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Smith-Morra Gambit [B21]

Written by GMs Rowson, Smerdon, Shaw & IMs Collins, Vigorito, Lane & Martin

Last updated Monday, January 16, 2017

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Gambit with many names

B lackburne played the Morra Gambit in 1870 but the actual name has evolved through the years.
It is also known as the Fleissig, Matulovic or Rivadavia. Older sources even call it the Morphy
Gambit based on the fact that Paul Morphy played the c2-c3 sacrifice against Journoud in
France 1858, which started 1 e4 c5 2 d4 cxd4 3 ¤f3 e5 4 ¥c4 ¥e7 5 c3 d6 6 £b3 dxc3 7 ¥xf7+ ¢f8 8
¤xc3.
The current name is linked to Pierre Morra (1900–69) who wrote articles on the gambit in the
1940s. A couple of books later by fellow French writers and the name stuck. The addition of American
Ken Smith's (1930–99) name is thanks to his efforts to popularise the opening. He played it
extensively, commissioned a number of articles from leading players and wrote several books on the
subject.
It is a tricky line which can result in a quick win for White if Black is not prepared. The idea is
to speed up development by sacrificing a pawn before White embarks on a direct attack against the
black king.

All the game references highlighted in blue have been annotated and can be downloaded in PGN form
using the PGN Games Archive on www.chesspublishing.com.
Contents

1 e4 c5 2 d4
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2...cxd4 3 c3
3 £xd4 Morra Gambit- Intro

3...dxc3
3...d3 Morra Gambit- Intro

4 ¤xc3
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4...¤c6
4...d6 Morra Gambit- Intro
4...e5 Morra Gambit- Intro
5 ¤f3 e6
5...d6 6 ¥c4 a6 7 0–0 ¤f6 Morra Gambit- Taylor Defence

6 ¥c4
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6...a6
6...¥c5 Morra Gambit- Timman Variation 6 ...Bc5
6...d6 7 £e2 ¤f6 Morra Gambit- Classical Main Line
6...£c7 7 £e2 ¤f6 Morra Gambit- Siberian Trap 6...Qc7

7 0–0 b5 8 ¥b3 ¥b7


Morra Gambit ...e6 and ...a6

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Morra Gambit - Intro [B21]

Last updated: 07/12/13 by ChessPublishing.com

1 e4 c5 2 d4
2 ¤f3 d6 (2...¤c6 3 d4 cxd4 4 c3 White uses a slightly different move-order to enter the Morra
Gambit. 4...d3 Black declines the gambit which should give White an edge. (4...dxc3 5 ¤xc3 is the
main line Morra Gambit.) 5 ¥xd3 d6 6 0–0 g6 7 £b3!? has been suggested.) 3 d4 cxd4 4 c3 A
novel way of entering the Morra. 4...dxc3 5 ¥c4 An ambitious idea to create an instant attack.
( I prefer the usual Morra move, 5 ¤xc3 ) 5...cxb2 (5...e6 6 0–0 c2!? (6...¥e7 7 ¤xc3 transposes
back into a standard Morra Gambit. ) 7 £xc2 ¥e7 It makes sense to develop the kingside
because Black should quickly conclude development Sapienza,J-Farrancha,H/Chivilcoy 2001)
6 ¥xb2 The pair of bishops look rather threatening but two pawns is a lot to sacrifice after just 6
moves! 6...e6 7 0–0 ¤f6 8 £e2 ¥e7 9 ¦d1 ¤bd7 Black has TWO pawns in the war chest,
Hlinka,V-Dudas,J/Topolcianky 1994.

2...cxd4 3 c3
3 £xd4?! ¤c6 4 £c3 (4 £d1 ¤f6 5 ¤c3 g6 6 ¥e3 ¥g7 7 ¥c4 0–0 Black is a strong player and his robust
way of playing against White's queen sortie is worth noting. 8 h4 you have to admire White's
determination to attack, Richardson,M-Nakamura,H/Bermuda 2002. ) 4...e6 5 a3 White has to
be alert because 5...¥b4 would be embarrassing. 5...d6 6 ¥b5 ¥d7 7 ¥e3 ¦c8 8 £d2 Once
again the queen must move which means that Black is developing smoothly, with at least
equality, Mak,S-Smith,V/Istanbul Olympiad 2000.

3...dxc3
Acceptance is critical, but far from forced.
3...d3 An easy option for Black is to decline the gambit. The drawback is that White can then steer the
game towards a position similar to the Maroczy Bind. 4 ¥xd3 (or 4 c4 first.) 4...d6 (4...¤c6 5 c4 d6
6 ¤c3 ¤f6 7 ¤ge2 e6 Black wants to control the d5 square and simply develop the king's bishop.
Others: 8 0–0 ¥e7 9 b3 Philippe,C-Roberts,P/Budapest HUN 2001.) 5 c4 White makes clear his
determination to create the Maroczy Bind by strengthening the dominance of White on the d5
square. 5...¤f6 6 ¤c3 g6 7 h3 a valuable move in this variation, White delays developing the
king's knight in order to prevent it being pinned by ...¥g4 and it also helps in hindering ...¤g4 if
the queen's bishop is developed to e3. 7...¥g7 8 ¤f3 0–0 9 0–0 ¤c6 10 ¥e3 (10 £e2 the queen
gets out of the way to allow the rooks to co-ordinate, Vera,K-Nina,M/Lima 2002.) 10...a6
(10...¤d7 11 £d2 ¤c5 12 ¦ac1 b6 13 ¥b1 ¥b7 14 b3 ¦e8 15 ¦fd1 White centralises his rooks to
maintain the tension. The problem for Black is that it is difficult to create counterplay without
compromising his position, Lenderman,A-Miton,K/New York 2004. 10...¥d7 11 ¦c1 ¦c8
Santos,M-De Deus,J/Sau Paulo 1998.) 11 £d2 I like the queen on d2 where it can help to
exchange off bishops. 11...¥d7 12 ¤d5 ¤xd5 13 cxd5 (13 exd5 ¤e5 14 ¤xe5 ¥xe5 15 ¦ae1 is fine
for White.) 13...¤e5 14 ¤xe5 ¥xe5 15 f4 ¥g7 16 f5 Taylor,L-Perelshteyn,E/Yerevan 2000.
Black can also aim for 2 c3 lines with 3...¤f6, say.

4 ¤xc3
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4...¤c6
4...d6 5 ¤f3 e6 6 ¥c4 ¤f6 7 £e2 a6 8 0–0 b5 9 ¥b3 ¤bd7 10 a3 A clear sign that something has gone
wrong. White's only comp for the pawn is TIME, and if he has to take this time for moves like
a3, Black will soon catch up and White will have nothing to show for the material disadvantage,
Carrettoni,A-Costa,F/EMPES02B e-mail 2003.
4...e5?! 5 ¥c4 ¤f6 6 ¤f3 £c7 Black wishes to defend the e-pawn and attack the bishop. 7 £b3! the
queen move not only defends the bishop but attacks f7, Pleasants,A-Harman-Bishop/ Dorset
2001.

5 ¤f3 g6 6 h4!?
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This is grandmaster Janos Flesch's cheeky idea to accelerate the attack. It can have a good effect on
someone who is badly prepared but I believe Black should be fine.
6...h5
6...¤f6 7 h5 ¥g7 8 h6 ¥f8 9 ¥g5 ¤g4 10 ¥c4 f6 11 ¥f4 with some compensation for the pawn,
Quadrio,A-Candeias,H/POR 1997.

7 ¥c4
7 ¥g5 ¥g7 8 ¥c4 ¤f6 9 0–0 d6 10 e5 I don't like the idea of exchanging queens when a pawn down
unless there is a concrete line offering White decent chances, Regan,N-Sebag,M/Saint Vincent
1999.

7...¥g7 8 £b3
Flesch's recommendation and a sensible choice to pinpoint the f7 pawn.

8...¤a5 9 ¥xf7+ ¢f8 10 £d5 ¤f6 11 £g5!?


with a doubled-edged game, Rohler,S-Kreisl,R/Austrian Team championship 2001.
Morra Gambit - ...e6 and ...a6 [B21]

Last updated 11/02/16 by the ChessPub Team

1 e4 c5 2 d4 cxd4 3 c3 dxc3 4 ¤xc3 e6


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Flexible.

5 ¤f3 a6 6 ¥c4
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6...b5
Alternatives:
6...¤c6 7 0–0 ¤ge7 Black reveals the idea behind his set-up. A knight developed on f6 is often a
target for e4–e5. Also if White puts a rook on the d-file and wishes to exploit the pin with e4–e5
after ...d7–d6 then having a knight on g6 will mean Black will have more control of the e5 square.
(7...d6 8 ¥f4 ¥e7 9 £e2 Berg,E-Miezis,N/Vasteras SWE 2013. 7...b5 8 ¥b3 h6?! A cautious
response. It is the type of move played all the time but often ignored in books. 9 £e2 When Black
plays something odd it makes sense for White to get with the standard plan of mobilising the queen
to support the idea e4–e5 and get the rooks active. 9...¥b4 10 ¦d1 The rook comes to the semi-
open d-file to increase the pressure on Black, Pfaff,V-Breiter,J/Kassel 2000.) 8 ¥g5 An
understandable choice because the pin will oblige Black to play a pawn move which will weaken
his kingside. 8...f6 9 ¥f4 (9 ¥e3! is a somewhat more challenging approach, 9...¤g6 10 ¥b3 b5 a
solid line, but 11 ¤d5!? with typical Morra Gambit confusion! 11...¦b8 (11...exd5?! Esserman,M-
Van Wely,L/US Open, Orlando 2011.) 12 ¦c1! Zelic,M-Martinovic,S/Split CRO 2007.) 9...¤g6 10
¥g3 b5 (10...¥c5!? The bishop on c5 looks quite aggressive but it has been rarely played. I suspect
Conquest's seal of approval will change that. 11 e5? f5 the obvious threat is ...f5–f4 to corner the
dark-squared bishop, 12 ¤e2 Simonsen,O-Conquest,S/Torshavn 2000) 11 ¥d3 ¥e7 12 a4 b4 13
¤d5
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The first time I saw this remarkable move I thought it was a misprint! A closer look indicates that if
taken it will allow White to launch a vicious onslaught. Dubois,J-Fernando,D/Cappelle la Grande
2001
6...£c7 7 £e2 ¥b4 This is not exactly a dubious defence, but Black always has to watch out for the
d6 square. (7...¥e7 was roughly treated in the following game: 8 0–0 b5 9 ¥b3 ¥b7 10 ¦d1 d6 11
¥f4 e5 A massive concession, just the sort of thing the Morra gambiteer is waiting for. (Better was
11...¤d7 although 12 ¦ac1 ¤c5 13 ¥c2 ¦c8 14 b4! gives White dangerous compensation.) 12
¤d5!+– Saradjen,J-Orel,A, Nova Gorica 2004.) 8 0–0 b5 (8...d6 9 ¥f4 ¥xc3 10 bxc3 b5 11 ¥b3
¤e7 12 ¦fd1 e5 13 ¥e3 0–0 As usual in a good version of the Morra, Black is behind in
development, Iodo,A-Kozlitina,E/Russian Junior Ch 2001.) 9 ¥b3 ¤c6 10 e5 d5 11 exd6 ¥xd6
Majer,C-Cafolla,P/Port Erin IOM 2006, and now 12 ¤d5! gives White an excellent game.

7 ¥b3 ¥b7
7...d6 8 0–0 ¦a7 9 £e2 ¤c6 10 ¦d1 ¦d7 11 ¥f4 ¥e7 12 ¦ac1 ¥b7 13 e5! Logically using his lead in
development by opening the centre, Dimitrov,P-Parligras,M/Varna BUL 2010.
8 0–0
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8...d6
8...b4 9 ¤d5!? an amazing positional sacrifice! (What would White do after 9 ¤a4 ¥xe4 when it is
far from obvious if he has any compensation for the two pawns.) 9...exd5 10 exd5 White is down a
whole piece, but Black's king is exposed and it will be very difficult for him to develop his minor
pieces, see Esserman,M-Sarkar,J/Miami op 2008.
8...¤c6 9 £e2 As usual the queen comes to e2 to support the advance e4–e5 and co-ordinate the
rooks. (9 ¤d5!? Georgescu,L-Bogner,S/Zurich 2015, 9...d6!) 9...¤ge7 10 ¥g5 f6 11 ¥f4 ¤g6 12
¥g3 ¥c5 13 ¦fd1 The rook comes to the semi-open d-file and now the bishop is threatening to
take on e6, Sanchez,F-Anelli,A/Villa Ballester 2001.

9 £e2 ¤d7 10 ¦d1 ¤gf6


10...b4!? Black plays sharply, 11 ¤a4 ¤gf6 12 ¥c2 ¥e7 13 ¥f4 e5 Black is happier to advance the
e-pawn now that white's light-squared bishop is not on the a2–g8 diagonal, Spain,G-
Froehlich,P/Auckland 2003.
10...¥e7 11 ¥f4 £b6 12 ¦d2 ¤gf6 13 ¦ad1 e5 14 ¥g5 0–0 leaves White with no real compensation,
David,E-Borchgrevink,H/Oslo NOR 2007.

11 ¥f4
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11 ¥g5 A suggestion of Shipman's, 11...¥e7 12 ¥xf6 gxf6 13 £e3 h5 14 a3 £b6 15 £f4 when Black
has the better chances, Sigurjonsson,S-Thorsteinn,T/Reykjavic 2003.

11...b4
11...£b6 could transpose to the note above
11...£b8 is less combative, 12 ¦d2 ¥e7 13 ¦ad1 As usual the d6 pawn is the target for White's
pieces. 13...0–0 14 ¥xd6 ¥xd6 15 ¦xd6 ¤c5 it is fair to say that Black is putting pressure on the e4
pawn, Zelic,M-Genser,H/Pula 1999.

12 ¤d5 exd5 13 exd5+ ¥e7 14 ¥xd6 ¢f8!


and Black consolidated, Zelic,M-Bartel,M/Rijeka CRO 2010.
Morra Gambit - Siberian Trap 6...Qc7 [B21]

Last updated: 15/03/10 by David Vigorito

1 e4 c5 2 d4 cxd4 3 c3 dxc3 4 ¤xc3 ¤c6 5 ¤f3 e6


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This pawn formation is favoured by those who wish to restrict the power of White's king's bishop when
it takes up its usual place on c4.

6 ¥c4 £c7
A normal developing move but in recent years it has also heralded the start of a stout defence based on
counter-attacking in the opening.

7 £e2
Played to cover c4, but 7 0–0 is sensible, 7...¤f6 8 ¤b5! (8 h3 a6 9 £e2 d6 10 ¥e3 ¥e7 looks fine for
Black, Kobernat,A-Wojtkiewicz,A/Sioux Falls USA 2005 ) 8...£b8 9 e5! ¤g4 (9...¤xe5?! 10
¤xe5 £xe5 11 ¦e1 £c5 12 ¥f1! Esserman,M-Chandran,K/Sturbridge 2010 ) 10 ¤d6+ this hasn't
been played much but it is based on the logical idea of cutting off the black queen from the
defence of the kingside. The argument against it is that eventually a pawn on d6 might be a
weakness, (10 ¥f4 a6 11 ¤d6+ ¥xd6 12 exd6 is similar, Dubois,J-Vorobiov,E/Cappelle la Grande
FRA 2007, and can be safely answered by 12...0–0) 10...¥xd6 11 exd6 b5 12 ¥b3 0–0
Milman,L-Ehlvest,J/New York USA 2003.

7...¤f6
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8 e5!?
8 0–0 ¤g4 9 ¤b5! (9 ¦d1 ¥c5 The threat is ...¤d4. 10 ¥e3 An unfortunate compromise for White to
keep the position playable. 10...¤xe3 11 fxe3 0–0 12 ¢h1 gave Black a comfortable game in
Shein,E-Bitansky,I/Ramat Aviv 2000., 9 h3? is the trap in its pure form: 9...¤d4! and Black wins,
Chaplain,F-Abergel,T/Pau 2000) 9...£b8 10 h3 h5 11 g3 ¥c5 12 ¥f4!÷ ¤ge5 13 ¤xe5 ¤xe5
14 ¦ac1 a6 15 ¥xe6! Flitney,A-Escribano,J/Tuggeranong AUS 2007 and Black did not recover
from this shot!
8 ¥g5 ¤g4 9 h3 ¤ge5 left White to prove his compensation for the pawn but the game was eventually
drawn, Laurent,B-Leconte,J/Naujac 2000.

8...¤g4 9 ¥f4 h5
9...f6 An important move. 10 ¤d5 £a5+ 11 ¥d2 £d8 12 exf6 ¤xf6 13 ¤f4 led to a lead in
development for White, Wall,T-Kelly,B/Newport 1997.

10 h3 ¤h6 11 0–0 a6
Black takes steps to control the b5 square.

12 ¦fd1 b5 13 ¥b3 ¥e7


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Black should quickly conclude development, Marciniak,A-Lesbros,B/Vichy 2000.


Morra Gambit - Taylor Defence [B21]

Last updated 16/01/17 by the ChessPub Team

1 e4 c5 2 d4 cxd4 3 c3 dxc3 4 ¤xc3 ¤c6 5 ¤f3


5 ¥c4 d6 6 f4!? introduces an idea unmentioned in many modern texts on the Morra. White departs
from the standard fare and lines up his pieces as follows: f3, e3, 0–0, e2, ad1, pressure on
the e-file and (or) f4–f5 follows. (6 ¤f3 transposes to the mainline.) 6...e6 7 ¤f3 ¥e7 8 £e2 ¤f6 9
¥e3 0–0 10 ¦d1 a6 11 e5 ¤e8 12 0–0 £a5 13 ¥f2 b5 14 ¥b3 b4 15 ¥c2 g6 16 exd6 ¤xd6 17 ¤e4
¦d8 Martin,A-Muir,A/Lloyds Bank Masters 1979 and now 18 ¤e5! would have given White some
compensation.

5...d6 6 ¥c4 a6
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This is sometimes referred to as the Taylor Defence.


6...¤f6?! A natural looking move which is in fact a mistake, 7 e5! dxe5 8 £xd8+ ¢xd8 9 ¤g5 gave
White a winning advantage, Regan,N-Woestenburg,J/Haarlem 1998.

7 0–0 ¤f6 8 b4!?


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Another pawn is added to the fire to cause confusion and create attacking opportunities.
8 ¥e3 White just gets on with developing his pieces. The text is a little bit unusual but has the
advantage of not being exhaustively analysed in the books. 8...b5 9 ¥xf7+! ¢xf7 10 e5 This is the
move that makes the whole line work in White's favour, Lane,G-Hendy,M/Internet 2002.
8 £e2?! ¥g4 9 ¦d1 e6 This combination of pinning the king's knight and then setting up a solid
pawn barrier works wonders for Black. 10 ¥f4? (10 h3) 10...¤h5! 11 ¥e3 ¤e5 (11...£f6
Reagan,N-Hodgson,J/Lloyds Bank 1994.) 12 ¥b3 ¥xf3 13 gxf3 £h4 Black has an extra pawn and
a strong initiative, Loh,Z-Demuth,A/Adelaide 2016.
8 ¥g5 ¥g4 This natural looking move is exactly what White wants. 9 £b3! At a stroke White has the
advantage by attacking both b7 and f7, Costa,F-Morais,M/Honra 1999.
8 h3 stops ...g4, but wastes time, 8...e6 9 £e2 b5 10 ¥b3 ¥b7 11 ¦d1 £b8 12 ¥f4 ¤d7 13 ¦d2
¥e7 14 ¦ad1 ¤de5µ Bondielli,G-Rowson,J/Porto Mannu PAL 2007.

8...¥g4
It makes sense to pin the king's knight to reduce White's attacking opportunities.
8...e6 9 b5 ¤e5 10 ¤xe5 dxe5 11 £e2 When you have sacrificed a pawn in the opening there have to
be special circumstances to voluntarily agree to exchange queens. 11...¥e7 12 ¦d1 £a5 13 ¥d2
£c7 14 ¦ac1 with good play for White, Regan,N-Koglin,A/Germany 1999.

9 b5 ¥xf3 10 gxf3
10 £xf3? is not advisable on account of the fork 10...¤e5 when Black can win material upon 11 £e2
¦c8! (White survives after the inaccurate 11...¤xc4?! followed by 12 £xc4 ¦c8 13 £d3 when the
queen can protect the knight) 12 bxa6 bxa6 (12...¤xc4?! is silly because 13 axb7 ¦c6 14 ¦b1
gives White some play when he should be resigning) 13 ¥xa6 ¦xc3 and Black is much better.

10...axb5
10...¤e5 11 bxa6! ¤xc4 12 axb7 gave White good tactical chances, Regan,N-Van Beek,G/Haarlem
1998.

11 ¥xb5
11 ¤xb5!? ¤e5 12 ¥b3 e6 Black just wants to catch up with development by preparing to castle
kingside. 13 ¥g5 ¤c6 14 ¥xf6 gxf6 15 f4 £b6 16 a4 ¤a7 17 ¤xa7 ¦xa7 18 f5! An excellent move
designed to increase the scope of the light-squared bishop. Black is already in trouble and
significantly still has not caught up with development, Williamson,H-Overton,D/British
Correspondence Chess Society 2002.

11...g6 12 ¤d5
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gave White decent play for the material and the game was eventually drawn, Hardarson,R-De
Firmian,N/Politiken Cup 1999.
Morra Gambit - Timman Variation 6 ...Bc5 [B21]

Last updated: 20/02/02 by Gary Lane

1 e4 c5 2 d4 cxd4 3 c3 dxc3 4 ¤xc3 ¤c6


4...e6 5 ¤f3 ¥c5 6 ¥c4 ¤e7 7 0–0 (7 £e2!? 0–0 8 ¥g5 ¤bc6 9 ¦d1 a6 Controls b5 10 a3 A dual purpose
move that prepares to gain space on the queenside with b2-b4 and also cope with the
possibility of ...b7-b5-b4. 10...b5 11 ¥a2 d6 Black reduces the effectiveness of e4-e5,
Vospernik,A-Bacsi,A/Budapest 2001 ) 7...0–0 8 e5 A natural move which seems right because
the e4 square is vacated for the knight. However, in the game Black responds energetically to
limit White's initiative. It might be better to try Qe2 and then Rd1 to exert some pressure on the
semi-open d-file. 8...d5 9 exd6 ¥xd6 10 ¤b5 ¤d5 11 ¤xd6 £xd6 12 £e2 White belatedly
follows the standard idea of making room for the rook on d1. However, it normally stifles
development but in this case having already played ...d5 Black can smoothly develop,
Vistisen,L-Adamski,J/Copenhagen 1999

5 ¤f3 e6 6 ¥c4 ¥c5


XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqk+ntr0
9zpp+p+pzpp0
9-+n+p+-+0
9+-vl-+-+-0
9-+L+P+-+0
9+-sN-+N+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-vLQmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy

Timman Variation.

7 0–0 a6
7...¤ge7 8 ¥g5?! It is harsh to complain about such a logical move but when you sacrifice a pawn it is
important to increase the pressure. I think Black has nothing to fear from the pin and it does
nothing compared to making use of the rook occupying the semi-open d-file. (8 ¤g5!? This is a
move in the true spirit of the opening. White goes on the attack at the earliest opportunity by
threatening Qh5. 8...¤g6 There is not much tournament experience in this line but Black
definitely has to be careful: Kufa,P-Nepomucky,O/Moravia Ch 1996 ) 8...0–0 9 £e2 f6 10 ¥h4
¤g6 11 ¥g3 ¤ge5 12 ¤xe5 ¤xe5 13 ¥xe5?! It is a mistake to give up the bishop pair and at
the same time open up the f-file for Black, Osi-Shirov99/Internet 1999.

8 ¥f4
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqk+ntr0
9+p+p+pzpp0
9p+n+p+-+0
9+-vl-+-+-0
9-+L+PvL-+0
9+-sN-+N+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy

This looks like a good way of handling the Black set-up. The bishop eyes up the d6 square but there is
another motive. It helps to prepare e5 when Black could not reply with the usual d5 because it
could be taken "en passant" and White would win the pawn.
8 £e2 ¤ge7 9 e5 b5 10 ¥b3 £c7 11 ¤e4 ¤a5 12 ¥d2 An inspired idea to concentrate on development
with visions of swinging a rook to c1, Gravel,S-Martin,M/Oviedo 1992

8...d6 9 a3
White has pinpointed d6 as a weak pawn and this is the first step to force Black into a compromise.

9...e5
The e-pawn advances which leaves a backward d-pawn and a hole on d5 for White to occupy.

10 ¥g5 ¤ge7 11 b4 ¥a7 12 ¤d5


XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqk+-tr0
9vlp+-snpzpp0
9p+nzp-+-+0
9+-+Nzp-vL-0
9-zPL+P+-+0
9zP-+-+N+-0
9-+-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy

gave White the initiative in Schmidt,W-Zahn,W/ Bundesliga 1994.


Morra Gambit - Classical Main Line [B21]

Last updated 04/02/15 by the ChessPub Team

1 e4 c5 2 d4 cxd4 3 c3 dxc3 4 ¤xc3 ¤c6 5 ¤f3 e6 6 ¥c4 d6 7 0–0 ¤f6


Black can also delay his kingside development: 7...¥e7 8 £e2 a6 this stops a white knight occupying
the b5 square and also prepares ...b7–b5. 9 ¦d1 £c7 An instinctive response to move the queen off
the d-file to avoid any nasty pins. However, it does gives White the chance to create a useful
initiative. (9...¥d7 10 ¥f4 (10 a4 ¤f6 11 ¥f4 e5 12 ¥g5 ¥e6 13 ¥xe6 fxe6 14 b4! I like the way
White finds every opportunity to play aggressive chess, Llaneza Vega,M-Fernandez
Fernandez,A/Norena 2001.) 10...e5 Black deflects the attention on the d6 pawn but in
compensation White is rewarded with the d5 square for his pieces to occupy.
a) 10...b5 11 ¥b3 e5 12 ¥e3 ¤f6 13 h3 White is wary of allowing the bishop to pin the knight on
g4, Senador,E-Dang Tat Thang/Bandar Seri Begawan 2001.
b) 10...£c7!? 11 ¦ac1 (11 e5!) 11...¦d8 12 h3 Valenti,G-Wild,A/Saint Vincent 1999.
11 ¥e3 ¤f6 12 a4 0–0 13 h3 h6 Lukas,M-Nilssen,J/Vlissingen 2002.) 10 ¥f4 This bishop moves
introduces various tricks so Black has to be very careful. 10...b5 (10...e5? has happened many
times, Flitney,A-Bristina,H/reserves 2004. 10...¤e5?! 11 ¥xe5 dxe5 12 ¦ac1 see Sola,R-
Trejo,J/Argentine Team championship 2000.) 11 ¥b3 ¥b7 12 ¦ac1 The rook slides across to the c-
file which is an obvious to do with the queen on c7. 12...¤f6?! 13 ¤d5! A textbook way of
exploiting the queen on c7 by using the extra development to create a tactic, Buchicchio,G-
Damia,A/Bratto 2002.

8 £e2
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqkvl-tr0
9zpp+-+pzpp0
9-+nzppsn-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+L+P+-+0
9+-sN-+N+-0
9PzP-+QzPPzP0
9tR-vL-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
The queen comes to e2 in order to make room for the king's rook to come to d1 to try and exploit the
semi-open d-file.

8...¥e7
8...a6 9 ¦d1 £c7!? I always think that Black is asking for trouble by putting the queen on the c-file
because White will usually play ac1 at some point. 10 ¥f4 e5 11 ¤d5 (11 ¥g5! looks like a
decent alternative because the d5 square will increase in importance. 11...¥e7 12 ¥xf6 ¥xf6 13
¤d5 £d8 14 h3 when White has sufficient compensation for the pawn.) 11...¤xd5 12 exd5 ¤e7
13 ¤xe5! gave White good play in Brunner,N-Lopez,G/Chambery 2002.

9 ¦d1
This position is considered the main line.

9...e5
Rarely played these days but good enough for easy equality in my view, Black plans ...0–0
and ...g4.
9...£c7 10 ¥f4 (10 a3 when White had compensation for the pawn, Lohage,A-
Tobor,D/Balatonbereny 1996.) 10...e5 (10...a6 11 ¦ac1 (11 £d2 White immediately puts pressure
on the d6 pawn. 11...¤e5 12 ¥e2 0–0 13 ¦ac1 Diermair,A-Bui Vinh/Budapest 2002.) 11...0–0 12
¥b3 Stomprowski,E-Buessing,O/GER 1997.) 11 ¥e3 a6 12 ¦ac1 £b8 Black is understandably
reluctant to leave his queen on the c-file. The snag is that it gets in the way of the rest of the pieces.
13 ¤d5 ¤xd5 14 ¥xd5 ¤d8 (14...¥d7 15 a3 0–0 16 ¤d2 heading for c4 gives White the
initiative.) 15 ¥b6! White is keen to apply pressure as soon as possible. Basically, Black is under
pressure because he cannot get his pieces out which means his defensive options are limited,
Peterson,E-Slovak,P/Tatranske Zruby SVK 2003.

10 h3
To stop ...g4, but 10 ¥e3 ignores the 'threat' of ...g4, 10...0–0 11 ¦ac1 ¥d7 12 a3 a6 13 b4
Esserman,M-Bartell,T/U.S. Chess League 2009.

10...0–0 11 ¥e3
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9zpp+-vlpzpp0
9-+nzp-sn-+0
9+-+-zp-+-0
9-+L+P+-+0
9+-sN-vLN+P0
9PzP-+QzPP+0
9tR-+R+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy

11 ¥g5 h6!? when White still has to prove the pawn sacrifice is right, Oim,T-Leito,P/Estonian Ch
Parnu/Talinn 2001.

11...h6
Stopping a piece coming to g5.
11...¥e6 12 ¦ac1 ¦c8 13 ¥xe6 (13 ¥b5 is worth investigating) 13...fxe6 14 b4 a6 15 b5 ¤b8?! (Or
15...axb5 16 £xb5 £d7 allows Black to hang on with a slight edge.) 16 ¤xe5 £a5 with a
complicated position favouring White, Carr,N-Plaskett,J/Brighton 1984.
11...a6 12 a4 There is some debate about the right way for White to proceed. In this case White is
keen to prevent ...b5. 12...¥e6 13 ¥xe6 fxe6 14 £c4 with double-edged play, Hardarson,R-
Hjartarson,J/Gardabaer 1991.

12 ¦ac1 ¥e6 13 ¥xe6 fxe6 14 b4 £e8!


Introducing an excellent idea worth remembering.

15 ¤b5 ¦d8 16 ¤xa7 ¤xb4 17 £b2 ¤c6 18 ¤b5 ¤xe4 19 ¤c7 £g6ƒ
Colding,E-Krush,I/Foxwoods USA 2007.

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