Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Yet Another Day in the Life of the Jerome Gambit


Sometimes it is fun to go easy on the analytics, and simply play through a Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) game. It is usually a roller coaster ride, with lots of thrills and chills for both players.

 



Darthnik - GregOakPark
blitz, FICS, 2011


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


4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.f4


Wow.

This "TN" (no examples in The Database) says "Yes, I know that I just sacrificed two pieces, but I still want to play the game my way, starting with the 'Jerome pawns'."

As they say, "no guts, no glory."

6...Ng6 7.d4 Bb6 8.e5 Qh4+


Black is skeptical, an attitude all defenders should have when facing the Jerome Gambit.

9.g3 Qh3 10.Be3 N8e7 11.Qd2 Nd5 12.Bf2 Qg2


Tough times for the gambiteer! As they also say, though, "It ain't over 'till it's over!" (especially in blitz).

13.Rg1 Qxh2 14.Nc3 Rf8

Preparing to castle-by-hand. Does Black overlook the loss of a piece here, or is he unconcerned? Oddly enough, the King never quite does get "castled".

15.Nxd5 c6 16.Ne3 Re8 17.0-0-0 d5


Black's difficulties continue. This center pawn strike manages to both activate White's "Jerome pawns" and overlook the threat to his Queen.

18.Rh1 Qxh1 19.Rxh1 Nf8 20.f5 g6


21.fxg6+

Blowing up Black's King's shelter. Both 21.e6+ and 21.g4 were playable as well. Go, Jerome pawns!

21...hxg6 22.c3 Bf5 23.Nxf5 gxf5 24.Qf4 Ke6


25.Rh6+ Kd7 26.Qxf5+ Kc7 27.Be3 Rad8 28.Bf4 Kb8


29.e6+ Bc7 30.Bg5 Rd6  31.Qf7 Rdxe6 32.Rxe6 Nxe6 33.Qxe8+ Bd8 34.Bxd8 a6 35.Qxe6 Ka7 36.g4 Black resigned


Cool. Now we have some idea why Darthnik sticks with the Jerome Gambit!

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