Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Paulsen Formation
1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 Nc6 5. Nf3 e6 6. Bc4 a6
7. O-O−0.35
Black is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Paulsen Formation (B21), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 Nc6 5. Nf3 e6 6. Bc4 a6, Stockfish 18 recommends 7. O-O for White. Black is slightly better (−0.35).
Top engine moves
- −0.357. O-O b5 8. Be2 Bb7 9. Bf4 Rc8 10. Rc1 Nge7 11. Bg3 Ng6
- −0.377. Bf4 b5 8. Bd3 Bb7 9. O-O Be7 10. Rc1 Nf6 11. e5 Nh5
- −0.517. Qe2 Nge7 8. a4 Ng6 9. h4 Nge5 10. Bf4 d6
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Paulsen Formation?
After 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 Nc6 5. Nf3 e6 6. Bc4 a6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 7. O-O for White, continuing b5 8. Be2 Bb7 9. Bf4 Rc8 10. Rc1 Nge7 11. Bg3 Ng6. Black is slightly better (−0.35). The next best moves are 7. Bf4 (−0.37) and 7. Qe2 (−0.51).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Paulsen Formation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.35: black is slightly better. 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, Paulsen Formation?
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+).