Originally posted by ChessJesterHere are a few wins that show you how devastating the Morra Gambit can be
1.e4 c5 2.d4
or
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6/Nc6/e6 3.d4
Which of these two is better for white and why? What are propper responses for black and why?
Anyone care to indulge or divulge?
1. e4 .. c5;
2. d4 .. cXd;
3. c3 .. dXc;
4. NXc3 .... [This is the Gambit accepted]
Game 3676033;
Game 3383671; and
Game 3684169.
This is what happens when you get it wrong Game 3015160, Game 2707373 or Game 2448883
Originally posted by SquelchbelchSuch power! Such beauty!
Highest rated win for me:
Game 2950352
Next best:
Game 3250780
I prefer to respond 4. .. e6 to the standard Morra move order. The rest of black's game unfolds like a standard Sicilian
If I ever played 1. e4 (which is unlikely) I would go for the delayed Morra (2. Nf3)
1. It's less common therefore likely to have a larger psychological impact which is important for gambits
2. It gives black the opportunity to make a sub optimal (for facing the morra) second move
Originally posted by Dragon FireTo be fair, one of those victories is actually due to an inopportune cup of tea rather than the enormous power of the Morra.
Here are a few wins that show you how devastating the Morra Gambit can be
1. e4 .. c5;
2. d4 .. cXd;
3. c3 .. dXc;
4. NXc3 .... [This is the Gambit accepted]
Game 3676033;
Game 3383671; and
Game 3684169.
This is what happens when you get it wrong Game 3015160, Game 2707373 or Game 2448883
I play the Morra because it's easy and gets out of the complicated main sicilian lines with a minimum of book work. I believe it was originally called the Morphy Gambit, named after not Paul Morphy, but one of his relatives (an uncle?) who was also a very strong player.
Anyone got some info/history on that?
Thanks for all the replies, those games offer some great analysis for me... The reason I made this thread is because I play the Sicillian and wanted to be more familiar with this weapon for white, I need to know how to defend against it.
I think that the move order for black is very important but also very logical, am I right here?
Originally posted by ChessJesterThe move order can be very critical due to pins, etc.
Thanks for all the replies, those games offer some great analysis for me... The reason I made this thread is because I play the Sicillian and wanted to be more familiar with this weapon for white, I need to know how to defend against it.
I think that the move order for black is very important but also very logical, am I right here?
You will notice in the games I won that blacks Qc7 move (which is a standard move to avoid the d file pin) was not always played at the right time and contributed a lot to my advantages.
But you should be aware that the retreat of the Queen to b8 is standard in many Morra lines and with the exception of the 2nd game Qc7 was in book.
Originally posted by Dragon Fireyes I noticed that, black sits on a very slippery slope...
The move order can be very critical due to pins, etc.
You will notice in the games I won that blacks Qc7 move (which is a standard move to avoid the d file pin) was not always played at the right time and contributed a lot to my advantages.
Originally posted by ChessJesterYou have missed out a black move which I think should be Nc6.
what about this line for black, 1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3 dxc3 4.Nxc3 5.e6 Nf3 6.Bb4
The line I think you mean is:
1. e4 .. c5;
2. d4 .. cXd;
3. c3 .. dXc;
4. NXc3 .. e6;
5. Nf3 .. Nc6;
6. Bcx4 .. Bb4
The best response now is
7. 0-0 when 7. ... Nge7 is probably best.
8. Qe2 .. 0-0;
9. Rd1 .. Bxc3;
10 bxc .. Qa5;
11. Rb1 [11. Bf4 giving an equal but unclear position is recommended by Palkovi] ... etc.