Jerome Gambit: There Has to Be Something...

The Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) is such an outrageous opening that defenders often tell themselves that There has to be something that they can do.

Of course, there is something. There are many somethings.

But in a blitz game, it can be hard to find that something.

And ocassionally those somethings turn out to be nothings.

The following game is a good example.

MSMDOIPE - letskijmaksim

10 0 blitz, lichess.org, 2021

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ g6 7.Qxe5 d6 

Black plays the Blackburne defense. Does he realize that he is following in the footsteps of the immortal game, Amateur - Blackburne, London, 1884? Is he aware that he is offering a Rook?

8.Qxh8 Qg5 

Black targets White's Kingside with his Queen. This move is part of the Blackburne Shilling Gambit, for example. It has to work, right?

It seemed like a good idea at the time.

(Actually, The Database has 22 games with this position, and White scores 91%.)

9.Qxh7+ Kf8 10.O-O Black resigned

The menace of Black's Queen is not enough compensation for the loss of the exchange and three pawns.