Originally posted by OutpostI've never had to face that one. Interesting.
Playing black what's the best way to handle it , accept or decline?
Move order : 1) e4 c5 2)d4 cxd 3) c3 ...
Is it true that 3)... Nf6 should give black an equal game?
Who has experience in playing against the Morra Gambit, i personally never had to deal wth it.
Originally posted by OutpostI play it as white sometimes.
Playing black what's the best way to handle it , accept or decline?
Move order : 1) e4 c5 2)d4 cxd 3) c3 ...
Is it true that 3)... Nf6 should give black an equal game?
Who has experience in playing against the Morra Gambit, i personally never had to deal wth it.
This is a good site... http://www.insight.demon.co.uk/Technical_Articles/beatingsicillian/sicillian_beating.htm
And chessville has more detailed articles on it...
http://www.chessville.com/instruction/Openings/Smith-Morra/instr_open_Smith_Morra_Part1.htm
D
Originally posted by OutpostAccepting the gambit gives White some initiative for the pawn. But if you're willing to play defense for a dozen moves, and you're familiar with the opening, then Black should end up with the better position. 3...Nf6 tends to transpose to the 2.c3 Sicilian, where Black has even chances.
Playing black what's the best way to handle it , accept or decline?
Move order : 1) e4 c5 2)d4 cxd 3) c3 ...
Is it true that 3)... Nf6 should give black an equal game?
Originally posted by GyrI agree with this. If I face it as black I'll accept and if c3 is offered take that as well. After Nxc3 I'm quite happy with my position. Yes you will be on defense for a while but if you can manage not to blunder you should be ok.
Accepting the gambit gives White some initiative for the pawn. But if you're willing to play defense for a dozen moves, and you're familiar with the opening, then Black should end up with the better position. 3...Nf6 tends to transpose to the 2.c3 Sicilian, where Black has even chances.
Originally posted by RagnorakThanks for the links , i'll look into it.
I play it as white sometimes.
This is a good site... http://www.insight.demon.co.uk/Technical_Articles/beatingsicillian/sicillian_beating.htm
And chessville has more detailed articles on it...
http://www.chessville.com/instruction/Openings/Smith-Morra/instr_open_Smith_Morra_Part1.htm
D
Originally posted by RedmikeHave to disagree with this. d3 is not a strong move and in fact white does extremely well against it.
3.c3 d3 is an option for black - just give the pawn back.
White's pawn isn't well placed on c3 (he should have a horse there), and d3 isn't the best square for the Bishop either.
Gets white out of their preparation as well.
White simply ignores the d3 pawn and plays c4 immediately!, forcing a Maroczy bind. He then plays Bxd3 when convenient. This is a very favourable version of the Maroczy Bind. Note, white hasnt lost time having played c4 via two moves, as black has also pushed his pawn to d3.
Originally posted by lucifugeA not strong move that is in my database over 600 times for a score of 47% compared to dxc3 which is 49%. Now I'm not saying that in itself implies the move is strong but it does seem to indicate it is at least playable.
Have to disagree with this. d3 is not a strong move and in fact white does extremely well against it.
White simply ignores the d3 pawn and plays c4 immediately!, forcing a Maroczy bind. He then plays Bxd3 when convenient. This is a very favourable version of the Maroczy Bind. Note, white hasnt lost time having played c4 via two moves, as black has also pushed his pawn to d3.
Depends on the tree that unfolds AFTER d3:
If White plays Bxd3 and leaves c3 fixed, then Black probably does well. White does better to play c4 imediately and capture with Bxd3 when convenient.
It is a subtle point, but the order is important, becuase the game play is changed dramatically.
Originally posted by lucifugeBxd3 460 times for 50%.
Depends on the tree that unfolds AFTER d3:
If White plays Bxd3 and leaves c3 fixed, then Black probably does well. White does better to play c4 imediately and capture with Bxd3 when convenient.
It is a subtle point, but the order is important, becuase the game play is changed dramatically.
c4 132 times for 40%.
(higher the score the better for white).
I play it as white alot and it always (usually) ends up turning into the Danish gambit where blacks pawn marches all the way down to my rook. Its trappy and white has a fierce attack right away. Its not really sound though against high rated players. let me find a game or two to post.
Game 965177
Game 905463
Enjoy... If you like you can even rec me for em! (shameless i know)
Playing black what's the best way to handle it , accept or decline?Take the Pawn, you will enjoy that little winner in the coming endgame!.
Move order : 1) e4 c5 2)d4 cxd 3) c3 ...
Is it true that 3)... Nf6 should give black an equal game?
Who has experience in playing against the Morra Gambit, i personally never had to deal wth it.
Yeah, I have played many games as Black accepting the pawn and going into the Morra proper. Even with some sound knowledge, you have to check every move for traps. One false move and it's all over. I find it quite scary as Black becuase its like facing a series of volleys from a great tennis player. But if you can weather the inital storm past middlegame, your endgame will be great.
In short, I wouldnt accept the pawn without really getting up on the theory...many logical moves explode in your face.