Showing posts with label smartchess. Show all posts
Showing posts with label smartchess. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

A Little Intimidation Goes A Long Way





The following miniature is a reminder: if you are going to play Jerome Gambit style openings, be brave.

smartchess - rambis 
blitz, FICS, 2000

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Na5 


If you play the Italian Game, you will eventually run into this move. Its intention is 4.Bb3 Nxb3, exchanging off your powerful Bishop. A completely respectable response is 4.Nxe5, grabbing a pawn. Of course, it is more fun to apply the "Jerome treatment".

4.Bxf7+ Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Ke6 6.d4 


"Objectively" Black is slightly better here, but White – who is rated about 250 points higher than his opponent  – should have no fear.

6...Qh4 White resigned

Perhaps a bit premature... With 7.Qf3 White could adequately defend – in fact, he could quickly work his way to a better position with a handful of moves: 7...Nf6 8.Qf5+ Ke7 9.Bg5 d6 Scary, but White has it all under control 10.Bxh4 Bxf5 11.exf5 dxe5 12.dxe5 Told you 12...Nc4 13.exf6+ gxf6 14.Nc3 and all is well.