Friday, December 11, 2020

Jerome Gambit: A Recent Miniature from The Database



I have been updating The Database with games from FICS, through the end of November, 2020. This gave me the opportunity to play over the following miniature.

panjisegoro - Roetman

20 5, FICS, 2020

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nd4 


The Blackburne Shilling Gambit.

4.Bxf7+ 

The Blackburne Shilling Jerome Gambit. I call it that because of the similarity of play with the Jerome Gambit. Actually, I have not found any games by Alonzo Wheeler Jerome playing the line - nor have I found any games by Joseph Henry Blackburne playing his Shilling Gambit.

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Ke8 6.c3 Ne6 


7.Qh5+ g6 8.Nxg6

At this point, The Database has 111 games, with White scoring 53%.

8...Qg5


In a successful (for Black) Blackburne Shilling Gambit, where play might go 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nd4 4.Nxe5, this Queen move would have a starring role: 4...Qg5!? 

In the current position, however, The Database has 12 games, with White scoring 64%. 

Black would have done better with the thematic 8...Nf6, e.g. 9.Qh4 hxg6 10.Qxh8 Nxe4 when Black would have two pieces for a Rook and 2 pawns. The computer gives Black an edge, but I think the player who has more experience with this line, and who is more comfortable, would have the advantage.

9.Qxg5 Nxg5 10.Nxh8 Black resigned


The end seems a bit abrupt. If 10...Bg7 11.d3 Ne6 12.f4 Bxh8 13.d4, Black would have 2 pieces for a Rook and 3 pawns. Perhaps he was intimidated by the "Jerome pawns". Perhaps he was disappointed that his trap opening did not succeed.


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