LAPOC revisited

I stopped back at the LAPOC (Learn And Play Online Chess) website that I visited earlier this year (see "LAPOC") and noticed that the "Build Rapid Attacks in the Jerome Gambit" article - found under "Gambit Your Way Through the KPG" - has been joined by a look at the Abrahams Jerome Gambit called "Put It All on Black with the Jerome Gambit", found in "Gambit through Bishops Opening Chess"

Why Play the Jerome Gambit?

I have posted on this blog various novelties and critical variations in the Jerome Gambit. I have shared Jerome blindfold games and games that are over after only a few sips of coffee. 

One of my favorite types of Jerome Gambit games is the one that announces, once again, "This is why I play the Jerome".

The following game - the latest from chessfriend Vlasta Fejfar - is a good example. White enters a line that he has played successfully before. Black is just getting comfortable in his defense, when he gets too comfortable - and a tactical shot turns the game into a miniature win by White.

vlastous - hobi

internet, 2018

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ke6 

7.f4 Qf6 8.Rf1

The Database has 74 games, with this position. White scores 66%.

8...g6 

Vlasta has also faced 8...Nc6 in Fejfar,V - Vins, corr Czech Republic, 2015 (1-0, 23) and 8...Nd3+ in Vlastous - Kombe, internet, 2017, (1-0, 22). 

9.Qh3+ Ke7 10.fxe5 Qxe5 11.Qf3 Nf6 

Or 11...Qf6, as in vlastous - Marwan 86, internet, 2018, (1-0, 20) 

12.Nc3 d5 

Often this move is strong and liberating for Black - but not here, as White has a tactical answer. More prudent was 12...c6, as in Vlastous - Daboa, ChessManiac.com, 2016, (1-0, 42)

13.Qxf6+ Qxf6 14.Nxd5+ Black resigned

After White captures the Queen he will simply be 2 pawns up - 1 of them passed and protected. Black's "two Bishops" is not sufficient compensation, in either the Queenless middle game or the end game.

Jerome Gambit: New Video

I just encountered the chess website of Rajendra Salokhe, who has a number of interesting videos there, including a pleasant one on the Jerome Gambit - he appears to be new to the gambit, and plays through several games, showing appreciation of the risk and excitement of the play.

This video has wins by White. He promises another video, with wins by Black.

Jerome Gambit: Not Taking It Seriously Is Taking A Risk

Vlasta Fejfar sends a Jerome Gambit game that is another reminder to defenders the world over: take the opening seriously enough to get out of it alive, or risk losing a full point.

vlastous -asimgorci
internet, 2018

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Kf6 

If only the Jerome Gambit were this simple: protect the Knight and stay two pieces ahead. Besides, if White thinks he can x-ray attack Black's King with 7.Qg5+?, winning the Queen, there's simply 7...g5! and all is well. 

On the other hand, The Database shows that White scores 79% in 56 games with 6...Kf6, so White has every reason to be skeptical. 

7.Qf5+ Ke7 8.Qxe5+ Kf8 

It is interesting to note the number of Jerome Gambit games
that reached this position - with Black to move. The move order, however, was 6...Kf8 7.Qxe5. In the current game, White simply captures the second piece.

9.Qxc5+ d6 10.Qc3 Nf6 11.d3 g6 

White is ahead 2 pawns. It is not clear what Black intends with this move - although it weakens two dark diagonals. 

12.Bh6+ Kf7 13.O-O Be6 

It looks like Black almost has his game together.

14.Nd2 Ng4

Hoping to chase away White's Bishop, but actually ending the game. 

15.Qg7+ Black resigned

Black will drop his Rook at h8 after 15...Ke8 16.Qxh8+ and a simple exchange of Queens with 16...Kd7 17.Qxh7+ Qe7 18.Qxe7+ Kxe7 19.Bg5+ will leave White up an insurmountable Rook and 3 pawns.