Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Sozin Formation
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Statistics from Lichess
30,816 games: White 52.4% / Draw 4.1% / Black 43.5%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 29,43429K | ||
| 646646 | ||
| 270270 | ||
| 231231 | ||
| 176176 | ||
| 3838 | ||
| 1010 | ||
| 44 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 1, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.26 The position is about equal
Best play: 9. Bb3 Be7 10. Bf4 Ra7 11. Rac1 Nf6 12. Nxb5 axb5 13. Rxc6 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, Sozin Formation (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. Bc4 e6 6. Nf3 d6 7. O-O a6 8. Qe2 b5 (8 moves).
In 30,816 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 52.4%, Black 43.5% and 4.1% were drawn. White's most played move here is 9. Bb3, in 96% of those games.
It continues into one named variation, Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Chicago Defense.
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Variations (1)
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Sozin Formation (B21)”. Lichess data as of 1 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-smith-morra-gambit-accepted-sozin-formation