This is the fifth in a series of quizzes to test the reader's understanding of the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) and related openings.The answer to each quiz can be found at the end of the following day's post.
White looks like he is ready to play the Evans Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4) – a serious attacking opening in its own right. What can he do if his intentions suddenly turn Jerome-ish?
What do you think of such ideas? What are some of the benefits of those lines? What are some of the difficulties that they create?
Answer to Quiz #4:
White can quietly retreat his Bishop to b3, where it will be exchanged off, with an equal game; or he can retreat it to e2, with a small advantage.
He can also play à la Jerome: 4.Bxf7+ Kxf7 5.Nxe5+
White has two pawns for his sacrificed piece, as well as an unsafe enemy King to play against (the off-side Knight is also bad). Black's safest move is 5...Ke7, blocking the development of his Bishop and Queen.
The game is even, although White's center after d2-d4 (and possibly f2-f4) must be respected, and even the threat of Qd1-h5 can come into play.
This line is a playable relative of the Jerome Gambit
1 comment:
I don't like this idea at all, though I think maybe I saw Charlick play it, which means it probably has merit. After 4...Bxb4 5. Bxf7 Kxf7 6. Nxe5 Nxe5 7. Qh5 Ng6, white can't take a bishop on c5, so I can't understand how this can be good for white. He can put a bishop on b2 at any point but I can't see it doing much.
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