Best defense against Sicilian

I am playing the Morra I don't think it will be as effective as I get better. What's another opening

You have the wrong mindset, you're already scared of the Sicilian.

Don't defend, young padawan, attack.

Thanks good advice

If you want to gain an advantage against the sicilian, you'll have to play the main lines. Black equalises easily in the closed systems, however Bb5 variations are quite possible as well.

Slay the Sicilian (Taylor) is a book based on Be2 systems in the open. It's quite enough to gain a playable repertoire against the sicilian, based on positional understanding instead of remembering hundreds of lines.

Dismantling the Sicilian (Jesus de la Villa) is a book based on MAIN lines, it takes a long time to read it, but you'll get a repertoire based on getting an advantage in a wild position

Beating the Sicilian (john Nunn) is slightly outdated book, but just like dismantling.

Mayhem in the Morra (Esserman) shows you that the Smith-Morra gambit is a playable opening on master level, but you'll have to sac a few pieces in the way.

The Bb5 sicilian (Palliser) is a book based on 3: Bb5(+) against Nc6 and d6. You'll have to play something against 2: ... e6 (maybe the Morra? 3: d4 cxd3 4: c3!?)

I don't reccomend playing 'Smith Mora Gambit' if you're playing seriously... Although I do like throwing it into a game every now and then. The reason I don't like it is because not only are you gambiting a pawn, but you're trading your important d pawn AND c pawn for just blacks c. Sure, you're avoiding mainlines of Sicilian but if you're playing against a half-way decent player who knows what he's doing, 4...e5 is probable after 4. Nxc3. Your position looks kinda funny after that I would think.

Ahaha, now it's white that has to find a defence!

As a sicilian player, I really don't understand all these fears of the mainline open sicilians...probably the sicilian defence is just overrated.

The theory is much harder for black to study than it is for white to play. I feel white's moves are much more natural and even if you don't know any theory you can still challenge the open sicilians. After all white has space advantage and lead in development, things that are easy to play with even if you don't have anything memorized.

On the other hand, it's black's game that is often hanging by a thread...it's black that has the burden of studying a ton to justify his anti-positional play.

I play the sicilian simply because I like it. But I don't feel it gives me any more chances than a French, a Caro-Kann, or e5.

1: e4 c5 2: d4!? cxd4 3: c3 dxc3 4: Nxc3 e5? is a big positional blunder.

After 5: Nf3 (normal in SMG) Nc6 (other defences doesn't really help) 6: Bc4 (hitting f7, which is the reason you play e6 and get ready to castle before playing e5 in the old main line) 6: .. Nf6 7: Ng5! Now black is forced to play d5, and after exd5, white has a clear edge based on better devlopment, a dangerous passed pawn and the weak f7 square, actually d6 is a threat, if black doesn't play Nd4 or Na5. 

The SMG is sound, but black has just as good chances to win in high level as white. That's why it's not played there. Titled players often play for a slight edge with white, trying to press for a win, and if thats not possible, a draw is agreed (or black wins) In SMG, the slight white edge is changed to: The first who makes a mistake LOSE.

I'm not sure something can be viewed as sound if black has just as many chances as white, seeing as white starts with an advantage.

Only a noob would play 6.Nf6.

I don't know this line and I didn't even analyze it, but just looking at the board playing 6.Be7 and only after that playing Nf6 seems to allow black to castle comfortably.

Personally, I would reccommend (and play myself) the Alapin lines (2. c3). White can most of the time get quite a comfortable, attacking position, if you're not afraid of IQP's, without having to memorize a lot of theory.

^ That's not so simple. I play 2...d6 against the alapin. It's less well known lines, but really solid and fun to play.

Playing any anti-sicilian = giving up any advantage in being white.

Giving away d5 without a fight is a positional blunder. Your right, it's playable, but giving white more than sufficent compensation for the pawn is hardly playable OTB.  

7: Ng5!? Nh6 8: Qf3 f6 9: Ne6 Bxe6 10: Bxe6 with white advantage based on the white squares

You know there's a thing called Sveshnikov, right?

I wouldn't play e5 against a Smith-Morra, but even so, white is always a pawn down.

in your line, how about 8...Nd4

EDIT: no wait, I didn't see 10.Nd5+ after 9.Bxf7+ Ke7

The Sveshnikov is an opening which is sound, the d5 square is compensated with the dynamic activity of the black pieces. 

In the Smith Morra Sveshnikov, black lacks the dymanism, and therefor white has an edge. The weak f7 square is also playing a role. The only compensation is the pawn, which isn't enough.

If black plays well, before playing 4: ... e5?!, it is white who fights for equality. But a small slip can give white a nice game.

I'd prefer to take a pawn in a gambit anyday, rather than having to prove compensation. Of course if it is there, than it is only equal, no more. 

1. d4 is the very best anti-Sicilian

Now, that's real prophylaxis.

That's an excellent chess principles you mentioned. And I'm a bit scared of the Morra gambit. Taking the d and c pawn is fine after all.

I used to play the Smith Morra and found the above line to White's advantage.  Things may have changed now but I sure remember this particular line to be quite good for White. 

I do not necessarily think the Smith Morra is sound, however.