A few years ago, ever in search for material on the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) I was wandering the internet, and came upon "Chess Openings -- Version 3.0" [now 3.1] at http://www.csm.astate.edu/~wpaulsen/chess/chess.htm?002137.
The site, designed by Dr. William Paulsen, allows visitors to play moves on an opening board and learn the names of variations, positions, etc.
So, of course in the "Beginning Position" I entered 1.e2-e4 and received the introduction
King's Opening
This is the most popular first move in chess. Generally, these games tend to be more open and tactical than the Queen's pawn games. This is a highly recomended opening for beginners. Years ago, this was considered the only "proper" move, with e7-e5 the only "proper" responce. However, there have since been many other alternatives discovered. Depending on black's responce, The King's pawn opening can turn into many things:
So I followed along with 1...e7-e5,
Double King's Pawn
The most popular response to the King's opening. This maintains symmetry and disputes control of the center. In theory, as long as Black can maintain symmetry, Black has secured equality. This line leads to many valid openings.
and then
2.Ng1-f3,
"Epine Dorsale - Part 1"
"Epine Dorsale" means the Dorsal Spine. Hence, this is the main spine in which all other openings branch out from. White immediately attacks the black pawn at e5. Black must either defend this pawn, or else attack White's pawn. The most popular way of doing this is with Nb8-c6, which developes a piece at the same time. However, there are some other good alternatives.
and then 2...Nb8-c6 ("Epine Dorsale - Part 2"),
"Epine Dorsale - Part 2"
Black has made the most common move at this point. Now White has the following options:
Very interesting.
So I played 3.Bf1-c4 ("Italian Game") and 3...Bf8-c5
Giuoco Piano
Giuoco Piano means "Quiet Game", although the game is anything but quiet. Perhaps this was quiet compared to the King's Gambit Variations that were popular at the time, but even so the Giuoco Piano often this turns into a real fighting match. However, if White is the weaker player, he can use this formation to his advantage by playing the Giuoco Pianissimo.
Finally I played 4.Bc4xf7+?
Giuoco Piano - Jerome Gambit
White sacrifices his bishop to get the Black king out into the open. Black must take the bishop or be down a pawn.
Of course I hit the "Continue" button to proceed, the board showed 4...Ke8xf7, and there was further information,
White is a piece down, but hopes to regain that piece. In order to do so, it must sacrifice another piece with Nf3xe5.
Making the move, 5.Ne5+
It looks as though Black can be two pieces up by taking the knight. This is what White hopes Black will think.
Indeed, if Black plays 5...Nxe5
Giuoco Piano - Jerome Gambit "Variation I"
Black takes the second piece, but White can regain the material with Qd1-h5+!
After the followup 6.Qh5+
If the king moves toward the knight to protect it, White can check at f5. Black cannot save his knight. White has two pawns for a piece, and the attack isn't over yet.
What I found interesting was the alternative given to capturing the Knight, 5...Ke7
Giuoco Piano - Jerome Gambit "Variation II"
By moving the king instead of taking the knight, White cannot attack the king with his queen. Black ends up with more material.
Well, this is more attention (and respect) than the Jerome Gambit usually gets, so I had to write to Dr. Paulsen and ask about that rare 5th move for Black. His reply
Yes, 5...Ke7 is my own idea. Since Black is already up a piece, by not taking the knight, Black can foil the gambit. In making this network, I try to keep my eyes open to possibilities "outside of the box." Version 3.0 [of "Chess Openings"] came out in 2003, but there were only about 750 moves back then. Because the new version allows moves to be added so easily, there are now over 5000 moves.
guest1200 - satmonger
ICC 2 12, 2001
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Ke7
By the way, "guest 1200" is our old pal and Gemeinde member, Louis Morin.
6.Qh5
This is the strongest response.
It is a odd thing to recall, but the position is now the same as it was with several games that I played against the computer program WeakDelphi (see "I can't seem to get the hang of these things...") – only with White now to move.
6...Qf8
Black's best plan here seems to be to return a piece with 6...Bxf2+ 7.Kxf2, followed by covering the f7 square with 7...Qf8+; when White is simply a pawn ahead.
Of course, there's always saving the Bishop with 6...d6 7.Qf7 checkmate, stivb_99 - spymaster, gameknot.com, 2008; but that seems a bit too drastic.
7.0-0
Consistent, instead, was 7.Nxc6+ followed by 8.Qxc5+ and White is two pawns up, whether or not he swaps Queens.
7...d6 8.Ng6+ hxg6 9.Qxh8 Nd4
An interesting position. Black's advantage in development means that his two-pieces-for-a-Rook-and-two-pawns imblance gives him an edge.
10.Na3 Ne2+
I think better was more development: 10...Be6 11.d3 Nf6 12.Qxf8+ Rxf8.
11.Kh1 Be6 12.d4 Bxd4 13.f4
Going after the enemy King, regardless. After all, this is a blitz game, and this is the Jerome Gambit.
13...Qf6 14.Nb5
At this point White needs a very good distraction. Luckily, it works.
14...Bb6 15.Bd2 a6 16.Nc3 Nxc3 17.Bxc3 Bd4
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This last move looks ok at first glance, but actually it is a tactical oversight.
18.e5 dxe5 19.fxe5 Qxe5 20.Bxd4
The move to make was 20.Qh4+ followed by the Queen capturing on d4 nabbing a piece. White shows, however, that his line of play also wins for him.
20...Qxd4 21.c3 Qe5 22.Rae1 Qd5 23.Qxg7+ Kd6 24.Rd1 Qxd1 25.Rxd1+ Kc6 26.Qxg6 Black resigns.
