Jerome Gambit: Homer Shakes His Head Vigorously (Part 1)

A few days ago, I posted on this blog "Homer Nods". 

Along that line of thought, today's post is fairly titled "Homer Shakes His Head Vigorously".

That said, I must compliment my opponent for his sharp, final move (and forget, as soon as possible, that he is rated 300 points less than me). 

perrypawnpusher - henrymehta

Wal2010's 3rd Thematic, Chess.com, 2026

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Nc3 Bc5 5.Bxf7+ 

The Italian Four Knights Jerome Gambit.

According to The Database, I have played the line 78 times, scoring 74%. Petty successful for a "refuted opening" - but not this time.

4...Kxf7 6.Nxe5+ Nxe5 7.d4 

7...Bxd4 

Or 

7...d6, as in perrypawnpusher - OudeKwakkelaar, blitz, FICS 2011 (1/2-1/2, 62); or

7...Bd6, as in perrypawnpusher - joseluislopez, blitz, FICS, 2012 (0-1, 55); perrypawnpusher - lixuanxuan, blitz, FICS, 2014 (1-0, 22); perrypawnpusher - LttlePrince, Italian Game Classic, Chess.com, 2020 (0-1, 29); and perrypawnpusher - andrewLLL, Italian Game Battlefield, Chess.com 2020 (1-0, 18); or

7...Bb4, as in perrypawnpusher - kezientz, blitz, FICS, 2010 (1-0, 9); perrypawnpusher - Abatwa, blitz, FICS, 2010 (1-0, 17); perrypawnpusher - Gibarian, blitz, FICS, 2010 (1-0, 33); perrypawnpusher - obmanovichhh, blitz, FICS, 2010 (1-0, 39); perrypawnpusher - Aerandir, blitz, FICS, 2011 (1-0, 15); perrypawnpusher - LydenChess, blitz, FICS, 2011 (1-0, 15); and perrypawnpusher - SSGSSGSSG, blitz, FICS, 2018 (1-0, 20);  or

7...Neg4 as in perrypawnpusher - xxfred, blitz, FICS, 2012 (0-1, 28); or

7...Re8 as in perrypawnpusher - hklett, blitz, FICS, 2013 (1-0, 31) and perrypawnpusher - strandskatan, blitz, FICS, 2013 (1-0, 38); or

7...Ng6 as in perrypawnpusher - aksakal, blitz, FICS, 2017 (1-0, 17); or

7...Nc6 as in perrypawnpusher - hudders, blitz, FICS, 2010 (1-0, 13); or 

7...Nd3+ as in perrypawnpusher - genericme, blitz, FICS, 2015 (1-0, 22); or

7...Nf3+ as in perrypawnpusher - wertu, blitz, FICS, 2010 (1-0, 20) and perrypawnpusher - catmandu, blitz, FICS, 2014 (0-1, 12); 

Are you still with me?

Good.

Because there is more.

8.Qxd4 Nc6 

Or 8...Re8 as in perrypawnpusher - hklett, blitz, FICS, 2010 (0-1, 20); perrypawnpusher - KaZC, blitz, FICS, 2010 (1/2-1/2, 61); perrypawnpusher - Fazmeister, blitz, FICS, 2011 (1-0, 36); perrypawnpusher - JoseSoza, Italian Game, Chess.com, 2012 (0-1, 34); perrypawnpusher - spince, blitz, FICS, 2014 (0-1, 41);   perrypawnpusher - andrewLLL, Italian Game Battlefield, Chess.com, 2020 (1-0, 39);

Or 8...Qe7 as in perrypawnpusher - BigKalamar, blitz, FICS, 2011 (1-0, 49) and perrypawnpusher - OudeKwakkelaar, blitz, FICS, 2014 (1-0, 16).

That's enough, for now. If you have been clicking on even a few of the links above, you've probably learned a lot about the Jerome Gambit - and had enough of this post.

[to be continued]