Saturday, August 28, 2021

Jerome Gambit: Another Reason


There are many reasons to play the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+). Under the right circumstances, with the right opponent, it can be the right opening to play.

Take, for example, the following game.


Guest6355147650 - Guest0996239299

10 0 blitz, Chess.com, 2021


1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ke6 

7.f4 Bf2+ 

Here we have Black considering that if it was good for White to sacrifice a piece to prevent his opponent from castling, perhaps it is good for Black to do the same - even without capturing a pawn. He figures he is going to have to surrender a piece, anyhow.

It is a creative, if not usually successful idea. White scores 70% in 10 games in The Database.

8.Kxf2 Ng6 

Black should give his own idea more respect. Retreating the Knight to f7 or c6 would give him an edge in the position.

9.f5+ Ke5 

This is a blitz game, and there is not always a lot of time for deep analysis, but this move seems a bit too cooperative.

10.fxg6+ Kxe4 

As does this.

The game harkens back to the time of Alonzo Wheeler Jerome (1834 - 1902), inventor of the gambit, when it was still considered sporting to take all the material on offer, regardless of risk.

11.Nc3+ Kd4 12.Qd5 checkmate


And that is another reason, dear Readers, that club players will continue to be drawn to the Jerome Gambit.


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