perrypawnpusher - pblond
blitz, FICS, 2011
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 h6
The Semi-Italian Opening.
4.0-0 Bc5 5.Bxf7+
The Semi-Italian Jerome Gambit.
Of course, White does not have to sacrifice. He can keep a small edge with 5.c3 d6 6.d4 exd4 7.cxd4 Bb6 8.Nc3 Nf6 9.h3 0-0.
5...Kxf7 6.Nxe5+ Nxe5 7.Qh5+ Ke6
I have played this position a number of times. The deeper I get into the game, the more it feels like I am walking through a junkyard, and I keep expecting to see myself amongst the wrecks.
8.Qf5+ Kd6 9.d4 Bxd4
The capture seems best, but has not always been played:
9...Qf6 10.dxe5+ Qxe5 11.Rd1+ (11.Bf4 Black resigned, perrypawnpusher - joejox, FICS 2009) 11...Bd4 12.Qf8+ Ke6 13.Qe8+ Kf6 14.Qf8+ Ke6 15.Qe8+ Kf6 draw, perrypawnpusher - Joyus, blitz, FICS, 2007 ;
9...Ne7 10.Qxe5+ Kc6 11.Qxc5 checkmate, perrypawnpusher - GabrielH, blitz, FICS, 2010 & perrypawnpusher - StockholmMoskva, blitz, FICS, 2010.
10.Rd1 c5
A reasonable move, but not actually necessary, as my opponent showed in perrypawnpusher - richardachatz, blitz, FICS, 2010 (1/2-1/2, 71) by playing 10...Ke7. Remember, Black is two pieces up. In that game I was lucky to swindle my way to a draw.
Also good for Black is 10...Qf6 11.Rxd4+ Ke7.
11.c3 Ne7
12.Qh3
I have played this move successfully before, but I think that 12.Qh5 as in perrypawnpusher - Lakritzl, blitz, FICS, 2009 (1-0, 20) and perrypawnpusher - tuffmom, blitz, FICS, 2010 (1-0, 26) or 12.Qf4 as in perrypawnpusher - Xasquete, blitz, FICS, 2010 (1-0, 46) might be better.
In truth, all still leave White struggling for even equality.
12...Kc7
Stepping out of the pin, although also good for Black was 12...N7g6 as in perrypawnpusher - Repunante, blitz, FICS, 2010 (1-0, 17). [Hmmm... doesn't look like I've posted this game here yet - RK]
13.cxd4 cxd4
Or 13...d6 14.Qc3 Nd7 15.dxc5 Nxc5 16.Bf4 b6 17.b4 Kc6 Black resigned, perrypawnpusher - tuffmom, blitz, FICS, 2010.
14.Rxd4 d6
perrypawnpusher - Jantra, blitz, FICS, 2010 continued with 14...N7c6 (1-0, 26) Black probably should have played 14...Kb8 first.
15.Qc3+ N7c6 16.Bf4
After the game Rybka recommended 16.f4, giving Black an edge after 16...Nf7 17.Be3 g5
16...Qf6
Black's defense is now solidly in place. He is even threatening to win the exchange after 17.Bg3 Nf3+ 18.gxf3 Qxd4.
17.Bxe5 Qxe5 18.Rc4 Be6
Black is ready to finish up.
19.Qxe5 dxe5 20.Rc1 Rac8 21.b4
Hope springs eternal, but Black is even able to castle-by-hand on the Queenside. White has nothing for his sacrificed piece (the extra pawn is meaningless).
21...Kb8 22.Nd2 Nd4 23.a4 Ne2+ White resigned
Whew! This was a very good game by pblond, and it certainly shows what a struggle the Jerome Gambit can sometimes deliver – for White.
