I ran across a copy of GM Lev Alburt's "Back to Basics" column in Chess Life, titled "How to Trick the Trickster", featuring my Blackburne Shilling Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nd4 4.Bxf7+) blitz game against PunisherABD, on FICS.
I want to quote from GM Alburt, as it could be applied to the Jerome Gambit, as well.
When is it OK to use traps that may be somewhat unsound? First, the potential punishment your well-prepared opponent can mete out to you should be relatively mild, while your reward (should he fall into your trap) should be much bigger. Two, at least three out of ten (30%) of your current opponents should go wrong! (When you are faced with the unenviable task of repeatedly defending a worse position rather than enjoying the fruits of your cleverness, it's time to quit. You've outgrown this particular trap.)
From my students' experience, the trap below (3...Nd4) works well up to the 1400 level. (Even higher in blitz: your opponent might be able to recall/find the right way, but it may cost him too much time for his comfort.)
Something to think about.
Earlier this year I mentioned that the March 2011 issue of Chess Life contained Grandmaster Lev Alburt's "Back to Basics" column titled "How to Trick the Trickster", featuring my Blackburne Shilling Jerome Gambit game against PunisherABD.
Readers who are members of the United States Chess Federation, or those who have access to Chess Life, may have noticed that the May 2011 "Back to Basics" column, focusing on "Transposing Into Your Pet Line", also referenced my work on the Blackburne Shilling Jerome Gambit.
The desire to get "your own" pet position is quite understandable; if such an attept is good, bad, or in-between, depends on circumstances.
Here is an example ad ridiculum:
After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 there is a well-known trap, 3...Nd4 hoping for 4.Nxe5? Qg5, with advantage for Black. In the March 2011 issue, Rick Kennedy submitted his game, where he played 4.Bxf7+, which should lead to approximate equality after 4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ (Several "normal" moves: 4.Nxd4!; 4.c3; and 4.0-0 give White an edge).
Writes Rick:
"I have actually faced 4...Ke7? with the idea that after White's bishop retreats Black can play 5...Ke8, hoping again for 6.Nxe5?, when 6...Qg5! would again stir things up in Black's favor.
However, White answers 5...Ke8 with 6.Nxd4 exd4 7.Qh5+ and a strong attack."
The Blackburne Shilling Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nd4!?) is supposed to lead to exciting chess for the second player, but when White responds in Jerome Gambit style (4.Bxf7+!?) there is excitement for both players (as GM Lev Alburt pointed out in his March 2011 Chess Life column, "How to Trick the Trickster").
If Black tries further psychology with 4...Ke7?!, either as a form of "Jedi mind trick" (search "mind trick" on this blog, or start here) or out of contrariness, it is up to White to claim his advantage.
The following game ends quickly, as Black realizes that he is simply down two pawns, and those are odds that he did not want to give.
perrypawnpusher - issamica
blitz, FICS, 2011
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nd4
The Blackburne Shilling Gambit.
4.Bxf7+
The Blackburne Shilling Jerome Gambit.
4...Ke7
I admit, the first time that zadox played this move against me, in a sort of "Jedi mind trick" (how else to explain my strange chess behavior?), it left me quite indisposed. Readers of this blog should not fall for such a thing, though.
Defenders who decide "if you want me to take the Bishop, then I won't take it" must also live with the consequences of such a position.
5.Bxg8
There is nothing wrong with 5.Bb3 as in perrypawnpusher - Roetman, blitz, FICS, 2010 (1-0, 12); or 5.Bc4 as in perrypawnpusher - vlas, blitz, FICS, 2010 (1-0, 84), perrypawnpusher - zadox, blitz, FICS, 2010 (1-0, 14) or perrypawnpusher - PlatinumKnight, blitz, FICS, 2010 (1-0, 9).
5...Rxg8 6.Nxe5
It is also quite possible to play 6.Nxd4 or 6.d3.
6...d6
Or 6...Ke8 7.d3 d6 as in perrypawnpusher - TheProducer, blitz, FICS, 2009 (1-0, 16).
7.d3 Ke6
8.Nf3
Playing it safe and sitting on my two pawn advantage.
Adventurous readers would no doubt prefer to offer a piece that cannot be taken, with 8.Qg4+ Ke7 (8...Kxe5 9.Bf4+ Kf6 10.Qg5+ Kf7 11.Qxd8; 8...Kf6 9.Bg5+ Kxe5 10.f4#; 8...Nf5 9.Qxf5+ Ke7 10.Qf7#) 9.Qh5 when White's threat to win the Black Queen with Bg5+ is too much to cope with.
My plan was equally unpalatable to my opponent.
Black resigned
Readers who have access to the March 2011 issue of Chess Life are urged to turn to page 44 and take a look at Grandmaster Lev Alburt's "Back to Basics" column, titled this time around "How to Trick the Trickster". It features my Blackburne Shilling Jerome Gambit game against PunisherABD.
