Unnerved

The Semi-Italian Opening (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 h6) is a move order often chosen by Black to avoid premature enemy attacks. It does little, however, to dissuade the bizarre Jerome Gambit.

perrypawnpusher - lkytmr
blitz, FICS, 2012

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 h6 4.0-0 Bc5 5.Bxf7+ 

The Semi-Italian Jerome Gambit.

5...Kxf7 6.Nxe5+ Nxe5 7.Qh5+ Ke6 

Greedy? Brave? Careless? Adventurous?

Strongest.

8.Qf5+

A few years ago I looked at Rybka's suggested 8.Qh3+ (see "Get back on the horse...") which may be better, but the move did not catch on: there are no examples in The Database.

8...Kd6 9.d4 Bxd4 10.Rd1 c5 11.c3 

Objectively, Black is doing well. With two extra pieces he can afford to return the Bishop while he safeguards his King.

But my opponent is unfamiliar with the position and uneasy with the attack. In blitz, that can become a disadvantage, as his next, unnerved move shows.

11...Nd3 12.Rxd3 Black resigned.

Black will have to give up a second piece, and he will have to give up more material to safeguard his King: e.g. 12...Kc7 13.Rxd4!? b6 (13...cxd4 leads to mate after 14.Bf4+) 14.Bf4+ d6 15.Qf7+ Qd7 16.Bxd6+ Kb7 and then 17.Qxd7+ Bxd7+ 18.Bc5!? leaves White ahead three pawns, when the chance of a drawn Bishops-of-opposite-colors endgame is infinitesimal.

analysis diagram