Smith-Morra Gambit

The gambit actually is offered by the next move 3. c3. Taking back with 3. Qxd4?! really isn't a promising option, since the queen will be pushed around, while black makes developing moves like Nc6. Also, unlike the Center game, the trade of the c-pawn for the d-pawn also gives black added central control. However, 3.Nf3 is probably a promising way to avoid the Smith Morra. Black does best to transpose to the Open Sicilian, as if e5?!, c3 (the tempting 3. Nxe5?? Qa5+ loses the horse) gives white a better version of the Smith Morra with a hole on d5 and a backward d-pawn.