Theoria
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Sicilian Defense

Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Finegold Defense

B21gambitsolid

  1. 1.e4c5
  2. 2.d4cxd4
  3. 3.c3dxc3
  4. 4.Nxc3e6
  5. 5.Nf3d6
  6. 6.Bc4a6
  7. 7.O-OBe7
  8. 8.Qe2Nf6
640 games51%46%

Scheveningen-style defense to the accepted Smith-Morra Gambit: Black sets up ...d6, ...e6, ...a6, ...Be7 and ...Nf6 and holds the extra pawn.

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About the Finegold Defense

The Finegold Defense is a compact Scheveningen-type answer to the accepted Smith-Morra Gambit. Black places pawns on d6, e6 and a6, develops with ...Be7 and ...Nf6, and postpones castling. The same position also arises via 4...d6 5. Nf3 e6 6. Bc4 Nf6 7. O-O Be7 8. Qe2 a6. White almost always continues 9. Rd1, pressing on the d-file. The engine considers the position balanced, and White scores slightly better in Lichess games.

Popular continuations