It received a rush of popularity after the book mayhem in the morra by marc esserman came out in 2012. You can browse our entire chess database from this line, move by move. It is more solid as gambits go than say the latvian gambit for instance. The smith morra gambit system against the sicilian defence. But thats probably the rating threshold where you should switch to a more mainline opening.
The plan is to trade off the c8 bishop usually via bg4 after they play nf3, then trade bishop for knight, play e6, then put pressure on d4 via nc6, qb6, nh6f5 or ne7f5, and f6. Cookies on oxfam we use cookies to ensure that you have the best experience on our website. His is a good example of how a video dvd can provide a solid starting point even if it isnt as analytically complete as a fulllength book on the subject. This paper focuses on the smithmorra gambit against the highly popular sicilian defence arising after 1 e4 c5 2 d4 cxd4 3 c3. Developments in the smithmorra gambit 198089 by neil carr and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. It has been my main weapon against the sicilian defense and my sympathies are clearly on the white side, but during my detailed study of it, i had to correct many of my assess. Trade order form printed books only download a word file of the complete gambit list here. I frequently hear the same question from many club players. As with most gambits, there are solutions for black but they are difficult to find. White sacrifices a pawn to develop quickly and create attacking chances. Dear viewer, your anti smith morra gambit analysis is a very interesting one and were still trying to figure it out. I used to think that the smith morra gambit was a dangerous attacking weapon. The smithmorra gambit or simply morra gambit is an opening gambit against the sicilian defence distinguished by the moves.
Here is what i think about the morra, put into two tenets. Accepting the morra gambit without knowledge is very dangerous for. The smith morra gambit is a very interesting answer from white to the sicilian gambit. Winning with the smithmorra gambit batsford chess library graham burgess on.
Mayhem in the morra by marc esserman quality chess. Gambit publications a dedicated chess book publisher, whose aim is to produce a select range of quality chess books aimed at players of all levels. Sep 10, 2011 the game is a smith morra gambit, with esserman playing white and at its finish it set the internet all abuzz. Blacks king is frequently stuck in the middle if he makes any innaccuracy and whites pieces will flood forward. Armed with im marc essermans book, i was initially persuaded. The opening played was the sicilian defence, smithmorra gambit accepted. Not only is it chock full of interesting ideas and original games in the smith morra gambit 1. Declined push variation matulovic vs z vospernik, 1955 b21 sicilian, 2. Smith morra gambit the smith morra gambit is a sharp and aggressive line against the sicilian defense from black. By sacrificing a pawn, white aims to rapidly develop his pieces with the objective of delivering a swift knockout blow to the unprepared black camp. As is typical with accepting a gambit, black in this case accepts a. The morra smith although not very popular at grandmaster level, probably because it is thought to be unsound, is still arguably a.
The smithmorra gambit chess opening software on dvd. Sicilian players, what do you play against the morra gambit. As you play your gambit, you are projecting all the confidence in the world. Book depository books with free delivery worldwide. Winning with the smithmorra gambit batsford chess library burgess, graham on. With information ranging from beginner to advanced openings. Modern morra gambit worldwide supplier of chess books. This is the first game in a series on the delightfully aggresive smithmorra gambit. Aug 26, 20 i frequently hear the same question from many club players. On move two white sacrifices a pawn for fast development and good attacking chances, and black can easily. The smith morra gambit against the sicilian defense 1 e4 c5 2 d4 cxd4 3 c3 dxc3 4 nxc3 is perhaps not common in grandmaster chess, but at club level it can be a very potent attacking weapon. Gambitguidesmithmorragambit1 play chess with friends. Nf3 and decides by the reaction of black whether to enter the gambit. The smithmorra gambit smash the sicilian defense in style.
Qxd4 really isnt a promising option, since the queen will be pushed around, while black makes developing moves like nc6. Nxc3 and a pawn in the center, while black has an extra pawn and a central pawn majority. Buy win with the smith morra gambit batsford chess book by burgess, graham isbn. Search the chess games database, download games, view frequent practitioners and browse the opening explorer. I have enjoyed this dvd tremendously, especially the videos, which are very nicely presented and easy to absorb in one sitting. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. The setup used in this game he used in many other games. Smithmorra gambit finegold defense oxfam gb oxfams. The smith morra gambit isnt for everyone, and consequently this book is not for everyone, however if you are failing to comprehend the complexities of the open sicilian, or your failing to make progress with your antisicilian pet line, give the smith morra gambit a try, youll be surprised at how many people blunder when only following common opening principles. Ken smith smith morra comparing poker and chess gambits. The internets oldest and best chess database and community. After a series of natural moves in the smithmorra gambit of the sicilian defence, white can lose a queen. Whilst i know the opening is generally known as the smith morra, if smith had very little involvement, apart from writing about it, then this should be mentioned. The smithmorra gambit, characterized by the moves 1.
The gambit is named after two players, pierre morra from france 19001969 and ken smith 19301999 of the dallas chess club, who popularized it to. I also think the smith morra also gives me some muchneeded practice in tactics and attacking skills. This gambit is only for very aggressive players as are most gambits. The smithmorra gambit is such an exciting weapon against the sicilian defense, why dont grandmasters play it. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer.
In chess, the smithmorra gambit or simply morra gambit is an opening gambit against the sicilian defence distinguished by the moves 1. The modern morra gambit introduction when i began writing this book, after having played the morra gambit for some years, i was of the opinion that i knew my opening. The smithmorra gambit against the sicilian defense 1 e4 c5 2 d4 cxd4 3 c3 dxc3 4 nxc3 is perhaps not common in grandmaster chess, but at club level it can be a very potent attacking weapon. Most players that play e4 run into the sicilian and if they want to get out of book lines and take an aggressive approach the smith morra gambit. On move two white sacrifices a pawn for fast development and good attacking chances, and black can easily fall into one of the many devious opening traps.
The smith morra gambit is a sharp and aggressive line against the sicilian defense from black. One book recently published modern morra gambit, the. Sicilian defence, smithmorra gambit, siberian trap wikipedia. In chess, the smith morra gambit or simply morra gambit is an opening gambit against the sicilian defence distinguished by the moves. Gambit publications limited forthcoming gambit chess books.
Icc chessfm presents the smithmorra gambit part 1, by im. This is the first game in a series on the delightfully aggresive smith morra gambit. Drawing upon his own experience and analysis, lawrence trent put together a complete dvd on the smithmorra gambit, 1. The name appears to result from boris schipkov of novosibirsk in southwestern siberia. Is the smithmorra gambit a good idea for regular play. Sicilian defence, smithmorra gambit accepted standard chess. Nf3 looks like the best option, then 4nc6 and it looks like black can have good development and not losing tempo. I cannot answer for all the gms, but i can tell you why i would never play it myself. Armed with im marc essermans book, i was initially persuaded that this gambit was sound or close to it. Ive actually seen an 1800 rated player beat a grandmaster online on icc with the smith morra gambit. Win with the smith morra gambit batsford chess book. If we find that such moves sequence is a novelty or unpublished, we will add it to our openings section under the anti smithmorra gambit moody variation name. Michael goeller, youthful smithmorras and the smithmorra gambits siren call 2009 some games with the smithmorra from when i was a kid and a lengthy meditation on whether or not to play the gambit. In this case, i suppose its just an innocent teenager, using his computer to earn some extra cash on the chessable platform.
If you continue browsing, well assume that you are happy to receive all our cookies. Ordinarily a chess author would be eviscerated for such marketing tactics. Theory of the smith morra gambit in games 1846 thru 1967. Winning with the smithmorra gambit batsford chess library. Online shopping from a great selection at books store. In chess, the smithmorra gambit or simply morra gambit is an opening gambit against the sicilian defence distinguished by the moves. You move all your poker chips to the middle of the table when you think you have the best hand. Also, unlike the center game, the trade of the cpawn for the dpawn also gives black added central control. A bust to the smithmorra gambit logozars refutation theres a huge difference between a refutation and a very narrow advantage. Jan 22, 2015 for this weeks edition of my column on the histories of openings, i have chosen the smithmorra gambit a selection that might excite many readers. Developments in the smith morra gambit 1980 89 by carr. If you play e4 as white for any length of time you probably run into the sicilian defense quite often. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. When smith participated in an international tournament against several top grandmasters.
Winning with the smith morra gambit batsford chess library. Chess magazine how to crush smith morra gambit facebook. Most grandmasters have a low opinion of the smithmorra, while at the same time it is a favorite of many amateurs. Winning with the smith morra gambit batsford chess library burgess, graham on.
The smithmorra gambit is more of a positional lead in development initiative gambit then an all out attack gambit. Ive actually seen an 1800 rated player beat a grandmaster online on icc with the smithmorra gambit. A bust to the smith morra gambit by elijah logozar. The complete englishlanguage list of gambit chess publications is given here. Out of 100 games of chess randomly selected, between titled players, at classical time controls, white will win 40, black 30 and 30 will be drawn, for a net white score of 55%.
Sicilian smithmorra gambit grandmaster games database. Hannes langrock uses just the name morra and no smith. Smith wrote a total of nine books and fortynine articles about the gambit. Gambitfan, smithmorra gambit all at a way to learn the smithmorra is to play over a bunch of games online, and this link offers you a quick and easy way to do so. I used to think that the smithmorra gambit was a dangerous attacking weapon. The company was founded by three chess players and editors, grandmasters john nunn and murray chandler, and fm graham burgess. The smith morra gambit is a variation of the sicilian defence in which white sacrifices a pawn right in the opening to get a small long term positional advantage. Im marc essermans brilliant mayhem in the morra arrived in the mail this weekend and has not been out of my hands very much since. I strongly recommend you to look into his games if you are looking to improve your play against the morra gambit.
It is questionable if this slight edge justifies to sacrifice an important center pawn, the cpawn. I also think the smithmorra also gives me some muchneeded practice in tactics and attacking skills. Winning with the smithmorra gambit by burgess, graham and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. The smith morra gambit is such an exciting weapon against the sicilian defense, why dont grandmasters play it. If you can believe it, karpov of all people, is the one who handled the morra gambit in the best way. Buy win with the smith morra gambit batsford chess book by graham burgess isbn. For explanation of theory tables see theory table and for notation see algebraic notation.
Dont worry about your openings just learn general attacking ideas in the sicilian. Trents presentation is systematic and clearly outlined, and he doesnt ignore challenging lines. The smithmorra gambit system against the sicilian defence. Follow the links for more information about each book. Morra gambit by janos flesch and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. First of all, let me reassure the numerous fans of this opening. I do this as well, and usually get a pretty nice position after. In chess, the smith morra gambit or simply morra gambit is an opening gambit against the sicilian defence distinguished by the moves 1. In exchange for the gambit pawn, white has a piece developed after 4.
Forthcoming gambit chess books gambit publications. It is not widely respected among gms but at club level it is extremely potent. Alejandro ramirez, esserman finished with a score of 7 points, a half point behind the leaders. Mayhem in the morra by marc esserman, opening chess book.