Mayhem in the Morra, de Marc Esserman (tapa blanda)

Mayhem in the Morra by Marc Esserman is an English-language chess opening book for players who want an active repertoire for White against the Sicilian Defence, built around the Smith-Morra Gambit.

Esserman does more than list variations. He explains how to meet the Sicilian with initiative and pressure from the first moves, and he covers the main accepted lines as well as quieter attempts to avoid sharp play, including 3...Nf6. The focus is on understanding the ideas behind the attack: how to develop your pieces, which squares matter most, and why the Morra can be effective not only at club level but also against strong opposition.

What this book offers

This is a practical repertoire book for players who want a ready-made answer to the Sicilian without having to memorise endless theory from the main lines. Esserman combines his own tournament experience with new ideas and a clear strategic approach to positions that often lead to dynamic, attacking chess.

• a complete White repertoire based on the Smith-Morra Gambit,
• many improvements and new ideas in well-known lines,
• strategic explanations alongside the variations,
• material aimed at players who like initiative and direct play against the king.

The author’s style is lively and direct, which makes the book useful both as an opening manual and as an engaging read for players who want to take a more ambitious approach against the Sicilian Defence.

Edition details

• Author: Marc Esserman
• Language: English
• Binding: paperback
• Pages: 360
• Publication date: 13 July 2012
• ISBN: 978-1-907982-20-0

Marc Esserman is an American International Master who has spent much of his chess career playing and analysing the Morra Gambit, and that practical experience shows throughout the book.

Reviews and praise

GM Larry Christiansen wrote in the foreword that, while preparing for the 2011 US Championship, he treated the Morra as a surprise weapon, and Esserman’s analysis and new ideas convinced him that the gambit is not only dangerous but also fully sound. He also noted that it is hard to find a greater authority on the line than the author of this book.

GM Glenn Flear, New in Chess: “A quick glance at the cover and you just know that Mayhem in the Morra is going to be lots of fun. And it proves to be so... The imaginative Marc Esserman actually has a real talent for writing.”

IM John Donaldson pointed out that the book is valuable not only for its new ideas and theoretical updates, but also for its strategic explanations. He stressed that Esserman presents the Morra not as a collection of cheap tricks, but as an opening with deeper positional justification.

Carsten Hansen, ChessCafe (full review): the reviewer noted that although the Morra does not refute the Sicilian Defence, it can make life very difficult for Black, especially for players who dislike defending passive, awkward positions. He praised the author’s passion, original contribution, writing style and the book’s value for players looking for a sharp alternative to the main Sicilian lines.

Arne Moll, Chess Vibes, called it one of the best and most entertaining opening books he had read. He highlighted its ambitious scope, the huge amount of work behind the analysis, and the fact that it is both sharp and highly personal.

The Boston Globe noted that the strength of the book lies in its strategic explanation of the Morra, not just in the mechanical repetition of variations. According to the review, Esserman presents the opening through the struggle for squares and the pursuit of the opponent’s pieces, something computers alone cannot fully capture.

Michael Goeller (full review) emphasised that the book is full of interesting ideas, original games and an unusually entertaining style, enriched with anecdotes and film references.

Uwe Bekemann, www.bdf-fernschachbund.de, observed that the Morra Gambit’s reputation has often fluctuated, and that Esserman works hard, with enthusiasm and a sense of mission, to restore it.

Key details

• Product type: chess opening book
• Opening: Smith-Morra Gambit
• Opponent defence: Sicilian Defence
• Repertoire side: White
• Author: Marc Esserman
• Binding: paperback
• Pages: 360
• ISBN: 978-1-907982-20-0