It Worked -- This Time

After eight years (or more) of studying the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) and kindred lines, I still have solved only a piece of its complexity.

Luckily, most of my opponents have solved even less.


perrypawnpusher  - metheny
blitz FICS, 2009

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Na5

I have looked at this line (see "Offside!" and "The Other Side") but never faced it.

4.Bxf7+

Of course.

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Ke6

A very interesting and about even position. After the game Rybka suggested that play now continue 6.d4 Nf6 7.Qe2 b6 8.0-0 Bb7 9.Nc3 c5 with maybe a small edge to White.

analysis diagram

6.Qh5 d6

Instead, Black could get an edge with 6...Nf6 7.Qh3+ Ke7 8.Ng6+ hxg6 9.Qxh8 Kf7 10.Qh4 Nc6 11.0-0 d5.

7.Qf5+

Best. BunkerBuster - Ricdah, FICS, 2007 continued: 7.Qf7+ Kxe5 8.d4+ Kxe4 9.Be3 (9.c3+ Kxd4 10.Qd5#) 9...Bf5 (9...Qf6 10.Nd2+ Kf5 11.g4+ Kxg4+ 12.Rg1+ Kh4 13.Nf3+ Qxf3 14.Bg5+ Kh3 15.Qf3+ Kxh2 16.Qg3#) 10.Nc3 checkmate

7...Ke7 8.Qf7 checkmate

 This game was anticipated by forqueray - bhull, blitz FICS, 2006.

Answer to Quiz #7:

The problem with this line for White is that if he follows 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 h6 4.Bxf7+ Kxf7 with the thematic 5.Nxe5+, after 5...Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ng6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

there is no loose Bishop on c5 (as in the Jerome Gambit) for the Queen to pick up. White remains with two pawns for two pieces, and Black's unsafe King is not enough compensation for such a sacrifice.

This is not an improvement upon the Semi-Italian Jerome Gambit.