The Smith-Morra. Why is it when I see such games it looks like white always has this grip on the position in exchange for the pawn? After 11...0-0 I actually think that black's position is miserable. There's pressure on d6, ...d5 is suicidal at the moment, and it's hard to find an active plan. Your plan of queenside advance is probably right.
Before I look at that, I'd like to say that 7...Bd7 8. Nb5 is extremely unpleasant to face. I dare say black can get blown away if he's not careful. Perhaps 7...a6 is better as a preparatory move, and even indicates future expansion there.
Now. 15. Bb1 is to maintain pressure on d6 and potentially d7 after a timely e5. It can even run to a2 for pressure on a2-g8 late, especially after ...e5 at some point.
16...h6 (at least when I play it) is never right. It allows sacrifices there, and gives 17. g5 some real menace, while opening the h-file on your side is usually not good unless you can organise getting a rook there quickly. I usually play Hippos and other hopelessly passive games, and the most common defensive resources employed are: getting a rook to h8 after opening your h-file, letting the white pawns rumble on while you don't exchange and accept the weak squares, and the cute 16...Kh8 17. g5 Ng8, which looks suicidal but forces white to demonstrate something. g5 would also suit his pieces better than his pawn.
It's hard to see how advancing 17...a5 or 17...b4 would help much, as any structure change is likely to not affect white's goal of checkmate. Black has no good breakthroughs on that side as far as I can see.
20...e5 is not promising, leaving permanent weaknesses while white can play 21. Kh2-Rg1 as he wanted anyway. Still, what's good? Black's been out of play for a while already. On the plus side, it does leave room for 21...Be6 and intentions of ...d5 should black's king survive a while longer.
22...Rfd8 planning to run and maybe get ...d5 in was indeed better. It also clears the way for ...Bf8, a potential resource.
The main problem in the game is white's opening. That Smith-Morra gives white a strong initiative if played well, and it seem like you scared yourself into a passive position (Be7 and Bd7 is not generally a good formation.) An early ...a6 would dispel some threats and leave more room for active development perhaps. I don't study openings, but that seems to be part of any good counterplan in Sicilians.
Hello,
I believe, like Botvinnik, that the rigorous analysis of one's games is important for development of chess mastery. Of course, this holds especially for losses. This next game is a serious attempt on my part to play the Sicilian. My opponent decides to opt for a Smith-Morra Gambit. After a period of awkward and misguided maneuvering by both sides, my opponent launches a kingside attack. After a sacrifice, my position is doomed. Here is the game and thank you for any help.
chessman1504