[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. } *