Jerome Gambit: Developing (Part 5)

You can learn a lot by playing over and analyzing your games. This is a useful practice for every chess player, from beginner to world champion.

There are ideas in the following game that will help both players in the future.

dperez22 - drewski02

3 2 blitz, Chess.com, 2021

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ke6 

7.f4 Nf6 

Attack that Queen! Shouldn't three pieces hold off Her Majesty?

Actually, no. This is the kind of move that can pop up in a blitz game, where the depth of analysis can suffer. The Database has 115 examples.

8.Qxe5+ Kf7 9.Qxc5 d6 

Having recaptured sacrificed material, White is ahead by a couple of pawns.

10.Qc4+ 

There are safer places for the Queen to return to, but you could not tell this from investigating The Database, where the text move has scored 8 - 1.

10...d5

To his credit, drewski02 comes up with a novelty that is probably the strongest response. 

11.exd5 

Opening up the e-file is dangerous.

11...Nxd5 

Missing 11...Re8+ which would turn the game to Black's advantage.

12.Nc3 

Targeting the Knight, but much wiser was the discrete 12.O-O. 

12...c6 

This makes sense, but it would have been useful to fit in 12...Re8+. 

13.Nxd5 

Again: 13.0-0 was prudent.

13...cxd5 14.Qd4 

 14...Qh4+ 

Either this move or 14...Re8+ put White's King under pressure. 

15.g3 Rd8 

This has to be a mouse slip. With 15...Re8+, Black's attack would build.  

16.gxh4 

White is up a Queen and a couple of pawns. His only real danger now is the clock.

16...Re8+

Yes - but late.

17.Kf2 Bg4 18.Qxd5+ Be6 19.Qh5+ Kg8 20.Rg1 Rf8 21.Qh6 Rf7 

Instead, 21...Rxf4 would just be a flash in the pan.

22.Qxe6 Raf8 

Black is tied up. White prepares checkmate.

23.b3 b5 24.Bb2 a5 25.Rxg7+ Kh8 26.Rxf7+ Kg8 27.Rg7+ Kh8 28.Rg8 checkmate

Jerome Gambit: Developing (Part 4)

 

The following game is another Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) from the informal blitz match we have been looking at. Surprising moves continue to appear, in part because the Jerome inspires creativity. The time control also has its impact.

drewski02 - dperez22

3 2 blitz, Chess.com, 2021

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

 4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ke6 

7.c3

This move is a regular part of the Giuoco Piano - 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3. It does not fit in well with the Jerome Gambit, however, because of the "hole" it creates at d3 - Stockfish 14 assesses Black now as being the equivalent of a Queen ahead of his opponent.

The Database pushes back against that assessment, however. There are 30 games with this move, with White scoring 42%.

The issue, as ever, is, given the time available and the experience with the Jerome Gambit, can Black take advantage?

7...Bxf2+ 

Wow.

The recommended response is 7...Nd3+, when White stands to lose material in a variety of ways. 8.Ke2 allows the Knight to fork White's King and Queen with 8...Nf4+. 8.Kd1 allows the Knight to fork White's King and Rook with 8...Nxf2+. 8.Kf1 is probably the strongest response, but 8...Qf6 would be the start of a serious attack on the King.

The text - returning the Jerome Bishop, similar to the Jerome counter-gambit - is still good for Black. After all, being two pieces ahead, he can afford to sacrifice one.

8.Kxf2 Qf6+ 9. Kg1 Nd3 

Now the Knight joins the attack. It is a bit strange, but anticipating d2-d4 with either 9...d6 or 9...Nf7 would be stronger.

The main problem with the move is now that 10.Qd5+ would allow White to collect the Knight.

10.Qg4+

White has a plan to defend against the checkmate threat, but it is not enough. He loses a piece, and then receives a surprise.

10...Kf7 11.Qg3 Nxc1 12.d4 Ne2 checkmate

Jerome Gambit: Developing (Part 3)

Here is the third game in an informal match between developing Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) players.

dperez22 - drewski02

3 2 blitz, Chess.com, 2021

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ke6 

7.Qf5+ Kd6

So far, "book" all the way.

8.d4 

Offering a pawn to open the c1-h6 diagonal. This could be a response to play in drewski02 - dperez22, 3 2 blitz, Chess.com, 2021 (1-0, 14), or just improvisation. The move has been seen in 73 games in The Database, with White scoring 51%.

Although Black now has 8...Bxd4, when 9.f4 Nc6 leaves him still 2 pieces ahead, we have seen in this match that aggressive moves - regardless of how "objectively" good they are - often yeild positive results.

8...Bb4+ 

Saving the Bishop from the pawn fork, with a plan to save the Knight.

9.c3 Nd3+ 

Stockfish 14 likes this move, because it allows the computer to engage in one of its favorite pastimes - helping White find a forced draw by repetition. Therefore: 10.Kd2 Nxc1 11.Qe5+ Kc6 12.Qd5+ Kb6 13.cxb4 d6 14.Qa5+ Kc6 15.Qa4+ Kb6 16.Qa5+, etc.

I don't think either one of the players was looking for a draw.

10.Ke2 Nh6

With 2 pieces en prise, Black threatens the enemy Queen, following the suggestion that you don't always have to withdraw an attacked piece if you can effectively attack a more important one. Also, in blitz play, moves that attack are often successful. 

In this case, however, White has three successful responses - and he only needs one. For starters, 11.Bxh6 would take care of the ornery Knight, and still leave two Black pieces in danger. He could also try 11.e5+, because that uncovers an attack by White's Queen on Black's forward Knight.

11.Qd5+ 

This move is attractive, too.

11...Ke7 12.Bg5+ Ke8 13.Bxd8 Kxd8 14.Kxd3 Bd6 

White has a Queen and a couple of pawns against two pieces. If he is careful and manages his clock properly, he has the win.

15.e5 Ng4 

Again, Black decides to counter a threat with a bigger threat. Again, this is often a very good idea. However, again in this game, it does not work - although he would have needed sharp eyes to see why.

16.Ke2 

This move is solid, disrupting the threatened Knight fork of King and Rook. White has built up enough of an advantage, however, that he could afford to ignore the threat: 16.exd6 Nxf2+ 17.Kd2 Nxh1 18.Qg5+ Ke8 19.Qe7 checkmate.

16....Rf8 17.f3 c6 

At this point, things just fall apart for Black.

18.Qxd6 Nf6 19.Qxf8+ Kc7 20.exf6 d6 

Perhaps at this point Black was asking himself "What else can go wrong?"

21.fxg7 b6 22.g8=Q Bb7 23.Qe7 checkmate

Jerome Gambit: Developing (Part 2)

 

The Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) can be fun and exciting at any level of play.

In fact, while I struggle to understand the nuances of master and grandmaster play, I can better understand the efforts of club players like myself.

Here is the second game of an informal match. The players have swapped colors.

drewski02 - dperez22

3 2 blitz, Chess.com, 2021

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Ng5+ 

I think I betray my skepticism of this move in calling it the "face palm variation". See "Jerome Gambit: The Face Palm Variation" and "Jerome Gambit: Return of the Face Palm Variation".

White has a plan, and he carries it out successfully in this game. That's the problem. Again, the blitz time control and a developing familiarity with the Jerome Gambit may be the culprits.

There is a bit of history to the move. The Database has 590 games with this position, with White scoring 23%. If we look only at the 431 games where Black played the strong and correct 5...Qxg5, White scores only 16%.

This game is a good example of the humorist's "You offer material; if you win, it's a sacrifice, if you lose, it's a blunder".

Yes, this time 5.Ng5+ worked, but I would not rely on it in the future.

5...Qxg5 6.d4 Bxd4 7.Bxg5 

White has a Queen for two pieces, and would still be better after 7...Bxb2 8.Nd2 Bxa1 9.Qxa1.

The problem with the line for White is if Black does not capture the d-pawn with the Bishop, but, instead, plays 6...Qxg2.

 

analysis diagram

After 7.Rf1 Qxe4+ 8.Be3 Nxd4 White is down two pieces, and facing a deadly attack. 9.Nc3 can be met by 9...Bb4, and White's King will find no rest.

Back to the game. 

7...Bxb2 8.Qd5+ 

White's Rook is in danger? Bah! The Jerome Gambit Queen always wants to attack!

8...Kf8 9.O-O 

Very well done. The Rook on the soon-to-be-opened f-file is more important than the soon-to-disappear Rook on the a-file.

9...Bxa1 10.f4 Nge7 

Black's best chance was to block the f-file with 10...Nf6 11.Bxf6 gxf6 when 12.c3 d6 would signal a much slower game.

 

Now White finishes up, concluding the game with a nice Queen sacrifice.

11.fxe5+ Ke8 12.Qf7+ Kd8 13.Qf8+ Rxf8 14.Rxf8 checkmate

Very nice.

Jerome Gambit: Developing (Part 1)

 

I enjoy sharing Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) games played by masters and grandmasters. 

I also enjoy sharing my own games, providing history, insights and analysis where I can - even if I tend to get a bit long winded.

I especially enjoy games of players who are new to the Jerome Gambit, and possibly new to chess itself.

Recently, I received a handful of games between two developing players. I would like to share them, for a couple of reasons.

First, you may well find them to be exciting. Second, if you are an experienced player and Jerome Gambiteer, you might notice the slips in play, but still enjoy the games through the lens of nostalgia -everyone is new to the Jerome at some point.

dperez22 - drewski02

3 2 blitz, Chess.com, 2021

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ke6 

7.f4 Qf6 8.Qe8+ 

This move screams out to be played. (In fact, The Database shows it has been played 4 times before.) White's Queen continues her attack. If Black blocks the check with his Knight, White can capture his Rook.

The problem with this analysis is that it is not deep enough. This is the product of both the blitz time control and not enough experience with different Jerome Gambit lines.

Also, while defenders object that an early active Queen in the Jerome Gambit violates the rules of good play, their argument grows stronger if Her Majesty continues to work without assistance.

For starters, Black can play 8...Ne7 here, as 9.Qxh8 would be met by the strong 9...Qh4+. After 10.g3 Qg4, White's lonely King would face 3 Black pieces (an old piece of chess wisdom mentions "three pieces and an attack"). Capturing the Knight with 11.fxe5 would lead to being checkmated in 5 moves, while helping the Queen escape with 11.Qxh7 would lead to being checkmated in 9 moves. Everything else would allow 11...Nf3+ followed by doom and gloom.

8...Qe7

Well, was all that worry wasted? Black does not want to give up the Rook, after all, but the offer to exchange Queens is also good for him.

9.f5+

Another bit of chess wisdom - that not all teachers agree with - is that "a bad plan is better than no plan at all". Here, White continues his aggressive moves. He has to. He is down two pieces. The objectively "best" move of withdrawing the Queen has almost not chance of success.

White benefits from Black's acceptance that he must know what he is doing. Also, this fits in well with the common blitz strategy of continually making threats: the defender may be able to successfully deal with each threat, but the time devoted to find the right moves could lead to the loss of the game. 

9...Kf6 10.Qh5 

Sadly, the Queen retreats. Perhaps at this point, Black threw his hat in the air.

The game is not over, however. Black does not quite relax, but his focus on developing his light square Bishop leads to trouble.

10...b6 11.g4 Bb7 12.g5 checkmate

Ouch. That had to hurt.

Jerome Gambit: In the End, It Was the Pawns (Part 4)

 

[continued from the previous post]

perrypawnpusher - jjdd57

3 d/move, "Piano Piano" tournament, Chess.com, 2021

It was time to see how far the extra "Jerome pawns" would take me. If White can make something out of his Queenside, he will be able to crash through in the center.

41.Kd5 Kf5 

This move keeps my King off of e6 for the time being, and keeps open the option of invading my Kingside via f4, if the opportunity arises, but it does nothing to stem my expansion on the Queenside. In fact, my monarch will find another entry point. The Black King needed to fall back with 41...Kf7, although White would still be better.

42.d7 Ne6 43.Kd6 h5 44.c5 bxc5 45.bxc5 Nd8 

46.Kc7 Ne6+ 47.Kxb7 Nxc5+ 48.Kc8 Nxd7 49.Kxd7 Kxe5 

Black has eliminated the enemy central pawns, at the cost of his Knight, but his defensive tasks are still too great. (If the a-pawn were not there, Black would win easily.)

50.a4 Kd5 51.Ke7 

White's a-pawn will either advance and promote, or act as a decoy to pull Black's King away from its defense of the Kingside.

51...Kc5 52.Kf6 g4 53.fxg4 hxg4 54.Kg5 Kb4 55.Kxg4 Kxa4 56.h4 Black resigned

Whew.

Jerome Gambit: In the End, It Was the Pawns (Part 3)

 

[continued from previous post]

perrypawnpusher - jjdd57

3 d/move, "Piano Piano" tournament, Chess.com, 2021

White's chances rest with his "Jerome pawns".

25.c4 Nb6 26.Ba5 

A bit stronger might be 26.b3, especially if Black eventually returns a Knight for two pawns, because then White would have a Bishop versus a Knight.

26...Kd7 27.Bxb6

Again, 27.b3 might be better.

27...axb6 28.Rg4 

The f-file might be a better place for the Rook.

28...g6 

Black's pawn should take two steps, not one. The Chess.com computer calls the move a mistake.

After the game, Stockfish 14 suggested 28...g5 29.h4 Ng6 30.hxg5 h5 31.Re4 c5 32.Ke2 cxd4 33.Kd3 Nxe5+ 34.Kxd4 Kxd6 when White's pawn center is blown up and the second player is better. That's complicated, though.

29.Ke2 

A mistake, as well. The Rook needed to go to the f-file.

29...c5 30.Kd3 cxd4 31.Kxd4 Ne6+ 

White's King rushes to the center, as does Black's Knight.

The question now is can either Rook penetrate into the enemy's camp?

32.Ke4 g5 

Black moves the pawn to where it is protected, and envisions an outpost for his Knight at f4. Nonetheless, after the game 32...Nc5+ was the computer's choice.

33.Rg3 Rf8 34.Rf3 Rxf3 35.gxf3 Nf4 

White has managed to exchange off the Rooks, but now the enemy Knight pays a visit. It is temporary, however.

36.Kf5 Ne6 37.Ke4 Ke8 38.Kf5 Kf7 

I was willing to repeat the position to reach a draw. My opponent was not.

39.Ke4 Kg6 

This looked scary for White, but Black cannot afford to have his King invade the Kingside, as that would allow my King to advance in the center - where my pawns are faster. I was not so sure about that at the time, but looking back, it seems so.

40.b4 

Hoping that the extra pawns can help.

40...Nd8 

It is not readily apparent - it certainly was not to me at the time - but Black's Knight is not fully safe here. Best, according to Stockfish 14, is 40...Kg7 41.a4 Kf7 42.a5 bxa5 43.bxa5 Ke8 44.Kd5 Kd7 45.h3 Nf4+ 46.Kd4 Ne6+ with a draw by repetition.

That's right, those scary "Jerome pawns" are not enough to win.

[to be continued]