Other times - as in the following game - the defender is more resolute. Still, if White keeps applying pressure, shaking things, he may yet induce the error that he is hoping for.
Wall, Bill - Akela
internet, 2022
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+
4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.d4
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6...Bxd4 7.Qxd4 d6 8.O-O Nf6 9.Nc3 Rf8 10.f4 Nc6 11.Qd3 Kg8
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12.Bd2 h6 13.Rae1 a6
The last two pawn pushes are not blunders, but they slightly weaken the defender's position and suggest that he may have exhausted his ideas for improving his position.
14.Rf3 b5 15.Nd5 Bb7 16.Rg3 Ne7 17.Nxf6+ Rxf6 18.f5
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18...Kh8 19.Bc3 Rf7 20.Bxg7+
This move says "blitz" to me. Shake things up, see what shakes loose.
20...Rxg7 21.Qc3 Qg8 22.Rxg7 Qxg7 23.f6
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23...Qf7 24.fxe7+ Kg8
Stepping out of the line of fire - but into the way of a possible counter-attack. Instead, 24...Qg7 would keep options open, as 25.Qxc7 could be met by 25...Rg8.
Now, however, White has all the advantages.
25.Qxc7 Bc8 26.Qd8+ Black resigned
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Some Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) themes repeat. The following game, showcasing the pawns vs the extra piece, reminds me of the post "The Pawns! The Pawns!" from 9 years ago.
Wall, Bill - Mubbu
internet, 2022
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+
4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ng6
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7.Qd5+ Ke8 8.Qxc5 N8e7 9.O-O
Instead, 9.Nc3 was seen in Wall,B - Andr,T, Chess.com, 2010;(1-0, 25),
9...d6
Or 9...Rf8 as in Wall,B - Guest348906, PlayChess.com 2013 1-0, 24)
10.Qe3
Or 10.Qh5 Be6 11.f4 Bf7 12.Qb5+ Kf8 13.Qxb7 Kg8 14.Nc3 Bc4 15.d3 Be6 16.f5 Nxf5 17.exf5 Black resigned, Wall,B - Guest567544, PlayChess.com, 2013.
10...Be6
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11.f4 Bf7 12.d4 Rf8
Black plans on sheltering in place.
13.f5 Nh8 14.g4
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14...d5
Sometimes this move is key for the defender against the Jerome Gambit. Not this time.
15.e5 c6 16.e6 Bg8 17.Qe5
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17...Qb8
Challenging the enemy Queen, but Stockfish 15 prefers returning an exchanging some material with 17...Bxe6 18.Qxe6 Qd7 19.Qxd7+ Kxd7 20.Nd2 Nf7 21.Nf3 h5 22.h3 hxg4 23.hxg4 Rae8, when White would still be better, but Black would still be in the game.
18.Qxg7 Bxe6 19.fxe6 Rg8 20.Qxh7 Rxg4+ 21.Kh1 Black resigned
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Anatoly Karpov & Jerome Gambit (Part 5)
(by Yury V. Bukayev)
Dear reader, you know that usually I write about new theoretical inventions and psychology in chess openings on this blog, also about notable chess games.
The Part 5 of this my work is about wrong Anatoly Karpov (in contrast with the Part 2). Thus, it’s a story about my new notable Jerome gambit game against a chess amateur Anatoly Karpov, a father of a little boy (my first game against him was shown in the Part 3). This new game was played also in Moscow this year, in two weeks after our second game (Part 4). Thus, after his loss in that game Anatoly wanted to prove that his knowledge of the Jerome gambit theory and practice can lead him to a win. So he suggested me to play once again, but the other variation: 6.d4. I answered that I need some days for my analytical preparation to it, and he gave me the payment for this future game.
I have understood that my chance for a success after probable 6.d4 Qh4! is little in comparison, for example, with the variation 6.Qh5+ Ke6 7.Qh3+! and that I should play much more rapidly than my opponent to fight for a draw or a win. And after my preparation I have chosen the new time control. Thus, here is our new game:
Bukayev, Yury – Karpov, Anatoly (father)
blitz, 3+0
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.d4 Qh4 7.0-0 Ng4 8.h3.
Before the start of this game I understood that it could be one of the most probable lines.
8…Bd6
I was almost sure that my opponent’s probable choice could be one of two known recommendations of Rick Kennedy’s blog - 8…Bd6 9.e5 (Sorensen) 9…Be7 10.hxg4 d6 or 8…Bb6 9.hxg4 d6, so I was right. Since different retreats of Black’s Bishop can give a normal position to Black, then these recommendations are good. But my invented way 8…Be7 N 9.hxg4 d6 is the simplest way instead: White doesn’t have a counter-play here, Black after 10.f3 plays 10…Bg5 or 10…h5 with the large advantage. After 8…Bb6 9.hxg4 d6 I could play 10.f3 c5 (or 10…g5 11.Be3 N) 11.c3 cxd4 12.cxd4 Bd8 (12…Be6 13.Be3 N Bd8 14.Bf2 Qg5 15.f4 Qxg4 16.f5) 13.Qb3+ N Ke8 14.Qd5 with the counter-play.
9.e5 Be7 10.hxg4 d6 11.e6+ N
Anatoly was surprised here. He started to think, and I started to have an advantage on time. It was my trap, and he couldn’t see it.
11…Bxe6?!
After the stronger move 11…Ke8! White should play 12.g5 to try to continue the risky blitz fight, but 11…Bxe6 is the most “natural” move.
12.Qf3+ Ke8
The move 12…Ke8 wasn’t an automatic one for my opponent too. It maybe, he thought about 12…Nf6 where 13.g5 Bd5! 14.Qg3! (14.Qd3 Qe4! -+) 14…Qxg3 15.fxg3 gives a chance to White too.
13.Qxb7
White gets a necessary counter-play. During a half of minute Anatoly thought to choose his plan (and I thought here too).
13…Rc8 14.Nc3 h5?! 15.g5 Qxd4?! 16.Be3
White prevents 16…Qb6, and we can see a start of the attack. During a minute Anatoly thought and tried to not lose the calmness. In result, he responded:
16…Qc4 17.Nb5 Kd7
It should be noted that after 17…Qd5?? White wins: 18.Qxc8+ Bxc8 19.Nxc7+.
18.Nxa7 Re8 19.Rfd1,
and White won on time. It is important that White has the large advantage.
The game is very notable. I thank Anatoly very much again! And the strong development of the Jerome gambit theory (the line 6.d4) is important too.