I made the unusual step of contacting one or two GMs and seeking their opinions on the Smith Morra and King's Gambit. While I do not want to reveal their names or write word for word what was written because I had not said I would be using their feedback in a public forum, these are their conclusions :-
King's Gambit - none of the respondents answered.
Smith Morra - one GM said that it is not playable at the highest level while the other respondent was silent.
Final Analysis with the aid of the above feedback -
- while the King's Gambit may be played here and there it is not my cup of tea but I would not stop anyone from playing it if they wanted to but I would not personally advocate for it.
- the Smith Morra as one GM said is not seen at the top but you can play it at this level if you so wish. Again I would not stop anyone from playing it but as it is not my cup of tea I would not personally advocate for it.
At the end of the day play good chess. Good chess is up to you to interpret what it means. I would wish to thank the un-named GMs for being approachable by players of our level and for honest feedback.
z00t! z00t!
Originally posted by z00tMorra gambit is fun to play, I agree it might not be sound in GM level correspondence games, but should be ok for GM level OTB or blitz games.
I made the unusual step of contacting one or two GMs and seeking their opinions on the Smith Morra and King's Gambit. While I do not want to reveal their names or write word for word what was written because I had not said I would be using their feedback in a public forum, these are their conclusions :-
King's Gambit - none of the respondents answered.
Sm ...[text shortened]... ed GMs for being approachable by players of our level and for honest feedback.
z00t! z00t!
Michael Adams Morra win:
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1013921
Missed Morra win against Kasparov! (move 18)
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1070396
"At move 18 Landa misses Rxc6!! Which wins cleanly.White gets a tremendous attack in return for the exchange after Bxc6 Bxe5.It is difficult to see how Kaspy would have saved that.This is my one of my favourite openings and it is a pity Landa didnt finish this off.The Morra isnt half as bad as most ppl seem to think it is."
Originally posted by KorchPerhaps you do not understand what was said above so I will say it again
z00t have serious problem - he can`t understand that he may quote anonymous and unanonymous GM`s , but [b]without showing particular lines to refute these openings, none of "Mickey mouse opening" players wont take him serious.[/b]
Final Analysis with the aid of the above feedback -
- while the King's Gambit may be played here and there it is not my cup of tea but I would not stop anyone from playing it if they wanted to but I would not personally advocate for it.
- the Smith Morra as one GM said is not seen at the top but you can play it at this level if you so wish. Again I would not stop anyone from playing it but as it is not my cup of tea I would not personally advocate for it.
If you still do not understand what was said in bold above I will interpret this into Latvian or Russian if you understand those.
Originally posted by z00tYou may repeat yourself as many times you want 😀
Perhaps you do not understand what was said above so I will say it again
[b]Final Analysis with the aid of the above feedback -
- while the King's Gambit may be played here and there it is not my cup of tea but I would not stop anyone from playing it if they wanted to but I would not personally advocate for it.
- the Smith Morra as one GM s ...[text shortened]... t was said in bold above I will interpret this into Latvian or Russian if you understand those.[/b]
P.S. So listen to GM and dont try stop anyone to play these openings.
Originally posted by z00thas either of those grandmasters ever played KG or SM? if not, I hereby grant them the coveted title of mickey mouse grandmaster.
I made the unusual step of contacting one or two GMs and seeking their opinions on the Smith Morra and King's Gambit. While I do not want to reveal their names or write word for word what was written because I had not said I would be using their feedback in a public forum, these are their conclusions :-
King's Gambit - none of the respondents answered.
Sm ...[text shortened]... ed GMs for being approachable by players of our level and for honest feedback.
z00t! z00t!
well, actually, only the one who answered is eligible to the title.
Originally posted by z00tHardly the most sensational of surveys; doesn't seem that the GMs you contacted had very much to say at all. So the conclusions are basically yours.
I made the unusual step of contacting one or two GMs and seeking their opinions on the Smith Morra and King's Gambit. While I do not want to reveal their names or write word for word what was written because I had not said I would be using their feedback in a public forum, these are their conclusions :-
King's Gambit - none of the respondents answered.
Sm ...[text shortened]... ed GMs for being approachable by players of our level and for honest feedback.
z00t! z00t!
As a KG player myself, I will admit that many of the lines are too sharp and risky for most GM tastes. But it is lively, and there is no clear refutation. White can play both 3.Nf3 and 3.Bc4 (which I do), which can lead to quite different positions. It should also be noted that there are GMs (like Nigel Short) who will play the KG from time to time when they are playing for a win at all costs. Basically, the KG seems to increase both your winning and losing chances.
As for the Morra Gambit, I gave it up many years ago after losing badly with it against a Soviet GM, who muttered throughout the post mortem "nye kompensatsia za peshku" (or something like that). Of course, it's hardly a disgrace to lose to a GM, but I couldn't really find an improvement so gave it up. Nevertheless, there are still some quite strong players who regularly play it with a reasonable degree of success. Another problem for me with the Morra is that black can decline the Morra and force transposition into c3 Sicilian lines. The c3 Sicilian is no longer part of my repertoire.
Originally posted by Northern LadI don't suppose you remember which defence he used against your Morra?
Hardly the most sensational of surveys; doesn't seem that the GMs you contacted had very much to say at all. So the conclusions are basically yours.
As a KG player myself, I will admit that many of the lines are too sharp and risky for most GM tastes. But it is lively, and there is no clear refutation. White can play both 3.Nf3 and 3.Bc4 (which I do), ...[text shortened]... e transposition into c3 Sicilian lines. The c3 Sicilian is no longer part of my repertoire.
Originally posted by z00tWell spoken.
I made the unusual step of contacting one or two GMs and seeking their opinions on the Smith Morra and King's Gambit. While I do not want to reveal their names or write word for word what was written because I had not said I would be using their feedback in a public forum, these are their conclusions :-
King's Gambit - none of the respondents answered.
Sm ...[text shortened]... ed GMs for being approachable by players of our level and for honest feedback.
z00t! z00t!