Jerome Gambit: Scotch Jerome Hybrid

The following game shows an interesting Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) that could have arisen out of the Scotch Gambit move order (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Bc4 Bc5). Those who play that latter opening might enjoy the possibilities.

Wall, Bill - Dobrien

internet, 2022

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.d4 exd4 

This line has sometimes been called the Macbeth Attack or the Haxo Gambit.

Bill has also seen

5...Bxd4

Wall - Guest1366999, PlayChess.com, 2011 (1-0, 38);

Wall - Guest2627909, PlayChess.com, 2012 (1/2-1/2, 26);

Wall - PKGR, internet, 2021 (1-0, 14); and 

Wall - Singh, internet, 2022,\ (1-0, 40)

5...Nxd4

Wall - Guest757851, PlayChess.com, 2014 (1-0, 42); and

Wall - Guest11058730, PlayChess.com, 2019 (1-0, 21)

6.c3 Nf6

The solid 6...d6 was seen in Wall - Anonymous, lichess.com, 2016 (1-0, 23).

Taking the pawn with 6...dxc3 would be risky. There are 1,343 games with that move in The Database. White scores 67%. Stockfish 15 evaluates the position after 7.Qd5+ and 8.Qxc5 as being about a pawn better for White.

7.e5 Ne4 8.cxd4 Bb4+ 9.Nbd2 d5 10.O-O 

So far, Black has defended well and has the advantage.

He now plans to emulate White and castle - by hand. This is a common strategy when defending against the Jerome Gambit, but in this case there are special circumstances to consider.

10...Rf8 11.Nxe4 dxe4 12.Ng5+ Kg8 

All according to plan. 

As Bill shows, however, the more risky-looking 12...Kg6 was a better reply. 

13.Qb3+ Kh8 14.d5 

Kicking the Knight that protects the Bishop that is attacked by the Queen.

Note if 14.Nf7+ Black can simply sacrifice the exchange with 14...Rxf7 15.Qxf7 and then pick up a pawn with 15...Nxd4, remaining better. 

14...e3 

It is not clear what Black had in mind here.

He could have tried the routine 14...Nxe5, returning material for development, when 15.Qxb4 Nd3 16.Qxe4 Bf5 17.Qc4 would be equal, and would allow the interesting 17...b5!? 18.Qc6 (not 18.Qxb5 Nxc1 followed by 19...Qxg5) 17...Nxc1 18.Qxc1 Qxd5 with things remaining in balance.

15.Bxe3 Nxe5 16.Qxb4 a5 

Material is even. White's development is better.

Black decides to deflect the enemy Queen.

17.Qe4 Ng6 18.Ne6 Bxe6 19.dxe6 Qe7 

At first glance it looks like Black will be able to swing a Rook over to the e-file and then capture the pawn on e6 with hopes for an equal game. However, the "Jerome pawns" are not cooperative.

20.f4 Rae8 21.f5 Rf6 

Using the Queen and the Rook as blockaders for the pawns limits their effectiveness. How much so? Stockfish 15 now evaluates White as over a Queen better.

22.Bd4 

Ouch.

22...Nf8 23.Bxf6 Qxf6 24.Qxb7 Black resigned

Black is down the exchange and a couple of pawns and he still has to deal with those advanced pawns.