Jerome Gambit: In the End, It Was the Pawns (Part 3)

 

[continued from previous post]

perrypawnpusher - jjdd57

3 d/move, "Piano Piano" tournament, Chess.com, 2021

White's chances rest with his "Jerome pawns".

25.c4 Nb6 26.Ba5 

A bit stronger might be 26.b3, especially if Black eventually returns a Knight for two pawns, because then White would have a Bishop versus a Knight.

26...Kd7 27.Bxb6

Again, 27.b3 might be better.

27...axb6 28.Rg4 

The f-file might be a better place for the Rook.

28...g6 

Black's pawn should take two steps, not one. The Chess.com computer calls the move a mistake.

After the game, Stockfish 14 suggested 28...g5 29.h4 Ng6 30.hxg5 h5 31.Re4 c5 32.Ke2 cxd4 33.Kd3 Nxe5+ 34.Kxd4 Kxd6 when White's pawn center is blown up and the second player is better. That's complicated, though.

29.Ke2 

A mistake, as well. The Rook needed to go to the f-file.

29...c5 30.Kd3 cxd4 31.Kxd4 Ne6+ 

White's King rushes to the center, as does Black's Knight.

The question now is can either Rook penetrate into the enemy's camp?

32.Ke4 g5 

Black moves the pawn to where it is protected, and envisions an outpost for his Knight at f4. Nonetheless, after the game 32...Nc5+ was the computer's choice.

33.Rg3 Rf8 34.Rf3 Rxf3 35.gxf3 Nf4 

White has managed to exchange off the Rooks, but now the enemy Knight pays a visit. It is temporary, however.

36.Kf5 Ne6 37.Ke4 Ke8 38.Kf5 Kf7 

I was willing to repeat the position to reach a draw. My opponent was not.

39.Ke4 Kg6 

This looked scary for White, but Black cannot afford to have his King invade the Kingside, as that would allow my King to advance in the center - where my pawns are faster. I was not so sure about that at the time, but looking back, it seems so.

40.b4 

Hoping that the extra pawns can help.

40...Nd8 

It is not readily apparent - it certainly was not to me at the time - but Black's Knight is not fully safe here. Best, according to Stockfish 14, is 40...Kg7 41.a4 Kf7 42.a5 bxa5 43.bxa5 Ke8 44.Kd5 Kd7 45.h3 Nf4+ 46.Kd4 Ne6+ with a draw by repetition.

That's right, those scary "Jerome pawns" are not enough to win.

[to be continued]