Technical Difficulties (Part 1)

When I play chess online (usually FICS) people all over the world get a chance to take a swing at the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) and similar openings.

Sometimes, "technical difficulties" have to be overcome, along with the expected chess resistance.

perrypawnpusher - BHAseagull
blitz FICS, 2010

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 h6

The Semi-Italian Opening is more popular with club players than with the chess elite, but Grandmaster Pavel Blatny has shown it to be much more playable than generally believed.

4.0-0 Bc5 5.Bxf7+

I am not aware of GM Blatny ever facing the Semi-Italian Jerome Gambit, however.

5...Kxf7 6.Nxe5+ Nxe5 7.Qh5+ Ng6

I've faced this set-up 8 times before and surrendered 1/2 a point. Still, an objective look at the position shows that Black is better.

8.Qd5+ Ke8 9.Qxc5 b6

This move is new to me here. It was played, without 0-0 and ...h6, in gobo - HPotter, ChessWorld Jerome Gambit Tournament, 2005 (1-0, 45).

It is no longer a surprise when I see the Jerome Gambit – a "hyper-classical" opening if there ever was one – be met with a hypermodern style defense.

10.Qe3 Bb7 11.Nc3 Nf6

Now, if only Black could castle, he wouldn't have a care in the world.

12.f4 Qe7 13.d3 d6 14.f5 Nf8

A bit defensive, but Black has serious plans about protecting his King.

15.Bd2 Kd7 16.Rae1 Re8 17.Qd4 Kc8

Yes, Black plans to castle-by-hand on the Queenside. His position is solid enough that he can afford the time involved.

18.Qa4 Kb8 19.Nb5 Ba6

Inexplicable. My opponent made a comment (after the piece disappeared) indicating that he knew he had goofed.

Black defends and keeps his advantage, instead, with ...a7-a6.

Now White is winning, if he can avoid blunders.

20.Qxa6 Qd8 21.Qxa7+ Kc8 22.Qa8+ Kd7 23.Qxd8+ Kxd8

I was comfortable being three pawns up in an uncomplicated position. The only "exciting" moment left in the game comes about ten moves later.

24.Bc3 N8d7 25.Nd4 c5 26.Ne6+ Ke7

27.Nxg7 Reg8 28.Bxf6+ Kxf6 29.Ne6 Re8

30.Re3 b5 31.Rg3 b4

Adding to Black's technical difficulties over-the-board was the quickly disappearing time on his clock. 

32.Rg6+

At this point my opponent disconnected.

In the past, this kind of thing (with a different opponent, I hasten to add) has been a source of fustration.

However, this time my opponent was amenable to resuming the game a couple of days later.

BHAseagull signed on, joined the game – and then let the last 35 seconds on his clock run out, losing on time.