Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Danger? He laughs at danger!



You have to be brave – or have a good sense of humor – to play the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc3 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) on a regular basis. Jerome Gambit Gemeinde member jfhumphrey appears to have both, as the following game illustrates.



jfhumphrey - salla
blitz, FICS, 2011

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


4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.d4


This was originally Alonzo Wheeler Jerome's choice over 6.Qh5+.

The Database contains 72 Jerome Gambit games by jfhumphrey, and he has preferred 6.d4 over 6.Qh5+ all times but once.

6...Qh4

As abrupt as getting a pie in the face and at least as old as Sorensen, S.A. - X, Denmark, 1888.

The move usually means that Black knows something about facing the Jerome Gambit, but I can find no earlier examples of salla playing the move against (or even facing) 6.d4. You don't think *gulp* that he might be reading this blog??

7.dxc5

On revient toujours a son premier amour.

All 7 times jfhumphrey has faced 6...Qh4, he has played this move. (Those less romantically inclined might prefer 7.0-0.)

7...Qxe4+ 8.Be3 Nf6


Development is good, but perhaps Black is uneasy at White's resistance; for whatever reason, he passes up 8...Qxg2.

9.0-0 d5 10.Nc3 Qg6 11.Nxd5


Ice water in his veins.

11...Bh3

A telling blow – but for White.

12.Nf4 Bg4

Black squirms, but this tactic will not save him.

13.Nxg6 Bxd1 14.Nxh8+ Rxh8 15.Raxd1 Re8 16.Bd4 Black resigned


The smoke has cleared, and White is up the exchange and two pawns.

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