From the Email Bag...

An interesting email from blackburne includes

...I tried to look up Jerome on Wikipedia, with no success (there's only one person who could write the entry - you!), but I did find that Winston Churchill's mother, who was American of course, had a maiden name of Jerome! It's not a very common name, so I wondered if there could be a family connection? Now that would be interesting.

A connection between Alonzo Wheeler Jerome and Winston Churchill??

That would indeed be interesting.!

As Anne Sebba writes in American Jennie The Remarkable Life of Lady Randolph Churchill

And when Jennie displayed some daring originality or eccentricity the relations would comment: 'How very American. How very Jerome.'

I will see what I can discover. Readers are welcome to join in!

Count one for the Count!

With one game left to be completed, vlad-tepes has won his 7-player double round robin Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) tournament at GameKnot (see "Jerome Gambit and Vlad Tepes", "Jerome Gambit, Vlad Tepes and... Garlic!" and "Jerome Gambit: Return to Transylvania") with an impressive score of 11 points out of 12.

That includes defeating the Jerome Gambit 6 out of 6 tries (ouch!) but also winning with it 5 out of 6 tries. The Jerome Gambit has scored 39% so far.

Here's an interesting game by the tournament winner, foreshortened just when things were getting interesting, by the sunrise, at is were. Pity, as White was getting ready to sink his fangs into his opponent.

vlad-tepes - panga74
www.GameKnot.com 2008

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ng6 7.Qxc5 d6 8.Qe3 h6 TN 9.d4 N8e7 10.Nc3 Kg8 11.Bd2 a6 12.0-0-0 Kh7 13.f4 Rf8 14.f5 Nh8 15.g4 Nc6 16.h4

Black lost on time

White has an edge, but there is plenty of interesting play ahead.

Next, we see vlad-tepes defending against the Gambit, and making it all look oh-so-easy...


panga74 - vlad-tepes
www.GameKnot.com 2008

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ Kxf7 5.a3 d6 6.h3 h6 7.d3 Nf6 8.0-0 Rf8 9.Nc3 Kg8 10.Nd5 Nxd5 11.exd5 Nd4 12.Nxd4 Bxd4 13.c3 Bb6 14.Be3 Bxe3 15.fxe3 Rxf1+ 16.Qxf1 Qe7 17.e4 Bd7 18.Qe2 Rf8 19.Rf1 Rxf1+ 20.Qxf1 Qf6 21.Qe2 Qf4 22.Qc2 Qg3 23.Kh1 Qe3 24.c4 b6 25.b4 g5 26.a4 h5 27.b5 g4 28.hxg4 hxg4 29.Qd1 g3 30.Qf1 Qh6+ 31.Kg1 Qh2 checkmate

Stuff like that makes me wonder if I'll ever play 4.Bxf7+ again.

bobbob78 came in second place in the vlad-tepes mini-tournament, scoring 9.5 out of 12, and giving the leader his only loss.

vlad-tepes - bobbob78
www.GameKnot.com 2008

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ng6 7.Qxc5 d6 8.Qe3 Nf6 9.Nc3



9...Rf8 10.0-0 Bd7 11.f4 Kg8 12.d4 Ng4 13.Qd3 Qh4



White has his pawns up and moving, but Black has castled by hand and is on the counter-attack. A Black Queen at h4 almost always spells t-r-o-u-b-l-e for White.

14.h3 Nf6 15.Bd2

White might have tried 15.f5 followed by Bc1-e3-f2 instead, to achieve the same end.

15...Rae8 16.e5 Nh5 17.Be1 Qd8 18.f5 Ngf4 19.Qc4+ Kh8 20.e6


White is giving it his best shot, but it's not going to be enough.

20...b5 21.Nxb5 Bxb5 22.Qxb5 Qg5 23.Qc6 Nxh3+ 24.Kh2 N3f4 25.g3 Ne2

26.Qe4

The Queen needed to go to Qg2, but in the long run the result would be the same.

26...Nhxg3 27.Bxg3 Qxg3+ White resigned

rec.games.chess.misc & email

Found on rec.games.chess.misc...

Michael Kramer
Sep 29 1997
Subject: Re: Jerome Gambit

All who have responded to inquiries about the Jerome Gambit lack experience with this extremely fun surprise weapon. The Jerome Gambit may be unsound but it is a true opening which cannot be destroyed with imputity even by master play if masterfully handled. The Jerome Gambit when played against unsuspecting opposition presents them with a ranging queen leaping at an exposed king who must hunt for cover while ruining (usually) easy entry for his King rook.

The Jerome Gambit immediately presents black with the chance to go very wrong and he can smell it! After qh5 there are several plausible looking choices for black and his clock is running while his genitalia are resting on the butcher block! (or mammalia as the case may be!)

All those variations mentioned in the "Chess Openings ancient and Modern" are almost never seen in practical play with ordinary opposition. (some are interesting though and may come foreward.)

If two masters engage in a Jerome Gambit you will see a long difficult game possibly. White may very well lose. Black may very well lose if its a blitz game however. (You should set it up to qh5 on a strong computer/software system on selfplay and see what I mean REALLY..do this, the games can be very very tense and compex).

In club play, every time a cheerful attacker who likes the Jerome gets a chance to play it he'll win. Ill bet on it cause I win with it all the time, all the time, is that clear? All the time.
The Jerome Gambit is a terrific, hilarious, mean son of a bitch in fast play even when a C faces an expert with it. Faster the better of course.

I say all this because I play the damned thing and I love it. Now if everyone was familiar with it the surprise value is down the tubes but the game can still be tough for both sides. and an unfamiliar fight on new turf... what is chess all about anyway?

Alright, Im no master, but in my efforts to complete my monograph with the assistance of a very fine player Ive seen Masters go DOWN against this fellow using the Jerome! "All or Nothing! The Jerome Gambit" (don't hold your breath We've a way to go yet)

The Jerome Gambit disadvantages:
#1 you sac a lot of material.

advantages:
#1 youre opponent doesnt know what timezone hes just been launched into.
#2 you get back a lot of pawns maybe a piece and a delicious king hunt position
#3 Black can go wrong
#4 Black can eat loads time in blitz deciding which obviously crucial move to make after the Jerome debut Qh5.
#5 blacks king rook is often not a player in most of the game.
#6 even if black threads all the needles there is still a great tough and worthwhile game to play, which the better player should still win.
#7 winning can be so wonderfully quick and bloody, HAH!!!!!
#8 Just playing the Jerome against better players in blitz is an advantage. Any non expert will wilt and experts and masters can make some ridiculously conservative and suicidal moves defending against this weirdo.

READ MY LIPS... The Jerome Gambit is Good! If you play like you know youre going to win. Its highly likely you will win easily. Like falling off a log! No kidding! Now keep it to yourself. I dont want to run into a bunch of people who are boning up on Black defensive play. Shshshshshshshsshshshshshshsh! (Tell'em Noiret sent you hehe.)



Paul Onstad
Sep 30 1997
Subject: Re: Jerome Gambit

> If two masters engage in a Jerome Gambit you will see a long difficult
> game possibly.

Unfortunately, the only master who would get involved with the Jerome Gambit would be playing black and the game would be over in less than 20 moves. -Paul



David Hanley
Sep 30 1997
Subject: Re: Jerome Gambit

I've played against the jerome gambit a few times, and won all the games pretty quickly. Part of the problem is that white has sacrificed his two developed pieces.
Could be useful in blitz, though, because it will force black to eat up at least a little time... dave



santiago zorzopulos
Sep 30 1997
Subject: Re: Jerome Gambit

Pardon me, but what is the Jerome Gambit?



Wenj
Sep 30 1997
Subject: Re: Jerome Gambit

> Pardon me, but what is the Jerome Gambit?

Don't bother! It's interesting (actually amusing is a better word), but not even remotely close to sound. If White wants violent chess, there are much better openings! As far as winning on time, does anybody really get any satisfaction from winning on time in a lost position? I hope not! Joe



David Hanley
Oct 1 1997

Subject: Re: Jerome Gambit

> Pardon me, but what is the Jerome Gambit?

1 e4 e5 2 nf3 nc6 3 bc4 bc5 4 bf7+ kf7 5 ne5+ ne5 6 qh5+

As you can see, white will quickly win back a piece. The best antidote, IMO, is to return all the material, and then some: 6 ..... g6! 7 qe5 d6! 8. qh8 qh5

The dual threats of qf2+ and qe4+ are potent. Black will play nf6 caging the queen real soon now, and probably go on to win.

If white doesn't scarf the material black offers black simply has more material and a better position.
dave



Michael Kramer
Sep 30 1997
Subject: "All or Nothing! The Jerome Gambit by Chaim Schmendrik

Where can I get a copy of "All or Nothing! The Jerome Gambit" by Chaim Schmendrik? All this yak about the Jerome and there is a monograph on the thing? Kramer



You can imagine that this last post was very interesting to me, and I spent a lot of time searching for "All or Nothing!"

Finally, an email arrived...


From: yisuhin@attbi.com
To: ekennedy@gcfn.org
Sent: Saturday, September 21, 2002 4:58 AM
Subject: attn rick kennedy re the jerome gambit.

I am the Michael Kramer who made the desperate plea for a copy of All or Nothing! The Jerome Gambit by Chiam Schmendrick back in 97

Ive always liked to play the Jerome when the opportunity arose. Its pretty obviously a train wreck of an opening but its usually fun to play as white at any speed against an unsuspecting opponent. A good player who remains calm as black will be ok but it so rarely appears in play that if white keeps a straight face and plays like he thinks he's going to win you have a chance if your opponent is just a bit tentative.

I was fooling with a monograph called All or Nothing! The Jerome Gambit with plausible examples of play, not the wonderful historical research you've done, which I found very interesting.

I just put that inquiry into the group stream as a hoot.

Chiam Schmendrick is a yiddish character name not referring to anyone specific, just a funny name implying a stupid guy. It was used in east europe to refer to an idiot or foolish person. Fairly common phrase in USA through the 50s or so among jewish people.

I do recall that there was a strong guy or some fellows trying to find some sound lines in the Jerome a few years ago near the time of one of the live world championships on ICC but I cant recall who they were. Im sure they didnt find much but there was some talk about it. It would have been interesting to locate their analysis or efforts.

Jerome Gambit. Just a funny little byway in chess that can be enjoyable if you get the right opponent and are in the right mood. I use to play a lot of 0 1 on ICC (start with 10 seconds and get one second increment with each move, fastest possible game available there NO THINKING!! premoving almost mandatory) The Jerome is mighty fun in that environment. No time to scratch your head and say HEY! this is stupid! You need to reply swiftly and correctly. Correct is possible, swift is a little harder. heh.

Michael G. KramerLos Angeles
Californiaguitars.fornovices.com

Trading up!

Chessfriend Martin Moller (who plays at the Internet Chess Club as "Moller" and who posts at ChessGames) is the first reader to send in a Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) game since requested (see "Looking for a few good Jerome Gambit games..." and "Still Looking for a few good Jerome Gambit games...").

As a result, he will receive a PGN file of the first 210 games referred to on this blog, and a PGN file of the next 250 (actually 272) as well.
Let's take a look at his contribution -- a 5 minute blitz game, against a player rated 200 points above him.

Moller - whitestone
ICC blitz game 2008

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ng6


7.Qxc5

7.Qd5+ Ke8 8.Qxc5 d6 9.Qc3 Nf6 10.d3 c6 11.0-0 Kd7 12.f4 Qb6+ 13.Kh1 Kc7 14.Qe1 Re8 15.b3 Nd5 16.Qg3 Nb4 17.Na3 Bd7 18.c3 Nxa2 19.f5 Ne5 20.d4 Qxb3 21.dxe5 dxe5 22.Rb1 Qxc3 23.Be3 a6 24.Qxg7 b5 25.Rf3 Kc8 26.Rd1 Rd8 27.Bb6 Kb7 28.Bxd8 Black resigned, Jerome - Brownson, USA, 1875

7...d6 8.Qc3 Nf6



9.0-0

9.d3 Rf8 10.Bg5 h6 11.Bxf6 gxf6 12.Nd2 Be6 13.0-0-0 c5 14.g3 b5 15.Nb3 a5 16.f4 b4 17.Qd2 Bxb3 18.cxb3 Rh8 19.Kb1 a4 20.bxa4 Rxa4 21.b3 Ra3 22.d4 Qa8 23.Qe2 Re8 24.f5 Nf8 25.Rhe1 Nh7 26.dxc5 dxc5 27.Rd7+ Kg8 28.Qg4+ Black resigned, Banks - Pinfold, Halesowen v Bushbury 2000

9...Re8 10.d3
10...Be6

10...h6 11.f4 Kg8 12.Be3 c5? 13.Nd2 Ng4 14.Rae1 Nxe3 15.Rxe3 b6 16.Rg3 Kh7 17.f5 Ne5 18.Nf3 Qf6 19.Qd2 Bb7 20.Nxe5 dxe5 21.Rg6 Qd8 22.Rf3 Bxe4! 23.Rfg3 Re7 24.Qf2 Rd7 25.h3 Bb7? 26.f6 gxf6 27.Rxf6 Rg7 28.Qf5+ Kg8 29.Qe6+ Kh8 30.Rxh6+ Black resigned, Anonymous - Anonymous, Club Game (Gambits Accepted - Fletcher);

10...b6 11.Bg5 Ne5 12.f4 Neg4 13.h3 Ne3 14.Rf3 Nd1 15.Qb3+ Be6 16.c4 Nxb2 17.Qxb2 h6 18.Bxf6 Qxf6 19.e5 Qh4 20.Nd2 a5 21.f5 Bd7 22.e6+ Bxe6 23.fxe6+ Kxe6 24.Qxg7 Rg8 25.Qf7+ Ke5 26.Qd5 checkmate, Nestor250168 - NMTIGER, www.chessworld.net 2007

11.f4 Ne7


White's pawns begin to roll, and Black's pieces scramble to get out of the way. The second player has a material and development advantage -- but the clock is ticking!

12.f5 Bd7 13.Qb3+ d5 14.Nc3 c6 15.Bg5 h6


Double-edged play: it will weaken Black's Kingside, but he plans on using the "holes" as open lines for counter-attack.

16.Bxf6 gxf6 17.Ne2 Qc7 18.Nf4 Rg8 19.Qc3 Rg4 20.Nh5 Qe5




21.d4

Bluff? Black doesn't want to find out. You have to make split-second decisions in 5-minute games.

21...Qc7 22.e5 Rag8




23.e6+ Bxe6 24.fxe6+ Kxe6 25.Rae1+

25...Kd6

The King was "safer" at f7, but things are very difficult even then.

26.Rxf6+

Good enough, although 26.Qc5+ 13.Kd7 27.Rxe7+ was even stronger.
26...Kd7 27.g3 Black disconnected.
I don't know about at ICC, but at FICS if someone disconnected here, the game would be awarded to White.
Exciting chess!

"Artificial Castling" from Wikipedia (Portugese)

Roque artificial
Origem: Wikipédia, a enciclopédia livre.
Ir para: navegação, pesquisa

Posição após o 6º movimentoRoque artificial ou Roque na mão, no enxadrismo, é uma manobra utilizada para proteger o rei utilizada quando o rei não tem mais direito ao roque normal. Por exemplo na Abertura Giuoco Piano, após os movimentos usuais:

1.e4 e5
2.Cf3 Cc6
3.Bc4 Bc5

As brancas surpreendem com o duvidoso:
4. Bxf7?!
O rei das Pretas perderá o direito ao roque porque, ou se moverá para e7 ou capturará o bispo com 4...Rxf7.
A partir de então as Pretas efetuarão uma série de movimentos para proteger rei, como por exemplo: 5...Tf1 6...Rg1
Com isso, as Brancas terão muito tempo para preparar um ataque na ala do rei, recuperar o bispo sacrificado ou até mesmo vencer o jogo.

Oh, caro!

It seems that the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) spreads confusion wherever it appears.

Take the simple entry in Wikipedia, above for "artificial castling" (http://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roque_artificial) – translated "a maneuver to protect the King when the King does not have the right to castle normally."

The opening used to illustrate the concept is, of course, the Jerome Gambit.

Note the conclusion of the article, "With this, White will have enough time to prepare an attack on the King, to recover the sacrificed bishop, or even to win the game."

Of course, in the diagram given in Wikipedia (reproduced accurately above) Black's King Knight has mysteriously disappeared from f6, so White is no longer a piece down.

Readers who are able to arrive at such a position "after six moves" are requested to share that information with the rest of us.

We interrupt this regularly scheduled post...

To bring you news of the latest in creative, unorthodox opening chess play!

Direct from the inner sanctum of Caissa's Monestary, somehow overlooked until now by the unenlightened of the chess world, comes the brilliant, new ebook:

Winning With the Bongcloud
A Complete Repertoire for White
by BM Andrew Fabbro

1.e4 e5 2.Ke2!

Download it today: your chess will never be the same!

http://www.caissasmonastery.org/static/Winning_with_the_Bongcloud.pdf

From an old Forum discussion at RedHotPawn

Poster
Message
PawnBroker99
Joined : 30 Jul '02
Moves : 4031
03 Jan '03 00:25 :: 0 recommendations
hi all, i'm relatively new to chess...anyhoo, i heard somehwere about capturing a pawn very early in the game with a bishop so only the king could re-capture, thereby slyly luring the king out off the back rank, susceptible to attack.....does anyone know what this is called/what' it's all about? and if this type of daring sacrifice has any merit...... cheers, tally ho, d-


Xenophile
The Jonster
Location : K-PAX
Joined : 16 Feb '02
Moves : 6418
03 Jan '03 01:35 :: 0 recommendations
I don't know what this tactic is called, but I've used it a couple times. To no great success I might add. Though I have never had great success with chess no matter what I do! The king does come under very early attack this way, and it usually never again finds itself well defended because, most importantly, it has lost the option of castling. And that's all I have to say about that. I'd be interested in learning more about this as well...


T1000
1 edit
Joined : 29 Jul '01
Moves : 60852
03 Jan '03 03:38 :: 0 recommendations
The weakest squares at the start of a game are f7 (for black) and f2 (for white). Only the king defends these squares. There exists openings which seek to exploit this (mainly openings for white against black). It only really works though if you follow these openings, for if you just make a few moves then wham sacrifice a piece on f7 then yes you will get a pawn, and you will get the king moving but that is all, which is not enough. But...like I said, there are openings which do have their plus points where a piece sac on f7 may pay dividends. Against top, top, top players these openings may be a little unsound. However, black needs to play very carefully a lot of the time to survive the initial onslaught so against weaker players these openings pose more of a threat. Often there are only one or two correct moves for black available - the top, top players will find them no probs, lesser players may not quite so easily. Unfortunately I don't have the time to find some example games for you, or to give the moves for some of the openings. What I can do is suggest that you go to a post in the Help and Site Ideas forum where the FENs are given for a number of openings. Under the part "Fun and Interesting Openings and Gambits" (something like that) there are a few which involve a sacrifice on f7. Off the top of my head the Cochrane Gambit is one, the Pegatello (Fried Liver) Attack is another. You may like to investigate these openings, where in both cases a knight is sacrificed on f7. Also, Bbar and Miss Take played a game (I have no wish to talk about the politics surrounding that game, this is the "only chess" forum) where a double sacrifice (one on f7) was undertaken by white and white went on to win with a monster attack very quickly. You might want to search for this game. Further, Bbar posted a thread regarding the Cochrane Gambit a few months back. Sintubin agreed to play a game against Bbar with this opening. Check it out. So, conclusion? 1. Don't just sacrifice on f7 if all you get back is a pawn and the moving of the king. Know what you're plan is on how you are going to exploit and attack the king on f7. 2. Look out for possible forks (where a piece attacks in one direction and also attacks in another, different, direction. Often with the king out on f7 moving the queen to f3 will cause black to have to defend the check, which may allow the white queen then to reclaim a piece elsewhere on the board. 3. Against outstanding players some, if not all, of the sacrificial openings on f7 early doors are unlikely to come off and succeed. 4. If you are black and it happens to you, play with great care for a few moves in the immediate aftermath. If you can withold white's charge and aggresion in the short term then you will have the long term advantage. Mark


!~TONY~!
I have a problem
Location : Your Kingside
Joined : 28 Sep '01
Moves : 33068
03 Jan '03 05:06 :: 0 recommendations
Ok- There is many a sacs in the King's Gambit on f7 because it a common theme because of the open f-file and such. There is also an idea in the Giuoco Piano with this idea called the Jerome Gambit. It goes: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. Bxf7? Kxf7 5. Nxe5 Nxe5 6. Qh5+ which regains the piece but you're still in a crappy position and don't really have an attack as you sacked both developed pieces you had for a knight or bishop and two pawns.....by the way this opening sucks major so don' think about trying it! An early sac of a piece should really be refuted except maybe some cheap Bxh7+ crap in the French or other openings!


rkatteri
Joined : 24 Feb '02
Moves : 6
03 Jan '03 15:42 :: 0 recommendations
I think you are refering to the "Classic Bishop Sacrifice": It might occur in the french defense, for example after the following moves 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 The typical formation is Bishop on d3,Knight on f3 and Queen on d1 . It is important that there is no black knight on f6 defending the king so a pawn on e5 is helpful. Then after black castles, Bxf7 Kxf7, Ng5+ Kg8, Qh5 threatens Qh7# This is a true sacrifice, in the sense that it is often played even if there is no clear win in sight, rather it gives white the attack and puts black on the defensive.


!~TONY~!
I have a problem
Location : Your Kingside
Joined : 28 Sep '01
Moves : 33068
03 Jan '03 17:59 :: 0 recommendations
Although the classic bishop sac, or the "Greek Gift", is sometimes incorrect, sometimes it always leads to forced mate, in which it sucks for the other guy!


PawnBroker99
Joined : 30 Jul '02
Moves : 4031
04 Jan '03 19:00 :: 0 recommendations
thx to all for these informative and most helpful responses... cheers, dave


fexkorn
Dad
Joined : 17 Nov '01
Moves : 28351
06 Jan '03 17:33 :: 0 recommendations
those were all great responses! I've had a couple of occasions to sacrifice a knight for what ends up as 2 pawns and that king move to recapture. While I did force the king to move, I also (in hindsight) sacrificed a developed piece, so it that is something to keep in mind. It does usually lead to exciting play so that's a nice side benefit. I suggest you play rhymester in the ruy lopez. When you try the fork trick w/ him, he kamakazi's his bishop and then recaptures the knight after the king is forced to capture. We played 2 consecutive games like this. He wound up mating me in about 14 moves in one game. In the other, he missed a golden oportunity that I left for him and I wound up beating up on him. Generally speaking though, I agree w/ t1000. If the defensive player is carefull, I think the sacrifice will wind up hurting the aggressor.

graphic by Jeff Bucchino, "The Wizard of Draws"