Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Jerome Gambit: Too Many Worries


The Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) can bring too many worries for the defender who has never seen it before, or who has not prepared a strategy against it. 

The following game is a good example. White does not have to be overly creative, he just has to develop in Jerome manner and accept the concessions that Black makes.

Until the end. White's snap finish is very nice.

Wall, Bill - NN

lichess.org, 2020

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


 
4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ng6



7.Qd5+ Ke8 8.Qxc5 d6 9.Qe3 Qf6 


10.d4 N8e7 11.O-O Kf7 

Black has the right idea, to castle-by-hand and protect his King.

12.f4 Kg8

Suddenly, the defender fears the enemy Rook on the same file with his his King and Queen. In general, this is of concern, but not in this particular case. The threat of e4-e5 and an exchange of pawns makes the defending King jump. But - there was time to play 12...Rf8 or 12...Re8.

13.Nc3 Qf7 


More nerves. Black's timid responses allow White to continue to make progress.

14.Bd2 Nc6 15.Nd5 Be6


Whenever the Bishop is on e6 and a Knight is on g6, the risk of f4-f5 has to be addressed.

16.f5 Bxd5 17.fxg6 

The better capture.

17...Qxg6

Costing more material. Better was 17...Qe6, since 18.exd5 Qxe3+ 19.Bxe3 Nb4 20.Bd2 Nxd5 21.Rae1 hxg6 leaves him down only a pawn, although with an uncomfortable position.

18.exd5 Nd8 19.Rae1 Nf7 


Allowing a pleasant finish.

20.Qe8+ Rxe8 21.Rxe8 checkmate




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