First Split Point

With 129 of the 156 games (83%) of the ChessWorld Jerome Gambit Thematic Tournament complete, the players have seen their first drawn game. That's a rate of less than 1% of the games!

This balanced position is from DREWBEAR 63 - TWODOGS. The somewhat "open" position of the Kings, the presence of Queens who can check at will, and the existence of Bishops-of-opposite-colors all suggest a possible draw.

This happens, but not as expected.

27.Qd8+ Qe8 28.Qxc7 Bd5

This slip gives White a winning advantage.

29.Qd6+ Qe7 30.Qxd5 g5 31.Qf5+ Ke8 32.Qg6+ Kd7 33.Qxh6 Qe5+ 34.Kg2 Qd5 35.Bxg5 e3+

White's extra piece is enough to win, but he has been picking up stray pawns as well. Black's chances lie in repeatedly checking White's King, as it is unlikely that he will be able to promote his passed pawn on e3.

36.Kf1

An understandable slip that gives away a half point.

Necessary was the paradoxical 36.Kg3, moving the White King temporarily away from the passer, but giving it shelter from enemy checks. After 36...e2 the King can return with 37.Kf2, and although Black will be able to grab a couple of pawns in exchange for the pawn on e2, he will not be able to check the enemy King enough to force the draw.

36...Qf3+ 37.Kg1 Qd1+

If Black tries to advance the pawn with, say, 37...Qf2+ 38.Kh1 e2 he gets checkmated 39.Qd6 Ke8 40.Qe7#. Also, if he gives White a chance, the first player will chop off the passed pawn.

38.Kg2 Qe2+ 39.Kh1 Qf1+ Drawn