A Game for the Skeptics

Another game from the "Netherlands collection" shows White facing a "theoretical novelty" (there are so many ways to face and defeat the Jerome Gambit!) with some creativity of his own – leading to a miniature that probably pleased the first player (and anyone else looking on).

Jabbaman - HrDoctor
HCL-B1994 www.playch (6), 2003

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.d4 Ne7

TN. Developing another piece, giving a piece back. No other examples in The Database.

8.Qh5+ N5g6

With all those pieces available, it still is probably best to react to White's Queen check with 8...g6.

9.Qxc5 Re8 10.f4 Kg8

Black has castled-by-hand, and White has mobilized his "Jerome pawns". The position is close to even.

11.f5 Nf8 12.f6

Wasting no time breaking into the King's position.

12...gxf6 13.Qh5

This is the kind of position that produces Jerome Gambit skeptics: White has been giving away pieces, and playing with his pawns and his Queen; while Black has gotten his King to safety and developed three pieces...

Only, the game is even, or White might be a bit better; as he has (or will have) enough pawns to compensate for his sacrificed piece, and his developing pieces will pose more threats to Black's King than Black's already-developed pieces will pose to White's King.

13...Nc6 14.Bxh6 Rxe4 15.Bxf8 d5 16.Qg6+ Black resigned

After 16...Kxf8 White will win Black's Queen with 17.Rxf6+.