Enjoyment

I play the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) and its variants because the games usually give me a lot of enjoyment. That's about it.



perrypawnpusher - StockholmMoskva
blitz FICS, 2010

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 h6

The Semi-Italian Opening.

4.0-0 Bc5 5.Bxf7+

The Semi-Italian Jerome Gambit.

5...Kxf7 6.Nxe5+ Nxe5 7.Qh5+ Ke6 8.Qf5+

This is similar to play in the regular Jerome Gambit, although the computer-recommended follow-up is 8.Qh3+ Ke7 9.Qc3 d6 10.d4 Bxd4 11.Qxd4 Nf6 12.Nc3,

analysis diagram







8...Kd6 9.d4 Ne7

This seems to be an instinctive reaction: Black is two pieces ahead, and all he needs to do is chase that nasty Queen away...

An earlier game of mine continued, instead: 9...Bxd4 10.Rd1 c5 11.c3 Ne7 12.Qh5 Kc7 13.cxd4 cxd4 14.Qxe5+ d6 15.Qxd4 Nc6 16.Qxg7+ Bd7 17.Bf4 Rg8 18.Qxh6 Qe7 19.Bxd6+ Qxd6 20.Qxd6+ Black resigned, perrypawnpusher - Lakritzl, blitz FICS, 2009.

10.Qxe5+ Kc6 11.Qxc5 checkmate

Less than a week later, I again ignored the computer recommendation for White for move 8, and played the same game against GabrielH.

It may take a while (and perhaps a loss) before I give up 8.Qf5+.