1.e4
c5
2.d4
The Smith Morra Gambit
2...cxd4
3.c3
Offering the pawn here. White gets some (enough?) compensation with very rapid development after 3...cxd4 4.Nc3 with Bc4, Bf4 or g5, and 0-0, Rac1, Rfd1 to follow
3...d3
A rare but interesting idea. Black pushes through to keep the c-file closed and to set-up a Hedgehog formation!
4.Bxd3
d6
First task is to guard the e5 square carefully.
5.Nf3
Nf6
6.0-0
e6
7.c4
Black lost time with d4-d3. White loses time with this.
7...Qc7
Safe because the Nb1 is not yet on c3
8.Nc3
a6
Completing the queen's house. Development will proceed withe Nbd7, b6 and Bb7 putting more pressure upon the white e-pawn
9.Bf4
Nbd7
10.Rc1
b6
Diagram Very similar to positions in the Kan Sicilian.
11.Qe2
Bb7
12.Rfd1
Rc8
13.b3
or perhaps Ng4-e5
13...Be7
14.Bb1
0-0
15.Bg3
Rfd8
16.Nd4
Qb8
In a similar position, I tried ...g5 to inhibit f2-f4 and to follow with Ne5
17.f4
g6
18.f5
e5
The natural response since the Nd4 cannot now go to f5
19.Nf3
Qa8
Three attacks on the e4-weakness
20.Nd5
Bxd5
21.exd5
Ceding a protected e5-passer.
21...Re8
idea Bf8-g7 and placing the Rook behind the passer.
22.Qd2
b5
23.Ng5
[23.cxb5
axb5
24.Rxc8
Rxc8
25.Bf2
Ng4=/+
]
23...bxc4
24.bxc4
or just h6 or Nc5. Black has the advantage
24...Bd8
25.Rf1
Bb6+
reposting the dark-squared bishop on its most active diagonal
26.Kh1
Qa7
27.Bf2
A concession. This is white's "good" bishop and the Bb6, despite its activity, is black's "bad" bishop
27...Bxf2
28.Rxf2
Kg7
29.Rf3
Qd4
[29...Qc5
safre, with the idea of ...Nb6]
30.Qe2
[30.Qxd4
exd4
31.fxg6
hxg6
32.Rcf1
]
30...e4
With a piece soon to e5
31.Rf4
Re5
32.Qf1
h6?
[32...Rxf5
33.Rxf5
gxf5
34.Qxf5
Rxc4-/+
]
33.Nf3
Qb2
34.Nxe5
Qxe5
35.fxg6
fxg6
36.Re1
Nc5
seeking activity after his blunder
37.Rh4
g5
38.Rh3
Rb8
39.Re2
Ng4
40.Qe1
Qa1
41.Bxe4?
[41.Rb3
Nxb3
42.axb3
Rxb3
43.Bxe4
Qxe1+
44.Rxe1
a5-/+
]
41...Qxe1+
42.Rxe1
Nf2+
43.Kg1
Nxh3+
44.gxh3
Re8
winning the Be4 0-1