A Whole Lotta Jeromes Going On

With the advent of the "Jerome Gambit Classic #1" tournament at Chess.com I found myself playing 11 Jeromes and defending against 11 Jeromes.

That's a whole lotta Jeromes!

Of course, all of my opponents found themselves in the same situation, which might explain the following short encounter.

Too many games to keep track of?

I do sympathize.

perrypawnpusher - Hyakkimaruru

Jerome Gambit Classic #1, Chess.com, 2024

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ng6 

7.Qd5+ 

This "nudge" is designed to move the enemy King to the back rank, with the chance that it will interfere with the development of the Rook on h8.

7...Kf6 

This is walking into danger. Retreating to the 8th rank was preferrable.

8.d4 

I knew when I played this move that the computer preferred 8.f4.

It turns out that according to The Database, in 24 games with 8.f4, White scores 69%. Pretty good.

However, in 13 games with 8.d4, White scores 92%.

I was 4 - 0 with 8.d4, before this game; hence my choice.

8...d6 

I have also seen 

8... Bb4+ in perrypawnpusher - whitepandora, 3 10 blitz, FICS, 2008 (1-0, 41);

8... h6 in perrypawnpusher - tjaksi, blitz, FICS, 2013 (1 - 0,16); and

8...Bxd4 in perrypawnpusher - alvarzr, 2 12 blitz, FICS, 2014 (1-0, 21). 

 9.Bg5 checkmate

 This mate was anticipated in mrjoker - Taj, Internet Chess Club, 2009.