The Declined, Push Variation is a variation of the Smith-Morra Gambit, catalogued as ECO B21. The line runs 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 d5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. cxd4 Nc6, reaching the position shown below after 10 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at zero minor pieces each. It is White to move after five moves. White’s d-file pawn is isolated; 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 Declined, Push Variation goes 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 d5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. cxd4 Nc6. It is a variation of the Smith-Morra Gambit and is catalogued as ECO B21.
The Declined, Push Variation 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 d5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. cxd4 Nc6 at +0.27 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for White, 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 d4. Development is level at zero minor pieces each. It is White to move. White’s d-file pawn is isolated; the c-file file is fully open.