Jerome Gambit: The SMH Variation

 

I have previously identified the "face palm variation" in the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ Kxf7 5.Ng5+ see "Jerome Gambit: The Face Palm Variation" and "Jerome Gambit: Return of the Face Palm Variation") as something to be avoided.

Today, in wandering through The Database, I ran into what could only be called the "smack my head" variation. I share it with readers for the same reason we encourage people not to run with scissors:  scissors, themselves, are not bad; but, please, it is not safe to run with them.

Likewise, please, do play the Jerome Gambit, but not this way... 

NN - NN

2 1 bullet, lichess.org, 2023

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ke6 

7.f4 d6 8.c3 

Preparing to play d2-d4.

There are 13 games in The Database with this position, all blitz or bullet.

For the record, 10 of the players with the White pieces are rated higher than I am.

8...Nd3+ 

This annoying move shows up in 6 games in The Database.

It is not a coincidence that White won 2 of the remaining 7 games.

9.Ke2 

See, now the White Rook can protect the Bishop, and the King can chase the enemy Knight away.

9...Nxf4+

Oh, never mind.

White resigned.