Jerome Gambit Endgame (Not)

 

I recently played a game that was enjoyable, and which suggested that I had been paying attention to my chess books over the years. 

The following position arose (not out of a Jerome Gambit, although that does not matter, here) after Black's 37th move.

What I could remember from Reuben Fine's Basic Chess Endgames (1941) is that it is good to have a Rook against a Knight in the ending, because the Rook can be exchanged for the Knight...

Not sure I got that right.

Anyhow.

38.Qc3 Qxc3 39.bxc3 

The doubled c-pawns will prove handy.

39...Kg6 40.Rh1 Kg5 41.Kf3 b6 42.Rb1 Nf7 43.axb6 cxb6 44.Rxb6 Ne5+ 

45.Kf2 f3 46.Rxa6 Kf4 47.Rxd6 Kxe4 48.Re6 Kxd5 

49.Rxe5+ Kxe5 50.Kxf3 Kd5 

I am not sure, but my opponent might have been testing me here: I have been known to not pay close enough attention to important things.

51.Ke3 Kc4 52.Kd2 Kc5 53.Kd3 Kd5 54.c4+ Kc5 55.Kc3 

Readers who anticipated this position likely know how the game will end.

55...Kc6 56.Kd4 Kd6 57.c5+ Kc6 58.Kc4 

And so it goes.

58...Kc7 59.Kd5 Kd7 60.c6+ Kc7 61.Kc5 

And, again.

61...Kc8 62.Kd6 Kd8 63.c7+ Kc8 

Here, with 64.Kc6, I would have rewarded my opponent's hopes with stalemate!

64.c3 Black resigned

Now, Black's King will have to release the blockade of the forward c-pawn with 64...Kb7, when my King can advance with 65.Kd7, preparing for the pawn's promotion on the next move.