tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61011078066013803832012-02-03T06:48:04.757-05:00JeromeGambit<b>1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ </b>Jerome Gambit<br>
<b>1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Nc3 Bc5 5.Bxf7+ </b>Italian Four Knights Jerome Gambit<br>
<b>1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 h6 4.0-0 Bc5 5.Bxf7+ </b>Semi-Italian Jerome Gambit<br>
<b>1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 h6 4.0-0 Nf6 5.Nc3 Bc5 6.Bxf7+ </b>Semi-Italian Four Knights Jerome Gambit<br>
<b>1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nd4 4.Bxf7+ </b>Blackburne Shilling Jerome GambitRick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.comBlogger13371100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-12834286774598029692012-02-03T00:01:00.004-05:002012-02-03T00:01:01.662-05:00Jerome Gambit and "Opening Lanes"As Michael Goeller pointed out in his comment to the recent post "No Shoes, No Shirt, No Service", International Master Gary Lane has again (see here and here) taken a look at the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+), an opening that he admits he has "a soft spot for", in his "Opening Lanes" column at ChessCafe.com.
As Gary has mentioned me by name, and asked for some games, I Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-42397847000214686772012-02-02T00:01:00.003-05:002012-02-02T00:01:00.341-05:00If you...The old caution still holds today: if you strike the King, you must kill him. If the King survives your blow, he is likely to come back with all his force and deliver a brutal revenge.
The following position is from blackburne - klonka59, Jerome Gambit Thematic Tournament, ChessWorld, 2011. To be fair, Black was doing quite well until recently, but, as you can see, he has allowed White back intoRick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-59470001392444045102012-02-01T00:01:00.008-05:002012-02-01T06:19:17.774-05:00No Shirt, No Shoes, No ServiceAlthough he finished in the top half of the standings, with a plus score, long time Jerome Gambit Gemeinde member Pete Banks ("blackburne") – still, to the best of my knowledge, the top-rated modern player to venture the Jerome Gambit in serious over-the-board games, risking his rating (and the ribbing of his mates) – did not seem, in the ChessWorld Jerome Gambit Thematic Tournament, to be at theRick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-32546514556970961882012-01-31T00:01:00.085-05:002012-01-31T00:01:01.138-05:00Retrospective
I was looking through a number of the games in the nearly-finished ChessWorld Jerome Gambit Thematic Tournament when I was surprised by the following position from mckenna215 - blackburne
Never mind White's extra Queen – what was his King doing at h8?
I rolled back the game a number of moves, and looked at the position again, with Black to move.
It is clear, now, what happened in the Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-50448758046022102972012-01-30T00:01:00.000-05:002012-01-30T00:01:00.888-05:00"I don't get it"
Part of the fun of preparing games for this blog is looking into them and uncovering the logic (or illogic) behind a plan or a series of moves by one player or the other. This can bring to light all kinds of "errors of thinking". It can also leave me scratching my head in wonder, murmuring "I don't get it."
The following game features blackburne, the top over-the-board (not just online) JeromeRick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-43202506176223017962012-01-29T00:01:00.010-05:002012-01-29T00:01:01.164-05:00Favorite Checkmate
Haroldlee123 - klonka
Here we have my favorite checkmate from the lingering Chess World Jerome Gambit Thematic Tournament.
White has just played 69.e7 checkmate.
He might just as well have played 69.Bh6#.
Promoting three pawns to Queens and sacrificing one would have been a bit too much: 69.d7 Ke7 70.f8/Q+ Kxe6 71.d8/Q Ke5 72.Qf5#Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-11526895382972813802012-01-28T00:01:00.005-05:002012-01-28T00:01:00.508-05:00Worth the WaitWhile I admit (and apologize) that the 2012 version of The Database [a free PGN collection of over 26,000 Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+), Blackburne Shilling Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nd4 4.Bxf7+), and Semi-Italian Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 h6 4.0-0/4.Nc3/4.d3 Bc5 5.Bxf7+) games; as well as games following the so-far-unnamed order 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-14046374975631498252012-01-27T00:01:00.005-05:002012-01-27T05:49:56.726-05:00Counter-counter-counter-attack!?A Jerome Gambit player starts off a game with 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 because he hopes to answer 3...Bc5 with 4.Bxf7+. What if Black counter-attacks with 3...Nd4, the Blackburne Shilling Gambit, instead? Well, White can counter-counter attack with 4.Bxf7+, anyhow. And if Black plans his own counter-counter-counter attack??
Wall,B - Creel,A
Chess.com, 2010
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nd4
The Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-74782164343609528072012-01-26T00:01:00.006-05:002012-01-26T00:01:01.438-05:00Piece Development vs Pawns
The following Jerome Gambit miniature, featuring long-time Jerome Gambit Gemeinde member Louis Morin (also known as "mrjoker") playing White, showcases Black developing all of his pieces, including his extra one, while his opponent gathers in pawns. The game ends abruptly in the face of a rather intimidating gathering of "Jerome pawns".
guest585 - guest983
blitz, 2 12, Internet Chess Club, Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-47190241274186176422012-01-25T00:01:00.005-05:002012-01-25T06:04:56.922-05:00There Be Monsters...If the Jerome Gambit were simply a way for White to lose quickly – and at higher levels of play, it certainly is – then defenders would face it with calm assurance and not find its attacks to be frightening at all. On the other hand (or board), sometimes the Jerome can have a "bark" that is far worse than its "bite." For example...
Knight32 - Haroldlee123
Jerome Gambit Thematic Tournament
Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-64545771021182954402012-01-24T00:01:00.004-05:002012-01-24T00:01:00.839-05:00My Horse is Faster Than Your Horse
If the finish of the following game can be considered somewhat of a horse race, then it proves to be a mismatch, and a victory for White (and the Jerome Gambit).
mckenna215 - DREWBEAR 63
Jerome Gambit Thematic Tournament
ChessWorld, 2011
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+
4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.d4
This move, as opposed to 6.Qh5+, saw a bit of a revival in this tournament.
6...Bd6
Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-43327473050244774602012-01-23T00:01:00.001-05:002012-01-23T00:01:02.149-05:00Here... No, There... No, Here... No, There...The winner of the recent ChessWorld Jerome Gambit Thematic Tournament, AsceticKingK9, won 27 of his 28 games, primarily using the strategy: play ordinary chess until your opponent makes a mistake, apply the pressure, and when he falters, crush him.
The following game is a good example: Black's King keeps finding the wrong square to go to, and that proves lethal.
AsceticKingK9 - Luke Warm
JeromeRick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-54943948252725453212012-01-22T00:01:00.013-05:002012-01-22T00:01:00.885-05:00MacGyverFrom Wikipedia: "MacGyver is an American action-adventure television series... [S]ecret agent Angus MacGyver... is a resourceful agent with an encyclopedic knowledge of science, able to solve complex problems with everyday materials he finds at hand, along with his ever-present duct tape and Swiss Army knife."
Playing over the following game, I got to thinking about MacGyver.
Bill Wall's Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-51342555173855288972012-01-21T00:01:00.002-05:002012-01-21T00:01:01.014-05:00Amounting to Very Little...I have treated the entry of the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxc7+) into the pages of the opening "encyclopedias" of its day (see "Jerome Gambit: Early Opening Tomes" Part 1 and Part 2) as a good thing. Certainly, the exposure of the gambit to a greater number of chess players was a positive turn.
Was the opening, however, refined as it passed from one analytical session to the Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-52938943558779009112012-01-20T00:01:00.129-05:002012-01-20T00:01:01.287-05:00Full Circle (Part 2)I have been using the line 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ke6 7.Qf5+ Kd6 8.d4 Bxd4 9.Na3 as the guide for a travelogue around the Jerome Gambit world.
It is worth staying "home" today, to look at Alonzo Wheeler Jerome's analysis, and then examine what Lt. Sorensen did with it.
After 8.d4 Bxd4 9.Na3 two of the three defenses that Jerome presented in his Dubuque Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-61272794248745601262012-01-19T00:01:00.012-05:002012-01-19T00:01:02.282-05:00Full Circle (Part 1)While Lt. Sorensen's article (see "Early Opening Tomes: Addendum") was making its rounds, Alonzo Wheeler Jerome was learning more about the line that we have been pursuing (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ke6 7.Qf5+ Kd6 8.d4 Bxd4 9.Na3), and about the dangers of having one's published analysis available for others to crack – as can be learned from the November 24, Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-16277023046438801392012-01-18T00:01:00.027-05:002012-01-18T06:29:18.018-05:00Early Opening Tomes: AddendumGathering in all that we have covered in the last week and a half on the Jerome Gambit line 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ke6 7.Qf5+ Kd6 8.d4 Bxd4 9.Na3 – see "An Intriguing Letter" Parts 1, 2 and 3; "Some History of the Jerome Gambit" Parts 1, 2 and 3; and "Jerome Gambit: Early Opening Tomes" Parts 1 and 2 – we see that Alonzo Wheeler Jerome considered 3 responses Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-4746009182011026452012-01-17T00:01:00.011-05:002012-01-17T00:01:00.938-05:00Jerome Gambit: Early Opening Tomes (Part 2)In 1891, reflecting the chess world's ambivalence about the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+), G.H.D. Gossip's Chess Player's Vade Mecum and Pocket Guide to the Openings Gossip had analysis of the Jerome, while his Theory of Chess Openings did not. The Handbuch was silent as well.
By 1900 a reader could still find references, but they might be delegated to instruction for Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-41358404896169948832012-01-16T00:01:00.011-05:002012-01-16T00:01:01.973-05:00Jerome Gambit: Early Opening Tomes (Part 1)Recently, Dr. Tim Harding wrote in his "The Kibitzer" column at ChessCafe.com,
In the half century between 1862 and 1912, chess made huge advances in terms of the technical standard of play. The rise of professionalism and annual master tournaments and the growth of chess literature raised the bar in terms of opening knowledge, and positional ideas unknown to the experts of fifty years Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-57061186211197470672012-01-15T00:01:00.002-05:002012-01-15T00:01:03.970-05:00Sunday Tournament UpdateWith five games left in the ChessWorld Jerome Gambit Thematic Tournament, the leaders have been decided, but battles still rage up and down the finish line.
AsceticKingK9 has taken first place with 27 points out of 28 games, mckenna215 has taken second with 23.5 points out of 28 games, and braken has taken third with 19.5 points out of 28 games.
However, with a recent win Rikiki00 has lept to Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-17684392235053032452012-01-14T00:01:00.005-05:002012-01-14T00:01:00.826-05:00Some History of the Jerome Gambit (Part 3)A bit more history, following yesterday and the day before...
After his March and July 1874 articles in the Dubuque Chess Journal, Alonzo Wheeler Jerome published a third bit of analysis on the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) in the January 1875 issue.
Note that the line introduced in "An Intriguing Letter (Part 1)", including the move 9.Na3, is seen here. In future posts weRick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-84098030075442989912012-01-13T00:01:00.005-05:002012-01-13T00:01:01.040-05:00Some History of the Jerome Gambit (Part 2)Continuing with some history, started yesterday...
Alonzo Wheeler Jerome's analysis of the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) was first published in the March 1874 issue of the Dubuque Chess Journal. He followed this with further analysis in the July 1874 issue.
Dubuque Chess Journal
July 1874 Vol. VII, No. 53
Jerome's Double Opening
Third Variation (see Journal No.50, p358Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-67119276550914893242012-01-12T00:01:00.014-05:002012-01-12T00:01:01.891-05:00Some History of the Jerome Gambit (Part 1)I was a bit surprised how much I had to hunt in the posts of this blog for examples of the line that we have been discussing, at the behest of Филидор1792, 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ke6 7.Qf5+ Kd6 8.d4 Bxd4 9.Na3 – see "An Intriguing Letter" Parts 1, 2 and 3 – especially since the line has a long and interesting history in the story of the Jerome Gambit.
The Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-45974019561622283662012-01-11T00:01:00.008-05:002012-01-11T00:01:00.276-05:00An Intriguing Letter (Part 3)
Here is the second game mentioned in "An Intriguing Letter (Part 1)" from Филидор1792 . It is a Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) where one slip by Black spells disaster.
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+
4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ke6
7.Qf5+ Kd6 8.d4 Bxd4 9.Na3
9...Qf6 10.Nb5+
Putting the Knight directly into action.
10...Kc5 11.Nxd4 Kxd4 12.Be3+ Kc4 13.Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-21411139951780517882012-01-10T00:01:00.008-05:002012-01-10T00:01:06.831-05:00An Intriguing Letter (Part 2)This is the first of two games, mentioned yesterday in "An Intriguing Letter (Part 1)" from Филидор1792 . It features a typical Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) battle between White's two "extra" pawns and Black's "extra" piece.
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+
4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ke6
7.Qf5+ Kd6 8.d4 Bxd4 9.Na3
This move is mentioned by Freeborough and Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-91648056145037154342012-01-09T00:01:00.013-05:002012-01-09T00:01:05.731-05:00An Intriguing Letter (Part 1)I recently received an email from chessfriend Филидор1792 ("Philidor 1792") that got me thinking about a whole lot of things in the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) universe – kind of like setting off a whole string of fireworks in my brain. This happened not too long ago (after another letter from Филидор1792) with the series of posts "Where Do Ideas Come From?" Parts 1, 2, 3,Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-88957947450449065902012-01-08T00:01:00.005-05:002012-01-08T00:01:01.221-05:00Sunday Tournament Update
With seven games left to be completed in the massive 15-player double-round robin ChessWorld Jerome Gambit Thematic tournament, the top places have almost all been secured:
AsceticKingK9 27/28
mckenna215 23.5/28
braken 19.5/28
Knight32 18.5/28
Rikiki00 17.5/26
shm19cs 16.5/28
Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-17781402914787117532012-01-07T00:01:00.032-05:002012-01-07T00:01:02.983-05:00I tell ya, I don't get no respect...
The Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) is the Rodney Dangerfield of chess, always ready to complain "I tell ya, I don't get no respect."
In the following game, Black defends in the opening as if any old move would do. It's not surprising that he ends up on the wrong end of a miniature.
Wall,B - Dani
Chess.com, 2010
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+
4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-52371466711640518172012-01-06T00:01:00.023-05:002012-01-06T00:01:01.316-05:00Hunker Down
When I think of "Jerome Pawns" I think of two (or more) center pawns advancing upon Black's position, spearheading an attack, opening lines, or forcing the defender to return White's sacrificed piece. The following game, recently acquired, turns that notion on its head. Bill Wall creates a pawn wall, and hunkers down behind it.
Wall,B - MYRX
FICS, 2010
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+
4Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-36032440933169368432012-01-05T00:01:00.005-05:002012-01-05T00:01:00.636-05:00Fun!Rich,
I finally got a chance to send you a game with the Jerome. I played this on FICS and it further gives me the courage to play this in one of the upcoming G/30 events we will soon be having. Of course, if you put this in Rybka or Fritz, it will more than likely show you a million mistakes I played. Either way, it was fun :). Take care...
Quentin a.k.a- "Knaaky" or "Quickturtle"
Knaaky on Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-18633010367925706462012-01-04T00:01:00.002-05:002012-01-04T00:01:00.949-05:00Smile
Justmegeo - djoaltay, standard, FICS, 2011
After 64 moves of a Blackburne Shilling Jerome Gambit, White, to move, can finally smile.Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-9955312772666291052012-01-03T00:01:00.001-05:002012-01-03T00:01:02.264-05:00A WhyDunnitSometimes a mystery story is referred to as a "whodunnit", as the tale is about the discovery of who "done" the crime at hand.
More recently, the word "howdunnit" has been used for those telling where the reader knows, often from the beginning, who has committed the crime – but has to figure out "how" the authorities are going to solve the mystery or catch the criminal.
I don't know if the Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-40623881387639459722012-01-02T00:01:00.003-05:002012-01-02T00:01:00.995-05:00Oooops!Despite my best efforts, the 2012 version of The Database will be delayed at least a week. I have yet to add all of the games from the current ChessWorld Jerome Gambit Thematic tournament. I would like to also add all of the relevant games played at the Free Internet Chess Server (FICS) through the end of the year.
The Database is a free PGN collection of (soon to be) over 26,000 Jerome Gambit (Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-51460045956304354592012-01-01T00:01:00.008-05:002012-01-01T00:01:00.703-05:00Happy New Year
The moves are all there, waiting to be made...(Why not a Jerome Gambit?)Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-12764349408721560912011-12-31T00:01:00.010-05:002011-12-31T00:01:03.504-05:00A Shared ConcernI have shared my concerns over the novel Paul Morphy: Confederate Spy with Edward Winter, prompting a posting at his Chess History website.
Pilfer another person's pieces or pawns. Leave their words alone. Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-39545147389028224202011-12-30T00:01:00.011-05:002011-12-30T00:01:04.046-05:00Another Asterisk
A general warning can be made as this year comes to a close, and another year prepares to open itself up to us: Those who do not remember (and prepare for) the "Jerome Gambit (or similar) experience" are quite likely doomed to repeat it...
bartab - VeniceOdyssey
standard, FICS, 2011
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 h6
The Semi-Italian Opening.
4.0-0 Na5
I probably said all I needed to say about Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-50416783059033952432011-12-29T00:01:00.010-05:002011-12-29T00:01:03.500-05:00Hurry! (You first...)The standard advice when your opponent is low on time is to take your time and play good moves. Good moves will cause your opponent more problems, and cause him to take even more time, or force him into making bad moves.
The temptation is great, however, to blitz an opponent who is short on time. I think that this is what happened in the following game, when Black should have spent a bit more Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-26924388375837135082011-12-28T00:01:00.037-05:002011-12-28T06:14:07.175-05:00Lion Tamer
While Bill Wall and I were exchanging emails the other day, I was looking for a way to illustrate the risk that the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) player takes. Eventually, as the graphic on the left shows, I settled on the lion tamer putting his head in the mouth of a lion – dangerous, yes, but the tamer knows what he is doing.
Later, I thought about the stage hypnotist, Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-4539669217321871462011-12-27T00:01:00.000-05:002011-12-27T00:01:01.516-05:00A Distant Relative?While the origin of the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) appears to have been some time after Alonzo Wheeler Jerome was mustered out of the army as a 2nd Lieutenant in August 1865, at Hilton Head, North Carolina (he returned to Mineola, New York, where he worked in a factory that manufactured agricultural machinery); and before "New Chess Opening" appeared in the April 1874 Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-982806476327005172011-12-26T00:01:00.000-05:002011-12-26T00:01:01.183-05:00Rise of the Planet of the 'Jerome Pawns'I do not get to play the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+), or even chess in general, very much any more, so I was pleased to be able to get in the following game, which certainly has its shortcomings but which shows (again) that "won" games often do not "win themselves," they need proper follow-up...
perrypawnpusher - hamaru
blitz, FICS, 2011
1.e4 Nc6 2.Nf3 e5 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-872986280121556742011-12-25T00:01:00.006-05:002011-12-25T00:01:01.393-05:00Merry Christmas
It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again... who spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end,Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-69536250418082037272011-12-24T00:01:00.006-05:002011-12-24T00:01:04.005-05:00An Early Christmas PresentI was thumbing through the awesome-looking and greatly-titled 1.d4 – Beat the Guerrillas! A Powerful Repertoire Against Annoying Black Sidelines by Valeri Bronznik when my eyes were drawn to his chapter on the Marshall Defense to 1.d4, that is 1...d5 2.c4 Nf6.
I always get a smile when a "real" chess writer (especially a professional, titled player) makes reference to one of my games (it has Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-47525655142478401202011-12-23T00:01:00.112-05:002011-12-23T00:01:03.362-05:00Where Do Ideas Come From (Part 6)?
In this final tale (for the time being) of the "large centre" in the Italian Four Knights Jerome Gambit, we see Филидор1792 take on a computer program (a version of Crafty) and battle it successfully, right down to the very end...
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.Bc4 Bc5 5.Bxf7+
5...Kxf7 6.Nxe5+ Nxe5 7.d4 Bd6 8.f4
The "big centre."
8...Neg4 9.e5 Bb4 10.0-0 Bxc3 11.bxc3 Nxh2 12.Kxh2 Nd5
Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-80348803318020554172011-12-22T00:01:00.005-05:002011-12-22T00:01:01.086-05:00Where Do Ideas Come From (Part 5)?Some more wisdom from Филидор1792:
I decided to analyse my idea a bit deeper and would like to share with you the results. Of course it is not sound, but idea of a broad centre is very useful. It works like a tempi generator. If Black understands that he has to give back at least one piece (on f6 for example), he easily gets a better game, but if he tries to save them all, White is winning...
Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-70947238794865490102011-12-21T00:01:00.008-05:002011-12-21T00:01:05.444-05:00Where Do Ideas Come From (Part 4)?
With thanks to our Russian correspondent Филидор1792 (Philidor 1792), another of the tales of the "large centre" marches on!
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Nc3 Nf6 5.Bxf7+
5...Kxf7 6.Nxe5+ Nxe5 7.d4 Bd6 8.f4
The "large centre" reappears.
8...Nc6 9.e5 Re8 10.0-0 Bb4 11.d5 Bxc3 12.bxc3 Nxe5 13.fxe5 Rxe5
Black has exchanged some pieces and remains a piece ahead.
White decides to toss aRick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-13023840570889552772011-12-20T00:01:00.012-05:002011-12-20T00:01:01.441-05:00Where Do Ideas Come From (Part 3)?In another Jerome Gambit game from Филидор1792 (Philidor 1792; see "Attitude" and "Where Do Ideas Come From?" Part 1 and Part 2)) we see the further exploration of the "big centre" in a rough-and-tumble game where Black defends routinely and White misses a chance to take advantage. The second player then finishes decisively.
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Nc3 Nf6 5.Bxf7+
The Italian Four Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-68809921651955890472011-12-19T00:01:00.005-05:002011-12-19T00:01:04.965-05:00Where Do Ideas Come From (Part 2)?Филидор1792 (see "Attitude" and "Where Do Ideas Come From?") has sent me further Jerome Gambit games and ideas.
In "Attitude" I pointed out that "Feeling confident, even when playing a bluff, is essential."
Филидор1792 added "Of course it is important to feel confidence when bluffing, but more important is (I think you know this very well) to make others think you are bluffing, when in fact Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-85359917116598765872011-12-18T00:01:00.002-05:002011-12-18T00:01:03.240-05:00Sunday Tournament UpdateA baker's dozen games (about 6% of the total) remain to be completed in the ChessWorld Jerome Gambit Thematic Tournament.
While AsceticKingK9 has taken first place, and a number of other finishing positions have been determined, martind1991 still can place anywhere from 8th to 15th place, depending how his games finish up.
For the time being, at least, Haroldlee123 has pulled off the two top Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-8015348938045381892011-12-17T00:01:00.009-05:002011-12-17T00:01:03.963-05:00Where Do Ideas Come From (Part 1) ?My Russian correspondent ("Филидор1792" or "Philidor 1792" at http://www.bereg.ru/) who sent yesterday's Jerome Gambit game (see "Attitude") has shared some more interesting information with me, starting with the game that inspired his "big centre idea."
I think that readers will enjoy his ideas.
[Event "Chinese Championship"]
[Site "Xinghua Jiangsu CHN"]
[Date "2009.06.02"]
[EventDate "Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-62043621183088378392011-12-16T00:01:00.001-05:002011-12-16T00:01:04.218-05:00AttitudeWhen playing a gambit, especially an unsound one like the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+), attitude can be very important. Feeling confident, even when playing a bluff, is essential.
In the game below, for example, sent to me from a Jerome Gambit player in Russia, White seems to have ice water in his veins...
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Nc3 Nf6 5.Bxf7+
The Italian FourRick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-66378966879388100802011-12-15T00:01:00.019-05:002011-12-15T00:01:06.004-05:00Then You WinHere is the latest Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) from Bill Wall, who comments modestly
I played a tough one here. It was a 10-minute game for each side and he messed up in the end in time pressure. He let me in the game after 38...c6 and I think he panicked on the 40th move with Nxf6 instead of Ndb6. Up until then, I think he was winning
With all do respect to MohandasRick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-78182163953421632472011-12-14T00:01:00.000-05:002011-12-14T00:01:08.161-05:00Easy As PiAn understanding of how to play Bishops-of-opposite-colors endgames can help a player win or save many half-points. Although the basics can be simple to understand (i.e. establishing a blockade with the King and Bishop on squares of the same color as the Bishop; then safely using tempos to "pass"), carrying out the proper maneuvers can be tricky (see "A Not-so-Simple 'Simple Endgame'" and "A Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-68650459815147345172011-12-13T00:01:00.038-05:002011-12-13T00:01:02.169-05:00Just Plain AnnoyingThe Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) can be just plain annoying. Black has his mind on playing an interesting line that he has prepared, and then, suddenly, What is this?? Who wants to bother with this?
Yet, the nagging question also arises in the second player's mind: Who wants to lose to this junk? (Okay, so what do I do now?)
I think that helps explain the sudden end of Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-14328671744897801752011-12-12T00:01:00.007-05:002011-12-12T00:01:02.154-05:00Silicon Jurassic ParkReader quickturtle must have been browsing back posts on this blog recently (something that I highly recommend, by the way: there are almost 1,300 of them; you can use the "search this blog" Google gadget if you are looking for something special) as he posted a comment to "A Jerome Gambit 'Challenger' ", my tale of a Jerome Gambit-tinged battle against the venerable Chess Challenger 7 chess Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-65311173585023874892011-12-11T00:01:00.009-05:002011-12-11T00:01:00.645-05:00Sunday Tournament UpdateThe standings of the current ChessWorld Jerome Gambit Thematic Tournament
AsceticKingK9 25/26
mckenna215 23.5/28
braken 19.5/28
Knight32 18.5/28
Rikiki00Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-90909076459084874142011-12-10T00:01:00.004-05:002011-12-10T00:01:00.841-05:00How Long?I think I have shared before that one chessfriend of mine said he enjoys playing chess at a local bar and he has found that the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) is a perfect opening to play there, as, win or lose, the game is usually over quickly...
The other day I was wondering about the other end of the time spectrum: how long can a Jerome Gambit game last, especially a Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-53611753220038200662011-12-09T00:01:00.001-05:002011-12-09T00:01:01.739-05:00Good FortuneThe diagram below preserves a lucky moment for White, who, many moves earlier, had started a Jerome Gambit with 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ Kxf7 5.h4, which is not a line you see every day...
MATCHAPULANE - Rachipa, blitz, FICS, 2011
Draw: Black ran out of time and White has no material to mate
Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-33705992989814955272011-12-08T00:01:00.002-05:002011-12-08T00:01:01.718-05:00A Saving Swindle
The following position is from a Blackburne Schilling Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nd4) treated in Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) fashion (i.e. 4.Bxf7+).
White has done very well, and is, in fact, a Rook and two pawns ahead. Black is attacking – because that is all that is left for him to do.
When the defender relaxes, if only for a moment, a saving swindle allows the Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-72534601913258006762011-12-07T00:01:00.004-05:002011-12-07T00:01:01.801-05:00The Cure
White starts off the following game in typical Giuoco Piano fashion, and he seems to be looking for a quiet game – until Black gives him the opportunity to become very loud.
shepherd - garouss
blitz, FICS, 2011
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.d3 h6
This position is at least as old as Home - Puller, Cambridge, 1860, where White continued in cautious fashion with 5.Be3 d6 6.h3 Qf6 7.a3 (1-0Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-35388366043738192002011-12-06T00:01:00.036-05:002011-12-06T06:27:05.220-05:00Finishing It Off Smartly
In the following game, when jfhumphrey applies the "Jerome cure" to the Blackburne Shilling Gambit, the two players head into a sharp variation where jordibc's thematic BSG Queen sally looks scary, but proves to be his undoing.
jfhumphrey - jordibc
blitz, FICS, 2011
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nd4
The Blackburne Shilling Gambit.
4.Bxf7+
The Blackburne Shilling Jerome Gambit.
4...Kxf7 5.Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-60891830428709383362011-12-05T00:01:00.007-05:002011-12-05T00:01:00.185-05:00Barely Got His Coffee SippedThe following game reminds me, in a small way, of the story about the game between Frank Marshall and Henry Blackburne, where the former attacked early and forced resignation almost before the latter even had gotten his pipe lit.
jsfromynr - Vittore
blitz, FICS, 2011
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Na5
This blog has had coverage of this unnamed line, from early on (see "Offside!") to more recently (Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-18133220056075215242011-12-04T00:01:00.012-05:002011-12-04T00:01:02.678-05:00Sunday Tournament Update
As the ChessWorld Jerome Gambit Thematic Tournament continues to wind down, with no further resolution of the top finishers (beyond AsceticKingK9 in first place, followed by mckenna215) since last report, I thought I'd flash back to the recent Chess.com "Kentucky Opening" (also known as the Jerome Gambit 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) tournament and present the players, their scores, and Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-73838243151319568442011-12-03T00:01:00.002-05:002011-12-03T00:01:03.104-05:00Changing of the GuardThe Jerome Gambit Thematic Tournament that is finishing up at ChessWorld is showing the emergence of new faces –AsceticKingK9 and mckenna215, for example, taking first and second place – to stand alogside Jerome Gambit Gemeinde veterans like blackburne and DREWBEAR63.
It will be worth studying the games of the top two finishers to see what they have added to Jerome Gambit theory (for both BlackRick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-505654377088217332011-12-02T00:01:00.003-05:002011-12-02T08:05:11.938-05:00The End
The following position is from the game tapirus - mrdenetop, from this year's online Kentucky Opening / Jerome Gambit thematic tournament at Chess.com.
The active pieces are on the Kingside, while the inactive pieces are on the Queenside, giving White the opportunity that he needed.
23...Kb6 24.Qd4+ Ka6 25.Qa4+ Kb6 26.Be3+ c5 27.Qb3+ Kc6 28.Qd5+ Kb5 29.Rxb7+ Black resigned
Black has had Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-23568203217561751512011-12-01T00:01:00.007-05:002011-12-01T00:01:00.497-05:00Chessville.com is Back!
My Home-Away-from-Home on the Internet has been, for many years, Chessville.com.
(By comparison, this blog has always been much more of a "man cave".)
Although Chessville has been inactive for almost a year, new material began showing up last week, under the editorship of Ken Surratt, brother of the previous Chessville guru, David Surratt.
I visit Chessbase and Chess History daily, and Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-25643344544765410412011-11-30T00:01:00.014-05:002011-11-30T00:01:03.553-05:00Ready? Ready?! Ready!? Ready!
Having recently taken a look at the Blackburne Defense to the Jerome Gambit in AsceticKing9 - blackburne, ChessWorld Jerome Gambit Thematic Tournament, 2011, I figured that I was ready when my opponent sprung it on me. At least, as it turns out, I was more ready than he was.
perrypawnpusher - Carville
blitz, FICS, 2011
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+
4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ g6 7.Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-43843552529722884252011-11-29T00:01:00.027-05:002011-12-03T06:25:22.449-05:00Even in the Most Respectable of SettingsThese days, the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+), or one of its relatives, seems to show up all over the place, even in the most respectable of settings.
For example, consider the analysis of the Giuoco Piano from Yury V. Bukayev, at the Bruno's Chess Problem of the Day site, with a new, in-depth look at 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d3 d6 6.Bg5!?
There is a lot Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-88277640737350460542011-11-28T00:01:00.014-05:002011-11-28T00:01:02.588-05:00Contempt?!If two chess players are equally matched and have fought hard in a game against each other, a draw might be a reasonable outcome.
If opponents in a game differ greatly in their strengths, the weaker player might be quite satisfied to split the point, while the stronger player might be unwilling to do so, except as a last resort.
Chess-playing programs have to take this into account: given thatRick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-60066836734413754032011-11-27T00:01:00.005-05:002011-11-27T00:01:00.405-05:00Sunday Tournament Update
There is an old caution that If you strike the King, you must kill him. Anything less than a terminal blow will allow the monarch to strike back...
Two weeks ago I reported that the player leading the ChessWorld Jerome Gambit Thematic Tournament, AsceticKingK9, had suffered his first and only loss, on time; and that in his remaining two games, he was past the time limit, so his opponent could Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-40786658351139202822011-11-26T00:01:00.012-05:002011-11-26T00:01:00.971-05:00Patient Development
Here is an interesting game from the Chess.com "Kentucky Opening" (Jerome Gambit 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) tournament mentioned a couple of days ago. It shows that White's patient development, with a little bit of help from Black, can yield acceptable results.
Topper76- mrdenetop
Chess.com, 2011
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+
4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ke6 7.f4 Qf6
Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-86572676335837950192011-11-25T00:01:00.005-05:002011-11-25T00:01:03.558-05:00A Look At A Rare BeastThe Jerome Gambit is not a drawish opening. Only 3% of the Jerome Gambit games in The Database are draws. Only 3 of the completed games in the current ChessWorld Jerome Gambit Thematic Tournament have been drawn. It would seem, therefore, that splitting the point would be difficult, but the following game argues against that: White sacrifices a piece, Black gives it back, they draw. Q.E.D.
Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-44819986818980244512011-11-24T00:01:00.001-05:002011-11-24T00:01:02.575-05:00My Old Kentucky... OpeningAnyone familiar with the Kentucky Derby horse race has heard Stephen Foster's "My Old Kentucky Home", its official song.
Many chess players familiar with the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) know that it was referred to by Joseph Henry Blackburne as "The Kentucky Opening".
Blackburne's reference is a bit obscure, but less so since the advent of this blog: see "The Kentucky Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-76869875774751039772011-11-23T00:01:00.002-05:002011-11-23T00:01:01.831-05:00One More Thing...As an addendum to yesterday's post (see "Do Not Wander Too Far From Home"), when considering a risky line (for Black) in the Jerome-ized Italian Gambit, White, too, must make the right move.
augmented - MAHG
standard, FICS, 2011
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+
4...Kxf7 5.d4 Nxd4 6.Nxe5+ Ke6
The same adventurous stroll as in Darrenshome - WildErmine, blitz, FICS, 2006.
7.Bf4
The Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-68040539076246637662011-11-22T00:01:00.002-05:002011-11-22T06:30:23.972-05:00Do Not Wander Too Far From HomeYesterday's post (see "Still An InterestingGame") got me thinking about an early d2-d4 for White in the Jerome Gambit and related openings. That, in turn, got me thinking about the Italian Gambit (see "Brilliant but not sound" too) and helped me turn up the following game.
Darrenshome - WildErmine
blitz, FICS, 2006
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.d4
The Italian Gambit.
All three of Black's Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-52039708732932220562011-11-21T00:01:00.001-05:002011-11-21T05:44:47.142-05:00Still An Interesting Game
Here is the latest Jerome Gambit game from Bill Wall, who writes
After seeing your article on Utterly Fascinating, I decided to play the 5.d4 line as well, but my opponent took with the bishop instead of the pawn. Still an interesting game.
Wall,B - Guest1366999
Playchess.com, 2011
notes by Bill [comments by Rick]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+
4...Kxf7 5.d4!?
[The Database has Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-52600124822271580452011-11-20T00:01:00.004-05:002011-11-25T05:54:47.899-05:00Sunday Tournament Update
Little has changed at the top of the standings in the ChessWorld Jerome Gambit Thematic Tournament, where almost 90% of the games have been completed.
AsceticKingK9 remains the un-catchable winner with 25 points out of 28 games.
He is followed by mckenna215, with 23.5 points out of 28 games.
Rikiki00 has snagged a point in the race for third, fourth and fifth place, now having 16.5 points inRick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-72123051610775439802011-11-19T00:01:00.003-05:002011-11-19T05:23:23.808-05:00Who Recovers FirstWhite surprises Black.
Black surprises White.
Sometimes it is not only "who surprises who" that counts, but who recovers from the surprise first, as the following game from the soon-to-be-finished ChessWorld Jerome Gambit Thematic Tournament shows.
braken - klonka59
ChessWorld
Jerome Gambit Thematic Tournament, 2011
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ Kf8
The Jerome Gambit Declined, a Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-71231680854615587932011-11-18T00:01:00.004-05:002011-11-18T06:10:52.987-05:00Utterly FascinatingI started a new job recently, and I am firmly convinced that my hiring was helped by my discussion of this blog as an "ongoing study of errors in thinking". The following game is an excellent example: White disturbs the Black King, keeps it in the middle of the board, pins a piece to it, and then wins the piece. All that shaking leaves Black quite rattled, so the game suddenly ends...
Victus - Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-34273032382815422822011-11-17T00:01:00.028-05:002011-11-17T00:01:00.861-05:00Book Review: Blackmar Diemer Gambit, Method of Operating (Part 2)Blackmar-Diemer Gambit
Method of Operating
by Eric Jégo
TheBookEdition (2011)
ISBN: 978-2-9536013-1-2
softcover, 164 pages
figurine algebraic notation
http://ericlediemerophile.blogspot.com/
http://gambit-blackmar-diemer.cabanova.fr/
The English-language version of Eric Jégo's French-language Gambit Blackmar-Diemer Modus Operandi has a number of changes and improvements.
In addition to "Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-16901153755783342182011-11-16T00:01:00.006-05:002011-11-16T00:01:03.522-05:00Book Review: Blackmar Diemer Gambit, Method of Operating (Part 1)Eric Jégo has come out with a second, English-language edition of his Blackmar Diemer Gambit, Method of Operating, Accepted - Declined - Avoided.
Today I want to share my review (from Chessville) of his first, French-language edition. Tomorrow, I will address what improvements he has made in the new edition.
Gambit Blackmar-Diemer Modus Operandiby Eric Jégo
TheBookEdition (2010)
ISBN: 978Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-11093131850691227802011-11-15T00:01:00.006-05:002011-11-15T00:01:03.207-05:00WarAs the 2011 edition of the ChessWorld Jerome Gambit Thematic Tournament comes to a close, it seems fitting that the first full game looked at in any depth be one between the tournament's top-rated & top-finishing player, and the current top over-the-board Jerome Gambiteer.
The game quickly becomes as sharp and as theoretical as any modern opening line.
AsceticKingK9 - blackburne
ChessWorld, JG6Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-22903797798451856452011-11-14T00:01:00.013-05:002011-11-14T00:01:00.281-05:00Something To Watch Out For
It is so much easier in a scary movie: you know that you are moving into danger when the background music becomes ominous, perhaps the screeching of violins...
In a chess game, especially when playing a dubious opening like the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) it is important to be aware of dangerous themes.
Darthnik - spenjch
blitz, FICS, 2011
1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nc6 3.Nf3 Bc5
Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-12230054653388811622011-11-13T00:01:00.006-05:002011-11-13T06:03:23.390-05:00Sunday Tournament UpdateElvis has left the building.
After rocketing to the top of the chart with a score of 25 points in 25 games in the Chess World Jerome Gambit Thematic Tournament, AsceticKingK9 has lost his first game – on time – to Haroldlee123. His remaining two games, against martind1991, are over the time limit as well, but have not yet been claimed.
Not that it matters. 25 points is enough to win the Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-38403084697931386432011-11-12T00:01:00.023-05:002011-11-12T00:01:00.288-05:00Soon PartedAs they say, "A fool and his money are soon parted."
And so, as someone interested in unorthodox openings and supportive of independent book publishing (self-, print-on-demand, small press), despite previously-given well-founded concerns, I took the leap and bought James Alan Riechel's Chess Openings: New Theory.
The good news is, there is a lot of creativity in those 30 pages. Well, there Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-79394527912820963952011-11-11T00:01:00.043-05:002011-11-11T00:01:02.928-05:00Entertaining and EducationalAn email from Bill Wall, whose Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) and related games are always entertaining and usually educational, to boot:
From your last blog, I looked at my games with anyone playing 3...Na5. I have had 5 players play it against me. I delayed Bxf7 one move.
Wall - Ali
Chess.com, 2010
notes by Bill
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Na5
4.Bd5 Nf6 5.Bxf7+ Kxf7 6.Nxe5+Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-32839811180313004052011-11-10T00:01:00.033-05:002011-11-10T00:01:01.351-05:00It's Hero Time!I freely admit that many of my Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) games are ones in which I give "Jerome Gambit odds", where I use a refuted opening to "level the playing field" against a lower-rated player. Against a higher-rated player, I do not need an esoteric opening to lose, I can do it all by myself, thank-you-very-much.
In the latest batch of games played at FICS, sent Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-69705914688989413382011-11-09T00:01:00.007-05:002011-11-09T00:01:01.850-05:00Betcha Can't Eat Just One
In the 1960s, the Frito-Lay company launched a commercial for its potato chips that featured the challenge "Betcha can't eat just one" because the product was so tasty.
After yesterday's post on this blog, "A Snack", I found the following short game to be irresistible, as well.
maranthiru - FaceOfDeath
standard, FICS, 2011
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Na5
Still a variation without a name.
4.Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-37295568863691323932011-11-08T00:01:00.019-05:002011-11-08T00:01:05.009-05:00A SnackSome chess games, even Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) games, are a veritible banquet of strategy and tactics, sometimes leading to great satisfaction and sometimes leading to indigestion.
By comparison, the following game is a bit of a snack. Yet, it is still filling.
CarlosFonseca - gianbagia
blitz, FICS, 2011
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Na5
Instead of entering the paths ofRick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-78155819752743410302011-11-07T00:01:00.005-05:002011-11-07T00:01:00.138-05:00Say, What??
ARUJ - AlanBes, FICS, 2011
With White ready to make his 42nd move in the above position, it looks like another successful Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) is about to come to an end with a well-earned "1-0".
The game did end, without further play, as a draw, however, as both players ran out of time.
Oh, well.Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-45337785313630076692011-11-06T00:01:00.002-04:002011-11-06T00:01:02.335-04:00Sunday Tournament UpdateIt is clear now that AsceticKingK9 will take top honors in the current ChessWorld Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) Thematic Tournament.
The 15-player, double round robin contest, is over 80% complete, and AsceticKingK9 leads with 25 points out of 25 games (with three games left to complete).
Second place has been sewed up by mckenna 215, with 23.5 points out of 28 games. HisRick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-7535405636358856812011-11-05T00:01:00.022-04:002011-11-05T08:08:33.607-04:00Or is it??
Longtime blog Readers may know that I used to do a lot of writing for the now very, very quiet Chessville site: lots of short fiction, lots of book reviews. It was a great "neighborhood" to hang out in.
Often when a new book came out, especially if it covered an unorthodox chess opening or was a self-published effort, I got a review copy as fast as possible and shared my impressions with Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-74707954766133685432011-11-04T00:01:00.005-04:002011-11-04T00:01:01.726-04:00The Seventeenth ManEight pawns. Two Rooks. Two Knights. Two Bishops. A King and a Queen. We all start out a chess game with the same number of chessmen. However, as the following game by Dave Black shows, being familiar with and playing the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) can give the first player an edge in thinking time; and with the clock as White's "seventeenth man" that can tip the Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-66471483985118714022011-11-03T00:01:00.008-04:002011-11-03T00:01:00.157-04:00Funny?!
Having made a word play with Bill Wall's opponent in my last post (see "Blunder Blunders"), I still was not quite ready when I encountered the following game.
SickJoke - Hena
blitz, FICS, 2011
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+
4...Kxf7 White resigned
Harrumph! I thought. What White making fun of the Jerome Gambit, thinking it was some kind of "sick joke"?? The nerve!
Luckily, I Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-1903772197996334042011-11-02T00:01:00.002-04:002011-11-02T00:01:00.299-04:00Blunder BlundersWhen you have an opponent named "blunder", as Bill Wall does in the following Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) game, you can always hope that there might be some errors across the board that will help you out.
billwall - blunder2
Chess.com, 2011
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+
4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ng6
7.Qd5+ Ke8 8.Qxc5 d6 9.Qe3 Nf6
10.d4
Following in Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-29138272786070988552011-11-01T00:01:00.016-04:002011-11-01T00:01:01.295-04:00Yet Another Day in the Life of the Jerome Gambit
Sometimes it is fun to go easy on the analytics, and simply play through a Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) game. It is usually a roller coaster ride, with lots of thrills and chills for both players.
Darthnik - GregOakPark
blitz, FICS, 2011
1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nc6 3.Nf3 Bc5 4.Bxf7+
4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.f4
Wow.
This "TN" (no examples in The Database) says "Yes, I Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-47912778274674893922011-10-31T00:01:00.007-04:002011-10-31T00:01:02.772-04:00Huh?Looking through a recent blitz game played at FICS, starting with the nameless variation that can become very Jerome Gambit-ish, I came to the last move and said "Huh?"
I searched for another, similar game, hoping that it would explain things to me. When I came to the last move I shouted "Eureka!"
I probably should have said "Huh??"
Zoogin - Rampenplan
blitz, FICS, 2011
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-73728695496377037472011-10-30T00:01:00.003-04:002011-10-30T00:01:01.584-04:00Sunday Tournament UpdateWith over 80% of its games completed, the ChessWorld Jerome Gambit Thematic Tournament continues to be a monstrous battle between its top two competitors.
AsceticKingK9 leads with 24 points out of 24 games. Can he go all the way to 28/28 ?
Mckenna215 is close, with 22.5 points out of 26 games. If he wins his remaining 2 games, he will still need to receive some help from a handful of other Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-49554124558748955402011-10-29T00:01:00.003-04:002011-10-29T00:01:00.719-04:00A Game for the SkepticsAnother game from the "Netherlands collection" shows White facing a "theoretical novelty" (there are so many ways to face and defeat the Jerome Gambit!) with some creativity of his own – leading to a miniature that probably pleased the first player (and anyone else looking on).
Jabbaman - HrDoctor
HCL-B1994 www.playch (6), 2003
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 h6
The Semi-Italian Opening.
4.0-0 Bc5 Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-54840798745383015352011-10-28T00:01:00.005-04:002011-10-28T00:01:00.145-04:00Counterplay!Sometimes the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) can be just plain fun: sacrifice a couple of pieces, create a crazy-mixed-up position, and confuse the opponent enough that he can be defeated.
But, what if your opponent fights back – hard?
That is what the following game is about, as we see Jerome Gambit Gemeinde member Bill Wall overcoming some serious counterplay.
Wall,B - Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101107806601380383.post-29020273447026174222011-10-27T00:01:00.009-04:002011-10-27T00:01:00.504-04:00It's A Small World After All (Part 2)
Of course [continuing from "It's A Small World After All (Part 1)"] there would not be much of a story if "fluffybunnyfeet" did not turn out to be National Master James Marfia after all.
He did.
We swapped emails. Jim remembered his opponent and the game. Of the Jerome, he noted "It was, indeed, not much of a gambit."
All of which is a light-hearted introduction to a game that is of Rick Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07088882166183389709noreply@blogger.com0