I imagine that some new Readers looked at yesterday's game, jfhumphrey - NextStar, FICS, 2012, and fulminated "All White did was stand around and wait for his opponent to make a mistake!"
True enough.
In all fairness, recall the masters of old who used to give pawn, piece, or Queen odds, and then win. Weren't they doing much the same thing?
Since this is blog post #1,500 (that is, 1,500 consecutive daily posts), I can no longer be assured that every Reader has read every post, so let me give a short retrospective to reassure all that I am aware of the "All White did..." objection.
Check out "But - Is this stuff playable?? (Part I)" and "But - Is this stuff playable?? (Part II)" and "Jerome Gambit for Dummies (1)".
While you're browsing the archives, why not keep wandering? There is always something interesting a page or a post or a day away!
There are about 165 games by jfhumphrey in The Database, many, like the next game, with White playing against a higher rated player.
Defending against the Jerome Gambit means 1)finding a refutation, 2)following it with accurate play, and then 3)finishing off the attacker.
The longer that Black delays that third step, the more likely it is that he will suffer a calamity himself.
jfhumphrey - NextStar
blitz, FICS, 2012
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Nc3 Bc5 5.Bxf7+
The Italian Four Knights Jerome Gambit.
5...Kxf7 6.Nxe5+ Kf8 7.Nxc6 bxc6
Even though Black would have done better with 6...Nxe5 and 7...dxc6, he still has a playable game, with an edge.
8.0-0 Ba6 9.d3 d6 10.Ne2 h5
It is hard to tell if this is aggression or disrespect. In either event, Black should not play around, but finish off his opponent.
11.Nf4 Qe8 12.c4 Bc8 13.Be3 Bb6 14.Bxb6 cxb6
White is showing the calm patience that often is strangely rewarded in the Jerome. In this case, Black becomes careless.
15.Qf3 Qe5
Ouch.
16.Ng6+ Kg8 17.Nxe5 dxe5 Black resigned
Moral: when you have the advantage, do not play around, but finish your opponent off!
