The Smith-Morra arises after 1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3 (ECO B21). White sacrifices a pawn to develop quickly, open the c- and d-files and start an attack - an aggressive answer to the Sicilian.
For the pawn White gets a lead in development and pressure down the half-open files against c6, d6 and f7. If Black plays inaccurately, the initiative turns into an attack in short order.
The gambit is not considered fully sound against careful defence, but it offers powerful practical chances and is especially dangerous at fast time controls. A favourite weapon of attacking players against 1...c5.
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