The Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Finegold Defense is a variation of the Sicilian Defense, catalogued as ECO B21. The line runs 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 e6 5. Nf3 d6 6. Bc4 a6 7. O-O Be7 8. Qe2 Nf6, reaching the position shown below after 16 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on e4. Development is level at three minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is White to move after eight moves. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted; the c-file file is fully open.
On the Sicilian Defense generally: The most popular and aggressive response to 1.e4. Black fights for the center asymmetrically, leading to rich tactical play.
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The Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Finegold Defense goes 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 e6 5. Nf3 d6 6. Bc4 a6 7. O-O Be7 8. Qe2 Nf6. It is a variation of the Sicilian Defense and is catalogued as ECO B21.
The Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Finegold Defense is ECO B21. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Sicilian Defense.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 e6 5. Nf3 d6 6. Bc4 a6 7. O-O Be7 8. Qe2 Nf6 at +0.09 at depth 18, which is balanced. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.
White holds the centre with pawns on e4. Development is level at three minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is White to move. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted; the c-file file is fully open.