Lesson
White to move. Main line: 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 Nc6 5. Nf3 d6 6. Bc4 Nf6 7. O-O e6 8. Qe2 Be7 9. Rd1 e5
3.c3 is the gambit offer. After 3...dxc3 4.Nxc3, White has traded a pawn for rapid development and an open d-file; the knight arrives on c3 without blocking the c-pawn because that pawn has already been sacrificed.
White’s standard setup is Nf3, Bc4, O-O, Qe2 and Rd1. Every move adds pressure toward d6, f7 or the central files. Black’s task is to finish development without creating a tactical target while the extra pawn is still meaningful.
The Smith–Morra is not a forced win, and 9...e5 is a serious consolidating idea that closes the bishop’s diagonal. Study the position as a balance: White owns time and activity; Black owns material and tries to return some of it if necessary to complete development.