ECO B21 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Declined, Center Formation

1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 e5

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

4. Nf3+0.13

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

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Declined, Center Formation (B21), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 e5, Stockfish 18 recommends 4. Nf3 for White. The position is roughly equal (+0.13).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.134. Nf3 Nc6 5. cxd4 exd4 6. Nxd4 Nf6 7. Nc3 Bb4 8. Nxc6 dxc6
  2. 0.004. Bc4 Nf6 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. Ng5 d5 7. exd5 b5 8. Bb3 Na5
  3. −0.044. cxd4 exd4 5. Nf3 Bc5 6. Nxd4 Nf6 7. Nc3 O-O 8. Be2 Qb6

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Declined, Center Formation?
After 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 e5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4. Nf3 for White, continuing Nc6 5. cxd4 exd4 6. Nxd4 Nf6 7. Nc3 Bb4 8. Nxc6 dxc6. The position is roughly equal (+0.13). The next best moves are 4. Bc4 (0.00) and 4. cxd4 (−0.04).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Declined, Center Formation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.13: 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 Declined, Center 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+).