It is. 4...dxc3 5.Nxc3 (no need for Qb3 first) is also a Morra Fianchetto.

It occurred to me that White has another option, a sharp and very attractive one for gambit players.

1.e4 c5 2.c3 g6 3.d4 cxd4 (or 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3 g6) 4.Bc4!?

a) 4...d3 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.Qb3 forcing some weak black squares in the opponent's camp;
b) 4...Nf6 5.e5 d5 6.Bb5+ Bd7 looks fine for Black. so I suggest 5.Qb3, eg d5 6.exd5 Bg7 7.Nf3.
c) 4...dxc3 5.Nxc3 is a good version of the Morragambit.
d) 4...Bg7 5.Nf3 and neither 5...Nc6 6.cxd4 nor 5...Nf6 6.e5 looks completely satisfying.

I believe that 2...g6 is actually pretty good as a winning chance creating system against weaker players. My opinions:
- 5.Nc3 dxe4 6.Bc4 Nc6! is nothing for white, he has to be careful to be not worse.
- 5.exd5 Nf6 followed by 6...Nxd5 is (usually) a harmless Panov and an ideal position to outplay an equally strong/weaker opponent with minimized risk. Black just is comfortable after Nf6xd5-b6, Nc6-a5, Bg4 and Rc8. The thrust d4-d5 is actually not dangerous at all in these positions. The only line causing discomfort might be 6.Nc3 Nxd5 7.Qb3! Nb6 8.d5! denying ...Nc6; but I think Black has chances for equality there. In the Panov proper I believe that the best answer to 5...g6 is 6.Qb3 rather than 6.cxd5. 
- 5.e5: Settle for a long game in a dynamically equal position with winning chances for both sides. In fact, many white players don't know how to handle this position and blindly walk into big problems by just playing "natural" developing moves. Sample: 5.e5 Nc6 6.Nc3 Nh6 7.Nf3?! Bg4 8.Be2?! Bg7 9.h3?! Bxf3 10.Bxf3 Nf5 and it's probably -/+ already. I believe though, that 5.e5 is the critical test of 2...g6 and I haven't yet found a good antidote to the white setup of 6.Nc3 eyeing d5, meeting ...Nc6 with Bb5 and either Nge2 or h3 and then Nf3 (in this order). After an eventual Bxc6 Black will receive a backward pawn on c6 with no perspective of ever pushing it to c5 (white can anticipate this with Rc1, Na4 and/or b4), while also being stuck with his bad white-squared bishop.

nimzo5 wrote on 04/14/10 at 18:40:48:


Many books don't mention that line; I hardly find it odd that a DVD (if that's what you're referring to) doesn't mention it, especially if Tiviakov likes 5. e5 for White.

nimzo5 wrote on 04/14/10 at 16:31:12:


White has "a large advantage"?  I would think that the usual theoretical view of that line is "+=".

Remarkable. This is important for the Morra Gambit as well: 1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3 g6 4.cxd4 d5 and if White wants to avoid the transposition to the Panov and doesn't like the closed positions after 5.e5 either there is a third option. And it's more or less a gambit as well!
Still I am not convinced yet. Black has 5.Nc3 dxe4 6.Bc4 Nc6 eg 7.Qb3 e6 (looks ugly, but just wait) 8.d5 Nd4 9.Qd1 e5. Black looks OK to me as the passed d-pawn can be stopped.

As not everybody owns Collins' books and it is quite hard to fill in the 3rd, 4th and 5th moves, could you provide a move order?
If it's 3.d4 cxd4 be aware that White can offer a Morra Gambit with 4.Nf3.