Unorthodox Chess Openings Magazines

If you enjoy playing the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) you probably have an interest in playing other "unorthodox" chess openings, as well.

While you may not have the Myers Openings Bulletins at hand (M.O.B. 1979-1988, New M.O.B. 1992-1996)

I've mentioned on this blog three other magazines devoted to unusual opening lines that are still being published.

Kaissiber, a German language magazine published by FIDE Master Stefan Bücker, is always a treasure trove of solid chess creativity and chess history. The current Issue #37 has a large article on the Sicilian Wing Gambit (1.e4 c5 2.b4!?), for example, and on a reversed Budapest Gambit coming out of the Tal Gambit in the Sicilian (1.e4 c5 2.f4 d5 3.Nf3!? dxe4 4.Ng5) amongst other explorations.

The grand-daddy of current unorthodox openings magazines is Rainer Schlenker's Randspringer. The current publication is a triple issue, full of "Kaffeehaus-Schach". Schlenker's imagination knows few bounds, but he frequently plays the openings he presents, and his games are amusing and educational.

A relative "youngster" in the group is the Unorthodox Openings Newsletter. Issue #26 recently appeared. Yes, that is a picture of Women's World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk on the cover. Editor Gary K. Gifford has an interview with Ms. Kosteniuk on the inside pages. There is also a ton of games by Philip du Chattel, who loves to play Nh6 in Hippopotamus style formations. Also catching my eye was more thought, analysis and games on the Tayler Opening (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Be2!?).

Why not check them all out?

Is there a book in all of this??

In June this blog will mark 2 years of daily posts on the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) and openings like the Blackburne Shilling Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nd4 4.Bxf7+), the Semi-Italian Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 h6 4.various Bc5 5.Bxf7+) and the Italian Four Knights Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Nc3 Bc5 5.Bxf7+).

Friends and readers have asked me if I am planning to write a book on the Jerome Gambit.

My answer is that I would love to, but not right now.

For starters, I like the blog format. It keeps me regularly in touch with the Jerome Gambit Gemeinde and chessplayers around the world. It has a flexibility that fits my time and temperment.

Also, I would like to be certain that if FIDE Master Stefan Bücker decides to publish my Jerome Gambit article in his fantastic magazine, Kaissiber, that it contains my best efforts, bar none.

However, if I ever do write a book on the Jerome Gambit, I know exactly what I will call it: Playing and (Sometimes) Winning with the Worst Chess Opening in the World!






graphic by Jeff Bucchino, The Wizard of Draws

Kaissiber!

Regular readers of this blog know that I think very highly of FIDE Master Stefan Bücker's magazine, Kaissiber. If you know any German at all, or if you are interested in playing over the games and the analysis and working to decode the comments with a German/English dictionary – the amount of quality information, especially on unorthodox chess openings, is very impressive.

Kaissiber #37 is due out at the end of March. Word is that it will have a significant article on the Sicilian Wing Gambit, 1.e4 c5 2.b4!?

Also, it again seems somewhat possible that the year 2010 will see a Kaissiber article on the Jerome Gambit. My head is spinning...

Kaissiber #35

Openings

• Maurits Wind: Battle of the Systems: Myers g7-g5 vs Réti
• Lev Gutman: Canal’s 7 Nc3!? in the Two Knights Defense (1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bc4 Bc5 4 d4 exd4 5 0-0 Nxe4 6 Re1 d5 7 Nc3!?, part II)
• (Readers’ Letters) Nachmanson Gambit in the Two Knights; Queen’s Indian Defense
• Further topics: Center Game (commented game, 6 pp.) 

History

• Bent Larsen: Héctor Rossetto 1922-2009
• Peter Anderberg: Emanuel Lasker in Köln
• Alfred Diel: Theo Schuster

Contents in more detail: Openings

ECO Name
A 04 Réti Opening (h6 & g5)
A 46 Queen’s Pawn Opening
A 98 Dutch Defense
B 03 Alekhine Defense
B 20 Sicilian Defense
B 30 Sicilian Defense
B 46 Sicilian Defense
B 51 Sicilian Defense
B 70 Sicilian Defense
C 20 Thyrow Opening 1 e4 e5 2 Na3
C 22 Center Game
C 31 King’s Gambit
C 46 Three Knights Game
C 56 Two Knights Defense (6 Nc3)
C 56 Two Knights Defense Canal
C 58 Two Knights Defense
C 60 Ruy Lopez
C 68 Ruy Lopez
C 77 Ruy Lopez
C 90 Ruy Lopez
D 04 Queen’s Pawn Opening
D 04 Colle System
D 66 Queen’s Gambit
E 05 Catalan Opening
E 14 Queen’s Indian Defense
E 15 Queen’s Indian Defense
E 21 Nimzo Indian Defense
 
 
Kaissiber #35
 
Openings

• Volker Hergert: From’s Gambit
• Michiel Wind: King’s Bishop Gambit
• In the section “games”: 1 e4 c5 2 Na3, resp. 1 e4 e5 2 f4 exf4 3 Nf3 Nf6

History

• Bent Larsen: Fritz Sämisch
• Dieter Mohrlok on Fritz Sämisch
• Peter Anderberg, review: Emanuel Lasker – Denker, Weltenbürger, Schachweltmeister
• Interview: Hübner on Emanuel Lasker
• Peter Anderberg: Alfred Hrdlicka
• Peter Anderberg: Warsaw 1943 (a forgotten match game Bogolyubov – Alekhine and much more)
• Alfred Diel: Salo Flohr
• Adrian Harvey: Early British chess columns and magazines and how they created a “global village of chess”

Contents in more detail: Openings
ECO Name
A 02 From’s Gambit
B 20 Sicilian Defense 2 Na3
B 73 Sicilian Defense
B 84 Sicilian Defense
C 04 French Defense
C 14 French Defense
C 18 French Defense
C 33 King’s Gambit
C 34 King’s Gambit
C 77 Ruy Lopez
D 23 Queen’s Gambit
D 32 Schara-Hennig Gambit
D 63 Queen’s Gambit
E 01 Catalan Opening
E 47 Nimzo-Indian Defense

Kaissiber #34

Of interest to those who play the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) and other, more reputable, unorthodox openings: the latest issue of Stefan Bücker's wonderful quarterly chess magazine, Kaissiber #34, is now available.

Inhalt:
04 Leserbriefe
06 Impressum
09 Maurits Wind: Hugh Myers (1930 - 2008)

Eröffnungen
13 Maurits Wind: Mit g5 gegen Englisch/Myers´Verteidigung und Verwandtes
28 Lew Gutman: Esteban Canals Springerzug 7.Sc3 i.d. Preußischen Partie
Königsgambit (5. ... Sf6)

Schachgeschichte
50 Peter Anderberg: Esteban Canal in Leipzig
70 Alfred Diel: Samuel Reshevsky
72 Sie sind am Zuge

73 Partien (Franco - Polnisch)

74 Literatur

81 Lösungen
82 Register

Jerome Gambit Blog: Still More Tidying Up

Time to review, update, and clarify a few more things in this Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 Bxf7+) blog. For earlier efforts, see "Jerome Gambit Blog: Tidying Up" and "Jerome Gambit Blog: More Tidying Up"

First on my mind is a quote from the second " Tidying Up"

By the way, as for the Kaissiber saga, see

"To Infinity... And Beyond! (Part II)", "Breaking News..." and "Jerome Gambit Blog: Tidying Up ". I'm still hopeful.

I'm not hopeful any more. It's unlikely that my history of the Jerome Gambit will appear in the pages of Stefan Bücker's amazing chess magazine, Kaissiber. While the audacity of such an opening appealed to the editor, the story of Alonzo Wheeler Jerome's creation is a history of questionable analysis and even more questionable play. Although Kaissiber does not shy away from creative chess notions, its focus on an accurate assessment of things would require massive corrections and/or footnoting – to start.

For more about the Jerome Gambit game Harris,W.A. Sgt. - Quayle,Ernest H.Los Angeles, California, USA 1944, as given in "The Joy of Discovery" Parts I, II, and III, there was a little update in "I love a great used book store". And then the trail went cold, again. (On another hunt, "History Mystery" was fun, though; and I look forward to more discoveries about A F Reed, as first set forth in "A Small Clue to Follow..." and "The Game is Afoot!" )


Unusual as it's supposed to be, the Wikipedia article on the Jerome Gambit continues to contain its link to this blog (see "Hey Wiki, it's me, Ricky!").


While the following remains accurate:

"Is it September already

" requires a number of updates. To date there has been no Jerome Gambit tournament in Jerome, Arizona, as far as I know. I still have an observer near the scene, though I'll have my say about it. One of the main figures in the possible Jerome, Arizona "Jerome Gambit Tournament" is the creator of "The Jerome Gambit is Viable - NOT!" video, which I recomment. (Too, my son Matt, of "Driving Distance" has permanently relocated to Scottsdale, Arizona, and will be able to drive up and keep an eye on anything that might occur.)


An update to "The Jerome Gambit Gemeinde (modern)" would have to include chessfriend Geoff Chandler (of Chandler Cornered) whose contributions here (see "Queened! and Rooked!" "Whodunnit??" and "Blunder Table" ) have been hilarious.

I would also like to add the name of Dr. Paulsen

In light of this it certainly seems reasonable (at least until historical precedents are uncovered) to give 5...Ke7 the title of "Paulsen variation" and award the good doctor (PhD) membership in the Jerome Gambit Gemeinde (see "The Jerome Gambit Gemeinde (early)" and "The Jerome Gambit Gemeinde (modern)") – even though there is one earlier example of the line in my database (presented in an earlier post, as well: see "An Odd Line in an Odd Line")."Jerome Gambit, Paulsen Variation"

and that of Francesco Recchia, who contributed the very forward-looking "A Kind of Jerome Gambit that Wins".


The possible connection betwen Winston Churchill and Alonzo Wheeler Jerome (see "From the Email Bag...") has been traced a bit further, to the U.S. northeast; but has not yet been tied together..


Connections betwen IM Gary Lane and the Jerome Gambit continue. Not only is it true that "A check of the Everyman Chess website shows that Gary Lane's The Greatest Ever Chess Tricks and Traps is available" further information exists in "Firsts" and "An International Master Refutes the Jerome Gambit".

The "Jerome Gambit and the Perfesser series" Part I, Part II, Part III and PartIV, was, of course, followed by another instructive, exploratory "human vs computers" match involving, "RevvedUp" and a handful of silicon monsters, starting with "Jerome Gambit: Drilling Down (1)"

"Doesn't anybody read this blog?", regarding perrypawnpusher - Sgrunterundt, blitz 2 18, FICS, 2008 was a needless lament, being followed by a host of responses: "Back at me", "Hoist by my own petard...", "Where are all these Jeromes coming from?", "Perhaps not every opening should be Jerome-ized...", "Be careful what you wish for...", "If I write all this, and someone reads it...", and "I don't have time for this stuff..."

Readers who were interested in "Hip' Kat" should check out a couple of other hippo sources: hippo_chess@abv.bg and hippo_chess@abv.bg.


Another Pandora's box was opened with "London Calling...Seven Months of Blog"

I also got wondering the other day: is there another totally obscure and disreputable tactical opening line or gambit that I could go digging for information about, while I'm researching the Jerome Gambit??

from which came forth "The next best thing...", "The next worse thing...", "Worth a Second Look (Part 1)", "Worth a Second Look (Part 2)", "Worth a Second Look (Part 3)", "Wild!", "Wilder!", "Wildest!", "And Yet Wilder Still...", "More of The Next Best Thing...", "Busch-Gass Gambit" and "Obscure and Disreputable Enough?"


Alas, I have not yet uncovered "The rest of the story...?" concerning the game Wall - Guest4395, Microsoft Internet Gaming Zone, 2001.


For that matter, in "The Westminster Papers" the refererence to the chess player "H.W.P" of Vermont is also still a mystery to me.

Further chapters of "Jerome Gambit for Dummies (1)" "(2)" "(3)" are being prepared.

I have switched from one version of "Chess Publisher" to another to present the games in posts. The earlier one is responsible for the annoying account messages.

Sicilian Jerome Gambit

In a comment to my post "Attacking the King" Jyrki Heikkinen, the creative gambiteer host of the blog "Gambits and Pieces" mentioned that he had played a Sicilian Jerome Gambit (see "Sicilian Jerome"):

Jyrki Heikkinen - Timo-Pekka Lassila,

Tampere, Finland, 1987

1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.Nf3 e5 4.Bc4 Nf6 5.Bxf7+ Kxf7 6.Nxe5+ Ke8 7.Qxd4 Nc6 8.Nxc6 dxc6 9.Qc4 Qa5+ 10.Nc3 Bb4 11.Bd2 Bxc3 12.Bxc3 Qb5 13.Qd4 Kf7 14.a4 Qg5 15.O-O Bh3 16.Qc4 Kg6 17.g3 Bxf1 8.Rxf1 Rae8 19.f4 Qg4 20.f5+ Kh5 21.Qf7+ g6 22.Qxf6 Qxe4 23.h3 Qe3+ 24.Kg2 Qe2+ 25.Rf2 Qe4+ 26.Kh2 Black resigned

An equally outrageous anti-Sicilian line, although a bit less Jerome-ish, can be seen in Stefan Bücker's ChessCafe.com Over the Horizons column, titled "Don't Name the Gambit after Me", where he presents the Al Hadhrani Gambit (with deep analysis that improves on the outcome of this game):

Al Hadhrani - Klinger

Novi Sad Olympiad, 1990

1.Nc3 c5 2.e4 a6 3.Bc4 b5 4.Bxf7+ Kxf7 5.Qh5+ g6 6.Qd5+ e6 7.Qxa8 Qc7 8.d3 Bb7 9.Bf4 d6 10.Qa7 b4 11.Na4 e5 12.Be3 Nd7 13.Nf3 Ne7 14.Bxc5 dxc5 15.Nxe5+ Nxe5 16.Nxc5 Bg7 17.Nxb7 Rb8 18.Qxa6 Rxb7 19.Qa4 b3 20.axb3 Qxc2 21.0-0 Qxd3 22.f4 Ng4 23.e5 Qxb3 24.h3 Ne3 25.Qxb3+ Rxb3 26.Rf3 N7d5 27.Ra2 Kg8 28.Ra8+ Bf8 29.g4 Kf7 30.f5 gxf5 31.gxf5 Bc5 32.Kh1 Rxb2 33.h4 Rb1+ 34.Kh2 Ng4+ 35.Kh3 Nxe5 White resigned

Kaissiber!

I've spoken quite positively of Stefan Bücker's awesome quarterly magazine Kaissiber, which focuses on games, analysis and history (see "To Infinity... And Beyond!", "Breaking News...", "My head is spinning" and "Jerome Gambit Blog: Tidying Up") -- especially unorthodox openings.

Kaissiber 33 is due out today (unless you are a subscriber; in which case you have already received your issue, lucky person) and is well worth tracking down. (Word is that it has some killer King's Gambit analysis...)

If you are interested in collecting back issues of Kaissiber, it is important to know that they are available in bound editions, with the fourth volume due out this coming January (or late December).

Finally, for those of you who have interest in such things, Stefan also has copies for sale of my (with Riley Sheffield; Introduction by Hugh Myers) Marshall Gambit in the French and Sicilian Defenses which focuses upon 1.e4 e6 2.d5 d5 3.Nc3 c5!? and 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 d5!? (and which is much, much sounder than the Jerome Gambit!)

Breaking News...

I've mentioned Kaissiber, before.

Truth be told, I'm also partial to the online Chessville Weekly and the Unorthodox Openings Newsletter (both of which I write for) but nothing quite matches the work of International Master Stefan Bücker.



Don't take my word for it, though – check each issue's Table of Contents: http://www.kaissiber.com/html/heftarchiv.html



I'm highlighting Kaissiber #27 here because it contains an article titled "Alexander Alekhine and Marshall’s 1 d4 d5 2 c4 Nf6!?" – by me.

It's not every day that I can brag that I have something published in two different languages that I can't read – German and Italian.




Anyhow, I just had an exchange of emails with Stefan and as a realistic Editor he had some good news (for me) and some more good news (for Kaissiber readers).



He's still interested in publishing an article on the Jerome Gambit, based on all the information I've been sending him. In the fall. In a much more succinct format than what I've written.

To Infinity... And Beyond! (Part II)

International Master Stefan Bücker's quarterly magazine, Kaissiber, is arguably the second best chess magazine in the world today. (I'll nod in the general direction of New In Chess for top status, but will go no further than that.)

For a combination of games, analysis, art, history, photographs, discovery, creativity and whimsey, Kaissiber is hard to beat. Chess players who can appreciate the now in chess, as well as the then, the why? and the why not? all should become familiar with the 31 issues of this gem of a publication.

Kaissiber's German language and Italian language editions (with English on the horizon) are read the world over

Some time this year, perhaps in the fall issue, Kaissiber will publish an article outlining the history of the Jerome Gambit, based on my researches.