Standard Chess

Viewers have been asking for it, so finally a 1.e4 gambit appears in my 15-minute series! The Smith-Morra Gambit (2.d4 cxd4 3.c3) is fairly highly regarded these days and promises White a development lead and active play if Black accepts. My recommendation for Black would be to decline the second pawn with 3...Nf6 or 3...d3. If you're interested in this line for White, look no further than IM Marc Esserman's super 2012 work, "Mayhem in the Morra": www.amazon.com/...

[@jackkruger7782]

Another great video John! Thanks! I hope you enjoy making this videos as much as we viewers enjoy watching them

[@JohnBartholomewChess]

Jack Kruger Thanks, Jack! I appreciate you watching.

[@Australianchessplayer]

I sometimes play the KIA vs the Sicilian, but most often this. I got my initial lines from L Barden.
Some advice I saw is to chase the K with your Q, so Qe2, and Q with rooks, so rooks to d1, c1. The B drops back to b3, whether attacked or not. To me the most memorable line with Nd5 still has a pawn on e4, and it eventually captures the N on c6.
I've found a B on b6 blocking the pawn on b7 has a quietening effect on Black.

[@chessterboard1426]

This video brought up a whole lot of bad memories of playing the black side of accepting the Smith-Morra Gambit.

[@justinbrooks790]

I have seen the improvement of my game just by watching your videos (which is part of my daily routine). I find myself asking myself while playing "what would John do?" Asking myself that question is leading to better play.I remember certain things you have said and done in similar chess situations and being able to implement those memories into a game is awesome! Thanks so much John!

[@JohnBartholomewChess]

Justin Brooks That is awesome to hear. Funnily, I've had people tell me they can "hear" me in their head when playing their own games :) Thanks, for watching, Justin!

[@chongli297]

What a fun game to watch! I'm tempted to pick up Esserman's book just because of this game. Wow, thanks John!

[@JohnBartholomewChess]

+Chong Li Thanks! Esserman's book is so jam-packed with fun lines and ideas. If you have an interest in the Smith-Morra it's a treasure.

[@chessisbest]

Wow, Nd5.. I would never think of that. And I wouldn't consider not taking it either. lol Amazing game.

[@BMSG99]

A very diferent type of position today. I am mainly a 1.d4 player but as almost everyone I started playing 1.e4. Never had the nerves to play the Smith-Morra but this game is a good example how quick black can get in trouble. Good game!

[@projectryan88]

Great game John! Glad to see some 1.e4 stuff

[@JohnBartholomewChess]

projectryan88 Thanks for watching! I've been playing 1.e4 a lot lately, so stay tuned for more king's pawn action.

[@dnmclnnn]

During the analysis (24:30, after 8. Nd5 exd5) The engine was recommending Qxd5 not exd5 which is why the evaluation suddenly changed when he snap retook with the pawn.

[@TheStimuli]

This is my exclusive against the sicilian, I'd love to see some morra declined games too!

[@JohnBartholomewChess]

TheStimuli I'll try to play more Morras! It's a lot of fun :)

[@heikoschmidt3369]

I think if 8. Sd5 und exd5, than 9. Q xd5 is the way to go?!

[@JohnBartholomewChess]

Heiko Schmidt Could be! That's a pretty big threat on f7.

[@zwishking6032]

Agreed, seems like unstoppable mate, unless 9. Nh6 10. Bxh6 O-O where oh get the piece back

[@tianpeng3162]

Nice example game of the Morra Gambit!

[@JohnBartholomewChess]

TIAN PENG Thanks, Lui!

[@justin57153]

John, more smith-morra games! You get the Sicilian quite a bit since your 1. e4 quest... So much more interesting than the usual Sicilian stuff.

[@JohnBartholomewChess]

+Justin Ferriman Man it's been awhile since I essayed the Smith-Morra. You're right that it does produce tremendously interesting 1.e4 games!

[@johnstevenson9956]

I got to give Deception credit for playing on, long after most others would have resigned.

[@Welearnchess]

Great game john. a6 is interesting...Evan's defense correct? IM Ginsburg did a series on that for black for chess.com awhile back. When i get around to purchasing esserman's book will interesting to see what he recommends in those lines.
Ps thanks for including some e4 games even though it's not your preference!

[@JohnBartholomewChess]

WeLearnChess Sure thing! Appreciate you watching.

[@jptritonn5224]

Interesting game. I've played the Smith-Morra a few times on a whim but having a more concrete view of white's ideas now is nice.
Would you be willing to try other openings in "standard" time controls on request?

[@veruslupus]

John, Im struggling with playing against the english opening, i play the smith morra as white, would you reccomend playing a smith morra reversed a tempo down against it?