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.Bxf7+, 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

The Proper Perspective

Recently Ty Kroll made a post at the Yahoo "Unorthodox Chess Openings" Group that caught my eye and which I think is well worth sharing.

He was writing in reference to "the Fishing Pole" (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.0-0 Ng4!?), a Ruy Lopez defense variant that has been enthusiastically embraced by National Master Brian Wall.

The Fishing Pole has its critics, and, like the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) also has its refutations (although the 'Pole is not nearly as bad as the Jerome). Under the right circumstances, both can also be a lot of fun to play.

It was equally interesting to see a response by N. Earl Roberts.

First Ty,

I think there's a lot of fun, if nothing else, to be had in unorthodox lines which are actually bad.

I've been playing the line Brian dubbed "Tyler Hughes" in the 2 knights since he brought my attention back to it from this forum, in Blitz, and it's a lot of fun, but only because the opponents almost never respond with the winning variation for white, because they've never analyzed the line before and have probably never even seen it. I can even imagine such tricks working under slower time controls. It's the surprise factor.
I mostly play lines like that for the fun value, though. If I ever write anything about that variation (and I doubt it hasn't "all been written" already) it would start with the refutation because that's the best line, the correct line; that's real theory. All the fun I have with it in nearly every game would go in theoretical sidelines.
Writing any other way is a fantasy. I'd like to see all such lines addressed in that context. ... the fishing pole included if it is unsound.
I agree with Ty. Readers of this blog should be well aware of the many refutations of the Jerome Gambit. As more turn up, you'll see them here, too.

By the way, those with an interest in music, voice, and the occasional chess post might want to visit his blog at http://ne0romantic.livejournal.com/

Here I can follow up with Earl's post

As for the value of the "Fishing pole" itself, I actually agree with you that perhaps its value lies in its surprise, but I must point out that there is a vast difference between "playable" and "sound".
I am sure Mr. Wall does well believe that the "Fishing Pole" is playable because in those posts that I have seen, he clearly demonstrates that he is obviously the vastly stronger player....at blitz.
Here in lies the clear difference between the two, an opening is made "playable" by who it is used against relating to what medium it is used. Example, the original exclamation ridden game concerned. Mr. Wall clearly shows that over a ratings difference of around 300 points minimum (that's at a guess of the difference between 1700 and the master strength he clams to be) in a game of blitz, that the "Fishing pole" is quite playable.
The argument for it being sound on the other hand might well reduce with the rating difference coming closer together and game time being extending to a sensible length for proper consideration of moves.
Finally, refutations. Refutations are only relevant when people know them. I think Mr. Wall knows this and probably why he continues to play the "Fishing Pole" with such success in the bubblegum medium of internet chess blitz and good on him to, I am happy for him.
One of the curse of the internet Ty is people will always have an opinion and when it comes to refutations, people will always be there to line up with even more opinions... and in some way, that's not all together a bad thing.

Thank you, gentlemen.

Kerfuzzled!

Sometimes the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) seems to just add to the confusion (for example, among others, "Sac a pawn, or a piece, or a...") of the world at large...


Take the following example.


Danivarl - Carpediem
Internet, 2007

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

The "classical" Jerome Gambit, as opposed to "modern" treatments that avoid the second piece sacrifice.

5...Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ng6 7.Qd5+
Alonzo Wheeler Jerome preferred this intermediary check, instead of the immediate piece capture.

7...Ke8 8.Qxc5 d6 9.Qc3 Ne5

This move seems to be asking for trouble, but Black is confident that he has the proper reply. In this he is only half right.

10.f4 Nf3+


Oh, how I have suffered in facing this Knight move, in various positions: see "Jerome Gambit Tournament: Chapter III," "Jerome Gambit: Fools walk in..." and "Jerome Gambit Tournament: Chapter XVI"

In those games, however, the Knight sac was well-coordinated with ...Qh4+

11.Qxf3

Black: Oh, dear, what was I thinking??

11...Be6 12.f5 Bf7 13.d4 Nf6 14.e5

Here come those Jerome pawns!

14...Nd7 15.e6

This can be annoying enough when White is down a piece, but here he is ahead in material.

15...Qh4+ 16.g3 Qxd4 17.Qxb7 Qe5+

A sudden discomfort for the White King, but it is a minor thing if well-managed: 18.Kf2 Qxf5+ 19.Kg1 Bxe6 20.Qxa8+ Kf7 21.Qg2 (not 21.Qxh8, which allows a draw by repetition with 21...Qc5+, etc.).

18.Kd1 Rb8

Black does not see that he now has the winning attack on the King that leads to an advantage in material: 18...Bh5+ 19.g4 Bxg4+ 20.Kd2 Qe2+ 21.Kc3 Bf3 22.Qxc7 Nf6 23.Qf7+ Kd8 24.e7+ Kc8 25.Qc4+ Qxc4+ 26.Kxc4 Bxh1

19.Qxc7

Chess is a complicated game – and this game has become complicated. The stable 19.Qf3 is enough for White to settle things down, with advantage.

19...Bh5+


This time Black sees it.
20.Kd2 Qd5+ 21.Ke3 Qf3+


But what does he see??

He had a draw with the likes of 21...Qe5+ 22.Kf2 Qe2+ 23.Kg1 Qe1+ 24.Kg2 Qe4+ 25.Kg1 Qe1+ etc.

Instead, he gives White a gutsy way to escape to the center of the board: 22.Kd4 Rb4+ 23.c4 Nf6 (of course 23...Qxh1 leads to mate: 24.exd7+ Kf8 25.d8/Q+ Be8 26.Qde7+ Kg8 27.Qxe8#) 24.Nc3 Qf2+ (24...Qxh1 is answered with 25.Qc8+ and White's capture of a Rook offsets Black's) 25.Be3 Qxf5 26.Bf4 and White has the advantage.

analysis diagram

But, what does White see??

White Resigns

Why not join in the discussion?

Pete Banks ("blackburne") and I have quite a discussion going about the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) in the "comments" section of "Jerome Gambit: Transylvanian Terror!"

Why not join us and add your own opinions?

Jerome Gambit Scrapbook

From time to time I will post addresses of online Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) resources.

Readers are, of course, welcome to contribute to this list.

"Jerome Gambit"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerome_Gambit

"Jerome Gambit, or Jerome Gamble?" – Rick Kennedy & G. K. Gifford

http://f1.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/4Ov5SGzNMWKr5Ej95W53b--AauVveeS2EpSkC-YUoz44lmTMiI4O_v0m2t-WeTQrC5Dx1jaldvZ-K6ryw6v3uARMr_iXLyNONSP_-PQp/UON-17%20-%20Jan-Apr2007.pdf


"Jerome Gambit – Revisited," by Rick Kennedyhttp://f1.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/8Pn5SIQEWbgFsvUMPrsheeTkz1oZyIfk_IqIQtypSCpyjfdjJvxIinrlDy7YjtET6RBhLAepEZTkpPCcUjMSN1tWA3RRam1oBfCEYUOC/UON18-May-Aug_2007.pdf


"Nobody Expects the Jerome Gambit!" by Rick Kennedyhttp://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/Chess-Unorthodox-UON/files/


"The Good Old Days," Opening Lanes, ChessCafe, by International Master Gary Lanehttp://www.chesscafe.com/text/lane111.pdf


"Chess Made Easy," Opening Lanes, ChessCafe, by International Master Gary Lanehttp://www.chesscafe.com/text/lane112.pdf


"Jerome Gambit" HANGING PAWN :: Tip's Blog
http://www.lockism.com/engine/html/jeromewhite/jeromewhite.htm

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!