Jerome Gambit: Ignore Me, Stay Aware

 

When it comes to the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+), some Readers of this blog pay attention to my advice. Some ignore it. Both seem to do well, anyhow.

For example, looking at the variation of the Jerome Gambit Declined in the following game, in "Jerome Gambit for Dummies 2.0 (Part 3)" I wrote

Some players seeking greater complications have left the Bishop in place and tried 5.Nxe5, apparently hoping to continue along orthodox Jerome Gambit lines, gaining a tempo when Black finally plays ...Kxf7. White has been successful with 5.Nxe5 over-the-board (The Database has 68 games, White scores 60%) even though the computer frowns upon the move, seeing Black about 1 3/4 pawns better. (It must be noted that the tries 4...Kf8/4...Ke7 5.Nxe5 Nxe5 6.Qh5 d6 and 4...Kf8/4...Ke7 5.Nxe5 Nxe5 6.d4 Nxf7 are not very encouraging for White.)

I had already pointed out in "Jerome Gambit: It's A Blunderful Life"

The better choice for Black, instead of the text move, is the straight-forward 5...Nxe5. Let's not over-think the situation. Still, White can try 6.Bxg8, when 6...Qf6 (if 6...Rxg8 then 7.d4) is a good answer, e.g. 7.0-0 Kxg8 and White does not have 8.d4, because of 8...Bxd4 9.Qxd4 Nf3+, the trick we have seen earlier, e.g. "Jerome Gambit: Why Would He Play That?"

So, let's take a look. Maybe it is not the variation that is important as much as it is the fighting spirit of the Jerome Gambiteer.

Rubivision - ArkadiyTyulyush

3 0 blitz, lichess.org, 2022

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ Kf8 

The Jerome Gambit declined. White generally gets a small advantage.

5.Nxe5 

To complicate the game. In a 3-minute blitz, it is a practical matter. 

5...Nxe5 6.d4 

White's idea.

Stockfish 14.1 recommends the wild 6.Bxg8 Qh4 7.d4 Qxe4+ 8.Be3 Qxg2 9.Kd2 Bxd4 10.Bxd4 Nf3+ 11.Kc3 Nxd4 12.Bc4 Nf5 where White's King is more at risk. Black has a small advantage.

6...Nxf7 7.dxc5 d6 

8.cxd6 Qxd6 9.b3 Qxd1+ 10.Kxd1 Nf6 

Black has a piece for two pawns. His King is safe. The position is not very dynamic, which means that the defense has done well.

White works to turn up the heat.

11.Ba3+ Kg8 12.Re1 Nd7 13.e5  

White simply threatens to fork the Knights with his pawn.

Black is not impressed, but his nonchalance - aided by the time control, which limits how deep a player can analyze - will cost him.

13...Ndxe5 14.f4 Nd7  

Black's Knight grabs the pawn and then returns home. 

However, he needed to throw in 14...Bg4+.

White notices.

15.Re8+ Nf8 16.Rxf8 checkmate