Blackburne Shilling Jerome Gambit Mess

The following game is a mess. White makes mistakes (more than usual). Black makes mistakes (plenty enough to lose). Quickly.

Because, to be fair: in a 1-minute (no increment) game, advantages often shift back and forth, until someone wins, or time runs out.

Also, the game is a Jerome Gambit variant, and we know that the Jerome is an oft-refuted line of play. White purposefully gets himself a worse game - and then, often wins. So, maybe things are not so surprising, after all.

angelcamina - eloali
1 0 bullet, lichess.org

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nd4 

The Blackburne Shilling Gambit. It can work as a surprise, eating up response time, containing tactics that impact on the clock.

4.Bxf7+ 

The Blackburne Shilling Jerome Gambit. White has his own tactical surprise.


4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Ke8 

At first glance, this looks safest. As angelcamina knows from earlier experience, however, this move allows the action to focus on the Black King.

6.Qh5+ g6 7.Nxg6 Nxc2+ 

White's opening continues to cast its spell. This counter-grab of a Rook is always tempting, but, here, it should only lead to an even game, or maybe and edge for White. The correct move was 7...hxg6.

8.Kd1 Nxa1 9.Nxh8+ Ke7 

10.Qf7+

The game wouldn't be nearly as interesting after 10.Qe5#, but it would be over. 

10...Kd6 11.d4 

Highly unusual. angelcamina now misses 11.Qd5+ Ke7 12.Qe5#. It is not safe for Black to keep dancing on the edge of the abyss, however - after the text, White is still better. 

11...Kc6 12.Qd5+ Kb6 13.Nc3 c6 

14.Qb3+ Kc7

Okay, a couple of "Think Quick!" surprises, there.

15.Bf4+ d6 16.Qf7+ Ne7 17.e5 d5 

White has two pawns for a piece in this strange position - and his King is safer.

18.e6+ Kb6 19.Na4+ Ka5 20.b3 b5 21.Bd2+ Ka6 22.Nc5+ Kb6 23.Qf4 Ng6 

24.Qe3

Saving the Queen this time, but hanging the Knight. Time had to be a factor.

24...Nxh8 25.Qc3 Bxc5

Falling in with White's plans - it is surprising how often defenders "believe" in their opponents' attacks. Best defense was to return the Knight with 25...Nxb3 26.axb3 a5, with advantage (but that is easiest to see after the game).

26.Qa5+ Kb7 27.Qxd8 Bb6 28.Qe7+ Ka6 29.Qxh7 Bb7
30.e7 Black resigned