Sometimes it seems that if the Jerome Gambit didn't look so bad, it wouldn't turn out so good... Philidor1792 - guest1895 Internet online game, 2013 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Nc3 Nf6 5.Bxf7+
The Italian Four Knights Jerome Gambit. 5...Kxf7 6.Nxe5+ Nxe5 7.d4 Bd6 8.f4
This is a line that Philidor1792 has explored a number of times (see the series started with "Where Do Ideas Come From? Part 1"). The central conflict between three White pawns and three Black pieces seems overwhelmingly in the defender's favor, especially since he has two extra pieces. However, veteran Jerome Gambit players know that appearances are often deceiving, and against human players (especially those who become overconfident, and, thus, inattentive) the play can often become favorable for the attacker. 8...Nc4 This move seems to have first been played in a couple of games against Rijndael/Ryndael at FICS (see "New Player, Old Line" and "Updated"). 9.e5Bb4 10.0-0 Bxc3 11.bxc3 Ne4
Now we have another curious pieces vs pawns matchup. 12.d5 Nxc3 13.Qd3 Nb6 14.Qxc3 Nxd5 15.Qb3
Black's advantage seems to have shrunk (15.Qe4 and 15.Qf5+ were interesting alternatives) and his King looks vulnerable. Can White scare up threats quickly enough? 15...c6 16.Qh3 d6 17.Qh5+ g6 18.Qh6 Qf8 19.Qh4 Bf5 20.Bb2 Rg8
21.Qxh7+ It was a bit more accurate to precede this with 21.c4 Nc7 22.exd6 Qxd6, but Black's game falls apart any way. 21...Ke8 22.exd6 Kd8 23.c4 Bd3 24.cxd5 Bxf1 25.Qc7+ Ke8 26.Re1+ Be2 27.Rxe2+ Qe7 28.Qxe7 checkmate
Here's an updated look at a Jerome Gambit variant that still holds a lot of poison for White. In raw position comparisons, The Database has 9244 games after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ where White scores 44%; while it has 1780 games after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Bc5 4.Bc4 Nf6 5.Bxf7+, where White scores 38%.
The Italian Four Knights Jerome Gambit. 5...Kxf7 6.Nxe5+ Nxe5 7.d4 Bd6 8.f4
This line was investigated in "Attitude" and "Where Do Ideas Come From?" Parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. I was surprised to see that Houdini 2, at 20 ply depth, considers it about equivalent to 8.dxe5. Black's next move is new, however. 8...Nc4 9.e5 Bb4 10.0-0 Bxc3 11.bxc3 Ne4
12.f5 A slight improvement over 12.Qd3 d5 13.f5 in Rijndael - creamen, FICS, 2011, (0-1, 28). 12...Rf8 13.Rf4 d5 14.Qh5+Kg8
White now throws everything into a frantic attack, but there is little hope. 15.Rxe4dxe4 16.Bg5 Qd5 17.f6 gxf6 18.Rf1 Nxe5 19.Bxf6 Nf3+ 20.Rxf3 Qxh5 21.Rg3+ Kf7 White resigned
I've noticed a new name amongst players at FICSwho are playing the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) and related openings. New warriors are always welcome to the ranks of the Jerome Gambit Gemeinde.
It can sometimes be helpful to take an idea from opening and apply it to another. This kind of "transplant" must be done carefully, however, and only upon prior examination. In the following game, both Black and White were unaware that they should have rejected the transplant.
After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Nc3 Bc5 5.Bxf7+ (the Italian Four Knights Jerome Gambit) Kxf7 6.Nxe5+ Nxe5 7.d4 the idea of 7...Bd6 is playable. In the current game, though, with ...h7-h6 replacing ...Nf8-g6, the idea is trouble.
8.dxe5 Bxe5
This puts the Bishop in danger, as White can follow up with 9.Qh5+ and win it. Black would do best to let the White pawn at e5 go with 8...Bb4.
9.f4
Aha! White also recognizes the transplanted "fork trick" and plays a thematic move for that line of play. The game yorgos - hartingu, FICS, 2009, continued more appropriately, 9.Qh5+ Kf8 10.Qxe5 with advantage to White (1-0, 30).
9...Bxc3+ 10.bxc3
White's compensation for his piece is a pawn, better center control, and open lines against an uneasy enemy King. It is not enough.
Fortunately, Black continues with ordinary moves, in this case preparing to castle-by-hand.
10...Ne711.0-0 Re8 12.f5 Kg8
13.f6
This move appears premature at first glance, as White has only one pieced developed (his Rook) to Black's two. However, the opportunity to break open Black's King's haven should not be missed, and the unfortunate arrangement of Black's King and Rook (available to a pawn fork from f7) is encouraging. With luck, White's open lines will help in the attack.
13...gxf6
Collapsing. After the game Rybka 3 suggested 13...Ng6 14.f7+ Kh7 15.fxe8Q Qxe8 with the edge to White. Fritz 8 suggested, instead, 13...Rf8, but this is met roughly by 14.Bxh6 Rf7 (14...gxh6 15.Qg4+ and mate follows) 15.Bxg7 and then, for example, 15...Ng6 16.Qd5 and White's attack will win material.
