Smith-Morra Gambit Declined, Dubois Variation

The Dubois Variation is White's answer to 3...d3, the Advance Variation of the Smith-Morra Gambit Declined. White does not recapture at once and plays 4. c4 instead. The plan is to collect the d3-pawn later with Bxd3, which leaves a Maróczy Bind structure with pawns on c4 and e4 and extra space for White. Black most often replies 4...Nc6. The alternatives 4...d6 and 4...g6 lead toward Najdorf- or Dragon-style setups. The engine gives White a slight edge, and White scores well in practice.