Bxf7+ against the Philidor Defense

The game Pete Banks ("blackburne") referred to in the last post packs a lot of interesting chess in less than a dozen moves. It blew my mind.

Clark (Halesowen),M - Lloyd (Greenlands),J 
Worcester County League D2, 2013

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bc4 Bd7 

A bit unusual for a Philidor Defense. When I first saw it I figured that Black was planning on answering 4.d4 with 4...exd4 and then 5...Nc6.

4.d4 b5 

This is Black's idea, quite unexpected. Now Houdini, analyzing, goes to town, showing White working over the Queenside and then winning a pawn: 5.Bd5 c6 6.Bb3 exd4 7.Qxd4 Na6 8.a4 Nc5 9.axb5 Nxb3 10.cxb3 cxb5 11.0-0 Nf6 12.Bf4 Be7 13.Bxd6. 

5.Bxf7+

I am not going to call this a "Jerome" anything - but I like the move. The meanest thing Houdini has to say about it is that it leads to an even game.

5...Kxf7 

Of course, Black has to take the sacrifice, as the oppositional 5...Ke7 is met by 6.Bxg8 h6 7.dxe5 Rxg8 8.Qd5. 

6.Ng5+ 

This has the feel of an ad hoc attack, but there are some interesting aspects to the position, starting with the fact that Black is still weak on the light squares, even after White has sacrificed his light-squared Bishop.

6...Ke8 7.dxe5 dxe5 

Played too quickly. Houdini suggests 7...Qe7 8.Nc3 c6 (8...Qxe5 9.Nd5 Na6 10.f4) 9.exd6 Qxd6 10.Qe2 h6 = (10...Qg6 11.f4) 11.Nf3 Bg4 12.0-0 Qg6 13.Re1 Qh5 14.e5 Ne7 15.Bf4 Kf7 =. 

8.Qd5 Qe7 9.Qxa8 Qb4+ 10.c3 Black resigned.

I will have to keep my eyes open to see if 4...b5 ever shows its face in the Worcester County League again.

Comment on all these Bxf7+s

In a comment to "Curse You, Red Baron!" Pete Banks ("blackburne") wrote


Hi Rick, you seem to class anything with an early Bxf7 as some kind of Jerome these days. A member of my club recently won an OTB game in 10 moves after saccing on move 5. I would class it as a Philidor, but if you're interested, it's here:

http://www.halesowenchessclub.org.uk/mcvjl.htm




My response -


Hi Pete,

Thanks for the game reference. I'll share the line with Readers in a few posts. (I'm always disappointed when my opponent plays 2...d6.)

I've expanded coverage in this blog from Jerome Gambit games to Jerome-like, Jerome-ish, and Jerome-inspired lines, as many of those who play the "standard" Jerome also like to toss in Bxf7+ elsewhere.

Best wishes,
Rick

Meet Jerome

Here is the latest over-the-board Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) from Gemeinde member Pete Banks ("blackburne"). Pete is the strongest player I know of who plays the Jerome in "real" games where rating points (and the esteem of his clubmates) are on the line.

In this game, Pete introduces his young opponent to chess-the-way-it-can-not-be-played-anymore. All of Black's modern "tools", however, fail to crack the code...

The annotations are by the winner, from his post at: http://www.halesowenchessclub.org.uk/pbcollect.htm

P Banks, Halesowen - M Ferguson, Birmingham Checkmates
Dudley League division 2
October 2011

As the game started I knew that my opponent was graded about the same as me, and as a junior he was likely to be stronger than his grade. He's probably also been coached in 'correct' chess. Therefore I'm going to have to play something unusual that he might not have encountered before. I also try to look as much like an evil grandad as possible and growl at him during the pre-match pleasantries. Intimidation helps against kids.

1.e4 e5

Now, shall I play King's Gambit or Nf3? I'm tempted to play f4 because I like the positions you get if Black responds classically. The trouble is a lot of people now play an early...d6 which leads to a more closed game. I think this was Fischer's idea. Anyway...

2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5

I can't believe my luck! This allows me to play the Jerome Gambit. If he'd played 3...Nf6 I'd have gone for the Fried Liver Attack.

4.Bxf7+

Bingo! He'd obviously never seen this before, and thought for a long time. This in itself almost justifies the sac because it is a rapid-play finish, and though I'm a quick player, juniors are sometimes even quicker, so any advantage on the clock is a real bonus.

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+

He hadn't been expecting this either - the 'Classical' Jerome. Two pieces sacced in the first 5 moves. Another long think by my opponent.

5...Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ng6 7.Qxc5 d6

This is all a standard line, and he's found all the right moves though it's taken a long time. I've effectively sacced a piece for two pawns and exposed his king, but now comes the downside of this opening. I have to try to develop and consolidate before I can attack any more.

8.Qe3 Nf6 9.d3 Re8 10.0-0

I couldn't allow ...d5 while my king was in the middle. My opponent dominates for the next spell.

10...Ng4

After 10 moves, I've used 3 minutes against 25 by him. The game is only 75+15minutes, so I'm pleased with that.

11.Qf3+

I think this is a mistake. I should have played Qg3. I was afraid of 11....Qh4, but in the end it comes to the same thing. I've just wasted a move.

11...Qf6 12.Qg3 Qh4

If I go h3, he'll swap and my pawns are messed up. If I go f3, he could go back to f6, and it's either a draw by repetition or I swap queens. Might as well do it now, though I think I'm losing.

[Pete's opponent was probably very pleased with himself. He had remembered his coaching and used the time that he needed to deal with two opening surprises that otherwise might have caused him to blunder. True, he might run short of time later, but if he goofs up early, there won't be a later... Returning a piece rather than hanging onto both of the gifts was a practical, even scientific, decision. Now Black disables White's attack by swapping Queens. If need be, in the future, he can even return his extra piece for some pawns. Science vs Alchemy, Q.E.D. - Rick]

13.Qxh4 Nxh4

I need to get pieces developed, but also push the famous 'Jerome pawns' as soon as possible. If I can make immediate threats at least I get back some initiative.

14.f4 Ng6 15.Nc3 c6 16.f5 N6e5 17.h3 Nf6 18.g4

18...Nfxg4

That's a surprise, and possibly a mistake, but I can see why he did it. He returns the material, but gets a passed pawn.

19.hxg4 Nxg4 20.Rf4 Nf6 21.Bd2 d5 22.Re1 dxe4 23.dxe4

I'm feeling a bit more confident now. I've got a passed pawn as well, my development is (finally) better, and my king is in front of his dangerous pawns.

23...h6 24.Rf3 b6 25.e5 Nd5 26.Nxd5 cxd5

I think he's beginning to lose it. He's now got an isolated pawn, and my two look pretty dangerous.

27.e6+ Kf6 28.Bc3+ Ke7

There might be something clever here, but I just take the pawn. I'm not afraid of 29...Rg8 because of 30.f6

29.Bxg7 Kd6 30.Bxh6

I think this is won now. The clocks go back 15 minutes after his next move. I'll have 65 minutes left and he'll have 20 minutes. He's been looking anxiously at the clock for a long time now.

30...Rg8+ 31.Kf2 Rh8 32.Bf4+ Ke7 33.f6+

If 33.....Kxf6 34 Be5. This is about the cleverest manoeuvre I've made all game, and it's only one move deep. He glances at me for the first time in the game and I give a little half-smirk.

33...Kf8 34.Bd6+ Ke8 35.f7+ Kd8 36.f8Q+ Rxf8 37.Rxf8 checkmate 

It's always good to keep kids in their place as long as possible. In a couple of years' time he'll probably thrash me.

Sunday Book Review: The Future of Post-Human Chess

The Future of Post-Human Chess

Peter Baofu, PhD
Cambridge International Science Publishing Ltd. (2010)
hard cover, 440 pages
http://www.cisp-publishing.com/



[Having received a communication from the author that "there are a few comments in the reviews which are not correct or questionable" I have removed the review. - Rick]

Blackburne Shilling Gambit: The Trapper Trapped? (Part 2)

Back to Pete's game (see "Blackburne Shilling Gambit: The Trapper Trapped? (Part 1)") without any more unnecessary editorial interruptions!

Draper - Banks
Wolverhampton
Summer League
Halesowen v Lucas B
June 2004

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4

Let's go for the Blackburne Shilling Trap. He's only a kid, he may not know it.

3...Nd4 4.Nxd4

Damn! Why do they hardly ever take the pawn?

4...exd4 5.0-0

Hmm, last time I played this, Bc5 was met by Qh5, but I think I've seen an improvement.

5...Bc5 6.Bxf7+ Kxf7 7.Qh5+ Kf8 8.Qxc5+ d6 9.Qxd4

So much for the improvement!

Let's see... 2 pawns down, can't castle, no pieces developed, behind on the clock. Better start playing!

9...Bd7 10.d3 Qf6 11.Qe3

Interesting. He doesn't want to swap Queens. I may be able to use that.

11...Ne7 12.Nc3 c6

Don't want that N hopping in.

13.f4

I don't like pins, even potential ones.

13...Kg8 14.e5 Qg6 15.exd6 Nf5 16.Qe4 Re8 17.Qf3

This is beginning to look OK. 3 pawns down, but I've got 2 extra pieces developed. One Rook trapped, he's ahead on the clock.

17...Nd4 18.Qg3 Qxd6

That's one of the little blighters!

19.Qf2 Bg4 20.Ne4 Qd5 21.Re1

Got to try to get my other Rook out, whatever the risk.

21...Kf7

Must get my other rook out, whatever the risk.

It gets a bit complicated from hereon in, but don't expect me to explain it.

22.c4

Time for a little combination I think

22...Ne2+ 23.Rxe2 Qxd3 24.Ng5+ Kg6 25.Rd2 Qxc4

Ok, got my pawns back, just a N down now. I reckon that's better, because if everything's swapped off, 3 pawns can win, but a N can't.

26.f5+ Bxf5 27.Rd6+ Kh5 28.Qf3+

This is looking a teeny bit dangerous.

28...Bg4 29.Qf7+ Qxf7

No choice.

30.Nxf7 Rhf8 31.h3 Be2 32.Rd7 Bc4 33.Ng5 Re1+

Seize the moment!

34.Kh2 Bd5 35.Rxg7

I laugh in the face of his threats!

35...Rf2 36.Kg3 Rxg2+ 37.Kf4

I've only got 7 minutes left, against his 45.

It looks as though we're winning the match. Better bail out.

37...Rf2+ 38.Kg3 Rg2+ Draw

Blackburne Shilling Gambit: The Trapper Trapped?? (Part 1)

Pete Banks ("blackburne") of the Jerome Gambit Gemeinde, sends us the following game - not arising from 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf6+, but quickly showing some Jerome-ish characteristics. Who winds up trapping who??

Draper - Banks
Wolverhampton Summer League
Halesowen v Lucas B
June 2004 (notes by Banks)

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4
Let's go for the Blackburne Shilling Trap. He's only a kid, he may not know it.

3...Nd4

Let's leave Pete's game for a moment.

Those readers unfamiliar with the Blackburne Schilling Gambit can get a quick update from the entry at Wikipedia. See also "Blackburne Shilling Jerome Gambit" on this blog.

I did some research on the BSG a few years ago, especially after learning that International Master Michael Basman (of the St. George Defense, Macho Grob, and Creeply Crawly Opening, among many unorthodox lines) might have a connection. Here is our exchange of emails.

Dear Mr. Basman,

I am trying to track down how the line 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nd4!? came to be known as Blackburne's Shilling Gambit.
Supposedly the story is that he used the line to score quick wins against amateurs and pocket stakes of a shilling a game. However, I've not been able to turn up a BSG game with Blackburne on either side of the Gambit. Contemporary sources, at least as far as I've been able to see, might cover the line; but I've found nobody attributing it to "The Black Death."
The earliest game I've found with the BSG is from 1911; the earliest reference I've found linking Blackburne and the line has been The Complete Chess Addict by James and Fox (1987).
Mr. James indicated to me that in the 1980s or 1990s you had written a small booklet on the "Oh My God" opening. I was wondering if you had found any Blackburne game or connection with the opening. (I also wonder if you ever played it yourself?) Thank you for whatever help you can provide.
Sincerely,
Rick Kennedy

Quickly came the reply.

Dear Rick,

No I never played the opening (Oh my god!) but I did fall for it once.

I introduced it to some of my pupils. As I was explaining it to them I realised that their opponents would not get the point without a little prompting. So I explained that when they played Nd4 they should clap their hands to their foreheads and say "Oh my gosh, I've lost a pawn!" pointing to the e5 square if necessary. Then, after Nxe5 Qg5, they should have an apoplectic fit and say "Oh no, now I've lost a rook".

This should be enough to guide their opponents on the right path. After Nxf7 Qxg2 there would be no more need for acting and they could just deliver the checkmate.

I knew my plan had worked because one of my pupil's opponents rushed out of the room in tears shortly after the commencement of the round.

The opening soon became all the rage in Surrey without the children understanding much about it.
One of my pupils, who knew the line well, fell into it herself and was promptly checkmated. When I pointed this out to her, that she had fallen into the "Oh my god trap", she explained to me that this was not the case. I asked her why not - she said "because he did not say 'Oh my god!' "

Best of luck with your researches,

Mike Basman

A Walk on the Wild Side... (Part II)

Pete Banks ("blackburne") continues with his adventures...

"A Walk on the Wild Side..."

P Banks - R Brodie
Wolverton U-100 Cup

Halesowen v Bushbury
15.10.2008

25 minutes for 30 moves.
I'd better play quickly.

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5

Ah! This gives me the chance to play the Jerome Gambit.
After the night I've had, I NEED to play it!

4.Bxf7+ Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5
I love to see the look of bewilderment on their faces when they realise I've just sacced two pieces in 5 moves!

6.Qh5+ Ng6 7.Qxc5 d6
All standard stuff so far. I've played this lots of times but I'm still not sure of the best continuation now.

I've got a piece and 2 pawns for my two pieces and he can't castle. I need to develop quickly and push my extra pawns.

8.Qe3 Be6

[Played once before, but Brodie's bad luck is that it was in the game blackburne - calchess10, chessworld.com 2008, (1-0, 60) - Rick]

9.Nc3 N8e7 10.f4
Threatening a pawn fork.

10...Bd7

I've taken 4 minutes to his 20 so far. Another good reason to play the Jerome.

11.0-0 Re8 12.Qf2

I get nervous if my Q might be pinned, plus this stops ...Nh4.

12...Kg8 13.d4 Nc6 14.f5
This is starting to look good.

14...Nf8 15.Qg3

I don't think he's got time for ...Nxd4.

[15...Nxd4 16.f6 wins - Rick]

15...Qf6 16.d5 Nd4 17.Bg5

His Q is almost trapped. We both thought that if he played 17...Qf7 then f6 wins, but after the game we couldn't quite see a definite win.

[Neither can Deep Rybka 3, although it prefers 18.Qd3 - Rick]

17...Qe5

I don't want to swap queens, or my attack disappears and I might well end up losing.

18.Bf4 Qf6 19.Bg5 Qe5

Draw agreed.

I probably should have tried harder to see a win, but I only had about 10 minutes left to reach 30 moves.

After the evening I'd had I was glad of the draw.

[I fed the game to Deep Rybka 3 Human 32 bit, inside of Fritz8, and had it do a blunder check of the game, set for 5 minutes per half-move. It had only two suggestions of note, preferring 12.f5 (instead of 12.Qf2) Ne5 13.d4 Ng4 14.Qf3 Nf6 15.e5 dxe5 16.dxe5 Bc6 17.Qg3 Qd4+ 18.Be3 Qg4 19.exf6 Qxg3 20.hxg3 Nxf5 21.fxg7 Rxe3 22.Rxf5+ Kxg7 which looks drawish; and 16.Nd5 (instead of 16.d5) Qxd4+ 17.Be3 Qe5 18.Bf4 Qd4+ etc. leading to a draw similar to the game. It is possible that White could make something of 18.f6 (instead of 18.Bf4) Rec8 19.f7+ Kh8 20.Bf4 Qe7 21.Qd3 – but not with the time that he had left. - Rick ]

A Walk on the Wild Side (Part I)

From Great Britain's premier member of the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e4 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) Gemeinde and regular contributor to this blog, Pete Banks ("blackburne").

"A Walk on the Wild Side"

P Banks v R Brodie
Halesowen v Bushbury
Wolv U-110 Cup
Board 1
15/10/2008

Chapter 1

I haven't played for a couple of seasons, so have forgotten where some of the clubs are. Anyway, I thought our captain had said Rushall, not Bushbury (well, they've both got an 'ush' in them!). Though Tony had sent me directions to Bushbury, I'd looked up Rushall while at work, and simply programmed their postcode into my sat-nav.

I set off in good time, but was held up by traffic and arrived just before 7:30. I tried the back door of the pub they play in. It was locked, so I went round the front.

Now the last time I played here one of the pub regulars spat at my feet as I was walking in, so I was slightly wary. I went in, and the place was deserted except for the barmaid and a few locals playing pool and glowering. The one I noticed particularly had a shaved head, and one of those T-shirts with the arms ripped off that said something like "F--- off world" on the front. He also had 'Love' and 'Hate' tattooed on his knuckles and a dotted line round his neck labelled 'Tear Here'. He had various other tattoos as well, but I didn't take them all in. Well you don't like to stare, do you?

Anyway, as I was asking the barmaid if the chess club still met there, only to be told "Yes, but on Mondays", this character marched purposefully behind me, taking his pool cue with him. Could be in a bit of trouble here I thought. The next thing I know, he taps me on the shoulder. Uh oh.

“Here, mate, you dropped your fags” he said, in a pleasant voice.

Chapter 2

Back in the car park, I had a think, and decided that the venue should have been Bushbury, so I drove there as fast as I could, arriving about 8:00 in the district, but nothing looked familiar.

I didn’t have anyone’s phone number with me, so I pulled into a side road and phoned home. I talked my computer-phobic wife through switching on, logging on, closing down warning messages etc, etc, and eventually managed to get her to navigate to Bushbury’s club site and give me the post code. I quickly found the club, which was locked.

I managed to get let in and sat down in the only empty seat. I now had 25 minutes left on my clock for 30 moves. I thought that the procedure was that if a team
member turned up late, everyone else moved up a place, so I assumed that I was
playing board 4. After the night I’d had so far I needed to let off steam a bit, and under the impression that I was on board 4, thought that my opponent would be relatively weak. So what else could I play but the Jerome Gambit?

After I committed to it, I looked at my opponent again, and recognised him. Surely he was a reasonable player? I sneaked a look over Tony’s shoulder at the match card, and sure enough I was still playing board one! Not one of my better nights!