Something to Think About

I recently heard from my Canadian chessfriend Dan. He had some interesting ideas to share. 

Hi Rick,

I came across an opening gambit that may be an effective antidote to the tricks of the Jerome Gambit for Black. It is called the Rousseau Gambit (1.e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 f5). In a way this is similar to the Stafford Gambit insofar as White’s ‘natural’ moves [4.exf5 or 4.d3 or 4.Nc3] can be quickly punished by Black. Furthermore, if White proceeds with the Jerome-ish 4.Bxf7+ he is totally lost because he is denied the eventual Qh5+ because the f5 pawn blocks the way across the rank.

I have examined this line at length using Stockfish 14.1 and I am quite impressed by how difficult it is for White to discover a satisfactory response.

This Rousseau Gambit has been explored by GM Igor Smirnov at the Remote Chess Academy under the title:

The BEST Chess Opening Against 1.e4 - Every Move is a Trap!

Perhaps something for you to think about.

Best wishes,

Dan

The Rousseau Gambit

There was something about that position the seemed familiar...

Yes! From the days when I was exploring the Latvian Gambit: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5 3.Bc4 Nc6.

The Latvian Gambit

Don't laugh. This year Grandmaster Danil Dubov (2720) won a Rousseau Gambit game against an IM in 28 moves - starting with the Latvian Gambit move order. 

For the record, the top player currently playing the Rousseau Gambit these days is International Master Beerdsen (2497).

Of course, if you go far enough back, you can discover Paul Morphy playing - and playing against - the Rousseau Gambit, including a game against Eugène Rousseau, himself.

If you just did a quick database search on "Morphy", no doubt you just yelled Gotcha! Morphy did not play the Rousseau Gambit!

However, he did play 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bc4 f5 4.d4 Nc6 as Black in two games (draws in 30 and 35 moves) - using the Philidor Counter-Attack variation to reach a Rousseau Gambit position.

The Philidor Counter-Gambit

Perhaps you now think that I am annoyed with Dan for giving defenders a wild and crazy option to avoid my beloved Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+).

Not so.

I have always posted refutations to the Jerome Gambit on this blog. It is a good place for attackers to learn; it is a good place for defenders, as well.

As an indication of good faith, let me give you links to three Rousseau Gambit articles by Tim McGrew (thank you, Wikipedia), to add to Grandmaster Smirnov's video instruction.

• Tim McGrew (2002-07-01). "Giuoco Fortissimo: The Rousseau Gambit Part 1" (PDF). Chesscafe.com (archived from the original)
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• Tim McGrew (2002-07-30). "Giuoco Fortissimo: The Rousseau Gambit Part 2" (PDF). Chesscafe.com (archived from the original)
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• Tim McGrew (2003-09-22). "Gambits In Many Dimensions" (PDF). Chesscafe.com (archived from the original)

Enjoy!