Jerome Gambit Secrets #2

As mentioned in the first "Jerome Gambit Secrets"

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 following line of play. 

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 h6

The Semi-Italian opening. Black is being careful, but the possible waste of a move and the possible weakening of the Kingside can get White thinking Jerome Gambit thoughts.

4.0-0

This is different than the 4.Nc3 seen in MIG - jfer, 3 0 blitz, FICS, 2001 (1-0, 11), the subject of Jerome Gambit Secrets #1. But - is it a difference that makes a difference?

4...Bc5 5.Bxf7+

The Semi-Italian Jerome Gambit.

5...Kxf7 6.Nxe5+ Nxe5 7.Qh5+ g6 8.Qxe5 

Here we have a position from perrypawnpusher - islanderchess, 10 0 blitz, FICS, 2008 (1-0, 46). In fact, there are 10 games with this position in The Database - all played by me - and White has won every time.

However, if you play this line with White, it is important that you not become overconfident. As far back as December 2, 2008 on this blog, I recommended that Black play the retrograde 8...Bf8!?, as then the Rook in the corner is off limits: 9.Qxh8? Bg7 10.Qh7 Nf6 and the White Queen is lost.

If The Database is any indication, 8...Bf8 has not yet been tried in this position in any game.

For the record, Stockfish 9 recommends the line 8...Bf8 9.Nc3 d6 10.Qg3 Ne7 11.d4 Bg7 12.Ne2 (it also considers 12.d5, 12.Qd3 and 12.Be3) with Black having the traditional advantage of a piece for two pawns, and White having play with his central "Jerome pawns" against Black's somewhat exposed King.

Analysis diagram

Jerome Gambit Secrets #1

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. Occasionally, they will introduce new suggestions. Take for example, the following game. 

MIG - jfer
3 0 blitz, FICS, 2001

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 h6

The Semi-Italian opening. Black is careful to prevent Ng5 by White.

4.Nc3 Bc5 5.Bxf7+

The Semi-Italian Jerome Gambit.

5...Kxf7 6.Nxe5+ Nxe5 7.Qh5+ g6 8.Qxe5 Bd6

Perhaps Black remembered ...g6 from the Blackburne defense, and felt comfortable giving up the Rook on h8. If so, this game is not the best example of analysis by analogy. Maybe the 3-minute blitz game was going so fast...

9.Qxh8 Nf6 10.Qxd8 Be7 11.Qxc7 Black resigned

Okay, no disrespect to the players, but the game did not show either at the top of their skill level. Again, perhaps the time control was a major factor.

Still, Black could have offered the Rook with a different 8th move: 8...Bf8!?. White would take his Queen's life in his hands if he continued 9.Qxh8? Bg7 10.Qh7 Nf6 and Her Majesty is a goner.

The Database has a half-dozen games with the same position after 8.Qxe5 - all wins for White. In none of the games did Black find the dangerous Bishop retreat. (The Database needs some updating, but, when it is, I am confident that 8...Bf8 will not show up there.)

Stockfish 9 suggests a complicated line that leaves White with 3 pawns for his sacrificed piece, but still gives Black the advantage: 8...Bf8!? 9.Nd5 Nf6 10.Nxc7 d6 11.Qc3 Rb8 12.d3 Bg7 13.Qb3+ Ke7 14.Nb5 a6 15.Nd4 Nxe4 16.Qb4 a5 17.Nc6+ Kf8 18.Nxa5 Nf6 19.0–0 Nd5 20.Qb5 Be6 21.Re1 Bf7 22.c4 Nc7 23.Qb4 Na6 24.Qd2.  I like Black's Bishop pair.

    


Analysis diagram