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This was another game of the Smith-Morra Gambit against the Sicilian Defense. I mentioned in my recent video titled, “Punishment and Redemption“, the Smith-Morra Gambit has the virtue of being okay for White, while potentially drawing the game into non-Sicilian-ish lines.

In this game, my opponent rated in the 1400s played one of the best responses to the Smith-Morra, the Paulsen Formation (1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 Nc6 5. Bc4 a6 6. Nf3 e6). For Black, this opening avoids some of the traps that result from an exposed f7 pawn and allows Black the opportunity to strike down the queenside, take space, and regain some tempo. It is, however, very balanced with Stockfish 15.1 NNUE giving the evaluation of [0.00] at high depth.

However, into the early middle game, I managed to get a major psychological advantage, even if Stockfish disagreed evaluation-wise! Simply, I managed to get a massive, and credible, attack on Black’s kingside after they castled. Curiously, although for most of the middle game, I had the initiative and Black was desperately defending, the evaluation was almost always in Black’s favour, or [0.00]. According to Stockfish, the best that I had was forcing a draw in a couple of positions, but this of course, is on the assumption of perfect play! In a few positions, Black only held the advantage if they found the only good move – which is of course, challenging, and stressful to play as a human.

My opponent played well, but eventually cracked on move 23. To nerf my attack, which had been relentless in the preceding 10 moves, they opted to sacrifice a rook for my knight, and then tried a relatively unbalanced aggressive counterattack.

However, in doing so, the trade of pieces damaged their defences more than my attack, and a few moves later, I won another of their pieces for a pawn. Spooked, Black offered a queen trade on move 31, resulting in us entering an endgame of my rook pair vs Black’s rook and bishop. A miscalculation by Black meant a transformation resulting me having a passed pawn on the d-file. Black’s attempt to capture that pawn with (36… Be5) was a game-ending blunder as it gave me the opportunity to force Black to trade rooks. Stockfish at very high depth identifies a forced checkmate line in no more than 30 moves, but my opponent immediately saw their error after my final move, opting to resign. GG!

Game on chess.com: https://www.chess.com/game/live/72836828423

[Event "Live Chess"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.03.18"]
[Round "-"]
[White "vitualis"]
[Black "HelmetZHB"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Timezone "UTC"]
[ECO "B21"]
[ECOUrl "https://www.chess.com/openings/Sicilian-Defense-Smith-Morra-Accepted-Paulsen-Formation-7.O-O-b5-8.Bb3"]
[UTCDate "2023.03.18"]
[UTCTime "00:06:39"]
[WhiteElo "1434"]
[BlackElo "1443"]
[TimeControl "1800"]
[Termination "vitualis won by resignation"]
[StartTime "00:06:39"]
[EndDate "2023.03.18"]
[EndTime "00:37:27"]
[Link "https://www.chess.com/game/live/72836828423"]
[WhiteUrl "https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/user/3711094.82046355.50x50o.c8c8e6b7296c.jpg"]
[WhiteCountry "17"]
[WhiteTitle ""]
[BlackUrl "https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/user/69493234.242b51a4.50x50o.64703c055f90.jpeg"]
[BlackCountry "2"]
[BlackTitle ""]

1. e4 {[%clk 0:29:58.5]} 1... c5 {[%clk 0:29:58.4]} 2. d4 {[%clk 0:29:47]} 2...
cxd4 {[%clk 0:29:56]} 3. c3 {[%clk 0:29:39.9]} 3... dxc3 {[%clk 0:29:54.4]
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted} 4. Nxc3 {[%clk 0:29:36.1]} 4...
Nc6 {[%clk 0:29:42.4]} 5. Bc4 {[%clk 0:29:31.5]} 5... a6 {[%clk 0:29:19.5]} 6.
Nf3 {[%clk 0:29:25.3]} 6... e6 {[%clk 0:29:11.8] Paulsen Formation. This is a
very good response by Black, but at high depth Stockfish 15.1 NNUE, the
evaluation is equal [0.00].} 7. O-O {[%clk 0:29:15.7]} 7... b5 {[%clk
0:28:56.8]} 8. Bb3 {[%clk 0:28:21.8]} 8... Bb4 {[%clk 0:28:39.5] This is the
first move out of theory [0.00]} 9. e5 {[%clk 0:27:10] My idea was to take more
space in the centre, prevent Black's knight from developing to f6, and giving
the e4 square for my knight currently on c3, rotating it to attack Black's
kingside.} 9... Nge7 $6 {[%clk 0:28:28.9][%c_effect
e7;square;e7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
b4c3;keyPressed;none;from;b4;opacity;0.8;to;c3;persistent;false][%c_highlight
c3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;c3;persistent;false] An inaccuracy [+0.5]}
10. Ne4 {[%clk 0:26:54.5]} 10... O-O {[%clk 0:28:17.1]} 11. Bg5 {[%clk
0:24:12.7]} 11... h6 $6 {[%clk 0:28:11.7][%c_effect
h6;square;h6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
d8c7;keyPressed;none;from;d8;opacity;0.8;to;c7;persistent;false][%c_highlight
c7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;c7;persistent;false] An inaccuracy [+2.5]}
12. Bxh6 $4 {[%clk 0:22:50.1][%c_arrow
e4f6;keyPressed;none;from;e4;opacity;0.8;to;f6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f6;persistent;false][%c_effect
h6;square;h6;type;Blunder;keyPressed;undefined;persistent;true] Here, I decided
to sacrifice/gambit my bishop to damage Black's kingside defences. Stockfish
doesn't believe in this attack giving a rating of almost [-2].} 12... gxh6
{[%clk 0:28:07.6]} 13. Nf6+ {[%clk 0:22:44.2]} 13... Kh8 {[%clk 0:28:02.5]} 14.
Qd3 $2 {[%clk 0:21:19.2][%c_effect
d3;square;d3;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow
d3h7;keyPressed;none;from;d3;opacity;0.8;to;h7;persistent;false,f6h7;keyPressed;none;from;f6;opacity;0.8;to;h7;persistent;false][%c_highlight
h7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h7;persistent;false] Stockfish calls this
a mistake [-5] but this is only so if Black finds the critical move Nf5} 14...
Ng6 $2 {[%clk 0:27:54.4][%c_effect
g6;square;g6;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_highlight
f5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f5;persistent;false][%c_arrow
e7f5;keyPressed;none;from;e7;opacity;0.8;to;f5;persistent;false] However, Black
plays Ng6 instead, and this brings the evaluation back to [0.00], with Black
needing to play very accurately to not be worse} 15. Qe3 $1 {[%clk
0:19:55.6][%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 15... Kg7 $1
{[%clk 0:27:50.4][%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black
finds the only good move} 16. Nh5+ $1 {[%clk 0:19:27][%c_effect
h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16... Kh7 $1 {[%clk
0:27:34.7][%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black again,
finds the only good move} 17. Bc2 $2 {[%clk 0:18:45.7][%c_effect
c2;square;c2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Stockfish thinks that a draw is the
best outcome here $1 I decide to bring in another attacking piece but Black is
apparently better [-2.5]} 17... Ne7 $2 {[%clk 0:27:17][%c_arrow
b4e7;keyPressed;none;from;b4;opacity;0.8;to;e7;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e7;persistent;false][%c_effect
e7;square;e7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] However, this is a complex position
for Black to navigate as well [0.00]} 18. Nf6+ {[%clk 0:17:33]} 18... Kg7 $1
{[%clk 0:27:13.4][%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19.
Ng4 $2 {[%clk 0:17:10][%c_effect
g4;square;g4;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow
e3h6;keyPressed;none;from;e3;opacity;0.8;to;h6;persistent;false,g4h6;keyPressed;none;from;g4;opacity;0.8;to;h6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
h6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h6;persistent;false] I'm trying to keep
the attack alive [-3.5]} 19... Rh8 $1 {[%clk 0:27:05.6][%c_effect
h8;square;h8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20. h4 $2 {[%clk
0:16:38.8][%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Bring in another
attacker. Stockfish doesn't believe in this attack [-6]} 20... h5 {[%clk
0:26:53.7]} 21. Nf6 {[%clk 0:16:05.3]} 21... Nd5 $2 {[%clk 0:26:35.5][%c_effect
d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow
c8b7;keyPressed;none;from;c8;opacity;0.8;to;b7;persistent;false][%c_highlight
b7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;b7;persistent;false] Surprisingly though,
this counterattack isn't optimal [-2.5]} 22. Qg5 $4 {[%clk 0:14:53.3][%c_effect
g5;square;g5;type;Blunder;persistent;true][%c_arrow
f6d5;keyPressed;none;from;f6;opacity;0.8;to;d5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d5;persistent;false] Stockfish thinks that
trading knights was best and that this was a blunder [-7.5]. Black's best move,
however, is to capture my knight, which is difficult to see.} 22... Be7 $6 {[%clk
0:26:25.9][%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Not the most
accurate but still good for Black [-5.5]} 23. Nxh5+ {[%clk 0:13:11.2]} 23...
Rxh5 $6 {[%clk 0:25:48.4][%c_arrow
g7f8;keyPressed;none;from;g7;opacity;0.8;to;f8;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f8;persistent;false][%c_effect
h5;square;h5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] However, Black was spooked by the
relentless attack on their king and opted to trade, relinquishing some of the
potential advantage [-3.5]} 24. Qxh5 {[%clk 0:13:06.3]} 24... Ndf4 $2 {[%clk
0:25:41.2][%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Unfortunately
for Black, this counterattack is a mistake [+1.3] and my original attack is now
justified} 25. Qg4 {[%clk 0:12:15.1]} 25... Qh8 $2 {[%clk 0:25:27.7][%c_effect
h8;square;h8;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow
g7h6;keyPressed;none;from;g7;opacity;0.8;to;h6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
h6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h6;persistent;false] This was a mistake,
but the best move was hard to see [+3.3]} 26. Bxg6 $1 {[%clk 0:11:38][%c_effect
g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26... Nxg6 {[%clk 0:25:20.1]} 27.
h5 {[%clk 0:10:57.3] And Black now loses their knight, pinned against their
king} 27... Bb7 {[%clk 0:25:18.1]} 28. hxg6 {[%clk 0:10:22.9]} 28... Bxf3 $2
{[%clk 0:25:02.7][%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow
f7g6;keyPressed;none;from;f7;opacity;0.8;to;g6;persistent;false,h8h6;keyPressed;none;from;h8;opacity;0.8;to;h6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
g6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g6;persistent;false,h6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h6;persistent;false]
Trading down pieces benefited me being a piece up [+7.5]} 29. Qxf3 {[%clk
0:09:59.9]} 29... fxg6 {[%clk 0:24:38]} 30. Rad1 {[%clk 0:09:33.1]} 30... Rd8
{[%clk 0:24:30]} 31. Rd3 {[%clk 0:08:20.6]} 31... Qh5 {[%clk 0:24:24.3] Trading
down pieces and entering an endgame is beneficial for me more than Black [+8]}
32. Qxh5 {[%clk 0:07:33.4]} 32... gxh5 {[%clk 0:24:20.2]} 33. Rfd1 {[%clk
0:07:17.8]} 33... d5 {[%clk 0:24:01.9]} 34. exd6 {[%clk 0:07:12.4]} 34... Bf6
{[%clk 0:23:55.8]} 35. b3 {[%clk 0:06:16.8]} 35... Rd7 {[%clk 0:23:52.2]} 36.
Rc1 {[%clk 0:06:10.6]} 36... Be5 $4 {[%clk 0:23:46.5][%c_effect
e5;square;e5;type;Blunder;persistent;true] This is a game ending blunder as I
can now force a trade of rooks and a completely winning endgame. Stockfish finds
a [+M30] with perfect play $1} 37. Rc7 {[%clk 0:05:48.8][%c_effect
g1;square;g1;type;Winner,g7;square;g7;type;ResignBlack]} 1-0