Is Smith Morra gambit sound?

[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!

[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

[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...

[Dr.Wael Deeb]

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

[Carotino]

A fun variation is: 1.e4 c5 2.Na3!?

It's not to be taken lightly... Khalifman did ... and lost!

[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

[Carotino]

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...

[Dr.Wael Deeb]

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

[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.

[Don]

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.