[Event "Smith Morra Gambit - Molton: Smith Morra Gambit - Ideas and Setup"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/HIyaIX69/xIWlnJPh"] [White "Smith Morra Gambit"] [Black "Ideas and Setup"] [Result "*"] [Annotator "Moulthun"] [Variant "Standard"] [ECO "B21"] [Opening "Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Paulsen Formation"] [UTCDate "2021.08.16"] [UTCTime "03:59:53"] [Source "https://lichess.org/study/qmaYvmlm/VhSrAwzv"] [Orientation "white"] 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 { You can find the entire Youtube video at: https://youtu.be/zWVoCJOkUng } { The Smith Morra Gambit, one of my favourite Anti-Sicilian openings as a junior is still alive and kicking. Here I will share with you the exact lines I play as well as some fresh new ideas and novelties along the way. Many variations and setups have been changed in modern times but the core ideas remain the same. White sacrifices an early pawn for a slight development edge and pressure along the semi-open c and d-files. The good thing about this opening is that it's relatively simple to learn. We play the same setup against almost everything. On the other hand, precision is required to maintain the initiative. Lets start by having a quick look at the typical Morra piece setup and well as discuss some ideas to go along with it. } 4... Nc6 5. Nf3 a6 6. Bc4 e6 7. O-O { White can remain on autopilot until now in almost every variation. White can remain on autopilot until now in almost every variation. One of the big decisions early is on the placement of the dark-squared bishop. } 7... d6 (7... Nge7 { In variations with Black playing the knight to e7, we will often play Bg5 before dropping it back to the e3 square. }) 8. Qe2 { The queen sidesteps to make space for the rook to apply pressure along the d-file. } 8... Qc7 9. Rd1 { Here the rook keeps an eye on the backward d6 pawn. } 9... Nf6 10. Bf4 { Whenever the Black knight goes to f6, it is often the prefered option for the bishop to head for f4 where it supports the central e5 pawn advance. From here Black has heaps of options but White's ideas remain the same. We want to apply some pressure with Rac1 followed by ideas of b4, e5 or Nd5 are all common themes in the position. Now that you have a basic understanding of where to develop your pieces let's jump straight into the lines. } *