I recently receive a Jerome Gambit game from eronald, who plays online at lichess.org. His comment
For your entertainment, here is my latest Jerome treatment of a patient who suffered not too long.Indeed! Especially in blitz.
eronald - basel82
5 1 blitz, lichess.org, 2020
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+
4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ke6 7.f4 Nf6
Ah, yes. I am reminded of the comment by FM Stefan Buecker, in the online ChessPub Forum, over a decade ago
Searching for a forced refutation of a rare opening, with the clock ticking, requires more courage than many have.
(For the record, he was not referencing the Jerome Gambit - but he might as well have been. For other "might as well have beens", see "Were They Talking About the Jerome Gambit Again?")
I am also reminded of the old, vaudeville joke, which I pass on to all defenders
I am also reminded of the old, vaudeville joke, which I pass on to all defenders
patient: Doc, it hurts when I do this [demonstrates]
doctor: Well, then, don't do that.
Certainly completing castling-by-hand with 12...Kg8 would have been more prudent.
Please, Doctor eronald, put this patient out of his misery.
13.f5 Bd7 14.d4 Rg8
Strange symptomatology, Doctor. Will he survive?
15.e5 dxe5 16.dxe5 Nd5
Oh, dear. Not having the best of days. (Time trouble?)
17.Bg5+ Kf8
Interposing the Knight with 17...Nf6 is equally horrible, e.g. 18.exf6+ Kf8 19.fxg7+ Rxg7 20.Bxd8 Bc6 21.Rd1 Rxg2+ 22.Qxg2 Kxg2 when White is a Rook, two pieces, and a pawn ahead.
18.Bxd8 Rxd8 19.e6 Re8
This pin will not hold...
20.exd7 Rd8
If 20.Rxe2 d8/Qch 21.Re8 Qxd5, etc.
21.f6
Doc, I keep seeing pawns. They're everywhere!
21...g6 22.Nc3 Rxd7 23.Nxd5 Rf7 24.Rae1 Rxf6 25.Qe7 checkmate
