In Pawns We Trust

In a number of lines in the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) White gets as partial compensation for his sacrificed piece, a couple of pawns. As we have seen in many games, these pawns can advance and cramp Black's pieces, spearhead an attack, or exchange themselves for a piece.

In the following game White still has his 8 pawns after a couple dozen moves. His "extra" ones disappear in winning back a piece, but the process itself seems to disorient Black, who soon returns the exchange as well.

Wall,B - Guest340293
10 0 blitz, PlayChess.com, 2012

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Kf8

A solid, time-tested defense.

7.Qxe5 Qe7 8.Qf4+ Qf6 9.Qg3 d6 10.c3 Ne7

This is a new move; 10...Qg6 shows up in The Database. 

11.d4 Bb6 12.Bg5 Qg6 13.Nd2 Be6 14.f4 Qh5 15.Bxe7+ Kxe7 16.Qxg7+

This pawn grab gives White three, to accompany his Knight in the fight against the "two Bishops".

16...Qf7 17.Qg5+ Qf6 18.Qxf6+ Kxf6 19.f5 Bd7 20.g4 Rhg8 21.h3 Rae8 22.0-0-0 Bc6

I suspect that masters would give the edge to Black, but in club play, as well as online blitz, White certainly has his chances. As we have seen, time and again, "having chances" is worth at least 3/4 of a point to Bill Wall.

23.Rde1 h5 24.Rhg1 Rg7 25.b4 hxg4 26.Rxg4 Rxg4 27.hxg4 Kg5

28.c4 a5 29.c5 Ba7 30.a3 Kxg4 31.f6 Kg5 32.e5 dxe5 33.f7 Rf8 34.d5

34...Bxd5

Black gives back a piece for two annoying pawns, but then gets troubled by White's 37th move, which threatens the a-pawn, as well as...

35.Rxe5+ Kg6 36.Rxd5 Rxf7 37.Nc4

37...axb4? 38.Ne5+ Kf6 39.Nxf7 Kxf7 40.axb4 Ke6 41.Rd8 Black resigned