Thursday, July 11, 2019

Jerome Gambit: Beware the Refutation

The Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) is an opening with many refutations. That said, it is still necessary for the opponent to play out the line to a win. After all, it is not likely that White will see one strong move, and then resign...

In the following game, the "refutation" leads to a win in 13 moves - for White.

Wall, Bill - Guest15060744
PlayChess.com, 2019

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 



4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.d4 Qh4 


This is Black's strongest response to 6.d4. Bill has faced it 39 time, scoring 83%. 

7.O-O Ng4

The Database has 280 games with this move (White scores 67%), starting with Sorensen - X, Denmark, 1888 (1-0, 27).

8.h3 Nxf2 

Black sacrifices to break up White's King's shelter - but he overlooks his own King's safety.

9.Rxf2+ Nf6 10.dxc5 Kg8 


The monarch ducks out of the Rook's pin on his Knight. Alas, the Knight can not move, anyhow, as it would lead toward Qd5 checkmate.

11.e5 d5 12.cxd6 Ne4 13.Qd5+ Black resigned



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