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Is Smith Morra gambit sound?
Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2012 1:51 pm
by ethanara
Hi
I'm trying to make a tournament where the only thing is played is Smith-morra gambit.
Here is the conditions:
Time control : 5min + 3sec increment (like IPON)
Start position: Obviously the Smith-Morra (1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3)
Computer: x64 Intel core i3, not sure how many cores or ghz
Engines:
Vitruvius 1.0H HEM
Vitruvius 1.0C HEM
Komodo 3
Critter 1.4
Stockfish 2.2.2 JA
I personally dont think that SMG is downright lost, but it tends to not give white an advantage.
Happy blitzing!
Re: Is Smith Morra gambit sound?
Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2012 3:34 pm
by jdart
I don't think it is sound, either, but there are worse gambits. If Black is worried about it, it can be declined (1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 d3 or
1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 Nf6).
--Jon
Re: Is Smith Morra gambit sound?
Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2012 3:52 pm
by ethanara
Results so far:
1: Vitruvius_1.0H_HEM_x64 [001] 3.0/4 ····· 0.5/1 0.5/1 1.0/1 1.0/1 3,25
2: Vitruvius_1.0C_HEM_x64 2.0/3 0.5/1 ····· 0.5/1 1.0/1 3,25
3: Stockfish-222-64-ja-intel 1.5/3 0.5/1 0.5/1 ····· 0.5/1 2,75
4: Critter_1.4_64bit [001] 1.0/3 0.0/1 0.0/1 ····· 1.0/1 0,50
5: Komodo3-64 [001] 0.5/3 0.0/1 0.5/1 0.0/1 ····· 0,75
White : 2
Black : 2
Draw : 4
100 rounds will be played, Houdini 1.5a to be added soon...
Re: Is Smith Morra gambit sound?
Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2012 4:17 pm
by Dr.Wael Deeb
jdart wrote:I don't think it is sound, either, but there are worse gambits. If Black is worried about it, it can be declined (1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 d3 or
1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 Nf6).
--Jon
I play it against weaker engines....my main weapon against the Sicilian is 2. c3
Dr.D
Re: Is Smith Morra gambit sound?
Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2012 4:30 pm
by Carotino
A fun variation is:
1.e4 c5 2.Na3!?
It's not to be taken lightly... Khalifman did ... and lost!
Re: Is Smith Morra gambit sound?
Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2012 4:35 pm
by ethanara
I dont understand why people say it is very bad.
However, later i will make an tournament with the gambit accepted, which i think is better for white
Re: Is Smith Morra gambit sound?
Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2012 4:40 pm
by Carotino
ethanara wrote:I dont understand why people say it is very bad.
However, later i will make an tournament with the gambit accepted, which i think is better for white
I believe that, from a practical standpoint, it's a very dangerous weapon for White...
Re: Is Smith Morra gambit sound?
Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2012 8:09 pm
by Dr.Wael Deeb
Carotino wrote:ethanara wrote:I dont understand why people say it is very bad.
However, later i will make an tournament with the gambit accepted, which i think is better for white
I believe that, from a practical standpoint, it's a very dangerous weapon for White...
It's not that bad really,but the thing is is that you have to stick to the intiative and never let down your gaurd down because you've already give up one pawn trying to outpaly your opponent....
Against a much stronger opponent I strongly don't recommend it....
Dr.D
Re: Is Smith Morra gambit sound?
Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2012 11:28 pm
by Carotino
Indeed, I have to agree with you. I use it mainly in blitz games, or against weaker players...
Against a strong player, and with regular time, I would not dare to play the Smith-Morra.
Re: Is Smith Morra gambit sound?
Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 12:39 am
by Don
ethanara wrote:Hi
I'm trying to make a tournament where the only thing is played is Smith-morra gambit.
Here is the conditions:
Time control : 5min + 3sec increment (like IPON)
Start position: Obviously the Smith-Morra (1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3)
Computer: x64 Intel core i3, not sure how many cores or ghz
Engines:
Vitruvius 1.0H HEM
Vitruvius 1.0C HEM
Komodo 3
Critter 1.4
Stockfish 2.2.2 JA
I personally dont think that SMG is downright lost, but it tends to not give white an advantage.
Happy blitzing!
Smith Morra is probably not unsound. If it loses, it's unsound but I agree with you that it's may not the best way to play for a win. But white probably doesn't have a win in the opening position.