The Accepted, Paulsen Formation is a variation of the Smith-Morra Gambit, catalogued as ECO B21. The line runs 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 Nc6 5. Nf3 e6 6. Bc4 a6, reaching the position shown below after 12 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on e4. White is ahead in development, with three minor pieces out to Black's one, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is White to move after six moves. The c-file file is fully open.
On the Smith-Morra Gambit generally: White sacrifices a pawn against the Sicilian to gain rapid development and open lines. A popular weapon at club level.
You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.
See all 5 Smith-Morra Gambit variations →
The Accepted, Paulsen Formation goes 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 Nc6 5. Nf3 e6 6. Bc4 a6. It is a variation of the Smith-Morra Gambit and is catalogued as ECO B21.
The Accepted, Paulsen Formation is ECO B21. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Smith-Morra Gambit.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 Nc6 5. Nf3 e6 6. Bc4 a6 at -0.40 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for Black, within normal opening margins. 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. White is ahead in development, with three minor pieces out to Black's one, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is White to move. The c-file file is fully open.