SmithMorra Gambit [B21]

Written by GM Jonathan Rowson & IMs Andy Martin & Gary Lane
Last updated Wednesday, February 7, 2007

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Gambit with many names

B
lackburne played the Morra Gambit in 1870 but the actual name has evolved
through the years. It is also known as the Fleissig, Matulovic or Rivadavia. Older
sources even call it the Morphy Gambit based on the fact that Paul Morphy
played the c2c3 sacrifice against Journoud in France 1858, which started 1 e4 c5 2 d4 cxd4
3 f3 e5 4 c4 e7 5 c3 d6 6 b3 dxc3 7 xf7+ f8 8 xc3.
The current name is linked to Pierre Morra (1900-69) who wrote articles on the
gambit in the 1940s. A couple of books later by fellow French writers and the name stuck.
The addition of American Ken Smith's (1930-99) name is thanks to his efforts to popularise
the opening. He played it extensively, commissioned a number of articles from leading
players and wrote several books on the subject.
It is a tricky line which can result in a quick win for White if Black is not prepared.
The idea is to speed up development by sacrificing a pawn before White embarks on a
direct attack against the black king.
All the games given in blue can be accessed via ChessPub.exe, simply head for their
respective ECO code.

2
 Contents

1 e4 c5 2 d4
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2...cxd4 3 c3
3 xd4 Morra Gambit3 Qxd4

3...dxc3
3...d3 Morra GambitDeclined 3...d3

4 xc3
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4...c6
4...d6 Morra Gambit Intro
4...e5 Morra Gambit Intro

3
5 f3 e6
5...d6 6 c4 a6 (6...f6 7 e5 Morra GambitClassic Trap 6 Bc4 Nf6 7 e5) 7 0-0 f6 8 b4
Morra GambitTaylor Defence 8 b4

6 c4
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6...a6
6...c5 Morra GambitTimman Variation 6 ...Bc5
6...d6 7 e2 f6 Morra GambitClassical Main Line
6...c7 7 e2 f6 Morra GambitSiberian Trap 6...Qc7

7 0-0 b5 8 b3 b7
Morra Gambit...e6 and ...a6

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4
Morra Gambit 3 Qxd4 and other move

orders [B53]

Last updated: 08/04/02 by Gary Lane

1 e4 c5 2 f3
2 d4 cxd4 3 xd4
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A surprising move that aims to steer the game away from Black's preparation. The
argument is that although White will lose time when the queen is attacked at least it
avoids main line theory. 3...c6 Anything else would allow White to get away with
his cheeky opening. 4 c3 (4 d1 f6 5 c3 g6 6 e3 g7 7 c4 0-0 Hakamura is a
strong player and his robust way of playing against White's queen sortie is worth
noting. 8 h4 you have to admire White's determination to attack, Richardson,M
Nakamura,H/Bermuda 2002. ) 4...e6

5
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5 a3 White has to be alert because 5...Bb4 would be embarrassing. 5...d6 6 b5 d7 7 e3

c8 8 d2
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Once again the queen must move which means that Black is developing smoothly, with at
least equality, Mak,SSmith,V/Istanbul Olympiad 2000.

2...d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 c3
A novel way of entering the Morra.

4...dxc3 5 c4
An ambitious idea to create an instant attack. I prefer the usual Morra move.

5...e6
5...cxb2 6 xb2 The pair of bishops look rather threatening but two pawns is a lot to
sacrifice after just 6 moves! I suspect the idea is borrowed from the 'centre game'
that usually arises after 1 e4 e5 2 d4 exd4 3 c3 dxc3 4 Bc4 cxb2 5 Bxb2. I suspect
the reason why White has failed to follow this idea in the Morra is that Black can
block the effectiveness of the bishops. 6...e6 7 0-0 f6 8 e2 e7 9 d1 bd7

6
 Dudas just gets on with following the same setup that he normally employs against
the Morra.
The advantage is that he TWO pawns in the war chest, Hlinka,VDudas,J/Topolcianky
1994.

6 0-0 e7
6...c2!? 7 xc2 e7 It makes sense to develop the kingside because Black should quickly
conclude development Sapienza,JFarrancha,H/Chivilcoy 2001

7 xc3
The position now transposes back into a standard Morra Gambit. Perhaps at least White
would have gained some time on the clock due to his unusual moveorder.

7...f6
Black is behind in development.

8 e2 c6 9 d1 c7 10 a3
when White had compensation for the pawn, 0-1 Lohage,ATobor,D/Balatonbereny 1996.

7
 Morra Gambit Declined 3...d3 [B21]

Last updated: 18/12/04 by Gary Lane

1 e4 c5 2 d4
2 f3 c6 3 d4 cxd4 4 c3 White uses a slightly different moveorder to enter the Morra
Gambit. 4...dxc3!? (4...d3 Black declines the gambit which should give White an
edge. 5 xd3 d6 6 0-0 g6 7 b3!? has been suggested.) 5 xc3 is the main line Morra
Gambit.

2...cxd4 3 c3 d3
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An easy option for Black is to decline the gambit. The drawback is that White can then
steer the game towards a position similar to the Maroczy Bind. 'It is surprising that a
2600 grandmaster is frightened of entering the main lines but the Morra Gambit has
a dangerous reputation.'
3...dxc3 4 xc3 c6 5 f3 is the main line Morra Gambit.

4 xd3
'This pawn advance makes room for the queen's knight to be developed to the best available
square on c3.'

4...d6
4...c6 5 c4 An interesting idea to prevent the possibility of ...d7d5 and generally develop
in order to preserve the space advantage. 5...d6 6 c3 f6 7 ge2 e6 Black wants

8
 to control the d5 square and simply develop the king's bishop. Others: 8 0-0 e7 9
b3
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I like the idea of a queenside fianchetto to bring the darksquared bishop into the attack,
Philippe,CRoberts,P/Budapest HUN 2001.

5 c4
White makes clear his determination to create the Maroczy Bind by strengthening the
dominance of White on the d5 square.

5...f6 6 c3 g6 7 h3
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A sly but valuable move in this variation. The idea is that White delays developing the
king's knight in order to prevent it being pinned by ...Bg4 and it also helps in
hindering ...Ng4 if the queen's bishop is developed to e3.

7...g7 8 f3 0-0 9 0-0 c6 10 e3

10 e2 the queen gets out of the way to allow the rooks to coordinate, Vera,K
Nina,M/Lima 2002.

9
10 e3
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White's plan is easy in fact he can steadily develop his pieces. Black's task is slightly
complicated by his lack of space to manoeuvre, Santos,MDe Deus,J/Sau Paulo
1998.

10...a6
10...d7 11 d2 c5 12 ac1 b6 13 b1 b7 14 b3 e8 15 fd1 White centralises his
rooks to maintain the tension. The problem for Black is that it is difficult to create
counterplay without compromising his position, Lenderman,AMiton,K/New York
2004.

11 d2
I like the queen on d2 where it can help to play Bh6 to exchange off bishops.

11...d7 12 d5 xd5 13 cxd5

13 exd5 e5 14 xe5 xe5 15 ae1 is fine for White.

13...e5 14 xe5 xe5 15 f4 g7 16 f5

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White is serious about attacking the kingside and has good prospects as long as he can find
a breakthrough, Taylor,LPerelshteyn,E/Yerevan 2000.

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 Morra Gambit Intro [B21]

Last updated: 12/12/06 by Andy Martin

1 e4 c5 2 d4 cxd4 3 c3 dxc3 4 xc3 d6

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4...e5?!
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The logical behind the move is to put a stop to White's usual ploy of e4e5 when Black has
developed his king's knight to f6. An obvious problem is that it concedes control of
the d5 square because e7e6 is ruled out and the weakness of the a2g8 diagonal is a
worry. 5 c4 f6 6 f3 c7 Black wishes to defend the epawn and attack the
bishop. 7 b3! Here, the direct approach works well. The queen move not only
defends the bishop but attacks f7. 7...d5 8 exd5 Pleasants has won his gambit pawn

12
 back and how has an important lead in development. 8...a6 9 0-0 d6 10 g5 gave
White excellent chances, Pleasants,AHarmanBishop/ Dorset 2001.

5 f3
5 c4 c6 6 f4!? introduces an idea unmentioned in many modern texts on the Morra.
White departs from the standard fare and lines up his pieces as follows: f3, e3, 0-
0, e2, ad1, pressure on the efile and (or) f4f5 follows. 6...e6 7 f3 e7 8 e2
f6 9 e3 0-0 10 d1 a6 11 e5 e8 12 0-0 a5 13 f2 b5 14 b3 b4 15 c2 g6 16
exd6 xd6 17 e4 d8 Martin,AMuir,A/Lloyds Bank Masters 1979 and now 18
e5! would have given White some compensation.

5...e6 6 c4 f6 7 e2 a6 8 0-0 b5 9 b3 bd7

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10 a3
A clear sign that something has gone wrong. White's only comp for the pawn is TIME, and
if he has to take this time for moves like a3, Black will soon catch up and White will
have nothing to show for the material disadvantage, Carrettoni,A
Costa,F/EMPES02B email 2003.

13
 Morra Gambit ...e6 and ...a6 [B21]

Last updated: 19/11/06 by Andy Martin

1 e4 c5 2 d4 cxd4 3 c3 dxc3 4 xc3 e6

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Flexible.
The alternative is 4...c6 5 f3 e6 6 c4 a6 7 0-0 ge7 Black reveals the idea behind his
setup. A knight developed on f6 is often a target for e4e5. Also if White puts a
rook on the dfile and wishes to exploit the pin with e4e5 after ...d7d6 then
having a knight on g6 will mean Black will have more control of the e5 square.
(7...b5 8 b3 b7 (8...h6?! A cautious response. It is the type of move played all the
time but often ignored in books. 9 e2 When Black plays something odd it makes
sense for White to get with the standard plan of mobilising the queen to support the
idea e4e5 and get the rooks active. 9...b4 10 d1 The rook comes to the semiopen
dfile to increase the pressure on Black, Pfaff,VBreiter,J/Kassel 2000.) 9 e2 As
usual the queen comes to e2 to support the advance e4e5 and coordinate the
rooks. 9...ge7 10 g5 f6 11 f4 g6 12 g3 c5 13 fd1

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The rook comes to the semiopen dfile and now the bishop is threatening to take on e6,
Sanchez,FAnelli,A/ Villa Ballester 2001. ) 8 g5 An understandable choice
because the pin will oblige Fernando to play a pawn move which will weaken
Black's kingside. 8...f6 9 f4 g6 10 g3 b5 (10...c5!? The bishop on c5 looks quite
aggressive but it has been rarely played. I suspect Conquest's seal of approval will
change that. 11 e5? f5 Against a gambit player Conquest is not keen on accepting
material when he can a clearer route to victory. The obvious threat is ...f5f4 to
corner the darksquared bishop. 12 e2 An admission that things are not quite right.
The knight on c3 is normally influential when White conducts the natural plan of
Qe2, followed by Rfd1. Therefore, the knight on e2 is misplaced, Simonsen,O
Conquest,S/Torshavn 2000) 11 d3 e7 12 a4 b4 13 d5
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The first time I saw this remarkable move I thought it was a misprint! A closer look
indicates that if taken it will allow White to launch a vicious onslaught. Dubois,J
Fernando,D/Cappelle la Grande 2001

5 f3 a6

15
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5...e7 6 c4 a6 7 0-0 c6 8 e2 d6 9 d1 c7 An instinctive response to move the queen

off the dfile to avoid any nasty pins. However, it does gives White the chance to
create a useful initiative. 10 f4 This bishop moves introduces various tricks so
Black has to be very careful. 10...e5? A mistake which has happened many times. I
have highlighted this game because to my surprise such an error does go unpunished
occasionally, Flitney,ABristina,H/reserves 2004. (10...f6 I think this is Black's best
reply if caught in this variation. 11 d2 White immediately puts pressure on the d6
pawn. 11...e5 12 e2 0-0 13 ac1 Diermair,ABui Vinh/Budapest 2002., 10...b5 11 b3
b7 12 ac1 The rook slides across to the cfile which is an obvious to do with the
queen on c7. 12...f6?! 13 d5! A textbook way of exploiting the queen on c7 by
using the extra development to create a tactic, Buchicchio,GDamia,A/Bratto 2002.,
10...e5?! 11 xe5 dxe5 12 ac1 see Sola,RTrejo,J/Argentine Team championship
2000.)

6 c4 b5
6...c7 7 e2 b4 This is not exactly a dubious defence, but Black always has to watch
out for the d6 square. (7...e7 was roughly treated in the following game: 8 0-0 b5 9
b3 b7 10 d1 d6 11 f4 e5 A massive concession, just the sort of thing the Morra
gambiteer is waiting for. (Better was 11...d7 although 12 ac1 c5 13 c2 c8 14 b4!
gives White dangerous compensation.) 12 d5!+ Saradjen,JOrel,A, Nova Gorica
2004.) 8 0-0 b5 9 b3 c6 10 e5 d5 11 exd6 xd6 Majer,CCafolla,P/Port Erin
IOM 2006, and now 12 d5! gives White an excellent game.

7 b3 b7 8 0-0

16
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8...d6
What would White do after 8...b4 9 a4 xe4 when it is far from obvious if he has any
compensation for the two pawns.

9 e2 d7 10 d1 gf6
10...b4!? Froehlich plays sharply. The German master is now resident in Australia and
continues to play to a high standard. 11 a4 gf6 12 c2 e7 13 f4 e5 Black is
happier to advance the epawn now that white's lightsquared bishop is not on the
a2g8 diagonal, Spain,GFroehlich,P/Auckland 2003.

11 g5
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A suggestion of Shipman's but there are plenty of alternatives:

11 f4 b8 12 d2 e7 13 ad1 As usual the d6 pawn is the target for White's pieces.
13...0-0 14 xd6 xd6 15 xd6 c5 it is fair to say that Black is putting pressure on
the e4 pawn, Zelic,MGenser,H/Pula 1999.

17
11...e7 12 xf6 gxf6 13 e3 h5 14 a3 b6 15 f4
when Black has the better chances, Sigurjonsson,SThorsteinn,T/Reykjavic 2003.

18
 Morra Gambit Classic Trap 6 Bc4 Nf6

7 e5 & 5...g6 [B21]

Last updated: 13/08/03 by Gary Lane

1 e4 c5 2 d4 cxd4 3 c3 dxc3
Black accepts the offer of the pawn and enters the SmithMorra Gambit.

4 xc3 c6 5 f3 g6
5...d6 6 c4 f6?!
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A natural looking move which is in fact a mistake. White can now play for a strong
initiative. 7 e5! dxe5 8 xd8+ xd8 9 g5 gave White a winning advantage,
Regan,NWoestenburg,J/ Haarlem 1998.

6 h4!?

19
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This is grandmaster Janos Flesch's cheeky idea to accelerate the attack. It can have a good
effect on someone who is badly prepared but I believe Black should be fine.

6...h5
6...f6 7 h5 g7 8 h6 f8 9 g5 g4 10 c4 f6 11 f4 with some compensation for the
pawn, Quadrio,ACandeias,H/POR 1997.

7 c4
7 g5 g7 8 c4 f6 9 0-0 d6 10 e5 I don't like the idea of exchanging queens when a
pawn down unless there is a concrete line offering White decent chances, Regan,N
Sebag,M/Saint Vincent 1999.

7...g7 8 b3
Flesch's recommendation and a sensible choice to pinpoint the f7 pawn.

8...a5 9 xf7+ f8 10 d5 f6 11 g5!?

with a doublededged game, Rohler,SKreisl,R/Austrian Team championship 2001.

20
 Morra Gambit Classical Main Line

[B21]

Last updated: 29/04/04 by Gary Lane

1 e4 c5 2 f3 e6 3 d4 cxd4 4 c3 dxc3 5 xc3 c6 6 c4 d6 7 0-0

7 e2
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The queen comes to e2 in order to make room for the king's rook to come to d1 to try and
exploit the semiopen dfile. 7...f6 8 0-0
a) 8...a6 9 d1 c7!? I always think that Black is asking for trouble by putting the queen on
the cfile because White will usually play Rac1 at some point. 10 f4 e5 11 d5 (11
g5! looks like a decent alternative because the d5 square will increase in
importance. 11...e7 12 xf6 xf6 13 d5 d8 14 h3 when White has sufficient
compensation for the pawn.) 11...xd5 12 exd5 e7 13 xe5! gave White good
play in Brunner,NLopez,G/Chambery 2002.
b) 8...e7 9 d1 This is considered one of the main lines.
b1) 9...e5 10 h3 Otherwise Black will play ...Bg4. 10...0-0
b1a) 11 e3
b1a1) 11...e6 12 ac1 c8 13 xe6 (13 b5 is worth investigating) 13...fxe6 14 b4 a6 15
b5 b8?! (Or 15...axb5 16 xb5 d7 allows Black to hang on with a slight edge.) 16
xe5 a5 with a complicated position favouring White, Carr,NPlaskett,J/Brighton
1984.

21
b1a2) 11...a6 12 a4 There is some debate about the right way for White to proceed. In this
case Hardarson is keen to prevent ...b5. 12...e6 13 xe6 fxe6 14 c4 with double
edged play, Hardarson,RHjartarson,J/Gardabaer 1991.
b1b) 11 g5 11...h6!? when White still has to prove the pawn sacrifice is right, Oim,T
Leito,P/ Estonian Ch Parnu/Talinn 2001.
b2) 9...c7 10 f4 e5 11 e3 a6 12 ac1 b8
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Black is understandably reluctant to leave his queen on the cfile. The snag is that it gets in
the way of the rest of the pieces. 13 d5 xd5 14 xd5 d8 (14...d7 15 a3 0-0 16
d2 heading for c4 gives White the initiative.) 15 b6! Peterson is keen to apply
pressure as soon as possible. Basically, Black is under pressure because he cannot
get his pieces out which means his defensive options are limited, Peterson,E
Slovak,P/Tatranske Zruby SVK 2003.

7...e7
Black should quickly conclude development.

8 e2 a6
The pawn stop a white knight occupying the b5 square and also prepares ...b7b5.

9 d1 d7

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xiiiiiiiiy

10 f4
10 a4 f6 11 f4 e5 12 g5 e6 13 xe6 fxe6 14 b4! I like the way White finds every
opportunity to play aggressive chess, Llaneza Vega,MFernandez
Fernandez,A/Norena 2001/EXT 2002.

10...e5
This is considered the main line. Black deflects the attention on the d6 pawn but in
compensation White is rewarded with the d5 square for his pieces to occupy.
10...b5 11 b3 e5 12 e3 f6 13 h3 White is wary of allowing the bishop to pin the knight
on g4, Senador,EDang Tat Thang/Bandar Seri Begawan 2001.
10...c7!? 11 ac1 (11 e5!) 11...d8 12 h3 Valenti,GWild,A/Saint Vincent 1999/EXT
2000.

11 e3 f6 12 a4 0-0 13 h3 h6
Lukas,MNilssen,J/Vlissingen 2002.

23
 Morra Gambit Siberian Trap 6...Qc7

[B21]

Last updated: 07/02/07 by Andy Martin

1 e4 c5 2 d4 cxd4 3 c3 dxc3 4 xc3 c6

4...e6 A standard line that aims to blunt the effectiveness of the White attack after Bf1-c4. 5
f3 a6 6 c4 c7!? 7 e2 b4 8 0-0 d6 9 f4 xc3 10 bxc3 b5 11 b3 e7 12
fd1 e5 13 e3 0-0 As usual in a good version of the Morra, Black is behind in
development, Iodo,AKozlitina,E/ Russian Junior Ch 2001.

5 f3 e6
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqkvlntr0
9zpp+p+pzpp0
9-+n+p+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-+P+-+0
9+-sN-+N+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-vLQmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy

This pawn formation is favoured by those who wish to restrict the power of White's king's
bishop when it takes up its usual place on c4.

6 c4 c7
A normal developing move but in recent years it has also heralded the start of a stout
defence based on counterattacking in the opening.

7 e2
Played to cover c4, but

24
7 0-0 is sensible, 7...f6 8 b5 (8 h3 a6 9 e2 d6 10 e3 e7 looks fine for Black,
Kobernat,AWojtkiewicz,A/Sioux Falls USA 2005) 8...b8 9 e5 g4 10 d6+ this
hasn't been played much but it is based on the logical idea of cutting off the black
queen from the defence of the kingside. The argument against it is that eventually a
pawn on d6 might be a weakness, Milman,LEhlvest,J/New York USA 2003.

7...f6
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+kvl-tr0
9zppwqp+pzpp0
9-+n+psn-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+L+P+-+0
9+-sN-+N+-0
9PzP-+QzPPzP0
9tR-vL-mK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy

8 e5!?
8 0-0 g4 9 b5! (9 d1 c5 The threat is ...d4. 10 e3 An unfortunate compromise for
White to keep the position playable. 10...xe3 11 fxe3 0-0 12 h1 gave Black a
comfortable game in Shein,EBitansky,I/Ramat Aviv 2000., 9 h3? is the trap in its
pure form: 9...d4! and Black wins, Chaplain,FAbergel,T/Pau 2000) 9...b8 10 h3
h5 11 g3 c5 12 f4! ge5 13 xe5 xe5 14 ac1 a6 15 xe6! Flitney,A
Escribano,J/Tuggeranong AUS 2007 and Black did not recover from this shot!
8 g5 g4 9 h3 ge5 left White to prove his compensation for the pawn but the game was
eventually drawn, Laurent,BLeconte,J/Naujac 2000.

8...g4 9 f4 h5
9...f6 An important move. 10 d5 a5+ 11 d2 d8 12 exf6 xf6 13 f4 led to a lead in
development for White, Wall,TKelly,B/Newport 1997.

10 h3 h6 11 0-0 a6
Black takes steps to control the b5 square.

12 fd1 b5 13 b3 e7

25
 XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+k+-tr0
9+-wqpvlpzp-0
9p+n+p+-sn0
9+p+-zP-+p0
9-+-+-vL-+0
9+LsN-+N+P0
9PzP-+QzPP+0
9tR-+R+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy

Black should quickly conclude development, Marciniak,ALesbros,B/Vichy 2000.

26
 Morra Gambit Taylor Defence [B21]

Last updated: 08/01/05 by Gary Lane

1 e4 c5 2 d4 cxd4 3 c3 dxc3 4 xc3 c6 5 f3 d6 6 c4 a6

XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqkvlntr0
9+p+-zppzpp0
9p+nzp-+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+L+P+-+0
9+-sN-+N+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-vLQmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy

This is sometimes referred to as the Taylor Defence.

7 0-0 f6 8 b4!?
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqkvl-tr0
9+p+-zppzpp0
9p+nzp-sn-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-zPL+P+-+0
9+-sN-+N+-0
9P+-+-zPPzP0
9tR-vLQ+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy

Another pawn is added to the fire to cause confusion and create attacking opportunities. I
highly recommend this move for correspondence games. This is because most
players will use a computer although they tend to say it is only to avoid blunders.
However, I suspect a few who have limited time to study will also use it in the
opening. Consequently, Black will assume he is doing well here because the

27
 computer does not take into account the longterm benefits of the pawn sacrifice in
the Morra such as active piece play and attacking opportunities. Also someone using
a computer will think he is doing well when suddenly the silicon monster will realise
what is going on by abruptly changing the assessment.
8 e3 White just gets on with developing his pieces. The text is a little bit unusual but has
the advantage of not being exhaustively analysed in the books. 8...b5 9 xf7+! I am
not sure if this has been played before but in an internet game I just wanted to attack.
It could be an important novelty and the bonus is that White quickly gets his piece
back. 9...xf7 10 e5 This is the move that makes the whole line work in White's
favour, Lane,GHendy,M/Internet 2002.
8 e2?!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqkvl-tr0
9+p+-zppzpp0
9p+nzp-sn-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+L+P+-+0
9+-sN-+N+-0
9PzP-+QzPPzP0
9tR-vL-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy

The idea is logical enough, to make room for a rook on d1 and help to support the advance
e5. This game is widely quoted in books who make a claim that the text inspires
great complications. However, such conclusions are wrongly based on the
assumption that GM Julian Hodgson would only play the best moves. An idea that
could cost White the game when one realises that Black is in fact JOHN Hodgson a
keen amateur player from England! 8...g4 9 d1 e6 This combination of pinning
the king's knight and then setting up a solid pawn barrier works wonders for Black.
10 f4 h5 11 e3 f6 12 e5?! The English women's international is known for her
ultra aggressive style but this is just very risky, Reagan,NHodgson,J/Lloyds Bank
1994.
8 g5 g4 This natural looking move is exactly what White wants. 9 b3! At a stroke
White has the advantage by attacking both b7 and f7, Costa,FMorais,M/Honra
1999.

8...g4
It makes sense to pin the king's knight to reduce White's attacking opportunities.
8...e6 9 b5 e5 10 xe5 dxe5 11 e2 When you have sacrificed a pawn in the opening
there have to be special circumstances to voluntarily agree to exchange queens.
11...e7 12 d1 a5 13 d2 c7 14 ac1 with good play for White, Regan,N
Koglin,A/Germany 1999.

28
9 b5 xf3 10 gxf3
10 xf3? is not advisable on account of the fork 10...e5 when Black can win material
upon 11 e2 c8! (White survives after the inaccurate 11...xc4?! followed by 12
xc4 c8 13 d3 when the queen can protect the knight) 12 bxa6 bxa6 (12...xc4?! is
silly because 13 axb7 c6 14 b1 gives White some play when he should be resigning)
13 xa6 xc3 and Black is much better.

10...axb5
10...e5 11 bxa6! xc4 12 axb7 gave White good tactical chances, Regan,NVan
Beek,G/Haarlem 1998.

11 xb5
A nice idea of Williamson's to activate the knight because previous examples had
concentrated on pinning the queen's knight with
11 xb5!? A nice idea of Williamson's to activate the knight because previous examples
had concentrated on pinning the queen's knight with 11...e5 12 b3 e6 Black just
wants to catch up with development by preparing to castle kingside. 13 g5 c6 14
xf6 gxf6 15 f4 b6 16 a4 a7 17 xa7 xa7 18 f5! An excellent move designed
to increase the scope of the lightsquared bishop. Black is already in trouble and
significantly still has not caught up with development, Williamson,H
Overton,D/British Correspondence Chess Society 2002.

11...g6 12 d5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wqkvl-tr0
9+p+-zpp+p0
9-+nzp-snp+0
9+L+N+-+-0
9-+-+P+-+0
9+-+-+P+-0
9P+-+-zP-zP0
9tR-vLQ+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy

gave White decent play for the material and the game was eventually drawn, Hardarson,R
De Firmian,N/Politiken Cup 1999.

29
 Morra Gambit Timman Variation 6

...Bc5 [B21]

Last updated: 20/02/02 by Gary Lane

1 e4 c5 2 d4 cxd4 3 c3 dxc3 4 xc3 c6

4...e6 5 f3 c5 6 c4 e7 7 0-0 (7 e2!? 0-0 8 g5 bc6 9 d1 a6 Controls b5 10 a3 A dual
purpose move that prepares to gain space on the queenside with b2b4 and also cope
with the possibility of ...b7b5b4. 10...b5 11 a2 d6 Black reduces the effectiveness
of e4e5, Vospernik,ABacsi,A/Budapest 2001 ) 7...0-0 8 e5 A natural move which
seems right because the e4 square is vacated for the knight. However, in the game
Black responds energetically to limit White's initiative. It might be better to try Qe2
and then Rd1 to exert some pressure on the semiopen dfile. 8...d5 9 exd6 xd6 10
b5 d5 11 xd6 xd6 12 e2 White belatedly follows the standard idea of
making room for the rook on d1. However, it normally stifles development but in
this case having already played ...d5 Black can smoothly develop, Vistisen,L
Adamski,J/Copenhagen 1999

5 f3 e6 6 c4 c5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqk+ntr0
9zpp+p+pzpp0
9-+n+p+-+0
9+-vl-+-+-0
9-+L+P+-+0
9+-sN-+N+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-vLQmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy

Timman Variation.

7 0-0 a6

30
7...ge7 8 g5?! It is harsh to complain about such a logical move but when you sacrifice a
pawn it is important to increase the pressure. I think Black has nothing to fear from
the pin and it does nothing compared to making use of the rook occupying the semi
open dfile. (8 g5!? This is a move in the true spirit of the opening. White goes on
the attack at the earliest opportunity by threatening Qh5. 8...g6 There is not much
tournament experience in this line but Black definitely has to be careful: Kufa,P
Nepomucky,O/Moravia Ch 1996 ) 8...0-0 9 e2 f6 10 h4 g6 11 g3 ge5 12
xe5 xe5 13 xe5?! It is a mistake to give up the bishop pair and at the same time
open up the ffile for Black, OsiShirov99/Internet 1999.

8 f4
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqk+ntr0
9+p+p+pzpp0
9p+n+p+-+0
9+-vl-+-+-0
9-+L+PvL-+0
9+-sN-+N+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy

This looks like a good way of handling the Black setup. The bishop eyes up the d6 square
but there is another motive. It helps to prepare e5 when Black could not reply with
the usual d5 because it could be taken "en passant" and White would win the pawn.
8 e2 ge7 9 e5 b5 10 b3 c7 11 e4 a5 12 d2 An inspired idea to concentrate on
development with visions of swinging a rook to c1, Gravel,SMartin,M/Oviedo
1992

8...d6 9 a3
White has pinpointed d6 as a weak pawn and this is the first step to force Black into a
compromise.

9...e5
The epawn advances which leaves a backward dpawn and a hoe on d5 for White to
occupy.

10 g5 ge7 11 b4 a7 12 d5

31
 XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqk+-tr0
9vlp+-snpzpp0
9p+nzp-+-+0
9+-+Nzp-vL-0
9-zPL+P+-+0
9zP-+-+N+-0
9-+-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy

gave White the initiative in Schmidt,WZahn,W/ Bundesliga 1994.

32