Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Morphy Defense
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Statistics from Lichess
98,955 games: White 51.3% / Draw 3.6% / Black 45.1%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 78,56479K | ||
| 7,8807,880 | ||
| 5,0645,064 | ||
| 2,0582,058 | ||
| 1,9551,955 | ||
| 1,1041,104 | ||
| 650650 | ||
| 611611 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 10, 2026
Engine evaluation
−0.08 The position is about equal
Best play: 7. a3 a6 8. O-O b5 9. b4 Be7 10. Bb3 d6 11. a4 Bb7
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Morphy Defense (ECO B21, Semi-Open Games) is a gambit in the Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, reached after 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 Nc6 5. Nf3 e6 6. Bc4 Bc5 (6 moves).
In 98,955 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 51.3%, Black 45.1% and 3.6% were drawn. White's most played move here is 7. O-O, in 79% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to play against the Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Morphy Defense
The most played answer, 7. O-O, also scores best for White: 53.5%, with White winning 51.7% and Black 44.7% of 79K games. Of the main answers, 7. Bf4 scores lowest: 51.6%. Stockfish's first choice is 7. a3.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: White's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Morphy Defense (B21)”. Lichess data as of 10 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-smith-morra-gambit-accepted-morphy-defense