Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Give the Jerome Gambit A Little Respect



I feel kind of bad about the following game. In our earlier matchup in the Chess.com Giuoco Piano tournament, I had ground out a 2-pawn endgame victory. I had cheerfully said to my opponent of our next game, "I expect you to destroy me utterly and enjoy it thoroughly. :-)"

Alas, it was not to be.

perrypawnpusher - iceland2010
Giuoco Piano Tournament Chess.com, 2016

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 




4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Kf6 



Ahead by two pieces, Black is too casual in his reply. (He can protect his Knight with 6...Ke6; or dodge the check with 6...Kf8; or block the check with 6...g6 or 6...Ng6; in each case with good prospects.)

The Jerome Gambit has a number of refutations, and while it does not command a lot of respect, it should receive at least a little.

7.Qf5+ Ke7 8.Qxe5+

I have been in this position 6 times before this game, and won 5. The Black Bishop will fall in the next move or two, and White will be up a couple of pawns.

Black resigned

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