Tuesday, May 4, 2021

Jerome Gambit: Through A Mirror, Cracked


Every once in a while, while playing the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) White meets a defender who believes that copying a move or a strategem is the proper way to go. This usually involves a return sacrifice at f2, after White has sacrificed at f7.

The following game raises questions about the wisdom of such a strategy.


Wall, Bill - Guest1915145

Internet, 2021

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 


4...Kf8 

Declining the gambit, a rare move.

5.Bc4 Bxf2+ 


Another example of If you can do it to me, I can do it to you.

White captured a pawn and bumped Black's King; Black now captures a pawn and bumps White's King.

Oh, wait - Black declined to capture the Bishop. That means...

6.Kxf2 

After six moves, White is up a piece, which is something rare in a Jerome Gambit.

6...d6 7.Nc3 Nf6 8.Rf1 Bg4 9.Kg1 


White castles-by-hand, usually a recommendation for Black in the Jerome Gambit accepted.

9...Na5 10.Be2 Bxf3 11.Rxf3 h6 


Feeling pressure on his Knight along the f-file, Black prevents additional pressure along the d8-h4 diagonal.

12.Nd5 c6 13.Nxf6 gxf6 14.d4 


Don't worry, Bill hasn't missed b2-b4.

14... Rh7 15.dxe5 dxe5 16.Qxd8+ Rxd8 17.b4 Black resigned


Like I said...

Black will be down two pieces, and doubling Rooks on the d-file is not sufficient compensation.


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