Think Fast!

If Black has enough time, he can "solve" the Jerome Gambit.

Philidor1792 - guest4181
5+0 www.bereg.ru, 13.02.0028

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

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Kf8 

First seen in Alonzo Wheeler Jerome's analysis in the Dubuque Chess Journal, April 1874, Vol. VI, No. 50, p. 358-9, "New Chess Opening".


6.Nxc6 dxc6 7.0-0 Be6

Jerome's analysis continued optimistically 7...Nf6 8.Qf3 Qd4 9.d3 Bg4 10.Qe3 Qxe3 11.Bxe3 Bxd3 12.fxe3 Ke7 "and White should draw by the judicious use of his pawns". A year later he varied from his own advice and played 10.Qg3, instead, in Jerome - Brownson, Iowa, 1875 (1/2-1/2, 29).

Black's move in today's game is very reasonable.

8.d3 Qh4 9.Nd2 Bg4 10.Qe1 Nf6 11.Nc4 Kf7 

Preparing to castle by hand.

12.Bf4 Rhf8 13.c3 Kg8 14.d4 Be7 15.Bxc7 Be6 

White has three "Jerome pawns" for his sacrificed piece, and the game is about equal.

16.Nd2 Nh5 17.f4 Rac8 18.Qxh4 Bxh4 19.Be5 Black lost on time

("Objectively," of course, the position was even.)