Practice the Smith-Morra Gambit Trap

The line

1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 d6 5. Bc4 Nf6 6. e5 dxe5 7. Bxf7+ Kxf7 8. Qxd8

Your moves, explained

1. 1. e4 Central control, sets up d4 next.
2. 2. d4 Black almost always takes, entering the gambit.
3. 3. c3 After dxc3, Nxc3 gives you a huge lead in development.
4. 4. Nxc3 Your pieces are ready to come out quickly.
5. 5. Bc4 Now an early Nf6 from Black will be punished.
6. 6. e5 If Black takes on e5, the d-file opens toward the queen.
7. 7. Bxf7+ King must take, leaving the queen on d8 without a defender.
8. 8. Qxd8 Winning the queen ends the game, the trap is complete.

Key moments in the video

• 0:18 Start: e4 vs Sicilian
• 0:23 Gambit pawn d4
• 0:51 Second pawn offered

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Smith-Morra Gambit Trap?

1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 d6 5. Bc4 Nf6 6. e5 dxe5 7. Bxf7+ Kxf7 8. Qxd8. You play White; If Black plays d6 and Nf6 too early in the Smith-Morra, e5 and Bxf7+ win the queen.

How do I practise the Smith-Morra Gambit Trap?

Watch Remote Chess Academy's video, then play the line yourself on the board on this page. You make all 8 of White's moves; a wrong move is undone with a hint, and the key moments jump the video to where Remote Chess Academy explains each move.

Do I need an account?

No. The practice is free and runs in your browser. Sign up only if you want Chess DNA to find the openings that lose you games in your own Chess.com or Lichess history.

More videos to practise

• Ruy Lopez Queen Sacrifice Trap (Remote Chess Academy)
• Scotch Game Trap (Remote Chess Academy)
• King's Indian Defense Trap (Remote Chess Academy)
• Ponziani Opening Trap (Remote Chess Academy)
• King's Gambit Accepted (Chess Talk)
• London System (GothamChess)
• All Watch & practice videos

The video is embedded from YouTube and belongs to Remote Chess Academy. Chess DNA is not affiliated with the creator. Updated Nov 10, 2026.