Smith–Morra Gambit: Difference between revisions

Smith–Morra Gambit
7	7
6	6
5	5
4	4
3	3
2	2
1	1
Moves	1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3
ECO	B20 or B21
Named after	Ken Smith ; Pierre Morra [fr]
Parent	Sicilian Defence
Synonym(s)	Morra Gambit

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In chess, the Smith–Morra Gambit (or simply Morra Gambit) is an opening gambit against the Sicilian Defence distinguished by the moves:

1. e4 c5

2. d4 cxd4

3. c3

White sacrifices a pawn to develop quickly and create attacking chances. In exchange for the gambit pawn, White has a piece developed after 4.Nxc3 and a pawn in the center, while Black has an extra pawn and a central pawn majority. The plan for White is straightforward and consists of placing his bishop on c4 to attack the f7-square, and controlling both the c- and d-files with rooks, taking advantage of rapid development, open lines, and Black's difficulty in finding a good square for the queen.

The Smith–Morra is popular at the club level and played occasionally by masters.^[4]

This article uses algebraic notation to describe chess moves.

History

The Smith–Morra is named after Pierre Morra [fr] (1900–1969) from France,^[5] and Ken Smith (1930–1999) of the Dallas Chess Club.^[6] In Europe the name Morra Gambit is preferred; other names for it, including Tartakower Gambit and Matulovic Gambit, have disappeared.

Around 1950, Morra published a booklet and several articles about the Smith–Morra. Smith wrote a total of nine books and forty-nine articles about the gambit. At the San Antonio 1972 chess tournament, Smith played it against Donald Byrne, Larry Evans, and Henrique Mecking, but lost all three games.

International Master Marc Esserman, author of the 2012 book Mayhem in the Morra!, is one of the leading advocates of the opening. In the Chessable Masters tournament in April 2023, Hikaru Nakamura played it in two rapid games against Fabiano Caruana, winning one and losing the other.^[7]^[8]^[9]

Continuations overview

Black has a wide choice of reasonable defences after 1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3. White sometimes plays 2.Nf3 and 3.c3, which depending on Black's response may rule out certain lines. 3.Qxd4 Nc6 4.Qe3 is the Sicilian Center Game, similar to the Center Game, 1.e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.Qxd4 Nc6 4.Qe3.

Themes for White

In return for the sacrificed pawn, White acquires a number of benefits that can be used to create active plans:

Active development and quick castling. White's development scheme usually (but not always, as the Siberian trap demonstrates) consists of Nf3, Bc4, 0-0, Qe2, Rfd1, and Rac1 in some order.
- Additionally, the Bc1 will often develop to g5 when Black plays ...Nge7 to make it difficult for Black to continue developing without weakening the kingside slightly by ...h6 or ...f6.
Prevention or delay of Black's castling. This can open the door for powerful sacrificial ideas which, when correctly timed, can devastate the Black king:
- When Black's king is uncastled, the sacrifice Nd5! is especially powerful with a Black pawn on e6, as the recapture ...exd5 would allow White to open the e-file for the White rook or queen. In two notable games, Esserman defeated GM Loek van Wely^[10] and GM Dommaraju Gukesh^[11] using this sacrifice.
- Another idea is Nxb5! with Black pawns on a6 and b5. Although not as common as Nd5!, it is possible in some lines like the Chicago Defence when Black is slow to castle. Occasionally, it is even possible when Black is castled if White's tactics on the queenside justify it.
- The sacrifice Bxe6! is typical for Sicilian positions and can sometimes occur here as well.
Pressure down the c- and d- files, usually achieved with rooks on c1 and d1.
A long-lasting initiative that can be used to create a kingside attack.

To survive against a well-prepared White player, Black must first navigate the minefield of traps in the opening, then contend with White's long-term pressure and initiative. If Black manages to do this while holding on to the extra pawn, he/she will have good chances to win the ensuing endgame. This is not easy, however, and many Sicilian players opt to decline the gambit altogether.

Morra Gambit Accepted: 3...dxc3

4.Nxc3

Scheveningen Formation

Classical Main line: 4...Nc6 5.Nf3 d6 6.Bc4 e6 7.0-0 Nf6 8.Qe2 Be7 9.Rd1 e5 10.h3 or 10.Be3
Scheveningen setup: 4...Nc6 5.Nf3 d6 6.Bc4 e6 7.0-0 Nf6 (or Be7) 8.Qe2 a6 9.Rd1 Qc7 (probably inferior Qa5) 10.Bf4 (10.Bg5) Be7

Siberian Variation: 4...Nc6 5.Nf3 e6 6.Bc4 Nf6 and 7...Qc7, with the idea being after 7.0-0 Qc7 8.Qe2 Ng4!, 9.h3?? loses to the famous "Siberian Trap" 9...Nd4!, winning the queen. If instead White plays 9.Rd1, preventing 9...Nd4, Black can continue with 9...Bc5 with a clearly better game.

Paulsen Formation

4...Nc6 (or 4...e6) 5.Nf3 e6 6.Bc4 a6 (Nge7) 7.0-0 Nge7 (d6 8.Qe2 Nge7 9.Bg5 h6) 8.Bg5 f6 9.Be3

Kan Formation

4...e6 5. Nf3 a6

Larsen Defense

4...Nc6 5. Nf3 e6 6. Bc4 Qc7 7. Qe2 a6 8. O-O Bd6

Morphy Defense

4...Nc6 5. Nf3 e6 6. Bc4 Bc5

Morphy Defense Deferred

4...Nc6 5.Nf3 e6 6.Bc4 a6 7.O-O b5 8.Bb3 Bc5

Pin Defense

4...Nc6 5.Nf3 e6 6.Bc4 Bb4

Sozin Formation

4...Nc6 5.Bc4 e6 6.Nf3 d6 7.O-O a6 8.Qe2 b5

Taimanov Formation

4...e6 5.Bc4 a6 6.Nf3 Ne7

Classical Formation

4...Nc6 5.Nf3 d6 6.Bc4 a6 eventually 7...Bg4

Fianchetto Formation

Fianchetto: 4...g6 (4...Nc6 5.Nf3 g6 allows 6.h4!?) 5.Nf3 Bg7 6.Bc4 Nc6

Chicago Defense

4...d6 5. Nf3 e6 6. Bc4 Nf6 7. O-O a6
4...e6 5.Bc4 a6 6.Nf3 b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.0-0 and Black plays ...Ra7 at some stage
Early queenside fianchetto: 4...e6 5.Bc4 a6 6.Nf3 b5 7.Bb3 Bb7
4...Nc6 5. Bc4 e6 6. Nf3 d6 7. O-O a6 8. Qe2 b5 9. Bb3 Ra7

Finegold Defense

4...d6 5. Nf3 e6 6. Bc4 Nf6 7. 0-0 Be7 8. Qe2 a6

4.Bc4 or 4.Nf3

This line is similar to the Danish Gambit: 4...cxb2 5.Bxb2

Morra Gambit Declined

Advance (or Push) Variation: 3...d3
- Dubois Variation 4.c4
Alapin Variation: 3...Nf6 4.e5 Nd5
Scandinavian Formation: 3...d5 4.exd5 Qxd5 (Nf6) 5.cxd4
Center Formation: 3...e5
Wing Formation: 3...Qa5

Notes

^ The latest (2002) edition of the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings, volume B, classifies all lines beginning 1.e4 c5 2.d4, including the Smith–Morra Gambit, under B20.^[1] Chess Informant, however, gives B21 as the code for 1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3 in its guide to the ECO opening codes provided on its website^[2] and has classified games featuring the Smith–Morra Gambit under B21 in its more recent publications.^[3]

References

^ Krnic, Zdenko; Matanovic, Aleksandar (2002). Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings, volume B (4th ed.). Belgrade: Chess Informant. ISBN 978-8672970500.
^ "Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings Classification Code Index" (PDF). Chess Informant. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
^ Matanovic, Aleksandar, ed. (2013). Chess Informant 118. Belgrade: Chess Informant. p. 195. ISBN 978-8672970685.
^ Written by. "Common Lines in the Sicilian Defense Chess Opening". Chess.about.com. Retrieved 2021-05-11.
^ Chess Notes by Edward Winter, entry 3953 ("Morra")
^ Kenneth Ray Smith (1930–1999) Obituary at the US Chess Federation
^ "Nakamura beats Caruana, wins Chessable Masters". 8 April 2023.
^ "Hikaru Nakamura vs Fabiano Caruana (2023)".
^ "Hikaru Nakamura vs Fabiano Caruana (2023)".
^ Esserman vs. van Wely, 112th US Open (2011) Chessgames.com. Retrieved on 2023-06-18.
^ Esserman vs. Gukesh, Cannes Chess Festival 2017 Chessgames.com. Retrieved on 2023-06-12.

External links

The Smith–Morra gambit

[4] The latest (2002) edition of the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings, volume B, classifies all lines beginning 1.e4 c5 2.d4, including the Smith–Morra Gambit, under B20.^[1] Chess Informant, however, gives B21 as the code for 1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3 in its guide to the ECO opening codes provided on its website^[2] and has classified games featuring the Smith–Morra Gambit under B21 in its more recent publications.^[3]

[1] Krnic, Zdenko; Matanovic, Aleksandar (2002). Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings, volume B (4th ed.). Belgrade: Chess Informant. ISBN 978-8672970500.

[2] "Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings Classification Code Index" (PDF). Chess Informant. Retrieved 1 July 2015.

[3] Matanovic, Aleksandar, ed. (2013). Chess Informant 118. Belgrade: Chess Informant. p. 195. ISBN 978-8672970685.

[5] Written by. "Common Lines in the Sicilian Defense Chess Opening". Chess.about.com. Retrieved 2021-05-11.

[6] Chess Notes by Edward Winter, entry 3953 ("Morra")

[7] Kenneth Ray Smith (1930–1999) Obituary at the US Chess Federation

[8] "Nakamura beats Caruana, wins Chessable Masters". 8 April 2023.

[9] "Hikaru Nakamura vs Fabiano Caruana (2023)".

[10] "Hikaru Nakamura vs Fabiano Caruana (2023)".

[11] Esserman vs. van Wely, 112th US Open (2011) Chessgames.com. Retrieved on 2023-06-18.

[12] Esserman vs. Gukesh, Cannes Chess Festival 2017 Chessgames.com. Retrieved on 2023-06-12.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{Short description|Chess opening}}
-{{Cleanup bare URLs|date=May 2021}}
 {{Infobox chess opening
 |openingname = Smith–Morra Gambit
@@ Line 14: / Line 13: @@
 }}
 |moves = 1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3
+|ECO = B20 or B21{{refn|The latest (2002) edition of the ''[[Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings]]'', volume B, classifies all lines beginning 1.e4 c5 2.d4, including the Smith–Morra Gambit, under B20.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Krnic |first1=Zdenko |last2=Matanovic |first2=Aleksandar |authorlink2=Aleksandar Matanović |title=Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings, volume B |publisher=[[Chess Informant]] |location=Belgrade |edition=4th |year=2002 |isbn=978-8672970500}}</ref> [[Chess Informant]], however, gives B21 as the code for 1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3 in its guide to the ''ECO'' opening codes provided on its website<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chessinformant.org/content/eco-codes.pdf |title=Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings Classification Code Index |publisher=Chess Informant |accessdate=1 July 2015}}</ref> and has classified games featuring the Smith–Morra Gambit under B21 in its more recent publications.<ref>{{cite book |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |editor-last=Matanovic |editor-first=Aleksandar |title=Chess Informant 118 |location=Belgrade |publisher=Chess Informant |page=195 |year=2013 |isbn=978-8672970685}}</ref>|group=lower-alpha}}
-|ECO = B20 or B21{{refn|The latest (2002) edition of the ''[[Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings]]'', volume B, classifies all lines beginning 1.e4 c5 2.d4, including the Smith–Morra Gambit, under B20.<ref>{{cite book
- | last1=Krnic |first1=Zdenko |last2=Matanovic |first2=Aleksandar |authorlink2=Aleksandar Matanović
- | year=2002
- | title=Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings, volume B
- | edition=4th | location=[[Belgrade]] | publisher=[[Chess Informant]]
- | isbn=978-8672970500}}</ref> [[Chess Informant]], however, gives B21 as the code for 1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3 in its guide to the ''ECO'' opening codes provided on its website<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chessinformant.org/content/eco-codes.pdf |title=Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings Classification Code Index |publisher=Chess Informant |accessdate=1 July 2015}}</ref> and has classified games featuring the Smith–Morra Gambit under B21 in its more recent publications.<ref>{{cite book |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |editor-last=Matanovic |editor-first=Aleksandar |title=Chess Informant 118 |location=Belgrade |publisher=Chess Informant |page=195 |year=2013 |isbn=978-8672970685}}</ref>|group=lower-alpha}}
 |birth =
-|nameorigin = [[Ken Smith (chess)|Ken Smith]] <br />[[Pierre Morra]]
+|nameorigin = [[Ken Smith (chess)|Ken Smith]] <br />{{ill|Pierre Morra|fr}}
 |parentopening = [[Sicilian Defence]]
 |AKA = Morra Gambit
@@ Line 31: / Line 25: @@
 :2. [[b:Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...c5/2. d4|d4]] [[b:Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...c5/2. d4/2...cxd4|cxd4]]
 :3. [[b:Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...c5/2. d4/2...cxd4/3. c3|c3]]
-White sacrifices a [[pawn (chess)|pawn]] to {{chessgloss|development|develop}} quickly and create attacking chances. In exchange for the gambit pawn, White has a piece developed after 4.Nxc3 and a pawn in the {{chessgloss|center}}, while Black has an extra pawn and a central pawn majority. The plan for White is straightforward and consists of placing his [[bishop (chess)|bishop]] on c4 to attack the f7-square, and controlling both the c- and d-{{chessgloss|file|files}} with [[rook (chess)|rooks]], taking advantage of the fact that Black can hardly find a suitable place to post his [[queen (chess)|queen]].
+White sacrifices a [[Pawn (chess)|pawn]] to {{chessgloss|development|develop}} quickly and create attacking chances. In exchange for the gambit pawn, White has a piece developed after 4.Nxc3 and a pawn in the {{chessgloss|center}}, while Black has an extra pawn and a central pawn majority. The plan for White is straightforward and consists of placing his [[Bishop (chess)|bishop]] on c4 to attack the f7-square, and controlling both the c- and d-{{chessgloss|file|files}} with [[Rook (chess)|rooks]], taking advantage of rapid development, open lines, and Black's difficulty in finding a good square for the [[Queen (chess)|queen]].
-The Smith–Morra is uncommon in [[Grandmaster (chess)|grandmaster]] games, but is popular at club level.<ref>http://chess.about.com/od/openings/ss/Sicilian_2.htm</ref>  Despite this, the Smith–Morra does not have a definitive refutation.
+The Smith–Morra is popular at the club level and played occasionally by masters.<ref>{{cite web |author=Written by |url=http://chess.about.com/od/openings/ss/Sicilian_2.htm |title=Common Lines in the Sicilian Defense Chess Opening |publisher=Chess.about.com |date= |accessdate=2021-05-11}}</ref>
 {{AN chess|pos=toc}}
 ==History==
-The Smith–Morra is named after [[Pierre Morra]] (1900–1969) from France,<ref>[http://www.chesshistory.com/winter/winter15.html#CN_3953 Chess Notes by Edward Winter], entry 3953 ("Morra")</ref> and [[Ken Smith (chess)|Ken Smith]] (1930–1999) of the [[Dallas Chess Club]].<ref>[http://www.uschess.org/ratings/smith.php Kenneth Ray Smith (1930–1999)] Obituary at the US Chess Federation</ref> Hence in Europe the name Morra Gambit is preferred; names like Tartakower Gambit and Matulovic Gambit have disappeared.
+The Smith–Morra is named after {{ill|Pierre Morra|fr}} (1900–1969) from France,<ref>[http://www.chesshistory.com/winter/winter15.html#CN_3953 Chess Notes by Edward Winter], entry 3953 ("Morra")</ref> and [[Ken Smith (chess)|Ken Smith]] (1930–1999) of the [[Dallas Chess Club]].<ref>[http://www.uschess.org/ratings/smith.php Kenneth Ray Smith (1930–1999)] Obituary at the US Chess Federation</ref> In Europe the name ''Morra Gambit'' is preferred; other names for it, including ''Tartakower Gambit'' and ''Matulovic Gambit'', have disappeared.
-Morra published a booklet and several articles about the Smith–Morra around 1950. Smith wrote a total of nine books and forty-nine articles about the gambit. When Smith participated in an international tournament against several top grandmasters in [[San Antonio]] in 1972, he essayed the opening three times, against [[Donald Byrne]], [[Larry Evans (chess grandmaster)|Larry Evans]], and [[Henrique Mecking]], but lost all three games.
+Around 1950, Morra published a booklet and several articles about the Smith–Morra. Smith wrote a total of nine books and forty-nine articles about the gambit. At the [[San Antonio 1972 chess tournament]], Smith played it against [[Donald Byrne]], [[Larry Evans (chess grandmaster)|Larry Evans]], and [[Henrique Mecking]], but lost all three games.
+International Master [[Marc Esserman]], author of the 2012 book ''Mayhem in the Morra!'', is one of the leading advocates of the opening. In the Chessable Masters tournament in April 2023, [[Hikaru Nakamura]] played it in two rapid games against [[Fabiano Caruana]], winning one and losing the other.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://en.chessbase.com/post/chessable-masters-2023-d5 | title=Nakamura beats Caruana, wins Chessable Masters | date=8 April 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=2472507 | title=Hikaru Nakamura vs Fabiano Caruana (2023) }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=2472509 | title=Hikaru Nakamura vs Fabiano Caruana (2023) }}</ref>
-Many players consider the opening amateurish. International Master [[Marc Esserman]] is one of its leading advocates today.
 ==Continuations overview==
-Black has a wide choice of reasonable defences after 1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3. White sometimes plays 2.Nf3 and 3.c3, which depending on Black's response may rule out certain lines.  3.Qxd4 Nc6 4.Qe3 is the Sicilian Center Game, similar to the Center Game, 1.e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.Qxd4 Nc6 4.Qe3.
+Black has a wide choice of reasonable defences after 1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3. White sometimes plays 2.Nf3 and 3.c3, which depending on Black's response may rule out certain lines.  3.Qxd4 Nc6 4.Qe3 is the Sicilian Center Game, similar to the [[Center Game]], 1.e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.Qxd4 Nc6 4.Qe3.
+==Themes for White==
+In return for the sacrificed pawn, White acquires a number of benefits that can be used to create active plans:
+* Active development and quick castling. White's development scheme usually (but not always, as the [[Siberian trap]] demonstrates) consists of Nf3, Bc4, 0-0, Qe2, Rfd1, and Rac1 in some order.
+** Additionally, the Bc1 will often develop to g5 when Black plays ...Nge7 to make it difficult for Black to continue developing without weakening the kingside slightly by ...h6 or ...f6.
+* Prevention or delay of Black's castling. This can open the door for powerful sacrificial ideas which, when correctly timed, can devastate the Black king:
+** When Black's king is uncastled, the sacrifice Nd5! is especially powerful with a Black pawn on e6, as the recapture ...exd5 would allow White to open the e-file for the White rook or queen. In two notable games, Esserman defeated [[Loek van Wely|GM Loek van Wely]]<ref>[https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1630005 Esserman vs. van Wely, 112th US Open (2011)] [[Chessgames.com]]. Retrieved on 2023-06-18.</ref> and [[Gukesh D|GM Dommaraju Gukesh]]<ref>[https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1950644 Esserman vs. Gukesh, Cannes Chess Festival 2017] [[Chessgames.com]]. Retrieved on 2023-06-12.</ref> using this sacrifice.
+** Another idea is Nxb5! with Black pawns on a6 and b5. Although not as common as Nd5!, it is possible in some lines like the Chicago Defence when Black is slow to castle. Occasionally, it is even possible when Black is castled if White's tactics on the queenside justify it.
+** The sacrifice Bxe6! is typical for Sicilian positions and can sometimes occur here as well.
+* Pressure down the c- and d- files, usually achieved with rooks on c1 and d1.
+* A long-lasting initiative that can be used to create a kingside attack.
+To survive against a well-prepared White player, Black must first navigate the minefield of traps in the opening, then contend with White's long-term pressure and initiative. If Black manages to do this while holding on to the extra pawn, he/she will have good chances to win the ensuing endgame. This is not easy, however, and many Sicilian players opt to decline the gambit altogether.
 ==Morra Gambit Accepted: 3...dxc3 {{anchor|Morra Gambit Accepted}}==
 ===4.Nxc3===
+==== Scheveningen Formation ====
 * Classical Main line: 4...Nc6 5.Nf3 d6 6.Bc4 e6 7.0-0 Nf6 8.Qe2 Be7 9.Rd1 e5 10.h3 or 10.Be3
 * Scheveningen setup: 4...Nc6 5.Nf3 d6 6.Bc4 e6 7.0-0 Nf6 (or Be7) 8.Qe2 a6 9.Rd1 Qc7 (probably inferior Qa5) 10.Bf4 (10.Bg5) Be7
 * Siberian Variation: 4...Nc6 5.Nf3 e6 6.Bc4 Nf6 and 7...Qc7, with the idea being after 7.0-0 Qc7 8.Qe2 Ng4!, 9.h3?? loses to the famous "[[Sicilian Defence, Smith–Morra Gambit, Siberian Trap|Siberian Trap]]" 9...Nd4!, winning the queen. If instead White plays 9.Rd1, preventing 9...Nd4, Black can continue with 9...Bc5 with a clearly better game.
-* Nge7 variations: 4...Nc6 (or 4...e6) 5.Nf3 e6 6.Bc4 a6 (Nge7) 7.0-0 Nge7 (d6 8.Qe2 Nge7 9.Bg5 h6) 8.Bg5 f6 9.Be3
+==== Paulsen Formation ====
-* 6...a6 Defence: 4...Nc6 5.Nf3 d6 6.Bc4 a6 eventually 7...Bg4
+* 4...Nc6 (or 4...e6) 5.Nf3 e6 6.Bc4 a6 (Nge7) 7.0-0 Nge7 (d6 8.Qe2 Nge7 9.Bg5 h6) 8.Bg5 f6 9.Be3
+==== Kan Formation ====
+* 4...e6 5. Nf3 a6
+==== Larsen Defense ====
+* 4...Nc6 5. Nf3 e6 6. Bc4 Qc7 7. Qe2 a6 8. O-O Bd6
+==== Morphy Defense ====
+* 4...Nc6 5. Nf3 e6 6. Bc4 Bc5
+==== Morphy Defense Deferred ====
+* 4...Nc6 5.Nf3 e6 6.Bc4 a6 7.O-O b5 8.Bb3 Bc5
+==== Pin Defense ====
+* 4...Nc6 5.Nf3 e6 6.Bc4 Bb4
+==== Sozin Formation ====
+* 4...Nc6 5.Bc4 e6 6.Nf3 d6 7.O-O a6 8.Qe2 b5
+==== Taimanov Formation ====
+* 4...e6 5.Bc4 a6 6.Nf3 Ne7
+==== Classical Formation ====
+* 4...Nc6 5.Nf3 d6 6.Bc4 a6 eventually 7...Bg4
+==== Fianchetto Formation ====
 * Fianchetto: 4...g6 (4...Nc6 5.Nf3 g6 allows 6.h4!?) 5.Nf3 Bg7 6.Bc4 Nc6
-* Chicago Defence: 4...e6 5.Bc4 a6 6.Nf3 b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.0-0 and Black plays ...Ra7 at some stage
+==== Chicago Defense ====
+* 4...d6 5. Nf3 e6 6. Bc4 Nf6 7. O-O a6
+* 4...e6 5.Bc4 a6 6.Nf3 b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.0-0 and Black plays ...Ra7 at some stage
 * Early queenside fianchetto: 4...e6 5.Bc4 a6 6.Nf3 b5 7.Bb3 Bb7
+* 4...Nc6 5. Bc4 e6 6. Nf3 d6 7. O-O a6 8. Qe2 b5 9. Bb3 Ra7
+==== Finegold Defense ====
+* 4...d6 5. Nf3 e6 6. Bc4 Nf6 7. 0-0 Be7 8. Qe2 a6
-===4.Bc4===
+===4.Bc4 or 4.Nf3===
 This line is similar to the [[Danish Gambit]]: 4...cxb2 5.Bxb2
 ==Morra Gambit Declined==
-* Advance Variation: 3...d3
+* Advance (or Push) Variation: 3...d3
+** Dubois Variation 4.c4
-* First [[Transposition (chess)|transposition]] to the [[Sicilian Defence, Alapin Variation|Alapin]]: 3...Nf6 4.e5 Nd5
+* Alapin Variation: 3...Nf6 4.e5 Nd5
-* Second transposition to the Alapin: 3...d5 4.exd5 Qxd5 (Nf6) 5.cxd4
+* Scandinavian Formation: 3...d5 4.exd5 Qxd5 (Nf6) 5.cxd4
+* Center Formation: 3...e5
-The latter has a bad reputation, as square c3 is free for the knight. Still 5...Nf6 (5...e5; 5...Nc6 6.Nf3 e5) 6.Nf3 e6 7.Nc3 Qd6 is likely to transpose to a main line of the Alapin: 2.c3 d5 3.exd5 Qxd5 4.d4 e6 5.Nf3 Nf6 6.Bd3 Nc6 7.0-0 cxd4 8.cxd4 Be7 9.Nc3 Qd6.
+* Wing Formation: 3...Qa5
 ==See also==
@@ Line 78: / Line 120: @@
 ==References==
-{{Reflist|30em}}
+{{Reflist}}
 ==Further reading==
@@ Line 96: / Line 138: @@
  | authorlink=Graham Burgess}}
 *{{cite book
- | author=Pálkövi, Jószef
+ | author=Pálkövi, József
  | year=2000
  | title=Morra Gambit
- | publisher=Caissa Chess Books}}
+ | publisher=Caissa Chess Books
+ | asin=B000BP8XSK}}
 *{{cite book
  | author=Langrock, Hannes
@@ Line 106: / Line 149: @@
  | publisher=Russell Enterprises
  | isbn=1-888690-32-1}}
+*{{cite book
+ | author=[[Marc Esserman|Esserman, Marc]]
+ | year=2012
+ | title=Mayhem in the Morra!
+ | publisher=[[Quality Chess]]
+ | isbn=978-1907982200}}
 ==External links==

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