Take it!

Here is another tip for those who would defend against the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+): take the Bishop!

Play 4...Kxf7. It's that simple.

That sounds like basic advice, and I have to admit that in 98% or 99% of the games in my database, Black does make the capture.

But there are 45 games in that same database where Black plays instead 4...Kf8 or 4...Ke7. What's that all about?

I realize that there's a bit of "If he wants me to take the bishop, then I won't!" involved in Black's decision-making, but defenders, listen up: a piece is a piece.

Curiously, White won only 60% of the games where Black declined the piece. What to make of that?

That is a higher winning percentage for Jerome Gambits in general (in thematic tournaments White tends to win 35% to 45% of the time), but lower than you might expect in games where the first player is given the gift of a pawn and an uncastled enemy King.

In only half of the games where Black declined the Bishop and still won was it clear that the defender was the significantly higher-rated player. (That is: Black turned down accepting "Jerome Gambit odds" and instead offered odds of pawn and uncastled King – and won.)

Finally, some advice for those playing White with the Jerome Gambit, as well: If your opponent declines the Bishop, move it away or exchange it.

In 16 of the games in the database, when Black did not capture the Bishop but played 4...Kf8 or 4...Ke7; and then White did not move or exchange his Bishop, White scored only 37.5%