Friday, August 4, 2017

Jerome Gambit: Creativity Abounds

It is fun to see the creativity that attackers bring to the already unusual Jerome Gambit.

Overlooked sometimes is the creativity that defenders provide, as well. There is risk involved, for sure, but imagination can sometimes bring success as well as danger.

Wall, Bill - Guest700210
PlayChess.com, 2017

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



4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.d4 



Alonzo Wheeler Jerome's original choice in his gambit, although he later preferred 6.Qh5+. I think the Queen move is more forceful, but also moves Black into lines that are playable, if uncomfortable. The center pawn thrust provides less guidance to the defender.

6...Bxd4 7.Qxd4 Nf3+

A very interesting way of returning the second sacrificed piece, breaking up the pawns on White's Kingside in the process. That said, it was probably not necessary to be so clever; 7...d6 was a strong alternative.

There is only one other example in The Database - a computer vs computer game.

8.gxf3 Nf6

Also: 8...Qf6 9.Qc4+ Ke7 10.Qc5+ Ke8 11.Nd2 Qd6 12.Qxd6 cxd6 13.Rg1 g6 14.b3 Nh6 15.Nc4 Nf7 16.Bb2 Rf8 17.O-O-O b5 18.Na3 b4 19.Nb5 Ba6 20.Nc7+ Ke7 21.Nxa6 Ne5 22.Nxb4 Nxf3 23.Rg2 Nh4 24.Rg4 Nf3 25.Bg7 Rfb8 26.Nd5+ Kf7 27.Bd4 Nxh2 28.Rh4 Nf3 29.Rf4+ Kg8 30.Ne7 checkmate, Delphi - WeakDelphi, Sherbrooke, 2008.

9.Nc3 Kf8 10.Bg5 Qe7



Black is in no hurry to develop his pieces, and apparently sees his King as safe. No need to create weakenesses by moving pawns!

This strategy is not going to work against a skilled Jerome Gambiteer like Bill Wall.

11.Nd5


Hitting the Queen at e7 as well as the pinned Knight at f6. If you are familiar with the Jerome Gambit you likely could find this thematic move in your sleep.

11...Qd6 12.Bf4 c5

Striking out, but overlooking that White will capture with check.

13.Bxd6+ Black resigned




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