Friday, November 6, 2020

Jerome Gambit: General Rule of Thumb


It is a general rule of thumb that the faster the game's time control, the more shallow the depth of search for moves. That is one reason why a player who is comfortable with the Jerome Gambit can do well in blitz - his opponent will not be able to "solve" the opening or many of the tactical threats that subsequently arrive. Of course, the first player will have to notice the threats that come his way, as well.

In the following game, credit the first player for keeping his head, even under the most difficult of circumstances - until the clock rides to his rescue?


OpeItMe - Zamar--2019

5 3 blitz, lichess.org, 2020


1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nc6 3.Nf3 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 


4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ke6 


7.c3 

With this infrequently played move (The Database has 17 previous examples, with White scoring 26%) White declares his interest in enforcing d2-d4. The challenge is that he does so, two pieces down.

7...Qf6 8.d4 

Yes, but...

8...Nd3+ 9.Kf1 

Likely played quite quickly. 

9...Nxc1 

Likely played even quicker. (Also missing 9...Qxf2#.)

10.Qxc5 Nd3 

11.Qd5+ Ke7 12.f3 

Preventing checkmate at f2, but weakening the c1-h6 diagonal - although Black now overlooks the strong 12...Qh6, preparing to sneak behind enemy lines.

12...c6 13.Qc4 Nf4 14.e5 Qe6 15.Qc5+ Kf7 


16.Nd2 b6 

It is easier to kick the enemy Queen (It's right there!) than to analyze the strengths of 16...Qg6, to which White does not have any good answers. (Perhaps the clock was a factor.)

White's King still suffers.

17.Qa3 Ne7 18.Ne4 Qc4+ 19.Kf2 Qe2+ 20.Kg3 Qxg2+ 21.Kxf4 


21...Ng6+ 

Black knows that there has to be a checkmate somewhere, but he misses 21...Nd5+ 22.Kf5 g6#.

22.Ke3 Qg5+

Oh, no! Moving too quickly?

23.Nxg5+ Black resigned




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