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I have received a number of e-mails asking questions about the openings and I welcome them. In particular a reader sent in a game played on the Internet between Ozi and Shirov99 which caught my eye. This is a Smith-Morra Gambit accepted and Black plays an early …Bc5 and wins in style. I have decided to have a closer look at the system that was once a favourite of Timman.

If White wants to go for an all out attack then Kufa-Nephomucky is the way to do it. Kufa finds a nice way to win his pawn back with a knight sacrifice.

The game Gravel-Martin demonstrates a different approach and it is White who emerges with victory. Gravel manages to get a grip on the position to such an extent that after the opening skirmish he has no constructive moves.

Schmidt-Zahn is another chance for White to demonstrate a different but strong approach.

The Smith-Morra Gambit is doing well proving it is an opening that is easy to learn but difficult to beat.