Jerome Gambit: Know It Better Than Your Opponent

Remember the old joke?

Two guys are walking through the jungle when they come upon a hungry, carnivorous beast. One of the guys opens his briefcase, takes out some running shoes, and begins to put them on.

"Don't be ridiculous. You won't be able to run faster than that beast," said the first guy.

"I don't have to," said the second guy. "I only have to run faster than you."

The Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) is a bit like that: you don't have to know it completely to play it successfully, you just have to know it better than your opponent.

The following blitz game is a good example.

kgbbruh - Bohemianidol

10 0 blitz, Chess.com, 2021

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ g6 

Black needs to be aware that this move involves the offer of a Rook.

7.Qxe5 d6 

Blackburne's defense. It leads to complicated play. White's Queen can take the Rook and escape, but with best play the game will be drawn.

8.Qxh8 Qg5 

Black has attacking ideas for his Queen, similar to those in the Blackburne Shilling Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nd4 4.Nxe5 Qg5.)

He would do well to remember the Face Palm variation of the Jerome Gambit, as well.

9.O-O h5 

Protecting the h-pawn from the enemy Queen.

10.d4 Bb6 

Saving the Bishop, but...

11.Bxg5 Black resigned

Ouch.