Is the Smith-Morra Gambit a good idea for regular play?

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user800234035

No. White is down 0.3 points. 

HashBangFoo

just food for thought: Nakamura drew in Moscow with the same line 2 times, because opponet refused to give up a pawn for equal position.

Grischuk beat him out of the tournament, because he gave up the pawn.

Playing the SMG, you better know what to do, but it can be a deadly weappon for unprepared players.

Captain_Marvel2007

I've actually had more losses than wins in the Smith-Morra so I stopped playing itnervous.pngcry.pngevil.pngmeh.pngmeh.pngfrustrated.png

 

LogoCzar
FM MagnutssCarleson wrote:
IM poucin wrote:

At your level (and even mine), u can play almost everything.

Play what u like.

Smith Morra gambit is not refuted : see at high level, most transpose into Alapin with 1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3 Nf6.

@logozar found the refutation objectively

I've published this refutation here. https://www.chessable.com/mangle-the-morra/course/19264/

LogoCzar

https://new.uschess.org/theory/bust-smith-morra-gambit/

 

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Send your counter-efforts to US Chess Digital Editor John Hartmann (john.hartmann@uschess.org) on or before August 15th. We will publish the best responses to Logozar’s claims, and give Logozar a chance to respond as well. Two prizes – one from US Chess Sales, and one from Chessable – will be awarded those submitting the best analysis.

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drmrboss

Most of gambits are unsound in today technology with massive computer analysis that can go beyond depth 50.

Busted is unsound media claim in exaggeration. Yes, white will end up with one pawn deficit if black can play accurately.

Because chess is an extremely drawish game with big margin of error. One pawn advantage is not generally gauranteed for the win for the advantage side. Almost all endgame in symmetrical structure with one pawn advantage end as draw unless the advantage side can control the pawn promoting square. I saw smith morgan and similar unsound gambits in TCEC, white is still able to get a draw with one pawn material deficit.


P.S, my personal feeling is any one pawn handicap in starting position with 31 men Tablebase is still draw ( unless it is not "f" pawn or "g" pawn handicap). :)

JimmySteele