Jerome Gambit: Too Casual

Some chess games can be referred to as "casual" - played among friends or clubmates, as much for enjoyment as for gains in rating our tournament success.

We have seen many times before, however, that a "casual" approach to defending against the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) can give that Billy Batson of a chess opening an opportunity to transform into a Captain Marvel force of power.

The following game is a recent example.

Carlos_Ricardo - DevanshGupta1991

3 2 blitz, lichess.org, 2023

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Kf8 

7.Qxe5 Bd6 

Black has the routine alternatives 7...d6 and 7...Qe7 that protect the Bishop.

He also has the largely unplayed (5 examples in The Database) move 7...d5, which was the recommendation of Grandmaster Cemil Can Ali Marandi in his video "Everything You Should Know About the Jerome Gambit".

By the way, here is the Grandmaster's take on the opening 

...and in this video I would like to analyze the Jerome Gambit for you guys. You might have heard about the Jerome Gambit and I would like to make sure that everybody understands the ideas behind this gambit and how you should actually proceed. The Jerome Gambit is becoming very popular lately, but you have to kind of understand that this is obviously not the right way to play the game of chess. If you're looking for something which is entertaining, if you're looking for interesting sacrifice right off the bat in the opening this is a gambit for you but it's only for educational and fun purposes. It is really not good for a regular classical game or and over-the-board practice...

(Please notice that I give an extended quote that highlights both the entertainment and the really not good points being made, instead of making an exciting cut, advertisement style, and claiming that the Gradmaster wrote "this is a gambit for you"!)   

8.Qf5+ Nf6 

Development is good. Offering the exchane of Queens with 8...Qf6 is better.

9.O-O b6

Black envisions two Bishops raking White's Kingside.

However, he has overlooked White's next move.

10.e5 Bb7 

It is true that Black has an "extra" piece that he can afford to return, but he would do better by considering the safety of his King and trying 10...Be7 11.exf6 Bxf6 or 10...Bc5 11.exf6 Qxf6. 

In blitz players move quickly, and the depth of their analysis is not as great.

11.exd6 cxd6 

Here we have an interesting position. Black's doubled (isolated) d-pawns do not block his Bishop, which has been fianchettoed. They even protect important squares (c5, c6, e5, e6) in his camp.

Sure, White has an extra pawn but why does Stockfish 15.1 rate White as more than a piece better here?

12.d3 

White's idea.

12...Kf7 13.Bg5 Rf8 

Preparing to castle-by-hand, giving protection - if there is time enough - to the Knight at f6, after ...Kg8.

There is not enough time.

14.Bxf6 gxf6 

Does it matter which capture is made at f6?

Yes, but White would be better in either case.

Here, though, there is checkmate.

15.Qxh7+ Ke6 16.Re1+ Kd5 17.Qe4+ Kc5 18.Qc4 checkmate

Last year, I wrote a series of short stories for my young grandson that featured a "super hero" called Silly Squirrel, who disabled his opponents by telling terrible jokes that would crack them up and leave them vulnerable to capture.

Truly, the Jerome Gambit is the Silly Squirrel of chess openings.