The Accepted, Pin Defense 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 d6 6. Bc4 e6 7. O-O Nf6 8. Qe2, reaching the position shown below after 15 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 Black to move after eight moves. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted; 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, Pin Defense goes 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 Nc6 5. Nf3 d6 6. Bc4 e6 7. O-O Nf6 8. Qe2. It is a variation of the Smith-Morra Gambit and is catalogued as ECO B21.
The Accepted, Pin Defense 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 d6 6. Bc4 e6 7. O-O Nf6 8. Qe2 at -0.12 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 Black to move. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted; the c-file file is fully open.