ECO B21 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Finegold Defense

1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 e6 5. Nf3 d6 6. Bc4 a6 7. O-O Be7 8. Qe2 Nf6

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

9. e5+0.08

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

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Finegold Defense (B21), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 e6 5. Nf3 d6 6. Bc4 a6 7. O-O Be7 8. Qe2 Nf6, Stockfish 18 recommends 9. e5 for White. The position is roughly equal (+0.08).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.089. e5 dxe5 10. Rd1 Nbd7 11. Nxe5 O-O 12. Bf4 Qe8 13. Qf3 Nxe5
  2. +0.059. Rd1 Nbd7 10. e5 dxe5 11. Nxe5 O-O 12. Bf4 Qe8 13. Qf3 Ra7
  3. −0.219. Bb3 Nc6 10. Rd1 Bd7 11. Bf4 e5 12. Bg5 Be6 13. h3 O-O

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Finegold Defense?
After 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 e6 5. Nf3 d6 6. Bc4 a6 7. O-O Be7 8. Qe2 Nf6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 9. e5 for White, continuing dxe5 10. Rd1 Nbd7 11. Nxe5 O-O 12. Bf4 Qe8 13. Qf3 Nxe5. The position is roughly equal (+0.08). The next best moves are 9. Rd1 (+0.05) and 9. Bb3 (−0.21).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Finegold Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.08: 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, Finegold 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+).