Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Declined, Wing Formation
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Statistics from Lichess
30,359 games: White 50.0% / Draw 4.0% / Black 46.0%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 12,03212K | ||
| 7,8147,814 | ||
| 7,2567,256 | ||
| 1,5411,541 | ||
| 1,2491,249 | ||
| 9696 | ||
| 8787 | ||
| 8080 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.27 The position is about equal
Best play: 4. Bd2 dxc3 5. Nxc3 Nc6 6. Rc1 e6 7. Nf3 Qd8 8. Bb5 Nge7
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Declined, Wing Formation (ECO B21, Semi-Open Games) is a declined gambit in the Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit, reached after 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 Qa5 (3 moves).
In 30,359 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 50.0%, Black 46.0% and 4.0% were drawn. White's most played move here is 4. Nf3, in 40% 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 Declined, Wing Formation
The most played answer, 4. Nf3, also scores best for White: 55.0%, with White winning 53.0% and Black 43.1% of 12K games. Of the main answers, 4. Qxd4 scores lowest: 46.2%. Stockfish's first choice is 4. Bd2.
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 Declined, Wing Formation (B21)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-smith-morra-gambit-declined-wing-formation