Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Paulsen Formation

1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3 dxc3 4.Nxc3 Nc6 5.Nf3 e6 6.Bc4 a6

ECO B21

The Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Paulsen Formation is a chess opening line in the Sicilian Defense complex, reached after 1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3 dxc3 4.Nxc3 Nc6 5.Nf3 e6 6.Bc4 a6.

It is catalogued under code B21 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move a6 is chosen by Black on move 6.

Study this line with a grandmaster

This position is covered in the Smith-Morra Gambit course: a GM-authored repertoire you study move by move, then practice against a human-like AI opponent.

Every chess term used here is defined in the chess terms glossary. Browse all opening courses or the full ECO code index.