If you play the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) you know that the best source of information on the opening is this blog.
If you face the Jerome Gambit, however, the best source of information on defending against the opening is - this blog.
Across the 10 years that I have shared history, games and analysis, I have done my best to give the lines that give White the greatest opportunities to snatch victory from the jaws of this defeated - er, "refuted" - opening.
I have also not shied away from presenting the various refutations, as well.
Sometimes players have used my suggestions. Sometimes they have not. The "Jerome Gambit Secrets" posts will re-visit suggestions that appear to remain unplayed.
Take for example, the play based on the following game.
Blackstone, John - Dommeyer, Carl
skittles game, Campbell, California, 1960
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ Kxf7
5.Nxe5+ Ke8
Black decides to mix things up - some psychological warfare, perhaps - although the move is not "best". This is the first game example that I have in The Database (56,000+ Jerome and Jerome-ish games), but the position ultimately appears in 71 games; White scores 66%.
6.Qh5+
The Database gives this move in 34 games, and White scores 79%.
With that kind of success, it is not surprising that the improvement, 6.Nxc6, has not received as much play. The problem with the improvement it that it, too, faces an improvement.
The move 6.Nxc6 appears in 15 games in The Database, with White scoring 70%. That is a very reasonable outcome for the first player, but comparatively less successful than the text move, 6.Qh5+.
Why, then, choose this "better" move, especially since it can be met by 6...Qh4!? first mentioned in "You, too, can add to Jerome Gambit theory!" - and still having no examples in The Database? After all, Stockfish 9 recommends the messy 7.d4 Qxe4+ 8.Be3 bxc6 9.dxc5 Qxg2 10.Kd2 Qd5+ 11.Kc1 Ne7 12.Nc3 Qxd1+ 13.Rxd1 and White has an edge due to his bind on the Queenside, but it is not something to get too excited about.
analysis diagram
How is this better than the play in the game? Let's see.
6...g6 7.Nxg6 Bxf2+
Another psychological ploy for the defender in the Jerome Gambit is the "If you can sacrifice a Bishop, so can I!" maneuver. While not often useful, it is the best move in this position, as Black gets a pawn for the piece, instead of letting it hang.
8.Kxf2
It seems fair to mention that 8.Kf1?! was played in jecree - lhoffman, 2 12 blitz, FICS, 2008 (1-0, 24), although the improvement 8...Nf6!? (which I mentioned 2 1/2 years ago in "A Long Day In the Life of the Jerome", and which has not yet appeared in The Database) would have likely reversed the outcome of the game.
8...Qf6+
This move was played in all 5 games in The Database to reach this position, with White scoring 80%.
I am not sure of the attraction of the Queen move (except that it delivers check), but much better is 8...Nf6!?, mentioned here a decade ago, and still, as far as I know, unplayed. After Stockfish 9's 9.Qh4 Rg8 10.Rf1 Rxg6 11.Kg1 Qe7 12.d3 Black has a piece for two pawns and a more comfortable King than he often has in the Jerome Gambit, with better development - an advantage.
That is one argument in favor of the alternative 6.Nxc6.
After 9.Nf4+ Kd8 10.d3 Blackstone consolidated his game, had the advantage, and won in 13 moves. White took risks, and won - a very fine outcome for the Jerome Gambit.
