Abrahams Jerome Gambit: One of These Things Is Not Like the Other

There are similarities between the Jerome Gambit, 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+, and a similar sacrifice coming out of the Bishops opening, 1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Bc5 3.Bxf7+. 

There are differences, as well. Not everything you know about the classical Jerome Gambit can be carried over to the Abrahams.

msc87 - DSphotographer

1 0 bullet, lichess.org, 2024

1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Bc5 3.Bxf7+ 

I refer to this line as the Abrahams Jerome Gambit, after Gerald Abrahams, who called the line the Jerome Gambit in his chess books. See the posts "The Abrahams Jerome Gambit (Part I and II)".

3...Kxf7 4.Qh5+ g6 

Like in the Jerome Gambit, the King does best to retreat to Kf8. 

The text gives White an edge.

5.Qxe5 Qe7 

Defending along the lines of Whistler's defense in the Jerome, although it does not work in this case.

What is Black's best defense? Stockfish 16.1 takes us on a merry ride to answer that question: 5...Bxf2+!? 6.Kxf2 Nf6 (6...Qxe4+ 7.Ne2 Qxg2 8.Qxh7+ Kf8 9.Rf1 favors White) 7.Qf4 g5 8.Qf3 Nc6 9.d3 Nd4 10.Qd1 d5 11.Nc3 Bg4 12.Nf3 Rf8 13.h3 Bxf3 14.gxf3 Kg8 15.Bxg5 Ng4+ 16.hxg4 Qxg5 17.Rh3 Rxf3+ 18.Rxf3 Nxf3 19.Kxf3 Rf8+ 20.Kg2 Rf4 21.Ne2 Rxg4+ 22.Kf3 Qh5 23.Ke3 Qh6+ 24.Kf2 Qh2+ 25.Ke1 Qh1+ 26.Kd2 Qh6+ 27.Kc3 Qc6+ 28.Kb3 Qb5+ and Black will force a draw by perpetual check.

6.Qxh8 Nf6 

The consistent 6...Qxe4+ does not generate enough of an attack, and after 7.Ne2 Qxg2 8.Qxh7+ Kf8 9.Rf1 White will be able to safeguard his King and remain the exchange ahead.

However, the text is not like its cousin in the Jerome Gambit - White's Queen is not trapped, and, instead, goes on a rampage.

7.Qxc8 d6 

Giving more resistance would be 7...Nxe4. But, remember, this is a 1-minute game.

8.Qxb7 Nbd7 9.Qxa8 Nxe4 

White is better here, ahead by 2 Rooks and 2 pawns, but he must be careful because his King is still in the center, and Black's pieces are targeting him. A lot to keep in mind as the clock continues to tick.

10.Ne2 Bxf2+ 

Black has a saving cheapo in mind.

11.Kd1 Bb6 

Now, to do something about Black's pressure on the e-file...

12.Re1 Nf2 checkmate

Checkmate with one piece. That's gotta smart.

Nice work, DSphotographer.

Missed by that much, msc87.