Sunday, February 28, 2021

Jerome Gambit: Weaving



Sometimes I get so busy talking about the effect of the pawns in a Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Bc5 3.Bc4 Nc6 4.Bxf7+) game that I neglect to point out the work the pieces do.

For that matter, I am more likely to discuss the tactics that arise in a 1 0 bullet game than I am to point out the strategic awareness of the gambiteer as well.

The following game shows angelcamina weaving all of the threads into an enjoyable win.


angelcamina - AbhishekNM

1 0 bullet, lichess.org, 2021


1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Bc5 3.Bc4 Nc6 4.Bxf7+ 


4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ng6 


7.Qd5+ Ke8 8.Qxc5 Qh4 


A sharp idea. This is only the third example in The Database. (For a real horror show, check out perrypawnpusher - Toscolano, blitz, FICS, 2015 [1-0, 36], for Mature Audiences Only.)

9.Nc3 Nf6 10.d3 Nf4 11.O-O Qg4 


Simply threatening checkmate.

12.Bxf4 Qxf4 13.g3 Qf3 

Stronger is 13...Qd6 14.Qxd6 cxd5, but someone thinking about mate is not going to suddenly swap Queens and retard his development.

14.Qxc7 Kf7 15.Rae1 

Time to eject the enemy Queen.

15...Rf8 16.Re3 Qg4 


With three pawns for the sacrificed piece, the game is about even.

17.Qc4+ Kg6 18.Kg2 

A slip that neither player noticed. Instead, 18.f4 would build on White's initiative and highlight Black's stagnation.

18...Qg5 

Essential was 18...d5, when it would be White who would be in grave danger.

Not the kind of positions to have to evaluate with only a few seconds of thinking time per move!

19.f4 

White is back in charge.

19...Qa5 20.f5+ Kh6 21.e5 Ne8 22.Qh4 checkmate




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