Disdainful Defender Defense

There is something very strange about the Optical Illusion Variation of the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+). I am happy for the wins that it has brought me, even if it is probably more correctly termed the "Disdainful Defender Defense."

perrypawnpusher - mconst
blitz FICS, 2010

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ke6

7.Qf5+ Kd6 8.f4 Qf6

This is a very reasonable defense. Black gives back one of his two extra pieces, and threatens to kill White's attack by trading Queens.

9.fxe5+ Qxe5 10.Qf3

A quick look at the updated New Year's Database shows that in the 15 games featuring the exchange of Queens, 10.Qxe5+, White won 8, lost 6 and drew 1, so maybe that move needs further investigation.

10...Nf6

Black develops a piece and strikes at White's center, forcing...

11.d3

11...Rf8

With a 4-to-1 lead in piece development (the King is a strong piece!) my opponent develops yet another piece, threatening an uncovered attack on my Queen... But he has missed something.

As pointed out "In The Beginning...", Alonzo Wheeler Jerome's first analysis of his gambit, appearing in the April 1874 issue of the Dubuque Chess Journal, noted of White's 11th move: "Compelling either K or Q to move as White threatens Bf4; or Black can play ...g5".

Sound advice.

12.Bf4 Qxf4 13.Qxf4+ Kc6

Black has two Bishops against White's Queen and extra pawn. Up until now, all of my opponents resigned quickly. Much to his credit, mconst decided to fight it out.

14.e5

Since I am likely to run into this position again, it is probably worth remembering that 14.Nc3 is stronger, possibly followed by Queenside castling. 

14...Nd5 15.Qe4 d6 16.c4

Even stronger was 16.Nc3

16...Bf5 17.Qxd5+ Kd7 18.Qxb7 Bxd3

19.exd6 Bxd6 20.Qb5+ Kc8

21.Qd5 Re8+ 22.Kd2 Rb8 23.Qxd3

White is now ahead a Queen – and I admit that I had grown impatient at my opponent's unwillingess to resign. This was a bad mental state for me to be in, as it gave extra force to Black's counter-attack...

23...Rxb2+ 24.Kd1

24...Rd8 25.Nd2 Bb4

26.Qf5+ Kb8 27.Qb5+ Ka8 28.Qc6+ Kb8 29.Qb5+

It was embarassing to consider forcing a draw while a Queen ahead... I calmed down enough return (a lot of) material to break the attack.

29...Ka8 30.Qxb4 Rxb4 31.Kc2

I was pretty sure that an extra piece would be enough...

31...Rb6 32.Rab1 Rbd6 33.Rhd1 Rh6 34.Nf3 Rf8 35.Rd7 Rc6 36.Kc3 a6

This mistake simplifies things.

37.Rxg7 Rf4 38.Nd2

38...Rf2 39.Rf1 Rxf1 40.Nxf1 Rf6 41.Ne3 Kb7

42.Rxh7 Black resigned