Jerome Gambit Declined: Grumping, Yet

While I'm on the topic of the Jerome Gambit Declined, I thought I would dig a little deeper...

MrJoker - david2play
2 12 blitz, Internet Chess Club, 2011

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ Kf8 

The Jerome Gambit Declined.

Certainly, strongest for Black was 4...Kxf7, but on rare occasions the defender decides If you want me to take the Bishop, I won't take the Bishop. That being the case in this game, the Black King is probably better off on f8 as opposed to e7.

5.Bxg8 

The typical argument can otherwise ensue, where best to retreat the Bishop, d5, c4 or b3?

MrJoker's solution, of course, is playable. I will leave the discussion of 5.b3, 5.c3, 5.Nc3, 5.d3, 5.d4, 5.Nxe5, 5.Qe2, 5.0-0, 5.Ng5 and 5.Bh5 (all are in The Database) for later posts.

5... Kxg8 6.O-O 

A reasonable move, played by HauntedKnight, Petasluk, shugart, Superpippo, Wall, and others, as well.

6...d6

For 6...Qf6 see Wall, Bill - Guest558953, PlayChess.com, 2017 (1-0, 15).

Looking at the diagram, you can ask yourself What does Black have for his gambitted pawn? Not very much - but he is playing his own game.

7.c3 h6 8.d4 exd4 9.cxd4 Bb4 

Better to have retreated the Bishop, as White shows.

10.Qb3+ Kh7 11.d5 Ba5 12.dxc6 bxc6 13.Nc3 Re8 14.Bd2 Bb6 15.Rad1 Ba6 

Black is developing, but White, as a Jerome Gambit player, must enjoy being the player with the extra piece.

16.Rfe1 Qf6 17.Be3 Ba518.Bd4 Black forfeited on time

Black's future was not bright, anyhow.

Jerome Gambit: Another Game, More Lessons

I enjoyed my recent online Jerome Gambit game, and even though the computer had plenty to say about my play, afterward, I enjoyed that, too.

perrypawnpusher - atomsymbol
10 0 blitz, FICS, 2018

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ng6

This is a solid move, but I am always glad to see it, because it seems to have a "do it yourself" feel. It is as if Black has reasoned "nobody would seriously sacrifice two pieces in the opening, so it seems reasonable, if not downright scientific, and, maybe, even necessary, to give one back, right away". Thank you.

7.Qd5+ Ke8 8.Qxc5 N8e7

The knight usually goes to f6, but the text is something that Jerome Gambit regulars such as AsceticKing, Bill Wall, chessmusings, MrBlack, MrJoker, shugart, vlastous and I have faced before, so it is worth being ready for. The Knight provides some protection for the King along the e-file, and leaves the f-file open for Black's Rook.

9.O-O d6 10.Qe3 Rf8 11.f4 Qd7

Komodo 9.02, in blunder check mode, does not object to this move, but it seems to block Black's Bishop, which blocks Black's Rook - a classic weakness in the Jerome.

On the other hand, it provides some restraint on White playing e4-e5, once his Queen has been enticed to the d-file, since the exchange of Queens would dampen any kind of attack. Perhaps Black should have tried 11...Nc6, as in perrypawnpusher - taman, blitz, FICS, 2010 (1-30).

12.f5 Ne5 13.d4 Nc4 14.Qd3 

Done almost as a reflex, and providing support for the pawn at f5, should I play e4-e5, but I probably should have looked at and evaluated 14.Qe2. (14...d5 would have been a good response to any of my choices.)  Interestingly, last year shugart chose 14.Qb3 in his game against oritelgavi (0-1, 36).

14...b5 15.b3 Nb6 16.Bg5 a6 17.Nc3 h6 18.Bxe7 Kxe7 19.Rae1 Kd8

Komodo now sees White as having equalized, meaning that it gives the first player some positional plusses in its evaluation to balance out the 2 pawns vs piece material disadvantage. Black lags in development (but he will quickly fix this) and his King is riskily placed.

20.Nd5

Komodo's preference shows how chess computers have improved in their positional play: my move allows opening the e-file, but the computer prefers to see the Knight posted on e6, and suggests, even at the cost of time: 20.Ne2 Bb7 21.Nf4 Rg8 22.Ne6+ Kc8 It then anchors the Knight with 23.d5, with an even game. I need to learn to see the quieter moves.

20...Nxd5 21.exd5 Bb7 22.c4 Re8

Contesting the e-file. It is enlightening to see that Komodo prefers that Black castle-by-hand on the Queenside. The whole line of recommended play - well beyond my during-the-game investigations - ends up with a very unbalanced position which it assesses as better for Black, although White clearly has practical chances: 22...Kc8 23.Qe3 Qf7 24.Qe7 Kb8 25.Qh4 Re8 26.Re6 Bc8 27.Rxe8 Qxe8 28.f6 gxf6 29.Qxh6 Bb7 30.Qxf6 Qe3+ 31.Qf2 Qc3 32.Qf3 Qxd4+ 33.Qf2 Qd3 34.Rc1 Bc8 35.h3 Kb7 36.Kh2 Bd7 37.cxb5 axb5 38.Qc2 Qxc2 39.Rxc2

analysis diagram




I might not be able to hold this position with White, but a good number of stronger Jerome Gambiteers probably could.

23.Re6 Rxe6

This Rook exchange gives up too much. It is fascinating to see what Komodo believes is a better line of play, with Black forcing a draw: 23...Rg8 24.Rfe1 Kc8 25.Re7 Qd8 26.Qg3 Kb8 27.Rxg7 Rxg7 28.Qxg7 bxc4 29.bxc4 Qh4 30.g3 Qh5 31.f6 Ka7 32.f7 Qf3 33.g4 Rf8 34.Re7 h5 35.Rxc7 hxg4 36.Qxf8 Qd1+ 37.Kf2 Qf3+ 38.Ke1 Qe3+ 39.Kd1 and White cannot escape the checks, leading to a draw. Nice, but this was all beyond my assessments.

analysis diagram





24.fxe6 Qe7

White's control of the f-file, his Rook invasion point at f7, the possible invasion by the Queen at h7 (I missed that in the game) and Black's weak back rank all support the assessment that White is winning.

25.Rf7 

Even stronger was 25.Qh7 with back rank mate threats, as well as plans to pin Black's Queen with a Rook. Giving up a piece gives temporary respite 25...Bxd5 26.cxd5 Kc8 27.Qc2 The new weakness is the 7th rank and the c-pawn 27...Kb7 (27...c5 28.dxc6 Qxe6 29.Qd2 Qe8 30.Re1 Qd8 31.Re6 Ra7 32.Qe1 Qg5 33.d5 or 27...Qe8 28.Qc6 Qxc6 29.Rf8+ Kb7 30.dxc6+ Kxc6 31.Rxa8) 28.Qc6+ Ka7 29.Rf7 Re8 30.Rxe7 Rxe7 31.Qd7 Rxd7 32.exd7 Kb7 33.d8=Q  It will soon be "curtains" for Black.

25...Qe8 26.Qf3 

This move is fine, but 26.Qf5 was more precise. Why? Because, after the text my opponent could have surprised me with 26...Qxe6, and, while the move wouldn't have saved the game (27.dxe6 Bxf3 28.gxf3 Ra7 29.d5!?) any kind of suprise can be a weapon in blitz.

26...bxc4 

This leads to a quick end.

27.Rf8 Bxd5 28.Rxe8+ Kxe8 29.Qf7+ Kd8 30.Qd7  checkmate

Jerome Gambit: The Eternal Question

Here is a recent blitz game that answers the eternal question, "Why do we  play the Jerome Gambit?" Obviously, for the opportunity to play such games!

shugart - popasile
4 0 blitz, FICS, 2018

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Bc5 3.Bc4 Nc6 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ke6 

Black has different ways to return one of the sacrificed pieces. This one seems to leave his King in relatively safety - but not for long.

7.Qf5+ Kd6 8.f4 Ng6 9.Qd5+ Ke7 10.Qxc5+ d6 11.Qc3 

The Queen retreat to c3 is a novelty, according to The Database, and is and possibly the best move.

Of course, the Knight cannot take White's f-pawn. It will also take the kind of right that Knights take when facing the Jerome.

11...Nf6 12.f5 Ne5 13.O-O Re8 14.d4 Nc6 15.e5 dxe5 16.dxe5 Nd5

A typically odd Jerome Gambit position. Black has a lead in development (especially if we consider his Queen on an open file) despite the fact that he is defending a gambit. Of course, he is harassing the enemy Queen. He has a piece for two pawns. The one fly in the ointment is the placement of his King.

17.Bg5+ Nf6 

Returning a piece, but it is already too late.

18.exf6+ Kf7 

19.Qb3+ Kf8

A natural reaction, but Black needed to return a Rook, although  that still would leave him down serious material: 19...Re6 20.fxe6+ Bxe6 21.fxg7+ Kxg7 22.Bxd8 Bxb3 23.Bf6+ Kg6 24.cxb3.

Now he only has to worry about losing his Queen - and checkmate.

20.fxg7+ Kxg7 21.Bxd8 Nxd8 22.f6+ Kh8 23.f7 Rf8 24.Qc3 checkmate

Very pretty!

(I can almost hear the "Jerome pawn" saying "Me, too! Me too!")

BSJG: Another Riot of A 3-Minute Battle

Here is another quick game from chessfriend shugart, showing his interest in: attack, attack, attack! The fast time control is his friend.

I have added a few analytical notes, but not too many - I hope - because I don't want to dilute the fun of playing over another King hunt.

shugart - Tseatsy
3 0 blitz, 2018

1.e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nd4

4.Bxf7+ 

The Blakckburne Shilling Jerome Gambit.

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Ke6 6.Qh5 

The Database has 125 games with this move. White scores 57%. That compares well with the recommended 6.c3 (449 games, 60%), which shows the effect, at least in part, of the quick time control.

6...Nf6 7.Qf7+ Kd6 

Black is suspicious of the second piece sacrifice. In his next game (the one we saw first, in the previous post) he went for the capture with 7...Kxe5.

8.Nc4+ 

Going after the King. White is making his way through a messy line where the alternative ("best") play involves mutual King forks followed by wins of Rooks: 8.c3 Nc2+ 9.Kd1 Nxa1 10.d4 Qe8 11.Qxe8 Nxe8 12.Nf7+ Ke6 13.Nxh8 with advantage to Black. 

8...Kc5 9.b4+ Kxb4 

Taking the pawn is too risky, but in a 3-minute game it is sometimes recommended that you grab the material, and see how it all works out...

10.Ba3+

This certainly looks strong, and it turns out fine, but the fork 10.c3+ was probably the way to go.

10...Kb5 11.Nc3+ Ka6 12.O-O 

It looks like Black's King is doomed, but he has the wonderful 12...Ne6!? to cut off White's Queen and save the day. However, in a blitz game that is a resource that can be difficult to find. Black swaps off some pieces - and falls into a mating trap.

12...Nxc2 13.e5 Nxa3 14.Nxa3 Bxa3 15.Qc4+ Black resigned

Checkmate is coming.

BSJG: A Riot of A 3-Minute Battle

I recently received a couple of games from shugart, who plays online at the Free Internet Chess Server (FICS). He has about 150 games in The Database, and they tend to be like the following, "a riot of a 3-minute battle" (see "Blackburne Shilling Jerome Gambit: Risk vs Experience").

Please do not hurry to run to the nearest computer engine, just relax and enjoy the full-out conflict.

shugart - Tseatsy

3 0 blitz, FICS, 2018

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nd4

The Blackburne Shilling Gambit. A tricky opening that probably works best in fast time control games like this one.

4.Bxf7+ 

The Blackburne Shilling Jerome Gambit.

According to The Database, Tseatsy has encountered this move at least 28 times, scoring 61%. A fine opponent for shugart!

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Ke6 6.Qh5 

Like White's 4th, this is a signature move of the Jerome Gambit and its relatives. At a slower time control, 6.c3 might be the move of choice, but here White is commanding: Think fast!

Checking The Database, I note that Tseatsy had not faced this move before this day.

6...Nf6 7.Qf7+ 

More sacrifice. At some point Black's King will catch his breath and count up his riches - if White gives him a chance.  

7...Kxe5 8.f4+ Kxf4 9.O-O+ Ke5 

Black is ahead a couple of pieces, but, oh, that King!

10.d3 Ne2+ 11.Kh1 Nxc1 12.Rf5+ 

White is not going to win the match on points, he is going for the knockout.

12...Kd6 13.e5+ Kc6 14.Qc4+ Bc5 15.Nc3 d6 16.Qb5 checkmate

Very nice!

(By the way, this was the second time that day that Tseatsy faced the Blackburne Shilling Jerome Gambit at the hands of shugart. This game lasted a move longer than the earlier one - as we shall see next post.)

Blackburne Shilling Jerome Gambit: Risk vs Experience

The following game is a riot of a 3-minute battle, as White takes risks and even more risks, while Black relies on his experience in the line - up to a point. This time, fortune favors the bold - but only half-way.

By the way, shugart has 140 games in The Database, scoring 60%. Nice.

shugart - boggus
3 0 blitz, FICS, 2017

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nd4 

The Blackburne Shilling Gambit.

4.Bxf7+ 

The Blackburne Shilling Jerome Gambit. White has alternatives, but this move is a lot of fun.

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Ke6 6.Qg4+ 

Tempting, as we have seen before (for example "Jerome Gambit: Missed by That Much") - especially in blitz games - but best, from experience and by analysis, is 6.c3. 

6...Kxe5 7.f4+ 

In for a penny, in for a pound.

Boggus has grabbed the Knight before, for example: 7.c3 Nc2+ 8.Kd1 Nxa1 9.d4+ Kd6 10.Na3 h5 11.Nb5+ Kc6 12.d5+ Kxb5 13.Qe2+ Kb6 14.Be3+ c5 15.a4 Kc7 16.Qb5 d6 17.Bf4 Kb8 18.Qxc5 Qb6 19.Qc4 Qxb2 20.Ke1 Nc2+ 21.Kf1 Qb1+ 22.Ke2 Qxh1 23.Qb3 Qe1+ 24.Kf3 Bg4+ 25.Kg3 Qxe4 26.f3 Bxf3 27.gxf3 h4+ 28.Kh3 Qxf3+ 29.Bg3 hxg3 checkmate, Tigrann - boggus, FICS, 2008.

White could have tried 7.Qh5+ (e.g. 7...Kf6 8.d3 Ne7 9.Bg5+ Ke6 10.Bxe7 Nxc2+ 11.Kd1 Kxe7 12.Kxc2 d6) but he will eventually be done in by his generosity.

Better to remember the 6.c3 line for next time.

7...Kd6

The two likely reasons White likely sacrificed the Knight are these alternatives: 

7...Kxe4 8.Nc3 checkmate; and

7...Kf6 8.Qh4+ Kf7 9.Qxd8. 

Don't laugh. Such threats are the meat and potatoes of blitz chess.

8.e5+

White might as well keep attacking, as the more prudent 8.Na3 c6 9.c3 Nb5 10.Nxb5+ cxb5 doesn't get him out of his material deficit.

8...Ke7 

Black played the stronger 8...Kc6 in two earlier games, but they were long ago: 9.Qd1 (9. c3 Nc2+ 10.Kd1 Nxa1 11.Qf3+ d5 12.b4 a6 13.a4 Be6 14.c4 Bxb4 15.Bb2 Qd7 16.Bxa1 Bg4 17.cxd5+ Qxd5 18.Qxg4 Ne7 19.Qxg7 Rhd8 20.Qf6+ Kc5 21.Qxe7+ Kc4 22.Qxc7+ Qc5 23.Qxc5+ Bxc5 24.Ke2 Bd4 25.Bxd4 Rxd4 26.d3+ Rxd3 27.Rc1+ Kd4 28.Rc7 Rd8 29.g4 Ke4 30.Rc4+ R3d4 31.Rxd4+ Rxd4 32.Nd2+ Kxf4 33.e6 Rd8 34.g5 Kxg5 35.Ne4+ Kf5 36.e7 Re8 37.Nd6+ Ke6 38.Nxe8 Kxe7 39.Ng7 Kf7 40.Nh5 Ke6 41.Ng3 b5 42.Nf1 b4 43.Kd2 a5 44.Kc2 Kd5 45.Kb3 Kd4 46.Nd2 Kd3 White forfeited on time, GROFVLAD - boggus, FICS, 2007) 9...d5 10.c3 Nf5 11.O-O b6 12.d4 Ba6 13.Rf2 Qh4 14.Nd2 Nge7 15.Nf3 Qh5 16.e6 Kb7 17.Ne5 Nc6 18.b4 Qxd1+ White resigned, GOH - boggus, FICS, 2009.

Still, if he keeps his wits about him, all will be well for Black. 

9.f5 Nxc2+

Often in the BSJG the Rook on a1 is poisoned, but not in this case. You have to wonder though - was Black a little bit suspicious as to why White let it go? Did it nag at him: Maybe White is up to something...?

10.Kd1 Nxa1 

True, 10...d5 is probably best, but Black is still better after the game move.

11.d4 

Hopeful. If you don't have hope, you can't play Jerome lines.

11...h6 

We know why Black played this.

It would be very impressive if it was because he remembered the following game: 11...d5 12.Bg5+ Nf6 13.exf6+ gxf6 14.Re1+ Kd6 15.Bf4+ Kc6 16.Re3 Bd6 17.Rc3+ Kd7 18.Bxd6 cxd6 19.Nd2 Qg8 20.Qh3 Qg5 21.Nf3 Qf4 22.Qh5 Qe4 23.Qf7+ Qe7 24.Rc7+ Kxc7 25.Qxe7+ Kb6 26.Qxd6+ Kb5 27.Qxd5+ Kb6 28.Qc5+ Ka6 29.b4 b6 30.b5+ Kb7 31.Qc6+ Kb8 32.d5 Bxf5 33.d6 Rc8 34.Qd5 Rc5 35.Qg8+ Kb7 36.Qxh7+ Kc8 37.Qg8+ Kb7 38.Qf7+ Kc8 39.Qe8+ Kb7 40.Qe7+ Kb8 41.Nd4 Bc2+ 42.Ke1 Bf5 43.Nc6+ Kc8 44.Qd8+ Kb7 45.Qc7 checkmate, GOH - boggus, FICS, 2004. 

Black wants the Black Bishop to stay away from g5, but White now grabs the half-point on the table.

12.Qh4+ Ke8 

The alternative, 12...g5, is met by 13.Bxg5+ hxg5 14.Qxg5+ Ke8 15.Qg6+ Ke7 16.Qg5+ etc.

13.Qh5+ Ke7 14.Qh4+ Ke8 15.Qh5+ Ke7 16.Qh4+ drawn by repetition

Jerome Gambit: Seems Familiar, But...

The second Jerome Gambit game recently sent by Vlasta Fejfar looks so incredibly "normal" (by Jerome standards, anyhow) it was hard to believe that it became completly "unusual" before a dozen moves.

What was "normal", however, was Black's increasing uncertainty or confusion on defense, followed by increasing pressure by White's "Jerome pawns" - followed by a win by the attacker in under 30 moves.

vlastous - mostafa-salman
internet, 2017

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ng6 

7.Qd5+ Ke8 8.Qxc5 d6 9.Qe3 Qf6 10.O-O N8e7

And, just like that, we have reached a position that seems familiar, but appears in only 2 other games in The Database.

I could make this sound quite incredible by pointing out that The Database has 55,650 games - but that would be a bit unfair; so let me say that, of the 12,823 games in The Database that start with 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ - well, there still are only 2 other examples.

11.f4 Nc6 

What's not to like about this move - which is a novelty?

It improves upon a couple of earlier games:

11...Kf7 12.f5 Ne5 13.d4 Nc4?! 14.Qb3?! (14.Qd3!?) 14...b5 (14...Qxd4+!?) 15.Nd2?! Qxd4+ 16.Kh1 Ke8? 17.c3? (17.Qxb5+!?) 17...Nxd2 White resigned, shugart - douthy, lightning, FICS, 2014; and

11...Bd7 12.f5 (12.d4!?) 12...Ne5 13.d4 Ng4?! 14.Qd3 a6 15.h3 Bb5? 16.Qc3? Bxf1 17.hxg4 Bb5 18.g5 Qf7 19.Qxc7 Rc8?! 20.Qxd6 Qc4 21.f6 Qf1+ (21...gxf6 22.gxf6 Ng6) 22.Kh2 gxf6 23.gxf6 Ng6 24.Qe6+ (24.Nc3!?) 24...Kf8? 25.Bh6 checkmate, perrypawnpusher - LeiCar, blitz, FICS, 2010. 

12.c3 Bd7 13.d4 Kd8

Understandably, Black's King wants to get off of the soon-to-be-opened e-file.

14.d5 Nce7 15.c4 Rf8 16.Bd2 Qf7 

Likewise, Black's Queen - which has been helping hold back White's e-pawn - decides to get off of the a1-h8 diagonal, where White's dark-squared Bishop appears to be heading.

White's central "Jerome pawns" are threatening to advance and cause problems, and it is not surprising that Stockfish 8 already sees the first player as having the advantage.

17.Nc3 Qf6 

Back on the diagonal - but it is also on the file! White strikes.

18.e5 dxe5 19.fxe5 Qb6 

Black's Queen could not capture the e5 pawn because of 20.Rxf8+. 

20.c5 Rxf1+ 21.Rxf1 Qxb2 

Slipping behind enemy lines (pawns) to grab a pawn. Very dangerous!

22.e6 Be8 23.d6 cxd6 24.cxd6 Qb6 

25.dxe7+ Nxe7 26.Qxb6+ axb6 27.Bg5 Rc8 28.Nd5 Black resigned

White's pieces are tied up and tied down, and material will be lost.