spent mastering it will turn out wasted.
>
> And that point is nowhere near master level. From, say, 1900 fide and up the best you can hope for is not losing. Especially against opponents who know you play it and prepare for it.
>
> If you don't play sicilian for black, and want to invest in an anti-sicilian, something like alapin is just much more reliable. Or even obscure lines like 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Qxd4 Nc6 5. Qd2 g6 6. b3 Bh6 7. f4 Nf6 8. Bb2 O-O 9. O-O-O just give better results.
I am a 2200 Fide rated player and i play Morra with good results. The engine evaluation is -0.1, so there is nothing to fear about. Also it's a great way to train' middlegame patterns and sharp play.
@Molurus said in #12:
> If you intend to stay low rated, then sure... it's fine. Just like Englund gambit btw, which is a more extreme example of that.
>
> But if you're going to invest in developing a repertoire and get stronger and stronger, you will inevitably reach a point where it simply no longer makes sense to play smith morra. At that point, all the time you've spent mastering it will turn out wasted.
>
> And that point is nowhere near master level. From, say, 1900 fide and up the best you can hope for is not losing. Especially against opponents who know you play it and prepare for it.
>
> If you don't play sicilian for black, and want to invest in an anti-sicilian, something like alapin is just much more reliable. Or even obscure lines like 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Qxd4 Nc6 5. Qd2 g6 6. b3 Bh6 7. f4 Nf6 8. Bb2 O-O 9. O-O-O just give better results.
So you just forgot about Marc Esserman? And also, I have beat 2000+ Fide Rated players with the morra... Hikaru even played it against Fabi and won, albeit in rapid.
> If you intend to stay low rated, then sure... it's fine. Just like Englund gambit btw, which is a more extreme example of that.
>
> But if you're going to invest in developing a repertoire and get stronger and stronger, you will inevitably reach a point where it simply no longer makes sense to play smith morra. At that point, all the time you've spent mastering it will turn out wasted.
>
> And that point is nowhere near master level. From, say, 1900 fide and up the best you can hope for is not losing. Especially against opponents who know you play it and prepare for it.
>
> If you don't play sicilian for black, and want to invest in an anti-sicilian, something like alapin is just much more reliable. Or even obscure lines like 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Qxd4 Nc6 5. Qd2 g6 6. b3 Bh6 7. f4 Nf6 8. Bb2 O-O 9. O-O-O just give better results.
So you just forgot about Marc Esserman? And also, I have beat 2000+ Fide Rated players with the morra... Hikaru even played it against Fabi and won, albeit in rapid.
@The_Eruptodon said in #14:
> I am a 2200 Fide rated player and i play Morra with good results. The engine evaluation is -0.1, so there is nothing to fear about. Also it's a great way to train' middlegame patterns and sharp play.
By the looks of it on Lichess it is not your main go-to in sicilian, and I doubt it is in OTB. I score 44% with Englund Gambit. That doesn't mean it's a good opening. And the engine evaluation isn't all that important: we're not engines. From a practical standpoint, you're just a pawn down if black holds. Which isn't ridiculously hard, especially in early a6 lines.
Btw: why is your profile here saying you're 1444 fide? I doubt that is right. :D
> I am a 2200 Fide rated player and i play Morra with good results. The engine evaluation is -0.1, so there is nothing to fear about. Also it's a great way to train' middlegame patterns and sharp play.
By the looks of it on Lichess it is not your main go-to in sicilian, and I doubt it is in OTB. I score 44% with Englund Gambit. That doesn't mean it's a good opening. And the engine evaluation isn't all that important: we're not engines. From a practical standpoint, you're just a pawn down if black holds. Which isn't ridiculously hard, especially in early a6 lines.
Btw: why is your profile here saying you're 1444 fide? I doubt that is right. :D
@SveshnikovisKing said in #15:
> So you just forgot about Marc Esserman? And also, I have beat 2000+ Fide Rated players with the morra... Hikaru even played it against Fabi and won, albeit in rapid.
I'm sure there are high rated players who occassionally venture it. But I'm sure you are aware it's really uncommon. That does have a reason. It's nice to have it as a surprise weapon, but it's not practical to rely on it for your main opening against sicilian. People will prepare for it, and kill you.
> So you just forgot about Marc Esserman? And also, I have beat 2000+ Fide Rated players with the morra... Hikaru even played it against Fabi and won, albeit in rapid.
I'm sure there are high rated players who occassionally venture it. But I'm sure you are aware it's really uncommon. That does have a reason. It's nice to have it as a surprise weapon, but it's not practical to rely on it for your main opening against sicilian. People will prepare for it, and kill you.
Marc consistently plays the morra... And no, they won't out prepare you and kill you.
@Molurus said in #16:
> By the looks of it on Lichess it is not your main go-to in sicilian, and I doubt it is in OTB. I score 44% with Englund Gambit. That doesn't mean it's a good opening. And the engine evaluation isn't all that important: we're not engines. From a practical standpoint, you're just a pawn down if black holds. Which isn't ridiculously hard, especially in early a6 lines.
>
> Btw: why is your profile here saying you're 1444 fide? I doubt that is right. :D
Yeah, okay, you are probably right. I think it's a really GREAT surprise weapon, but your point is very good and as a normal opening (in classic) it's a little risky to play.
PS: It's a lil joke.
> By the looks of it on Lichess it is not your main go-to in sicilian, and I doubt it is in OTB. I score 44% with Englund Gambit. That doesn't mean it's a good opening. And the engine evaluation isn't all that important: we're not engines. From a practical standpoint, you're just a pawn down if black holds. Which isn't ridiculously hard, especially in early a6 lines.
>
> Btw: why is your profile here saying you're 1444 fide? I doubt that is right. :D
Yeah, okay, you are probably right. I think it's a really GREAT surprise weapon, but your point is very good and as a normal opening (in classic) it's a little risky to play.
PS: It's a lil joke.
Ah, btw @SveshnikovisKing that really means nothing if ya beat 2000+ players, sorry.