Jerome Gambit: Drilling Down (9)

Once more RevvedUp demonstrates that the Blackburne variation of the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) is better for White – especially when including the TN the computer comes up with in this game.

Once more, though, Yace Paderborn shows the skills of the electronic beast can, in the long run, grind down those of a mere mortal.

RevvedUp - Yace Paderborn

blitz 2 12, 2006

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ g6

7.Qxe5 d6 8.Qxh8 Qh4 9.0-0 Bd7

Something new! Standard is 9...Nf6.

10.Qc3

Immediately getting the Queen out of danger.

10...Qxe4 11.d3 Qd5 12.Qb3 Qxb3 13.axb3 Bd4

We have reached a Queenless middlegame, and White clearly has the advantage. If he is subsequently out-played by the computer (rated 1,000 points above him), that should not be attributed to the Jerome Gambit nor reflect poorly on RevvedUp.

14.c3 Bg7 15.b4 a6 16.Bg5 Re8 17.Be3 Ne7 18.Nd2 Bb5 19.c4 Bd7 20.Rab1 Bf5 21.Ne4 d5 22.cxd5 Nxd5 23.Rbd1 Bxb2 24.Bd2 Bxe4 25.dxe4 Rxe4

Black has been chipping away at the White advantage, and now has a pawn for the exhange, but the game is even.

26.Rfe1 Rc4 27.Bc1 Bc3 28.Bd2 Bxd2 29.Rxd2 c6 30.Rb1 b5

A very complicated ending has arisen, where RevvedUp is holding his own. Impressive.

31.g3 Nxb4 32.Rd7+ Kf6 33.Rxh7 a5 34.Rh4 Rxh4 35.gxh4 Kf5 36.Kf1 Kg4 37.Ke2 Kxh4 38.Ke3

More precise is 38.Kd2, but I think White can still hold the position. His King is active, his Rook can either capture or check as needed, and it is very difficult for Black to make headway.

38...c5 39.Ke4

I think the consistent move here is 39.Rc1. With the text White strays away from his duties on the Queenside.

39...c4 40.Kd4 Nc2+ 41.Kc5 b4 42.Rc1 Na3 43.Kb6 b3 44.Kxa5 b2

My database has the game ending here with a draw. I must have gotten something mixed up, as Black has a clear win. Perhaps there was some kind of move or time stipulation?

A very tough game for RevvedUp, reminiscent of his second game against Crafty 19.19.