The Morra Gambit: To Take or Not to Take?

One of the most common questions from our students is what to do against the Morra Gambit. This line is a very popular choice among beginners because it leads to non standard positions in which white usually has the initiative. It becomes even more effective when playing against unprepared opponents. The practical answer is to avoid accepting white’s offer.

Black can answer 3.c3 with 3…Nf6 and take white’s desire to play down a pawn but with initiative to the theoretical complexity of the Alapin opening.

Another option for black is to decline the gambit by playing 3…d3. This is actually very common but we don’t recommend it, unless black feels comfortable playing against Maroczy setups. Nevertheless, accepting the pawn is a principal option and we want to draw your attention to a line that you can play as black the next time you meet the Morra Gambit.

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After some investigation and checking we found a couple of ways that seemed solid enough. However, our preference is the line based on playing Nc6-Bb4-Nge7 after capturing the pawn on c3.

1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3 dxc3 4.Nxc3 Nc6 5.Nf3 e6 6.Bc4 Bb4!? 7.0-0 Nge7

There are a few positive things to say about this development for black. First of all, everything seems very direct; there is no need for subtle a6 moves or moving the queen out of the D file, simply keep developing and castle. The knight on e7 is not disturbed by any possible e4-e5 and supports the advance d7-d5. The bishop on b4 can capture on c3 anytime, in order to reduce white’s attacking potential.

The drawback is that it is no paradise land yet, and white still has enough compensation to at least maintain the game equal. Of course this happens with almost every opening so we won’t make a big deal of that.

Theory:

After the moves:

1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3 dxc3 4.Nxc3 Nc6 5.Nf3 e6 6.Bc4 Bb4!? 7.0-0 Nge7

White has different ways to develop his forces. We will see examples of the most logical ones and analyze them separately. First of all, white can play as usual, with the follow up Qe2+Rd1, which we will consider in line A. Secondly, he can try to exploit the d6 square early by playing Nb5. This move has been played often so we thought it was necessary to have it analyzed apart. It will be line B. At last we consider Marc Esserman’s (biggest expert on the Morra) recommendation of 8.Qc2!? as line C

A) White plays 8.Qe2 and 9.Rd1

This is natural and solid. Black should expect this way of playing because this is the first thing white will consider playing. Nevertheless it seems like it is not so effective and black can get an easy game, although not necessarily better. We can say roughly equal.

B) White plays 8.Nb5

This attempt to occupy the d6 square and bottle the black pieces on the back rank is well met by 8…d5. This freeing move allows black to obtain an easy game. Black can also ignore the idea of Nd6 and simply castle, but we don’t recommend it as it is an unnecessary risk.

C) White plays 8.Qc2

This move was recommended by Esserman on his book “Mayhem in the Morra”. It hasn’t seen much practice except one game by him as white. The game seems complex and with chances for both sides on this variation.

There are other setups that white can try but they are not principled and they shouldn’t be too dangerous for black. We hope now you have new weapon against the Morra Gambit and the analysis and games provided above serve you as a guide to start your own research on this line.

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