Jerome Gambit: A Complicated Affair (Part 2)

 [continued from previous post]

perrypawnpusher - PasayDefence

"Piano Piano" tournament, Chess.com, 2020

18...Ng4 19.h3 Nf6 20.Kg2 Rd7 

Black can double his Rooks on either central file. He also avoids the possible pin of his Knight, if White plays Bg3-h4.

21.d4 Bb6 22.e5 Nd5 23.f5 

The "Jerome pawns" awaken.

23...Kg8 24.Rde1 

Wrong Rook. 24.Rfe1 would leave the d-pawn protected. 

24...Bc7 

This move puts more pressure on the center, but after the game the computer preferred 24...Rf7, as after  25.c4 Ne7 26.Re4 (protecting the d-pawn) the f-pawn falls to 26...Nxf5.

25.c4 Nb4 

His Bishop's retreat had made room at b6, and that is probably where the Knight should have gone.

26.e6 Rde7 27.Bh4 Nd3 

28.Bxe7

Miscalculating, and missing my chance. Stockfish 12's post mortem  was a bit tricky, but would have led to an advantage for White: 28.Rd1 g5 29.Bxg5 Rg7 30.h4 Nf4+ 31.Kf3 Nxe6 32.fxe6 Rxe6 when White would have been up 2 pawns.

28...Nxe1+ 29.Rxe1 Rxe7 30.d5 

Probably premature. Stockfish's take is 30.h4 h5 31.Rg1 Re8 32.Kf3 Bd8 33.d5 Be7 34.Rg5 b5 35.b3 Rd8 36.Ke4 Rd6 37.Ke5 Rd8 when White's King is much more actively placed, and the game would be about even. 

30...cxd5 31.cxd5 Bd6 

The "Jerome pawns" have been placed under lock and key.

I was at a loss for a plan to free them.

[to be continued]