ECO B21 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Declined, Push Variation

1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 d3

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

4. Bxd3+0.56

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Declined, Push Variation (B21), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 d3, Stockfish 18 recommends 4. Bxd3 for White. White is slightly better (+0.56).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.564. Bxd3 Nc6 5. c4 e6 6. Nf3 Bc5 7. Nc3 d6 8. a3 a5
  2. +0.514. c4 e5 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. a3 Bc5 7. b4 Bb6 8. Bxd3 d6
  3. +0.474. Nf3 Nc6 5. Bxd3 g6 6. O-O Bg7 7. Na3 d6 8. h3 Nf6

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Declined, Push Variation?
After 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 d3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4. Bxd3 for White, continuing Nc6 5. c4 e6 6. Nf3 Bc5 7. Nc3 d6 8. a3 a5. White is slightly better (+0.56). The next best moves are 4. c4 (+0.51) and 4. Nf3 (+0.47).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Declined, Push Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.56: white 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 Declined, Push Variation?
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+).