Jerome Gambit: From Over 20 Years Ago (Part 1)

I found the following Yahoo.com Chess_Improvement messages from over 20 years ago - before the start of this blog - tucked in one of my databases... 

http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/Chess_Improvement/message/1885    

From: "James F. Holwell" <chessteacher@y...>   

Date:  Sat Jun 19, 2004  3:28 pm  

Subject:  The Jerome Gambit ! ?    

...Here is something for you and the rest of the group to deal with...

  Is White's sacrifice of a BISHOP at move FOUR correct?

See this -- Set up your chess pieces, this is not a computer exercise. Just do it, trust me.    

In a game on CowPlay, your chessteacher played 16. ...Ne7 and went down in  flames. If anyone is interested in how White actually dealt the fatal blow,  here is a link to the game:  http://www.cowplay.com/index.php?cmd=viewchessgame&id=7365 

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. Bxf7+ 

This is the Jerome Gambit. Can White get a winning attack in return for the brave Bishop?

Kxf7 5. Nxe5+ Nxe5 6. Qh5+ Ke6 7. Qh3+ $1 

http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/chess_analysis/message/1798  From:  "Clint" <hp2guns@y...>   

Date:  Mon Jun 21, 2004  2:34 pm   

Subject:  jerome gambit    

give me black anytime after 7. Qh3+ Ke7. This might be a cute attack against a new player who panics, but whites attack peters  out. Interesting for white is 7.c4. I will look into this line some  when i have more time, just wanted to say hi to the group, thanks to the owner. I was looking for a club like this to help me return to  otb chess after a long layoff. 

(7. c4) 7... Kd6 Clearly White's 7th move is very strong, and we are wondering if the black king should be scurrying back to f7. 

8. O-O Qf8 9. c3 Bb6 

The chessstudent should be making notes of moves that he or she would like to have considered. We are all looking for ways to improve Black's defense, and we are also looking at ways to make White's attack even stronger.  It would seem that Back should have winning chances, IF he she can repel the attack and remain with a material advantage. 

10. d4 Ng6 11. Bg5 c6 12. Qg3+ Ke6 13. Na3 Nf6 14. Nc4 Kf7 15. e5 Ne8 16. f4 Ne7 

In a game on CowPlay, your chessteacher played 16. ...Ne7 and went down in flames. If anyone is interested in how White actually dealt the fatal blow, here is a link to the game: http://www.cowplay.com/index.php?cmd=viewchessgame&id=7365 

16... d5 $5 17. Nxb6 axb6 18. f5 Nxe5 19. dxe5 h6) *

I have to admit that I have zero games with the "very strong" 7.c4 in The Database. Something to look into.