ECO B21 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Fianchetto Defense

1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 g6

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

5. Bc4+0.15

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

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Fianchetto Defense (B21), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 g6, Stockfish 18 recommends 5. Bc4 for White. The position is roughly equal (+0.15).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.155. Bc4 Nc6 6. Nf3 Bg7 7. e5 Nh6 8. O-O O-O 9. Bf4 d6
  2. +0.015. e5 Bg7 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. Bc4 Nh6 8. O-O O-O 9. Bf4 d6
  3. 0.005. Nf3 Bg7 6. Bc4 Nc6 7. e5 Nh6 8. O-O O-O 9. Bf4 d6

Other move orders

  • 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 Nc6 5. Nf3 g6
  • 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 d6 5. Nf3 g6
  • 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 Nc6 5. Nf3 d6 6. Bc4 g6

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Fianchetto Defense?
After 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 g6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5. Bc4 for White, continuing Nc6 6. Nf3 Bg7 7. e5 Nh6 8. O-O O-O 9. Bf4 d6. The position is roughly equal (+0.15). The next best moves are 5. e5 (+0.01) and 5. Nf3 (0.00).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Fianchetto Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.15: 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, Fianchetto Defense?
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+).