Jerome Gambit: Under Pressure

The following game is a good example of the pressure that White can inflict upon the enemy King in a Jerome-related line. 

Boris - NN

2020

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Na5 

In this side line, Black immediately moves to win "the minor exchange" after 4.Bb3 Nxb3.

White can now grab a pawn with 4.Nxe5 Nxc4 5.Nxc4, but he prefers the "Jerome treatment".

4.Bxf7+ Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Ke6 

A bit stronger might be 5...Ke7. See "Revision".

6.Qh5 

This is very Jerome-like play: first the Bishop is sacrificed, then the Queen goes to h5. The result is a very dynamic position. 

It is worth looking at the alternatives, however, as, surprisingly the fussy Komodo 10 rates other moves higher. Slightly.

First, it is important to mention that The Database has 87 games with 6.Qh5, with White scoring 68%, so it's a good move from a practical point of view, even if the computer evaluates it as -/=.

What does Komodo 10 prefer?

It's favorite (at 25 ply) is 6.d4, which it evaluates as +/=. The Database has 476 games with that move, with White scoring 73%. Fair enough.

The next in preference is 6.Nc3, evaluated as =. The Database has only 1 game, with White scoring 100%. Practically a novelty, or worthy of "Jerome Gambit Secrets #14"

Then comes 6.Qg4+, also evaluated as =. The Database has 55 games, with White scoring 64%.

Following is 6.Nf3, rated as =. The Database has 11 games, with White scoring 82%

Next is 6.0-0, evaluated as =. The Database has 2 games, with White scoring 100%. Again, practically worthy of "Jerome Gambit Secrets #15".

Rated as -/=, with 17 games in The Database, is 6.f4, although it scores 71%.

One way of deciding is to ask yourself, Do you want to sacrifice the Knight at e5? If Yes, you should look at 6.Nc3, 6.Qg4+ and 6.0-0. If No, you should look at 6.d4, 6.Nf3, 6.f4 or 6.Qh5.

It is very important to note that Komodo 10 (like The Database) is only an assistant in making a move choice. The difference in evaluation between its favorite, and the text move, is only about 1 pawn.

6...b5

This is a bit of a surprise, and justifies White's move. Strongest was probably 6...Nf6.

7.Qf5+ Ke7 8.Qf7+ Kd6 

9.Qd5+ Ke7 10.d4 

Capturing the Rook was possible, but White is looking to capture the King. 

10...c6 11.Bg5+ Nf6 12.Qf7+ Kd6 13.Bd2 Nb7 

14.a4 

Looking to add his Rook to the attack. Also possible was the material grab, 14.Ng6 Kc7 15.Nxh8 as 14...hxg6 would be answered by 15.Bf4#.

14...Qe8 

Looking to evict or exchange the Queen. Safer was to withdraw his King with 14...Kc7.

15.axb5 Nd8 

More of the same. His position is a mess. For example, if 15...cxb5, 16.Qxe8 Nxe8 17.Nf7+ will lead to the win of the Rook.

16.Bb4+ Kc7 17.Ba5+ Kb8 18.Qb3

Still focused on the King. He could be temporarily bought off by exchanging Queens on e8, then capturing the Knight on d8, but he wants more.

18...Nb7 19.bxc6 dxc6 20.Nd2 Bd6 

21.Ndc4 Bxe5 22.Nxe5 Nxe4 23.O-O Bd7 

Black still has a  piece for a couple of pawns, but the pressure on his King is intense.

24.Rfe1 Ned6 25.Bb4 Kc8 26.Ra6 h5 

If this is the start of a counter-attack, it is a bit optimistic.

27.Nxc6 Qf7 28.Qg3 Rh6 29.d5 h4 

30.Qc3 Bxc6 31.Rxc6+ Kb8 32.Bxd6+ Nxd6 33.Qb4+ Nb7 

34.Re7 Qxd5 35.Qxb7 checkmate

Jerome Gambit: Center Action

Here we have 3 more Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) games sent by Boris, from Kazakhstan.

Boris - NN,

2020

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ke6 

7.f4 Qf6 8.Rf1 g6 9.Qh3+ Kd6 

This move blocks the pawn, which blocks the Bishop, which locks in the Rook... Possibly 9...Ke7 was better.

Interestingly, 9...Kd6 was the choice of Fritz 7, Deep Fritz 8 and Comet B46 in their compter vs computer games, all over a decade ago; while 9...Ke7 was the choice of jmchess, Hiarcs9, Deep Sjeng 1.5, Fritz 5.32, Abrok, Amyan, BBchess and Crafty in their games, mostly more recently.

10.fxe5+ 

The alternative, 10.d4, was seen in a later game by Boris, when, after 10...Bxd4 11.fxe5+ Bxe5 12.Rxf6+ (1-0, 30) he was able to strike back after his first Jerome Gambit loss (see below). 

10...Qxe5 11.d4 

Relying on the threat Bc1-f4.

The alternative, 11.d3, was a start of a very difficult game: 11...Kc6 12.Nc3 d6 13.Qh4 Be6 14.Bf4 Qg7 15.O-O-O Bd4 16.Bd2 h6 17.Kb1 Ne7 18.Qe1 Kd7 19.h3 Rhf8 20.Rh1 b6 21.Bc1 a6 22.Ne2 Bf2 23.Qd2 h5 24.Rdf1 Qe5 25.Nc3 Qc5 26.Rh2 Be3 27.Qe2 Bg1 28.Rxf8 Rxf8 29.Rh1 Nc6 30.Qe1 Bf2 31.Qe2 Bd4 32.Rf1 Rxf1 33.Qxf1 Bxc3 34.bxc3 Qxc3 35.a3 Nd4 White resigned, Boris' first Jerome Gambit loss.

All this center action with White's King stuck in the middle is unsettling. Perhaps 11.Nc3 was to be considered as well.

11...Qxe4+ 12.Qe3 Qxd4 13. Qe2 Qh4+ 14.Kd1 Qd4+ 

Wow. Was Black suggesting a draw by repetition?

15.Bd2 b6 

Even though Black is a piece and a pawn ahead, Komodo 10 rates the position as even. The open long diagonals put Black's Rooks at rish. 

16.c3 Qa4+ 17.b3 Qh4 18.g3 Qe7 

I am not sure what Black hoped to accomplish with his Queen moves, but he has radically altered the position.

19.Qg2 

Simple enough.

19...c6 20.Bf4+ Ke6 21.Qe2+ Kf7 22.Bd6+ 

23...Qf6 23.Rxf6+ Kxf6 24.Qe5+ Black resigned

Jerome Gambit: GM vs GM, Upset Again

The following online Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) blitz game is another interesting grandmaster vs grandmaster affair between Hikaru Nakamura and Peter Michalik. 

It is educational to see how much a grandmaster observes (and overlooks) in a 3-minute game played for fun. After all, given the gift of a couple of pieces, all Black has to do is survive, while White has to win.

(Following the old English proverb "A cat may look at a king", I have added some notes, but - of course - they are heavily assisted by the computer.)

SanitationEngineer - Lunaticx

3 0 blitz, Chess.com, 2020.

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Kf8 

7.Qxe5 d6 8.Qg3 Nf6 9.d3 Kf7 

The game continues the same way as the one posted yesterday. Surely, Black has no reason to vary.

10.b3 

White intends to fianchetto his Bishop, instead of exchanging it on e3 as in the previous game. Komodo 10 mildly disagrees.

10...Bd4 11.c3 Bb6 12.Bb2 Rf8 

Black plans to castle-by-hand.

White's Bishop is one move away from owning a long diagonal.

13.c4 

Suddenly, Komodo 10 rates Black the equivalant of a Queen ahead, preferring 13.0-0. Can you see why? 

13...Kg8 

Consistent, safe, and preserving his advantage. However, he missed 13...Nh5, which would put his opponent's Queen in grave danger. 

14.O-O 

The Queen needed to run to safer ground with 14.Qh4.

14...Ng4 

 Grandmasters don't see everything, but they usually see enough.

15.d4 Qf6 16.e5 dxe5 17.c5 Ba5 

18.a3 

Working with the "Jerome pawns" to trap or win the enemy Bishop. He would have done himself a favor by playing his next move, first, i.e. 18.h3 Nh6 and then 19.b4, since 19...Bxb4 20.Qb3+ Be6 21.Qxb4 would win the piece. Please note that 18.b4 right away would not work as well, since after 18...Bxb4 19.Qb3+ Be6 20.Qxb4, 20...Qh4 would be crushing.

18...c6 19.h3 Nh6 

20.dxe5 Qf7 21.b4 Bc7 22.Nd2 Bf5 23.Rac1 Rad8 24.Nc4 

24...Bd3 25.Nd6 Bxd6 26.cxd6 Bxf1 27.e6 Qg6 28.Qxg6 hxg6 29.e7 Bd3 30.exf8=Q+ Kxf8 

After a flurry of tactics, Black has a few weaknesses to attack.

31.Bd4 Kf7 32.Bxa7 Rxd6 33.g4 Ng8 

34.f3 Nf6 35.Kf2 Bb5 36.Ra1 Rd2+ 37.Kg3 Ba4 38.Bc5 Rd3 39.Kf2 Bd1 

Black's pieces are now cooperating, and things are looking grim for White. Will the clock become a factor? 

40.f4  Ne4+ 41.Ke1 Ba4 42.Bg1 Rxh3 43.Kf1 Rf3+ 44.Ke2 Rg3 45.Re1 Bc2 46.Be3 Rxg4 

47.Rc1 Ba4 48.Kf3 Nf6 49.Bd4 Rh4 50.Be5 Bb3 51.Kg3 Rg4+ 52.Kf2 Bd5 

53.b5 Rg2+ 54.Ke3 Rg3+ 55.Kd4 Rxa3 56.Kc5 Rb3 57.bxc6 bxc6 58.Kd6 

(Note to self: Rook and Knight vs Rook is usually a draw - if there are no pawns.)

58...Ne4+ 59.Kc7 Ke6 60.Bxg7 c5 61.Rg1

Black's advantage is too large.

61...Rb7+ 62.Kd8 c4 

He had a pretty checkmate with 62...Rd7+ 63.Kc8 Nd6+ 64.Kb8 Rb7+ 65.Ka8 Rb6+ 66.Ka7 Nc8# but there are a number of ways to win.  

63.Bd4 Kf5 64.Ra1 Be6 65.Ra5+ Kxf4 66.Be5+ Kf3 67.Ra3+ c3 68.Bxc3 

Still fighting.

68...Rd7+ 69.Ke8 Nd6+ 70.Kf8 Rf7+ 71.Kg8 Ra7+ 72.Kf8 Rxa3 73.Bb4 Rd3 74.Ke7 Ne4 75.Kxe6 g5 White resigned

A solid win for GM Michalik, against stubborn defense by GM Nakamura.

Jerome Gambit: GM vs GM, Upset

The good news (for those who play the Jerome Gambit) is: I found a couple more 3 0 Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) games played by the world's highest rated blitz player, Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura, at Chess.com.

The bad news (for fans of the Jerome Gambit and of Hikaru Nakamura) is: GM Nakamura was defeated both games by Grandmaster Peter Michalik of the Czech Republic.

It is not every day that a grandmaster is given "Jerome Gambit odds"!

SanitationEngineer - Lunaticx

3 0 blitz, Chess.com, 2020

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

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Kf8  

The Jerome Defense to the Jerome Gambit, played at least as early as Jaeger, D - Jerome, A.W., correspondence, 1880, but already suggested in Jerome's 1874 analysis in the Dubuque Chess Journal. 

This is not the first time that we have seen a GM play this defense - see "A GM Faces the Jerome Gambit (Part 2)"

By the way, I just had to know if GM Michalik's choice of 6...Kf8 was over-the-board inspiration or preparation, so I asked him in a message. He very generously, and humorously, responded promptly that it was not preparation. I find that reassuring.

7.Qxe5 d6 8.Qg3 Nf6 9.d3 Kf7 

Black takes the time to castle-by-hand.

10.Be3 Bxe3 11.fxe3 

Certainly the most frequent capture. The Database has only 2 examples, blitz games by MrJoker, of 11.Qxe3.

11...Rf8 12.Nc3 Kg8 

13.O-O Be6 14.Nb5 Bd7 15.Nd4 Qe7 16.Nf5 Bxf5 17.Rxf5 g6 18.Rf3 Nd7 19.Raf1 Ne5 

20.Rf4 Nd7 21.h4 Kh8 

22.h5  

For the first time in the game, Komodo 10, in blunder check move, has a suggestion. Instead of continuing the attack on Black's King, it prefers that White use his greater Queen mobility to eventually force an exchange of Queens, and then focus on the extra "Jerome pawn": 22.Qe1 Qg7 23.Qa5 Rxf4 24.Rxf4 b6 25.Qb5 Rf8 26.Rxf8+ Nxf8 27.Qc4 c5 28.Qd5 Qf6 29.Qa8 Qe7 30.Qd5 Nd7 31.Qa8+ Qf8 32.Qxf8+ Nxf8 33.Kf2 Kg7 34.Kf3 Kf6 35.c3 Nd7 36.d4 Ke6 37.b3, with Black evaluated as about a pawn and a half ahead. The irony here is that a club player is likely to make the same decision, while the grandmaster, in the game, aims at the enemy monarch.  

22...gxh5 23.Qh3 Rxf4 24.Rxf4 

Choosing the open line for the Rook, not straightening out his pawns with 24.exf4. A lesson, here.

24...Rg8 25.Qxh5 Ne5 

26.Qh3 Qg7 27.b3 Ng4 

28.Rf1 

Suddenly, Komodo 10 rates Black almost a Queen better!

What is going on? A clue is that the computer prefers 28.Kf1, which actually protects the pawn at e3, while giving White's King some breathing room.

Black notices the difference immediately.

28...Nxe3 

The Knight makes threats, while the pressure along the g-file and on g3 is enormous. Compare this to 28.Kf1 Nxe3?! 29.Qxe3 Qxg2+ 30.Ke1 Qg1+ 31.Qxg1 Rxg1+ 32.Kd2, with an even game.

29.Rf2 Ng4 

White resigned

The Rook is lost. If it moves, Black has 30...Qa1+ with checkmate coming quickly.

Jerome Gambit: Oops, He Did It Again?!

Chessfriend Yury Bukayev pointed out to me that Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura ("SanitationEngineer") played another 3 0 Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) game against Grandmaster Dmitrij Kollars ("GM_dmitrij") at Chess.com. While the result was the same ("1-0") the underlying reasons are not as clear...

By the way, Ahmed Amayem emailed me a link to a short, light-hearted discussion between GM Nakamura and IM Levy Rozman about the Jerome Gambit and the games against GM Kollars. Check it out, from minute 51:30.

Oh, and GM Nakamura, in assembling an "Intermediate Opening Tier List", bypassed "Legendary", "Solid", "Legit", and "Maybe Not", to place the Jerome Gambit in "Tricks Only" - above "Garbage" because, as he said, "I don't think it loses by force".

SanitationEngineer - GM_dmitrij

3 0 blitz, Chess.com, 2020

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ke6 

7.Qf5+ Kd6 8.f4 Qh4+ 9.g3 Qf6 10.fxe5+ Qxe5  

So far, the same as their previous encounter, but now White decides not to exchange Queens.

11.Qf3 Qf6 

According to The Database, this move is a novelty.

12.Qe2 Ke7 13.c3 d6 14.d4 Bb6 

15.Bf4 Qg6 16.O-O Bh3 17.Rf2 Re8 18.a4 a6 19.Nd2  

At this point the website noted "SanitationEngineer won - game abandoned".

It is unclear why this happened - Black has an extra piece for a pawn, and must be better, despite his somewhat uneasy King. Perhaps the non-chess world intervened, as it occasionally does.