Here is a recent over-the-board game that David supplied, noting
For some reason in my last league match when presented with a chance to play it I couldn't resist! Despite the result of the game I'm hoping this isn't a trend.I can understand Mr. Black's hesitation at the thought of playing the Jerome Gambit regularly in league play: he seems like a nice guy, he probably feels that embarassing one opponent is quite enough...
Black,D - Plumb,M
Portsmouth A vs Chichester B, 2010
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+
4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Kf8
The Sorensen Variation (see "Jerome Gambit Nomenclature")
6.Qh5
The Banks Variation, named after Jerome Gambit Gemeinde member Pete Banks ("blackburne") and discussed by IM Gary Lane in his "Opening Lanes" columns at the Chess Cafe and in his book The Greatest Ever Chess Tricks and Traps . It offers a transposition to the 5.Nxe5 lines.
6...Qf6
Consistent with the early game Banks - Rees, Wolverhampton Summer League, 2003, but 6...Qe7 is likely stronger.
7.Nxd7+ Bxd7 8.Qxc5+ Qe7
White has three pawns for his sacrificed piece. He needs to tend to his development.
Black has a piece for his three pawns. He needs to tend to his King safety.
9.Qe3 Nf6 10.d3
White plans the pawn formation d3 + e4 + f4. He could also have tried d4 + e4 + f3.
10...Kf7 11.f4 Rhe8 12.h3
A useful move, both to keep enemy pieces off of g4 and as a prelude to g2-g4.
It seems odd to point out that what Black really needs is a pawn move like d7-d4, to confront the "Jerome pawns" – but Black no longer has that option.
12...Nb4 13.Na3 c5 14.Bd2 Nc6 15.g4 h6 16.0-0-0 a6
17.Rdf1 Kg8 18.Nc4 b5 19.Nb6 Rab8 20.Nxd7 Nxd7 21.h4
It looks like White has equalized, and has the initiative.
21...Nd4 22.g5 h5 23.c3 Nc6 24.f5 Nce5 25.f6
Relentless.
25...gxf6 26.gxf6 Nxf6 27.Qg5+
With the pawn sac, the walls of Black's fortress have been breached.
27...Kf7 28.Qxh5+ Ke6 29.Qf5+ Kf7 30.Bg5
30...Rb6 31.Kc2 Rd6 32.Rh3 Qe6 33.Qh7+ Black resigned
