Saturday, January 12, 2019

Jerome Gambit: A Quick Reversal of Fortune

It is nice to surprise your opponent with the Jerome Gambit.

Sometimes, though, that opponent is not only not surprised, he has prepared a special reception. Then, the attacker has to rely upon his knowledge of the Jerome, plus his own skills, to make sure that the game turns out right.


Wall, Bill - Guest2773994
PlayChess.com, 2018

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 



4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.d4 Bxd4 7.Qxd4 d6 



8.Qd5+ 

White is willing to go after the b-pawn - and Black encourages him to do so.

8...Be6 9.Qxb7 Nf6 10.Nc3 Bc4



A tricky move that appears to be a novelty, according to The Database. Black does not want his opponent to castle. He also limits White's Queen's retreat squares. Previously, Bill has seen 10...Qe7, 10...Qd7, 10...Re8 and 10...Rf8.

11.b3 Rb8 12.Qxa7 Nd3+



Wow.

Black seems to have a low opinion of the Jerome Gambit, or his opponent, or both. This is a very optimistic sacrifice of a piece - but, in all fairness, Black does have an "extra" one to give back.

13.cxd3 Bxd3

White's King is still in the center, Black's pieces attack the pawn at e4, and Black's Rook and Queen are ready to swing over to the e-file.

14.Bg5 Qe7 15.Rc1 Rhe8 16.f3 



Black's attack is beginning to look a bit scary, although the computers are not impreseed. Unfortunately, Black's next move appears to overlook the pin on his Knight.

16...d5

Now White strikes quickly.

17.Nxd5 Qe5 18.Rxc7+ Kg8 19.Rxg7+ Kh8 20.Bxf6 Black Resigned

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