The above position arises when White, in a variation of the Jerome Gambit, allows his Queen to yield to temptation and deliver a check from the back rank.
The warning against such a thing, with an explanation, is given in "Jerome Gambit: Developing (Part 1)"
Why a warning?
The Database shows 48 games with the line, with White scoring 31% (14 - 32 - 1).
Frankly, I am surprised that I don't have a game in that pile.
Some players are willing to brave the line, however - once. For example, Babypawnmonster, with 69 games in The Database, scoring 57%, gave it a try.
Babypawnmonster - henbra
10 0 rapid, lichess.org, 2024
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+
4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ke6
7.f4 Qf6 8.Qe8+
8...Qe7
The superficial attraction of 8.Qe8+ is that it looks like Black will need to find an alternative to the check-block 8...Ne7, because that would lose a Rook.
This is an illusion, as the Knight move is the strongest for Black -
8...Ne7 9.f5+ (9.Qxh8 Qh4+ 10.g3 [10.Kd1 Qg4+ 11.Ke1
Qxg2 12.Rf1 Nf3+ 13.Rxf3 Qxf3] 10...Qg4 11.Rf1 Nf3+ 12.Rxf3 Qxf3 13.f5+ Kf7 14.d4 [14.d3 Nxf5 checkmates] 14...Qxe4+ 15.Kd1 Qxd4+ 16.Bd2 Qg1+ 17.Be1 Bf2 18.c3 d5 19.Qxc8 [19.g4 Qxe1+ checkmates] 19...Qxe1+ 20.Kc2 Rxc8) 9...Kd6 10.Qh5 (10.Qxh8 Qh4+ 11.Kd1 Qg4+ 12.Ke1 Qxg2 13.Rf1 Qxe4+ 14.Kd1 Qg4+ 15.Ke1 Qh4+ [15...Nf3+ 16.Rxf3 Qxf3 17.d4 Qe4+ 18.Kd1 Qxd4+ 19.Nd2 Qg4+ 20.Ke1 Nxf5] 16.Kd1 Qg4+ 17.Ke1 b6)
Still, in the game, Black's 8...Qe7 is good and continues his advantage.
9.f5+ Kf6 10.Qh5 d5 11.d4 Bxd4
Oh, my!
It is necessary to remain alert to tactics, even in a winning position. Play should go something like 11...g6 12.Bg5+ Kg7 13.Qh4 Nf6 14.dxc5 and Black is doing well.
12.Bg5 checkmate
Another example of "the equalizing injustice of chess" (Edward Lasker, 1913).
No comments:
Post a Comment