The Jerome Gambit: Jerome Gambit: Casual Casualty

Wednesday, June 22, 2022

Jerome Gambit: Casual Casualty

It can be tempting to not take the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) seriously when it is played against you. After all, it is a refuted opening, right?

In the following blitz game, Black plays what might be the strongest defense against the Jerome. However, when he assesses further danger, he is a bit casual in evaluating an upcoming position - where there is danger lying beneath the surface.

This is hardly a personal failing: the time control for the game was 3 minutes (with 2 second increments) and that introduces a certain amount of "casualness" into the game for both players.

As ever, it is also important to see how well the attacker takes advantage of the situation.

kryzelfiz - carlvr

3 2 blitz, lichess.org, 2022

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

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ g6 7.Qxe5 Qe7

Whistler's defense. It can be a tough line to play against, but White has his chances in the complications. As you might guess, things are more difficult after 8.Qxh8 Qxe4+.

8.Qf4+ Qf6 9.Qg3 d6 10.c3 b6

Black is not alarmed by White's threat of d2-d4. He plans to return his extra piece for two pawns, and in the meantime looks to develop his light square Bishop. This approach is a bit casual, however.

Wild aggression was indicated by 10...h5 in GMHikaruOnTwitch - 30second-guy, 3 0 blitz, Chess.com 2021 (1-0, 71).

Probably an idea a bit more active than the text, but less active than what was played against GM Nakamura, would be on the mark. Something like 10...Qe6.

11.d4 Bxd4 12.cxd4 Qxd4 13.O-O

This costs another pawn, compared to 13.Nc3, but White is not taking any chances. He will still be better after this move.

13...Qxe4

I suspect that Black was happy with his position at this point. He is a pawn up.

There is hidden danger, however. The blitz time control will not allow for deep analysis as play continues - and Stockfish 15 currently evaluates White as almost a piece ahead.

14.Bg5 Ba6 15.Nd2 Qd5 16.Rfe1 Nf6