Thursday, April 21, 2022

Semi-Italian Jerome Gambit Crush



Computer chess programs tend to cringe when assessing most things related to the Jerome Gambit.

However, as the following game demonstrates, the defender has a limited time - especially in a blitz game - to think like a computer, before experiencing a very dangerous attack on his King. 


Guest8331223623 - Guest6049581065

10 0 blitz, Chess.com


1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 h6 

The Semi-Italian Opening.

4.Bxf7+ 

The Semi-Italian Jerome Gambit. White does not wait for his opponent to develop a Bishop to c5 before attacking.

The Database has 2,634 games with this line. White scores 42%. 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.d4 Nc6 7.d5 Ne5 


The play has a Halloween Gambit feel.

8.O-O Nf6 9.Be3 Bd6 

White would meet 9...Nxe4 with 10.Qd4.

10.f4 Neg4 11.Bd4 Nxe4 12.Qxg4 Rf8 


Black's defense has been holding, but there are tell tale problems, such as his Bishop blocking the d-pawn which blocks the other Bishop which hems in the Rook...

With the text move Black prepares to castle-by-hand, but he overlooks the danger of the White Bishop at d4. Instead, 12...Nf6 would have been solid.

White's attack is now brutal.

13.Qxg7+ Ke8 14.Qg6+ Rf7 15.Re1 Qe7 

A little bit better would have been 15...Be7, but it hardly matters.

16.Rxe4 Qxe4 17.Qxe4+ Re7 

See the previous note.

18.Qg6+ Rf7 19.Nc3 c6 20.Re1+ Kf8 21.Qxh6+ Kg8 22.Qh8 checkmate


Recall the note to Black's 12th move.


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