Not On

Here is another game from the ongoing "Play the Jerome Gambit Quad" at Chess.com. It is clear that White was not on his game, and has been playing better in other contests. Black's final move creates an interesting end to the encounter.



DeDrijver (1476) - ubluk (1951)
Play the Jerome Gambit Quad
Chess.com, 2012

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

4...Kxf7 5.c3

One of the "modern" Jerome Gambit variations, where White avoids 5.Nxe5+.

5...Nf6 6.Ng5+

This kind of move leaves me feeling skeptical, in principle, but, as recent posts have shown, White occasionally gets "lucky" with it.

6...Kg8 7.d3 d5

Safe King, better development, break in the center.

8.h3 h6 9.a4 hxg5 10.b4 Be7 11.Bxg5 dxe4 12.dxe4 Qxd1+ 13.Kxd1 Nxe4

14.Be3 Be6 15.Kc2 Rd8 16.Nd2 Nxd2 17.Bxd2 Bf5+ 18.Kc1 Rh4 19.Kb2 Rxd2+ 20.Kb3 Rxb4+ 21.Ka3 Rbb2 checkmate