Monday, November 4, 2019

Jerome Gambit: Strong Attacking Position

Image result for free clip art attack


Sometimes the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) will lead to tactical mayhem by White, and it is relatively easy - if still educational - for the observer to anticipate the line of play. Sometimes, however - as in the following game - the Jerome Gambiteer develops a strong attacking position, and he has to work out a series of moves to gather in the full point; then, the educational value of the game is even greater.

Wall, Bill - Anonymous
lichess.org, 2019

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 




4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Kf8 

I expected a rash of 5...Kf8 games after the post "Jerome Gambit: Success at Last (Sort of)" which featured a game where Bill surrendered a draw in the line - after 15 straight wins.

6.Nxc6

No more experimenting - Bill had tried 6.0-0 in his last game with the line, and, after 6...Nf6, continued with 7.Nd3. The text is probably strongest.

6...dxc6 7.O-O Qf6 

White has only scored 50% against this move, according to The Database - if you ignore Bill's two wins, against no losses, that is.

8.Nc3 Be6 

Or 8...Bd6 9.d4 h6 10.e5 Bxe5 11.dxe5 Qxe5 12.Re1 Qg5 13.Bxg5 Black resigned, Wall,B - NN, lichess.org, 2016, 

9.d3 Ne7 

Instead, 9...Rd8 let Black keep an edge, in Wall,B - Guest4658155, PlayChess.com, 2019 (1-0, 29).

10.Be3 Bb6 11.Qd2 h6 12.Rae1 Kg8 13.f4 Kh7


14.f5 Bd7

As will become clear, the Bishop was safer retreating to c8. Black has just connected his Rooks, however, and does not want to interfere. 

15.e5 Bxe3+ 16.Rxe3 

The position is complicated, and it is not a surprise that Black does not find a defense. The Black Queen may be relativelyt safest after 16...Qh4, but 17.e6 then threatens the Bishop, and White will build his attack when he can play f5-f6 and Ne4.

16...Qg5 17.Ne4 

The Queen is trapped.

17...Qh5 18.Rh3 Qe8 

Her Majesty has escaped, but His Majesty is doomed.

19.Nf6+ gxf6 20.Qxh6+ Kg8 21.Qxh8+ Kf7 22.Rh7 checkmate



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