Charm

This is my third Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) game with jgknight. The first two were relatively long draws, one last year in 58 moves, and one this year in 49 moves. As they say, "third time is a charm," and I was successful this time. There is even a little bit of "charm" in the game, although if my opponent wanted to preface with the word "lucky" I would not object.


perrypawnpusher - jgknight
blitz, FICS, 2011

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+

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

Black's King bravely protects the Knight, giving up any thoughts of "castling-by-hand", and challenges White to justify his two piece sacrifice.

7.Qf5+ Kd6 8.f4 Qh4+

Black is headed for what I've referred to as the "Nibs Defense". See "Repairing A Variation" parts 1, 2, 3 and 4 for some background.

9.g3 Nf3+ 10.Kf1

When I posted my game with this line against JTIV last year, I wrote 

This is my current choice, although it is not clear why. The updated New Year's Database [now The Database] has 4 games (other than the current one) with this move, with White scoring 50%. I've scored 33% in 3 games (until now).

The Database has 15 games with the alternative, 10.Kd1, with White scoring 73%. That's in part to me scoring 100% in 6 of those games; but 3 of those wins are identical 11-movers with the "Buyer's Regret Variation".

Updating: The Database now has 9 games with 10.Kf1, with White scoring 78% (me, 75%). It still has 15 games with 10.Kd1, with White scoring 73% (me 100%).

I am still not sure which 10th move I will play next time, especially since I concluded at one point that 10.Kf1 "is not an improvement" over 10.Kd1.

10...Nxh2+

Tempting, as it is another forward-going, attacking move, but it probably only keeps the game in balance.

11.Kg2 Qg4

I smiled when I saw this move. I've recommended it a couple of times on this blog, when either Black "holds onto his advantage" or the game is "about even". Today I would go with the latter assessment.

The move is not mine, however, but the recommendation of Some Loser, the author of Unorthodox Chess (2005), who has occasionally played the Jerome Gambit. (Really. Read my book review.)

12.Qd5+ Ke7 13.Qxc5+ Ke8

Black's moves are interesting: he cannot protect his c-pawn with 13...Kd8, as 14.Qf8 checkmate would follow.

Yet, his best move would have been 13...d6, encouraging White to take the c-pawn, as after 14.Qxc7+ Bd7 15.Rxh2 (what else?) White's King would be defenseless against Black's Queen – and other pieces: 15...Qe2+ 16.Kg1 Qe1+ 17.Kg2 Qxe4+ 18.Kf1 Qf3+ 19.Ke1 Rc8!?. Not only is White's Queen in trouble, Black threatens the deadly 20...Kf8!

Of course, after 13...d6 14.Qf2! White would secure his King and the game would be in balance after 14...Nf6 15.Rxh2 Nxe4 16.Qe3 Qe6.

14.Rxh2

First 14.Qe3 was a bit more prudent.

14...d6 15.Qe3 Nf6

For the most part, the excitement has died down. Both Kings are relatively safe, and White is ahead by a pawn (a reasonable outcome, having faced down a refutation).

16.Nc3 c6

After the game Fritz 10 censured this move. Can you see why?

17.b3

I was looking for development, and decided to put my Bishop on the a1-h8 diagonal.

I totally overlooked 17.f5!? which threatens to trap Black's Queen. Black has a defense, of course, in 17...g5, but it costs a couple of pawns, say, after 18.Rh6 Rf8 19.d3 Rf7 20.Qxg5 and, further, Black's d-pawn is at risk, as well.

17...h5 18.Rh4

I almost always see these things a move too late.

18...Qe6 19.d3 Ng4 20.Qe2 Rh6 21.Bb2 d5

White has been more effective in rushing his troops to back up their footsoldiers.

22.exd5

Personal failing: I am always willing to "let the air out of the position" if I am even the tiniest bit of material ahead.

22...Qxe2+ 23.Nxe2 Ne3+ 24.Kf3 Nxd5

Messier, but stronger, was 24...Nxc2.

So, what is going on here?

White is better developed (including his King), is a pawn ahead, and hopes to pick up one or two more pawns.

It is essential that Black get his pieces out, cause as much disruption as possible, and keep his eyes on the possibility of transitioning to the welcoming arms of the drawish (even when down pawns) Bishops-of-opposite-colors endgame. jgknight fights, but the battle is not his today.

25.Bxg7 Bg4+ 26.Kf2 Re6 27.Be5 Bxe2 28.Kxe2 Nc3+ 29.Kf3 Nd5 30.Rxh5 Kd7

31.Rh7+ Re7 32.Rah1 Rxh7 33.Rxh7+ Ke6 34.Rxb7 Rg8 35.Rxa7 Ne7 36.g4 Ng6 37.d4 Nh4+ 38.Ke4 Rxg4 39.Rg7 Rxg7 40.Bxg7

40...Ng6 41.a4 Kf7 42.Be5 Ke7 43.a5 Kd7 44.f5 Ne7 45.c4 Nc8 46.f6 Ke6 47.d5+ cxd5+ 48.cxd5+ Kf7 49.Kf5 Na7 50.b4 Nb5 51.a6 Na7 52.Bd4 Nb5

53.a7 Nxd4+ 54.Ke4 Nb5 55.a8Q Nd6+ 56.Kf3 Kxf6 57.Qc6 Ke5 58.b5 Nf5 59.Qe6+ Kd4 60.Qxf5 Kc5 61.b6 Kxb6 62.Qe6+ Kc7 63.Qc6+ Kd8 64.Ke4 Ke7 65.Kf5 Kd8 66.Qb7 Ke8 67.Ke6 Kf8 68.Qf7 checkmate