The Smith-Morra with f4 System: New Ideas
The Smith-Morra Gambit has held a spot in the memory of Sicilian players. Its sharp play and gambits have historically won many games, and equally suffered to "refutations". At the club-level, the SMG is quite popular as a way to avoid mainline theory, while getting some compensation, as is the Grand Prix. Often, d6, e6, and Nc6 systems with Black can be very theoretical just to have some advantage with White, and while there are tactics, it is easy to positionally go wrong with White.
Through my extensive research in top level online games, and OTB games, I have found an alternative line. At worst, this system can serve as a surprise weapon, and can crush strong players efficiently.
Unlike my g5 vs the Rossolimo here, this won't be an exhaustive repertoire, but should be enough to get started winning TODAY!
In the Sicilian, f4 is a common idea to introduce some aggression with the white pieces. Against the Dragon, the Levenfish variation gets sharp and forces Black to make some uncomfortable choices. The Grand Prix, with Nc3 and f4, as a system gives easy attacking plans against most Sicilians. In the mainline Najdorf even, f4 is a staple idea with a Kingside attack.
So why in the Smith-Morra, shall we avoid f4? With White, we are already offering a gambit for very thematic attacking play, and open lines, with which we hope to ward off Black from castling. With f4, the idea is to create a hybrid, with even more open positions, and new tactics.
Now, as I claim, tongue-in-cheek. I created my version of this system, though surely people have played the move before, it is unlikely they have focused much research and thought into it. I digress, so lets look at how to play:
As some nuanced Smith-Morra players may know, Bd3 is the "more-correct" placement of the f1-Bishop, whereas with Bc4, Black likes to play e6 to cut off the diagonal. In my system, you'll play f4, followed by Nf3 and Bd3 most times. There is always the option, however, to fall back to Grand Prix ideas with Bc4 if the mainlines do not suit you, but generally this setup will be best. Bd3 aims for the h7-square intending a Greek Gift once we play e5. Even at the master-level, people forget the Greek gift is a tactic because they do not expect it in the Sicilian.
In this game from Candidate Master Michal Kopczynski (I've found he likes this system ALOT), he quickly destroys International Master and Blogger on Chess.com @AtillaTurzo:
- Generally, the setup consists of the Morra, followed by f4, Nf3, Bd3, with an eventual e5.
- When Black tries to play more "solid" with ...Be7, ...Nf6 moves, a Greek Gift will not likely be possible with the Bishop on e7 covering g5.
- This is best paired with existing Smith-Morra Knowledge, but even for myself who never played the SMG, I have had 3 OTB wins against 1900s with this system.
- On the note of knowing the Morra, traditional plans should generally work to fall back on.
- Have fun, check Lichess DB for more model games, beyond what I provided.
The first game shown functions as a model game, too.
Baadur Jobava wins effortlessly.
Kopczynski crushes another 2400.
