Jerome Gambit: For Jerome! (Part 2)

 

Continuing my game, as a tribute to Alonzo Wheeler Jerome, of the Jerome Gambit.

perrypawnpusher - ArinrudtheDude

The Italian Game, Chess.com, 2026

                                                     

19.e5 dxe5 

To exchange pawns, or not?

In this case, it should be not, but after the alternative, say 19...Qd8, there follows 20.e6, when Black's 20...b5 fails to distract, as in 21.e7 Qb8 22.exf8/Q Qxf8.

20.dxe5 Nh5 21.Bd6+ 

21...Kc8 22.Qd4 Nxd6 

This move seems to help my game, but, after the game, Stockfish 18 recommended it.

23.exd6 

Again, after the game, the computer preferred 23.Qxd6, suggesting that the text move largely lets the air out of my position.

What is that line from George Orwell's 1984? 

Big Brother is watching.

23...Qf7 

Try 23...Qd8.

I had some attacking ideas, and decided to try them.

24.g4 Nf6 25.Re7 Qg8 26.g5 Ne8 

27.Nb5 

Okay, Readers, stop laughing. This is a bona fide cheapo, "threatening" the pawn at a7. Really. Take the Knight, already...

27...cxb5 

I am sure, if my chess pieced had been unionized, at this point they would have filed a grievance about unsafe working conditions.

On the other hand, there is now a forced checkmate.

28.Qc5+ Kd8 29.Rxe8+ 

For Jerome!

29...Kxe8 30.Re1+ Be6 

At this point, I had made some notes about future play, and left the game for a while.

When I came back, I noticed that I had lost my notes, but still immediately played...

31.Qxb5+ 

...and then grabbed my head, when I remembered that the line I had looked at started with 31.Rxe6+.

Oh, well. Maybe I could find something.

31...Kf7 

Readers no doubt have figured out my next move.

32.Qd7+ 

Yes!

Having sacrificed a Bishop and a Knight in the opening, the other Knight and a Rook in the late middlegame, it is fitting to sacrifice the Queen as well.

32...Bxd7 33.Re7 checkmate

(Sincere apologies to the memory of Reuben Fine, for having strayed from the path that I had imagined he had laid out, as noted in "Blackburned #1"

My first chess book was Reuben Fine's Chess the Easy Way – available in paperback these days, used, for under $5.00 – and it gave me the idea (rightly or wrongly) that much of chess can be boiled down to: win a pawn, exchange everything else, win the K + P vs K endgame...  )

Jerome Gambit: For Jerome! (Part 1)

In a recent, complicated, online game, played with a time control of 3 days per move (although we usually moved faster, I had a moment in play where it felt like things were moving in a direction that Alonzo Wheeler Jerome would appreciate.

 

perrypawnpusher - ArinrudtheDude

The Italian Game, Chess.com, 2026

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ng6 

7.Qd5+ Ke8 8.Qxc5 Qe7 

I have also faced 8...d6, 8...c6, 8...Nf6, 8...Nf4, 8...N8e7, 8...b6, and 8...Qh4.

9.Qe3 Nf6 10.Nc3 Rf8 

Interesting. 

I have encountered 10...Qe6 here, as well.

11.O-O d6 

After the game, after some analysis, Stockfish 18 likes 11...d5

12.f4 Bd7 13.d4 c6 

Oddly enough, I am a move ahead of neelnikhar - SamuelMV, bullet, lichess.org, 2023, (1/2 - 1/2, 50) which saw d3 and then d4. 

14.f5 Nh8 

White has activated his "Jerome pawns" and is preparing for a break in center, to take advantage of the position of Black's Queen and King.

Black's plan is to hunker down and resist the onslaught.

15.b3 

Stockfish 18 prefers that the Bishop go to d2.

15...Nf7 

The text move looks solid to me.

The computer suggests 15...b5!? (i.e. the center is solid, so advance on the wings) 16.Qe1 Kf7 17.e5 dxe5 18.dxe5 Rae8 19.e6+ Kg8 20.Bg5 Bxe6 21.Qxe6+ Qe6 22.fxe6 Rxe6 23.Bxf6 Rfxf6 24.Rad1 Nf7 25.Rxf6 gxf6 26.Kf2 Re5 27.a4 with about an equal game.

analysis diagram

16.Ba3 

Black's Queen and King are lined up on the e-file, and his Queen, Queen pawn, and Rook are lined up on the a3-f8 diagonal. Something has to give.

16...Kd8 

Again, post mortem, Stockfish 18 suggested a line that makes my head spin: 16...c5 17.e5 cxd4 18.Qxd4 dxe5 19.Bxe7 exd4 20.Rae1 Ng4 21.Bf6+ Nfe5 22.Bxe5 dxc3 23.Bd6+ Kf7 24.Re7+ Kg8 25.Rxd7 Rad8 26.Rxd8 27.Bf4 Rd5 28.h3 Nf6 29.Be3 a6 30.a4 b5 31.Rf4 Nh5 32.Rd4 Rxf5 33.g4 Re5 34.axb5 axb5 35.Kf2 Nf6 with about a pawn and a half advantage for White:

analysis diagram

Sure. Right. I doubt my opponent saw that far - I sure didn't.

Sometimes the help of an engine rated around 3650 sails over my head.

17.Rae1 

I wanted one more piece in action before I broke in the center.

17...Qe8 

The computer recommends 17...Ng4, but I will spare you the details.

18.Qf4 Kc7 

It's time.

[to be continued]

Jerome Gambit: I Don't Know

Although I am (allegedly) a smart person, I have no problem saying "I don't know" when something is beyond my knowledge.

About the following Jerome Gambit game, I have to say: I don't know.

perrypawnpusher - HopInThePonyTakeThe Candy

Chess.com, 2026

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.d4 

I played 6.Qh5+ in my previous game against the same opponent.

6...Qf6 

This is the first time I have faced this move. 

There are 238 games in The Database with 6...Qf6. White scores 53%

7.dxc5 d6 8.O-O 

Let the defender grab the pawn, King safety is more important.

8...Nh6 

There was nothing wrong with 8...dxc5.

Now that my King is safe...

9.cxd6 cxd6 

10.Qd5+ 

Hoping to create some mischief on the light diagonals.

10...Ke7

I do not think that I was impressing my opponent. If he were taking me seriously, then I would see 10...Qe6 here. 

11.Nc3 Nhg4 

Starting an attack on my King.

12.h3

This move does not get the bull off of the ice, as my Fritz chess program once griped. (Was that my Talking Fritz? That thing really criticized my play.)

More to the point is 12.f4 and then, after 12...Nc6, 13.h3.

12...h6 

The world is a busy place, and often it intrudes. Chess for amateurs is for spare time, and must give way to more serious tasks. Even phone calls can disrupt.

Especially when facing the "refuted" Jerome Gambit.

I do not know the motivation behind Black's move. Perhaps he intended 12...h5.

Instead, he had an escape with 12...Nf3+ 13.gxf3 Ne5 14.f4 Qg6+ 15.Kh1 Qh5 16.fxe5 Qxh3+ 17.Kg1 Qg4+ 18.Kh2 Qh4+ 19.Kg2 Qg4+ and there will be a draw by repetion. 

13.hxg4 

Why not?

13...Bxg4 

Allowing me to try a cheapo. 

14.Qxb7+ Bd7 

Already on to better things. 

15.Nd5+ Black resigned

An ending fitting for the Jerome Gambit.

Jerome Gambit: Is A Draw Good Enough for Black?

1/2 > 0 ?

I have asked "Is A Draw Good Enough?" for White in the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+).

The following game asks the same question about Black.

perrypawnpusher - HopInThePonyTakeTheCandy

Chess.com, 2026

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ke6

7.Qf5+ Kd6 8.f4 Qh4+ 

I have faced this Queen check (first seen in R.F. - Nibs, telephone chess, 1899 [1-0, 12]) in 38 games, scoring 82%.

There is also the related 8...Nf3+ which I have faced in perrypawnpusher - Sir Osis of the Liver, Jerome Gambit 3 thematic tournament, ChessWorld.net, 2008, (1-0, 19); perrypawnpusher - sjeijk, blitz, FICS, 2011, (1-0, 19); perrypawnpusher - igormsp, blitz, FICS, 2011, (1-0, 13); and perrypawnpusher - rheapennata, blitz, FICS, 2012 (1-0, 12). 

And also the feisty 8...g6 as in perrypawnpusher - Chess Titans, casual game, 2018, (1-0, 17) 

9.g3 Nf3+

Or 9...Qg4 10.fxe5+ ( Here, Black resigned in perrypawnpusher - vastatorjf, blitz, FICS, 2013), Kc6 11.Qxg4 d6 12.Qxg7 Be6 13.Qxh8 Bg4 14.exd6 Bxd6 15.O-O Bc5+ 16.d4 Bd6 17.e5 Be7 18.Qxh7 Be2 19.Qe4+ Kd7 20.Qxe2 as in perrypawnpusher - paolinoscottino, blitz, FICS, 2013 (1-0, 20) 

Or 9...c6 10.Qxe5#  as in Rick - Chess Titans, beginner level, 2021

10.Kf1 Qf6 

Black's Queen could also have gone 10...Qh6, as in perrypawnpusher - Temmo, Jerome Gambit 3 thematic, ChessWorld, 2008 (0-1, 43); 

Or Black could have attacked White's Queen, in turn, with 10...Ne7 as in perrypawnpusher - DaniyarManat, lichess.org, 2020 (1-0, 29) and perrypawnpusher - ce_1, Chess.com, 2024 (1-0, 64);

Or grabbed some material with 10...Nxh2+ as in perrypawnpusher - intssed, blitz, FICS, 2010 (1-0, 12); perrypawnpusher - JTIV, blitz, FICS, 2010 (1-0, 32); perrypawnpusher - jgknight, blitz, FICS, 2011 (1-0, 68); perrypawnpusher - mikelars, blitz, FICS, 2011 (1-0, 12); perrypawnpusher - IlToscano, Giuoco Piano Thematic tournament, Chess.com, 2016 (1-0, 18); perrypawnpusher - constipatedguru, blitz, FICS, 2017 (1-0, 20); perrypawnpusher - Chess Titans level 5, casual game, 2019 (1-0, 42 ); Kennedy - Chess Titans, casual game, 2022 (1-0, 48); and perrypawnpusher - xulian, Chess.com, 2024 (1-0, 36 ).

11.Qd5+ Ke7 12.Qxc5+ 

12...Qd6 

It is tempting to offer to exchange Queens, in order to ease the defense, but, in this case, better was 12...Kd8 as in perrypawnpusher - james042665, Chess.com, 2008 (0-1, 18); and perrypawnpusher - HarlemKnight, blitz, FICS, 2014 (0-1, 24) 

13.Qxd6+ Kxd6 

Black captures with his King, in order to not break up his pawns, but, in doing so, arrives at an even game.

Is an even game enough for Black?

14.c3 

Trapping the enemy Knight.

14...g5 15.Kf2 g4 16.h3 

16...b6 

Planning to pressure the center pawns.

The alternative is to take what is given - 16...Ke7 17.hxg4 d5 18.Kxf3 dxe4+ 19. Kf2 Bxg4 with an even game.

17.hxg4 Bb7 18.Kxf3 Nf6 19.d3 

The "Jerome pawns" often are part of an attack, but here they provide shelter for the King.

White's 3 pawn advantage is significant.

19...h5 

This is easily side-stepped. Perhaps 19...Rae8, instead?

20.g5 Ng4 

There's something about the g4 square...

21.Be3 Raf8 22.Nd2 

22...Ne5+ 23.Ke2 Ng4 24.Bd4 

Moving from defense to offense.

24...Rh7 25.g6 Black resigned

The defending Rook must move, but to where? 

Jerome Gambit: Grandmaster Simon Williams!

!

Not long ago, chessfriend Yury V. Bukayev mentioned to me that Grandmaster Simon Williams (GingerGM) had some Jerome Gambit content online.

I explored that, recently, as reported in the post "Jerome Gambit: Down A Rabbit Hole".

I was disappointed not to find a Jerome Gambit game by Grandmaster Williams in all of his online presence.

However, once again, Yury V. Bukayev came to the rescue, as he had found such a game.

Thank you.

Ginger_GM - MasatoNishiyama

3 0 blitz, 2021

As Yury learned, MasatoNishiyama is Simon Schweizer.

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nd4 

The Blackburne Shilling Gambit.

As mentioned in BSJG: Choices, Choices, Choices

According to Wikipedia:

The first known mention of this line was by Steinitz, who noted it in 1895 in the Addenda to his Modern Chess Instructor, Part II. The earliest game with the opening on chessgames.com is Dunlop - Hicks, New Zealand Championship 1911. [1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nd4 4.O-O Nxf3+ 5.Qxf3 Qf6 6.Qg3 Bc5 7.Nc3 c6 8.Kh1 b5 9.Bb3 d6 10.f4 h5 11.d3 Be6 12.f5 h4 13.Qg4 Bxb3 14.Bg5 h6 15.Qxh4 O-O-O 16.Bxf6 gxf6 17.axb3 Nxf5 18.Qxh8 Ng3+ 19.hxg3 Rxh8#].

4.Bxf7+ 

The Blackburne Shilling Jerome Gambit.

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Ke8 

Black has a piece for two pawns. Stockfish 16.1 (37 ply) evaluates the defender as being about 80% of a pawn better. 

The Grandmaster has to be happy, looking at his opponent's uncastled King.

6.c3 Nc6 

It is a bit surprising that the safer 6...Ne6 is assessed by the computer (37 ply) as only 1/2 of a pawn better.

It is useful to quote Yury V. Bukayev, here

The first glance (!) says that it is a Blackburne Shilling JG (not a standard JG) game, but let's look at Black's 6th move: it transposed the game into a standard Jerome Gambit game (1): 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+?! Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Ke8?! 6.c3?! Bf8?!. Although these moves are not strong, they let to say about this transposition.

7.Qh5+ g6 

Black knows what is coming, but he has to weaken his Kingside, as his King cannot run: 7...Ke7 8.Qf7+ Kd6 9.Nc4+ Kc5 10.Qd5 checkmate

8.Nxg6 Nf6

Black is not ready to give up his Rook - yet.

9.Qh4 hxg6

Bold.

He also had 9...Rg8 10.Nxf8 Qe7 11.Nxh7 Nxh7 12.Qx7+ Kxe7 13.Kf1 d5 when, even with a piece for 5 pawns, he would be at least even.

10.Qxh8 Qe7 

Defense and counter-attack.

It was not immediately apparent that 10...Ne5 followed by 11....Nd3 was the way to hold onto his small advantage.

11.d3 

White's Bishop eyes the f6 square as a target.

The grandmaster passes on 11.O-O Ne5 12.d4 Nf7 13.Qh4 Nxe4 14.Qg4 Qe6 15.Qd1 Kd8 which is the computer's choice.

11...Qg7 12.Qxg7 Bxg7 

Black has rid himself of that pesky enemy Queen. 

White has a Rook and 3 pawns for a Bishop and a Knight.

13.Na3 a6 14.O-O d6 15.Nc4 Be6 

16.Ne3 Kd7 17.f4 Re8 18.f5 gxf5 19.Nxf5 Bh8 20.Bg5

 

20...Ng4

A slip. 

Masters might follow Stockfish's suggestion - or not: 20...Nh7 21.Bf4 Ne7 22.Nxe7 Rxe7 23.a3 Re8 24.Rae1 Bf6 25.Re3 Bh4 26.Bg3 Bg5 27.Ref3 Rh8 28.b4 Be7 29.Be1 Ke8 30.c4 Nf8 when White's advantage - the two, connected passed pawns - still will take a lot of work to turn into a win.

21.h3 Bxf5 

Returning some material.

White continues to build his advantage.

22.Rxf5 Nge5 23.Rd1 Ne7 24.Bxe7 Kxe7 25.d4 Nc6 26.Rdf1

White can take his advantage and win. His watchwords are Festina lente - to make haste, slowly.

Jerome Gambit: Shadow Gambit

 

As Annie Proulx, and others, have observed “One of the tragedies of real life is that there is no background music.”

While it is not so much background as music, we have already answered the question "What does the Jerome Gambit sound like?"

But - does the opening have a poster?

Eye catching!

Actually, this is Shadow Gambit's graphic for a short Jerome Gambit video - one of almost a score of videos covering a variety of chess opening gambits.

His motto is uplifting

In live, as in chess, every move counts. Make your next one legendary.

Check the page, the art work, and the videos out.

 

Jerome Gambit: TheChessWorld

thechessworld

Recently, a small online pamphlet, from TheChessWorld, landed on my e-desk.

You might be familiar with TheChessWorld - its story is given in "Start Here" - as they offer a very large collection of instructional chess videos - a surprising number of which are free.

That's one four letter f-word we do not see frequently enough.

I worked my way through "The Zero-Blunder-Method", subtitled, tantalizingly, "Stop Hanging Pieces & Gain 150 ELO", which contained some basic self-prompts that will seriously cut down on making blunders in my chess games.

Why bother? Well, according to the booklet,

At 1200-1800 [rating], 8 out of 10 games are decided by simple blunders - not brilliant strategy.

Ouch. 

At least they didn't include playing the Jerome Gambit as a "simple blunder".

Anyhow, there is a stunning chart which looks at the "Estimated Loss Rates By Blunder Type" - identifying 4 rating classes, and taking a look at how often, for each of them, games end because of hanging pieces, knight forks, back rank checkmate, discovered attack and hanging pawns.

I haven't seen anything as helpful since Geoff Chandler's "Blunder Table".

Readers should check it all out.