Jerome Gambit, Over-the-Board

Pete Banks ("blackburne") is known to readers of this blog. His Jerome Gambit games have appeared in Gary Lane's ChessCafe column and in the IM's The Greatest Ever Chess Tricks and Traps. Here is his latest over-the-board excursion.

Banks,P - Dunne,D
Worcestershire v Derbyshire, U-140, 2010[Notes by Pete Banks]

My opponent didn't turn up. Because his name was on the match sheet, and I made my move, I thought that I just had to wait for his flag to fall. Unfortunately the Midland Counties have a rule that allows substitutions.

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4

I might as well see if I can play it.

3...Bc5

Here we go!

4.Bxf7+

One piece sacced.

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5

Two pieces sacced after 5 moves! Now I've got a won game. (In my dreams)

6.Qh5+ Kf8 7.Qxe5

One piece back!

7...d6 8.Qg3 Qe7 9.Nc3 Nf6 10.d3 h6

I've used 4 minutes and he's used 35 (including the time waiting for his teammate).

11.Be3 Bb6 12.0-0-0

Starting to pile up my army against his exposed King.

12...c6 13.f4

I believe my friend Rick calls these (e4 and f4) the 'Jerome pawns'.

13...Bxe3+ 14.Qxe3 b5 15.h3

I've been worried about N or B g4 for some time. I'm still two pawns for a piece, but the pawns could be strong.

15...b4

I'm going to more or less ignore his attack, because I think mine is better.

16.Ne2

In an ideal world, this will go to f4 and g6 giving a family fork.

16...c5

Still no real threat that I can see.

17.f5

Whereas this stops g5, cuts off his white-squared bishop, and supports the N going to g6.

17...Bb7 18.Nf4 Qf7

That stops my multiple fork, but I still win the exchange. He hasn't got time for Qxa2 if he wants to win the N.

19.Ng6+ Kg8 20.Nxh8 Kxh8 21.b3

I've now got R + 2P versus B+N. Advantage me I think.

21...a5 22.g4 a4

I still don't think there's anything to fear if I'm careful.

23.Qg3

This hits d6, but is really so I can move h4 without allowing Nxg4.

23...axb3 24.axb3

If his Q could get across to the a-file quickly, there might be cause for concern.

24...Qd7 25.h4 d5 26.e5

I thought about taking the d-pawn, but the passed pawn seemed better.

26...Nh7 27.Qf4

This is so I can play g5 without the Q taking my f-pawn. In this game my Q spends most of its time supporting pawns.

27...c4 28.dxc4 Ra1+

I have to be a bit careful now.

29.Kb2

If 29.Kd2, dxc4+ would be dangerous.

29...Rxd1 30.Rxd1 Bc6 31.cxd5

If he takes, the B is pinned, and he will lose it.

31...Nf8

I'm not sure what that was for, but I supppose there's not much choice.

32.Qxb4 Qd8

Nice combination to finish it.

33.dxc6 Qxd1 34.Qxf8+ Kh7

The only thing to worry about now is a perpetual check. The next move stops that.

35.Qd6 Qxg4

At this stage, Black's clock fell, but my next move would be Qg6 check which definitely finishes it. 

Modern over-the-board (as opposed to via the Internet) Jerome Gambit games are hard to come by. Does anyone else play the Jerome Gambit "in real life"? - Rick