Showing posts with label jlsdr. Show all posts
Showing posts with label jlsdr. Show all posts

Saturday, October 4, 2014

Not Just An Option


When playing the Italian Game, 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5, the Jerome Gambit - 4.Bxf7+ - is one option, among several, for White.

When facing the Blackburne Shilling Gambit, 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nd4, the Jerome approach - 4.Bxf7+ - is, again, one option among others.

However, as we see in the game below, when facing the Semi-Italian Opening, if Black goes overboard with 4...Na5 (hoping to exchange his Knight for White's "Italian Bishop"), then 4.Bxf7+ is not just an option, it is probably the best way for White to respond.

This post is another "public service announcement" for Black's own protection.

jlsdr - WMozartA
standard, FICS, 2013

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 h6 




The Semi-Italian Opening. Some authors give Black's last move a "?", although, "objectively" it is probably more deserving of a "?!" - I have seen grandmaster games where Black has won with the defense; but the move sometimes is played by an overly-timid club player (instead of 3...Nf6 or 3...Bc4), and perhaps that is why it gets full condemnation 

4.0-0 Na5 

As we have seen in "Too Much of A Bad Thing" and "Final Nail In The Coffin" this is not correct. It must be punished, Jerome-style.


5.Bxf7+ Kxf7 6.Nxe5+ Ke8 7.Qh5+ g6 8.Qxg6+ Black resigned




If Black defends well, he will still end up down the exchange and three pawns, with no compensation.