Finish Him Off!

There are about 165 games by jfhumphrey in The Database, many, like the next game, with White playing against a higher rated player.


Defending against the Jerome Gambit means 1)finding a refutation, 2)following it with accurate play, and then 3)finishing off the attacker.


The longer that Black delays that third step, the more likely it is that he will suffer a calamity himself.


jfhumphrey - NextStar
blitz, FICS, 2012


1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Nc3 Bc5 5.Bxf7+

The Italian Four Knights Jerome Gambit.


5...Kxf7 6.Nxe5+ Kf8 7.Nxc6 bxc6 

Even though Black would have done better with 6...Nxe5 and 7...dxc6, he still has a playable game, with an edge.


8.0-0 Ba6 9.d3 d6 10.Ne2 h5 


It is hard to tell if this is aggression or disrespect. In either event, Black should not play around, but finish off his opponent.


11.Nf4 Qe8 12.c4 Bc8 13.Be3 Bb6 14.Bxb6 cxb6 

White is showing the calm patience that often is strangely rewarded in the Jerome. In this case, Black becomes careless.


15.Qf3 Qe5 


Ouch.


16.Ng6+ Kg8 17.Nxe5 dxe5 Black resigned

Moral: when you have the advantage, do not play around, but finish your opponent off!