ECO B21 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted

1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3

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White to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

4. Nxc3−0.22

The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted (B21), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3, Stockfish 18 recommends 4. Nxc3 for White. The position is roughly equal (−0.22).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.224. Nxc3 Nc6 5. Nf3 e6 6. Be2 d6 7. O-O Nf6 8. Qb3 Be7
  2. −0.734. Bc4 cxb2 5. Bxb2 e6 6. Nf3 d6 7. Nc3 Nd7 8. O-O Ngf6
  3. −0.754. Nf3 cxb2 5. Bxb2 e6 6. Bc4 d6 7. O-O Nf6 8. Qe2 Be7

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted?
After 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4. Nxc3 for White, continuing Nc6 5. Nf3 e6 6. Be2 d6 7. O-O Nf6 8. Qb3 Be7. The position is roughly equal (−0.22). The next best moves are 4. Bc4 (−0.73) and 4. Nf3 (−0.75).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.22: the position is roughly equal. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted?
B21. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; B is the volume for semi-open games (other than the French).

Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).