My second win with the Jerome Gambit, in the second round of the "Italian Game Classic" tournament at Chess.com, was a scary one. My opponent played aggressively and had some very interesting ideas. At one point, I decided to trust the "Jerome pawns" and threw them forward - backed up by my Rooks. It wasn't the "best" play, but it was enough to shake my opponent and give me a way out of the woods. I gathered in the full point.
The game is fun to play over, but do not overlook the notes - especially if you plan on playing (or defending against) the Jerome Gambit.
perrypawnpusher - FedeMamut
Italian Game Classic, Chess.com 2019
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+
After the game was over, I ran it through the computer at Chess.com. I was delighted to see that it marked "4.Bxf7+" as a "book" move. I decided to rely on the analysis for my notes here.
4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+
The Chess.com computer commented that this move is "excellent", although 6.d4 is "best".
For the record, The Database has 4,442 games with 6.Qh5+ (White scores 56%) and 2,024 games with 6.d4 (White scores 55%). So, 6.Qh5+ is twice as popular as 6.d4, but both moves score similarly.
6...Kf8
The Jerome Defense to the Jerome Gambit, played successfully by Alonzo Wheeler Jerome in two correspondence games against Daniel Jaeger in 1880.
Again, the computer commented that this move is "excellent", although 6...Ke6 is "best".
The Database has 665 games with 6...Kf8, with White scoring 50%, while it has 1,102 games with 6...Ke6, with White scoring 53%. Black has chosen "the road less followed", but one that has been better for the defenders.
7.Qxe5 d6
Once more, the computer opined that while 7...d6 was "excellent", 7...d5 was "best". I was beginning to think that when it came to the end of the game, it would suggest that FedeMamut came in "second place", while I came in "next to last".
Still, The Database has 412 games with 7...d6, with White scoring 48%. Of note, there are only 2 games with 7...d5, and Black won both of them.
8.Qg3 Qe7
The computer said this move was an "inaccuracy", while 8...Nf6 was "best". Still, it rated Black as clearly better.
The Database has only 8 games with 8...Qe7, with White scoring 63%.
9.Nc3
Likewise, an "inaccuracy", while 9.d3 would be "best". At this point, I decided to get Stockfish 10's opinion. It agreed with the Chess.com computer. Figures.
For the record, I played 9.d3 in perrypawnpusher - frencheng, 10 5 blitz, FICS, 2010 (1-0, 19)
9...Nf6
Interestingly enough, the Chess.com computer rated this move as "good", but preferred the novelty, 9...h5, as "best". Keep that in mind.
10.d3 c6 11.O-O h5
The Chess.com computer rated this move as an "inaccuracy", preferring 11...Kf7 as "best". It was looking at Black's King safety, and was recommending that he castle-by-hand.
I like the aggressive pawn move - it threatens White's King's safety, makes active use of Black's Rook, and still leaves Black better. Moreover, in future move suggestions, the computer suggested the weakening h2-h4 for White, an additional benefit of Black's "inaccuracy".
The Database has 665 games with 6...Kf8, with White scoring 50%, while it has 1,102 games with 6...Ke6, with White scoring 53%. Black has chosen "the road less followed", but one that has been better for the defenders.
7.Qxe5 d6
Once more, the computer opined that while 7...d6 was "excellent", 7...d5 was "best". I was beginning to think that when it came to the end of the game, it would suggest that FedeMamut came in "second place", while I came in "next to last".
Still, The Database has 412 games with 7...d6, with White scoring 48%. Of note, there are only 2 games with 7...d5, and Black won both of them.
8.Qg3 Qe7
The computer said this move was an "inaccuracy", while 8...Nf6 was "best". Still, it rated Black as clearly better.
The Database has only 8 games with 8...Qe7, with White scoring 63%.
9.Nc3
Likewise, an "inaccuracy", while 9.d3 would be "best". At this point, I decided to get Stockfish 10's opinion. It agreed with the Chess.com computer. Figures.
For the record, I played 9.d3 in perrypawnpusher - frencheng, 10 5 blitz, FICS, 2010 (1-0, 19)
9...Nf6
Interestingly enough, the Chess.com computer rated this move as "good", but preferred the novelty, 9...h5, as "best". Keep that in mind.
10.d3 c6 11.O-O h5
The Chess.com computer rated this move as an "inaccuracy", preferring 11...Kf7 as "best". It was looking at Black's King safety, and was recommending that he castle-by-hand.
I like the aggressive pawn move - it threatens White's King's safety, makes active use of Black's Rook, and still leaves Black better. Moreover, in future move suggestions, the computer suggested the weakening h2-h4 for White, an additional benefit of Black's "inaccuracy".
[to be continued]
