How to Beat The Smith-Morra Gambit!!

Chess Opening:
Sicilian Defense - Smith-Morra Gambit:
1.e4 c5
2.d4 exd4
3.c3 dxc3
4.Nxc3 Nc6
5.Nf3 d6
6.Bc4 a6
7.0-0 Nf6
0:00 Intro
4:46 8.e5
5:25 8.Bf4
8:23 8.h3
11:59 8.Qe2
Chess International Master and FIDE Senior Trainer, Miodrag Perunovic.
My brand new Bishop's Opening Chessable Course "Butcher 1...e5" out now!
www.chessable.com/butcher-1-e...
Purchase my first ever course,
“Butcher the Sicilian” on Chessable:
www.chessable.com/butcher-the...
Keep up to date by following on Twitter:
/ thebutcherchess
To access detailed PGN’s for any of these lines go to
bigmio.com/downloads
DONATIONS:
www.paypal.me/MiodragPerunovic
If you found the video entertaining and wish to support the channel, consider donating via the link above. Thanks :)
QUESTIONS, COACHING, PERSONALIZED VIDEOS:
To request a custom video on any aspect of openings, endgames or anything else,
Or if you would like to discuss chess lessons or coaching, email me at
[e-mail]
If you would like to learn more about me, and my chess, visit my website.
www.BigMio.com/

[@zacharysherry2910]

You are a good teacher! It's really good when you say: "and that's why"... And tie everything together after giving instruction.

[@anthonygutierrez7732]

BIG MIO 💪💪💪 whens your Sicilian for black course coming out??!! 😃😃👍

[@Kasparov3111]

Thank you very much for this video. I have played so many games like this and I won almost all of them. In clasical I have 3/3 with black. I just was not sure what to play against 8.Bf4, so thank you for this Nh5 idea. This concept by Black is impossible to break. I would just add, that White has two more sidelines on move 8. And this is Bg5 and b4. On both you play e6, on Bg5 then h6, g5 a possibly Nh5 and capture the bishops. B4 for White is interesting, but blacks plán is similar to the main line, there is also Qb6 idea.

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Good point Jan! I absolutely agree with the lines above mentioned!

[@zoichi_kanoe6227]

This is just what I needed💪

[@roryharvey2727]

Excellent advice!!

[@ericlaurent33]

Clear & powerful, thks a lot !

[@roryharvey2727]

Brilliant vid!

[@KancerKowboy]

Excellent presentation!

[@OsMontanhas]

Thank You, that was an excellent video, with very clear ideas. Excellent!!

[@mikerios2518]

Thanks!

[@nukanook5099]

You are awesome - going to go visit your website now! Your excitement for these incredible moves is contagious! I want to deep dive into all the Sicilian videos now ! Please keep uploading more content 😊

[@karthikrajkumar2247]

THANKS SO MUCH!!! :)

[@user-xx5rw7zt7e]

Thanks for explaining Smith Morra Gambit. Cool

[@AmanSai-lm9ul]

Very underrated video ❤

[@abrahanpinedo]

Such a good content, thank you Mio!

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Thanks man 😄

[@johnnytorossian7007]

Best Teacher😊

[@KeyloweYT]

Oh dude this is so good!

[@elmerramalho7841]

Thank you so much. Great lesson

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

👍

[@yolo2gopro793]

I learned very much of this video. Thanks!

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Cheers 🍻

[@francoischevalier2151]

Great tool!

[@catafalquechess2686]

Very well broken down. It's very helpful when you explain the ideas behind your moves like this.

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

That’s what I do in lessons 😉

[@ibrahimjaleel5900]

Mr. Mio. You are amazing. GREAT 👍. Thank you 😊

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Thanks my dear friend and follower Ibrahim ❤️

[@niecierpliwy3195]

Very professional description

[@dzfreedom2660]

Thanks a lot. I like your videos and the way you explain

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Simply the best 😂

[@user-ce2gl6ky2y]

Thanks!!

[@BenRook]

Very interesting vid with some pointers (that you mention) that I will try out in my play...thanks.

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Good luck 🍀

[@JavaHolaMundo]

Tan tan ra ran tan Kh5! Thanks 👍

[@user-nj9ph4si5b]

Thank you very much my friend...... You are the best... Best wishes ❤️

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Thanks pal! 👍

[@fortyofforty5257]

Very interesting. It really focuses a lot on what white's plans are, and why you must make certain moves to counter them. I do not play the Sicilian myself, but I play the SMG as white, so this was doubly interesting for me.

[@slobodanvuksanovic9577]

Фантастична објашњења, велико хвала Миодрагу и поздрав из Немачке...

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Hvala Slobo! 👍

[@emjhaybondoc2477]

i love your explanation idol very clear

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Thanks buddy 😄

[@Justdocumentingmylife7478]

I have never watched this much better opening video thanks for providing us this video......

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Well, you don’t know this channel obviously 🙄

[@jackluke6209]

Your explanations are so much better than those of much bigger chess KZbinrs. Thank you!!

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

I know man 🤭

[@michaelbuckingham4830]

This is the best beat the smith morra vid on KZbin. Thanks 🙏

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Welcome on the channel 😀

[@michaelbuckingham4830]

Thanks 🙏

[@juliuskadel7696]

Such a great video! I was afraid of the Smith-Morra for ever, your video takes all the mystery and scariness out of that opening, whilst explaining it entertainingly! Keep it up man!

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

👍

[@juliuskadel7696]

​@@MiodragPerunovicOfficial I just played Grandmaster Benjamin Finegold in a Blitz game, and he played the Smith Morra against me. You have to watch what has happened!! I still can not quite grasp it. This is the greatest win of my life, and it surely is thanks to your video as well!

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

@@juliuskadel7696 wow!! Congratulations! Big win my friend 💪

[@michaelhart6375]

I saw your video so many times, you gave answers for everything. 👍👍👍

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Well, I am the best 🤷‍♂️

[@michaelhart6375]

@@MiodragPerunovicOfficial probably you are, I can't be sure, couse didn't left time to see and the others.

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

@@michaelhart6375 not quite satisfied with that answer 😂

[@michaelhart6375]

@@MiodragPerunovicOfficial hahaha! You have right, you gave to me all this knowledge and I am ungrateful. You are the best, and I mean it

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

@@michaelhart6375 🤣🤣🤣

[@clintongryke6887]

Your best video yet!

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

👍

[@niklasl.8761]

Great video Mio, especially because I am learning the Sveshnikov Sicilian and I recently struggled to play against the Smith-Morra! I am back to support you!

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Moral of the story: You should have never quit to support me 😉

[@reddevilkev]

very good video Hvala

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

👍

[@reddevilkev]

do you have a complete sicilian dragon repertoire ? I play it as well@@MiodragPerunovicOfficial

[@Meelenko]

Hi Miodrag, I'm a 1700 smith morra guy and I loved this. I was not exploiting well enough the missed a6 or wrong choice of queen placement. Very precise and concentrated video which will make my smith morra better :-)

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Thanks Buddy 👍

[@jetenglish6427]

Bravo, Mio! Fiery comments! Baseball and cricket! :) This is the way to get (any!) things memorized! Even the (seemingly boring) chess lines! I dropped Pirc in favor of Sicilian studying Kan variation for 3 months and I easily learn all the sidelines of c5/e6 setup from your videos! Thanks, Mio! Do you come to Turkey sometimes?

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

I was there 11 times already! But, will come again soon 👍

[@andromeda8425]

Thank you, Sir, that was awesome. SMG is a really popular and annoying opening below 2000 level online. Made some adjustments to my openings file, but most importantly understood why some moves are important such as a6, which you explain in a great detail, I am sure it will help me to remember the lines much easier and turn some 0s into 1s! Also, I had to make sure not to switch to bowling lol :))

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Thanks bro 😎

[@yayuuuhhhH]

Andromeda real

[@ngwanamama1572]

"If you allow ...e5 quit this game, it's not for you. Cricket is very popular"🤣🤣🙌 Mio you make my day

[@deadvirgin428]

Very good video! As a "Smith-Morra guy" I can confirm that I have indeed never seen this specific variation with the Nh5 idea, it's also not in Marc Esserman's book, so I think it's a good way to catch Morra players off-guard. Naturally, I already cooked up some special prep after watching this video, just in case I ever find this in the wild ;) Very educational, and above all I appreciate that you actually considered white's strongest responses, most other videos I've found about fighting the Morra tend to assume that white will always play the same moves, but you actually covered 8. Bf4 which is Esserman's recommended move.

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Thanks 👍

[@MrSupernova111]

Very interesting that IM Esserman doesn't cover the Nh5 line against Bf4. Seems to be a critical line for both sides. I did get IM Esserman's book recently out of curiosity but my understanding is that the Morra can transpose into the Alapin voiding much of the Morra theory. Still, I think it might worth a shot due to the many hidden traps and unprepared players.

[@vffzbr]

Extremely interesting this line, Najdorf like structure defense for black pieces 👏👏👏 Sometimes I used to avoid 1.e5 because of the almost immediate tactics after these kind of openings, so it's nice to see how to play against some of then. Thanks Mio! 💪👍 #thebutcher My best regards 🙏🇧🇷

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Thanks Victor, time to get some “scalps” with it! 💪💪💪

[@vffzbr]

@@MiodragPerunovicOfficial Yes 😆 That's It!!

[@daxypoo]

coach butcher brah this is the best video i have seen on handling the smith morra many other videos go so far in the weeds it is impossible to keep up; others still insist on avoiding the gambit and entering an alapin set up (why on earth would i want to do that as black- responses like this will surely make me abandon the aicilian altogether) i feel as though accepting the gambit and then handling the resulting position will validate my usage of the sicilian as black- it is a sort of “trial by fire” i am really sort of organizing my very limited opening repertoires now and this lesson will definitely be the blueprint for facing the smith-morra (btw loved the chessbrah streams where you were working with dylan even if you lost some sanity in the process)

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Haha, thanks for encouraging me! 👍

[@lorenzozanetti9058]

I'm a Morra gambit player. I play exclusively 8. Bf4 and face recently with the new move Nh5. I manage to win but it's not easy to break.

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

That Nh5 is a crucial one 💪

[@Garou.5600]

Thank you for this lesson. I am excited for romantic era games analysis and yeah Morphy videos.

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

We could come up with that, but my viewers prefer opening stuff…

[@Garou.5600]

@@MiodragPerunovicOfficial yeah but those are viewers , I am your subscriber. Btw I love opening lessons of yours. Whenever you want you can launch romantic videos.

[@TheCubbyZ]

I placed first with 5/5 in u1600 tournament with this prep against smith morra in round 5… got the exact line with qe2 bf4 Thank you butcher!

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Great job 👏 and thanks 😊

[@MrSupernova111]

Its incredible to me how many U2000 players are booked up to the gills. I reached 2000 OTB USCF and 2200 online before I bothered to learn any real opening theory. My focus was always on calculation, endgames and strategic ideas.

[@HighlyCruciferous]

I have yet to see the fascinating exchange sacrifice 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 Nc6 5. Nf3 d6 6. Bc4 a6 7. O-O Nf6 8. Bf4 e5 9. Ng5 exf4 10. Nxf7 Qe7 (or 10... Qd7) analyzed in depth on yt or elsewhere. Of course 8...e6 is also a very fine move, but it is less specific to the 6...a6 variation. It may also arise from several other move orders.

[@janettewithlove3860]

Hey Mio! The morra is my main repertoire and has been for a few years, so I figured I'd let you know that Marc Esserman, author of Mayhem in the Morra for anyone unaware, plays 8. b4!

[@ZorbaPress]

Thank you very much, and a question. At 14:10 after 10. Bf4 Nh5 can White play 11. Bxd6 Bxd6 12. e5 with a pin on the Black Bishop on d6. ... then if 12 ... Nxe5 13. Bb5+

[@brucelittleboy3594]

I note that in your later video on the Alapin (2. c3) you recommend a good ...g6, ...d5 system. However, 2 c3 g6 3 d4 cd4 4 Nf3 switches back to the Morra and puts you out of repertoire.

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Good point, but luckily those who play Alapin, they don’t play Smith Morra!

[@brucelittleboy3594]

@@MiodragPerunovicOfficial Yes, it would be a very rare tactic for an SMG player to play 2 c3 and risk 2..d5 or 2. ...Nf6, just to 'trap' someone whom they know likes 2...g6 in reply to 2 c3.

[@theodorealmarez5002]

sir mio how to beat smith morra declined d3

[@FlavioBarrosProfessor]

After the Variation with the slow h3 why not Chicago Variation with b5 , Rook to a7-d7?

[@MrSupernova111]

Great video bro! I've fallen victim to the smith morra too many times in fast time controls. Sicilian players need to know these lines by heart of they will suffer for it. Thanks!

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Thank you! 😃

[@e4e6mate96]

MIO !!!

[@mwatkins0590]

Hey, man, some of us like bowling too.

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Fair enough 😉

[@stefanjensen2139]

Mio Mio Mio 😄😂 Don’t ruin all the fun for us smith morra guys eh 😁

[@Blinkers2007GameDev]

I play a6 against bowdler attack as well.

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

I knew you were good 👍

[@Blinkers2007GameDev]

@@MiodragPerunovicOfficial thanks! Good video 👍

[@tyrelljeffries2527]

Are we gonna see an IM Marc Esserman vs IM Miodrag Perunovich match?

[@henryfclarkakahankmcnamee7249]

@13:12 (after taking the c3N) Before placing the Bishop on e7, why not jump to e5, and after Q moves to e2, grab the White Bishop?

[@ChristopherDodd-tn7jt]

Was so tired of losing to the smith morra... finally solved it in a 15 min video. And didn't have to find a new hobby

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

You gotta check other vids as well 😉

[@anandbenegal]

Hello sir! Loving the opening series. If I might make a suggestion, one instructional series might be on how to precisely execute and convert certain middlegame structures? (Such as the ones mentioned in this video and especially the tricky dutch stonewall video). Pardon my oversight if there's already content on how to do this. Once again, thank you for all ur amazing work. I find your opening instructional approach much easier to follow due to how u discuss common setups and ideas^

[@johnenock7939]

This is great but I'm wondering if it might be more practical to avoid the whole thing by not playing ...dxc3. Maybe busting open the position with d5 or e5? Can't be that bad!

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Unfortunately it is that bad 🤷‍♂️

[@johnenock7939]

@@MiodragPerunovicOfficial OK! In that case I would probably try 2 . . .c5 going into the Franco-Sicilian which looks OK. Or is that no good either? Thanks for replying!

[@charlesxavier8640]

This is great. Now want to play you in bullet chess.

[@emjhaybondoc2477]

idol mio part 2 smith morra gambit for black..

[@djchud06]

At 12'55, why not play B*f3-Q*f3, Ne5-Qe2, N*c4?

[@kaffnir]

im a brah, and a big fan of you. I almost disliked the video only bc im a morra player :P but liked the video because of the quality

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Thanks champ! Hope to see you in Mexico 🇲🇽 😉

[@Skrjab]

Miodrag how can u have so low subscribers?

[@vffzbr]

Yes, that's understandable! Such a nice content always important to all Chess players

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Make sure to spread a good word and your “subscriber mission” will be accomplished soon 😉

[@01107345]

I seem to encounter an early Bc4 on move 5 a lot instead of 5. Nf3. Should I just still play d6 and try and transpose to the same type of game as in the video?

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Absolutely the same!

[@mariorossi7225]

Larry Evans docet :-)

[@leonparodi2132]

I got some question. 8. Bf4, e6 9. Qe2, Nh6 10. Be3, Be7 11. Rd1, Bd7 12. Nd4 What do you recomend after that? It's so tricky. This Is how I play with white peaces.

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

In which line man? Be more specific?

[@Your_mom956]

There is something I want to ask in this time 7:21/15:53 when the Queen go to Qe2 without h3. The black played Nh5 then white played Be3 Be7, Rhd1 Bd7. What if the White played Nd4? Threatening the knight in h5 what is good move for black?

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

I cant imagine that one…

[@emjhaybondoc2477]

hi master in your video how to beat the smith morra gambit for black? 1 e4 c5 2 d4 cxd4 3 c3 dxc3 4 Nxc3 Nc6 5Nf3 d6 6Bc4 a6. what if white play move #7 e5 not casting what black response my idol???

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

7…e6 and hyper solid game for Black!

[@emjhaybondoc2477]

@@MiodragPerunovicOfficial thankyou master Ur Ryt...

[@steliosioannou4996]

hello friend,thanks for your videos,i am an amateur 2123 rating player and in the variation with Bf4 without white Queen on e2 we play e6!but i think white can play e5 and is not so easy after exchange Queens and lost the castle to play.Can you please tell me if i am not right at all and it is easy for black?thank you.

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Stelios, please give me moves (exact position)

[@steliosioannou4996]

@@MiodragPerunovicOfficial1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3 dxc3 4.Nxc3 Nc6 5.Bc4 d6 6.Nf3 a6 7.0-0 Nf6 8.Bf4 e6 9.e5 Thanks!!

[@bailoteando_]

9:11 go to play cricket hahahahahaa XD

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

😂

[@uncookedbert3216]

If white plays Bg5 before 0-0 then Nf6 Bxf6 gxf6. White doubles your pawns but still good for black

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Good point!

[@pavelalg1163]

Banned by Maestro Of Mayhem 😁😁 cause it's unbeatable

[@domo.sapien]

How can you say Smith Morra is not that good while at the same time pointing out how often you have to play really precisely against it? If you have are forcing your opponents to play precisely, and if their natural moves become losing moves, then you are doing something right.

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Sorry, for hurting your feelings 🤭🤭🤭

[@domo.sapien]

@@MiodragPerunovicOfficial what kind of childish response is that?? 😂 I just pointed out a clear contradiction in what you said with no animosity. I don't even play the smith morra and you're clearly the one with hurt feelings 😂

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

@@domo.sapien 🤭

[@domo.sapien]

@@MiodragPerunovicOfficial no refutation huh? Figures. Checkmate 😉

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

@@domo.sapien you mated me obviously 😂

[@nenadlekic5196]

smit

[@michaelhart6375]

11.Nxc7# "Can you believe it?"😂

[@turkiyett0928]

I played Smith morra few times nobody played Bg4 line

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Thats a killer by Black! 💪

[@herotrojan1645]

now i hate you for telling the secrets :D

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

I claimed so right after I made it! 😎

[@TheAtheist22]

A bit too fast when you change from variation to variation. Feels as if you’re explaining it to yourself at times.

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Pause the video, or slow it down…

[@TheAtheist22]

@@MiodragPerunovicOfficial I think you should take this on board for future videos. After all? You depend on users and subscriptions.

[@ram42193]

@@TheAtheist22 this is theoretical chess. This is a different atmosphere than entertainment channels. You are now in advanced class. Keep up or step out don't criticize because it's on you if you can't keep up. I've come back to this video over a dozen times. Ok. So I ever play against smith morra I understand everything.

[@TheAtheist22]

@@ram42193 Nonsense

[@ram42193]

@@TheAtheist22 you are nonsense

[@michaele.2583]

Maybe Mio butchers the opponent, but it doesnt sound as if he butchers the english language, so why this annoying subtitles, which appeare inside the board when I try to whatch on my mobile - there is realy no need for that!

[@TimSeltzer]

Thanks!

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Thanks Tim! 😃