Counter-counter-attack

When facing the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) Black has a number of strategies that he can follow. Often "counter-attack" is a very good plan. However, as in the following game, such aggression must come only when it cannot be ignored or counter-manded.

perrypawnpusher - andrecoenen

blitz 10 0, FICS, 2010

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ g6

7.Qxe5 Nf6

This should probably be called the Carrington variation, after William Carrington who played the move in his second match against Mexican champion Andres Clemente Vazquez in 1876. Vazquez won both matches handily (and all three of his Jerome Gambits).

8.Qxc5 d6 9.Qe3 Re8

Black could simply have played 9...Nxe4, regaining a pawn, as 10.Qxe4 loses directly to 10...Re8.

10.d3 d5 11.f3

Two pawns are worth a little inconvenience.

11...dxe4 12.fxe4 Ng4

This is playing with fire, although I am sure that it was tempting to harass White's only developed piece. Safer was 12...Kg8. 

13.Qf3+

It took me a while to understand Fritz8's suggestion of 13.Qg3, made after the game. It anticipates a Black ...Qd8-d6, allowing the Queens to be exchanged on d6 rather than on g3 (the latter would give White doubled isolated pawns). It also prevents ...Qd6-h4.

13...Kg7 14.0-0 Qh4

Black is quick to counter-attack, although I agree with Fritz8's suggestion of 14...Qd4+ 15.Kh1 Be6 16.Bd2 Kg8 17.Bc3 Qd6  when White plays 18.Qg3 Qxg3 19.hxg3. 

analysis diagram






The first player still has his two pawns plus, but his advantage is not as great as with the text.

15.Qf7+ Black resigned

Black will loose a Rook and then be checkmated.