Jerome Gambit: Hard-Working Neurons

Bullet chess games - often 1 minute, no increment - can put a strain on the brain, even those that do not involve the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+).

The following game is a good example of that kind of quick chess, with an interesting question at the end. Were the hard-working neurons over-worked?

girlinthemoonxxxxxxx - LeClaire802

1 0 bullet, lichess.org, 2021

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

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ke6 

7.Qf5+ Kd6 8.d4 Bxd4 

9.Nc3 

The alternative, 9.c3, was seen as long ago as Andres Clemente Vazquez - Giraudy, 1876 (1-0, 18) and as recent as radoslove - GMHikaruOnTwitch, 3 0 blitz, Chess.com, 2021 (0-1, 24). 

9...Qf6 10.Nb5+ Ke7 

For the record, 10...Kc5 was the continuation in Jerome,A - Norton,D, corr, 1877 (0-1, 41) - although White's Knight reached b5 via a3.

11.Bg5 Black resigned

It is often a serious blow to one's chances to lose a Queen, but here the loss has to be seen in context. Black is already 2 pieces ahead, and after, say, 11...d6 12.Bxf6 Nxf6 13.Qg5 Bb6 14.0-0-0 Nf7, he has 3 pieces for a Queen and a pawn. The game would look about even.

Jerome Gambit: Sillycon Defense?!

One criticism that has been leveled against some who favor a particular opening or defense is that they, in their fervor, tend to overlook sharing effective responses.

I have not heard this charge leveled at this blog, and for a good reason. If there is a refutation to the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+), you will find it here.

In the following game, I was pretty much destroyed by my opponent. 

Part of this comes, no doubt, from my choice to play the Jerome in a game with a very generous time limit of 1 move / 3 days, instead of blitz. 

The main reason, though is that Alfil_7 was well-prepared and willing to pursue his counter-attack with gusto.

Obviously, I have some repair work to do.

perrypawnpusher - Alfil_7

3 d/move, "Piano Piano", 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 8.f4 Kc6 

Nine years ago, I presented Philidor1792 - NN, casual game, 2012 (0-1, 17), and commented

A new move, as far as I can tell. When you are two pieces up, as Black is, you can simply give one back, and remain with the advantage.

The anonymous NN was not soon alone: VMACforever - Sillycon, standard, FICS, 2013 (0-1, 23) was played a year later. Since Black in that game was a 2369-rated computer program, it is tempting to label 8...Kc6 the "Sillycon defense".☺

Six years ago, when I posted "A Surprising New Defense Against the Jerome Gambit", I asked

Can Black's King simply walk away from his Knight like that??
The remainder of the game suggests that he can.

One year ago, when I presented the game Lc0 - Stockfish 11, 2020 (0-1, 43), I warned "Jerome Gambit: The Future Is Here".

In all, The Database shows 11 games with 9...Nc6, played before mine, with White scoring 4 - 7 (36%). By comparison, the basic 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ scores 48%

9.Qxe5 Nf6 10.d3 

Although I did not know it at the time of this game, this move seems to have been introduced in Jagulep - jitendrabhand, 10 0 blitz, lichess.org, 2018 (0-1, 38).

My reason for playing 10.d3, as opposed to 10.d4, was given in my notes to the Lc0 - Stockfish 11, 2020 game

This [10.d4] is a typically aggressive Jerome Gambit move, that, superficially, blocks Black's dark-square Bishop, which is essential for White to castle. However, Komodo 10 was suspicious, preferring 10.d3, realizing that castling will not be possible, and resisting what danger might come down the e-file.

10...d5 11.Qc3 Re8 12. b4 

It seemed like a good idea at the time.

12...Nxe4 13.dxe4 Rxe4+ White resigned

Wow. 

There is nothing but pain and sorrow ahead.

Very fine game, Alfil_7!

Jerome Gambit: Lessons From the Grandmaster's Games (Part 3)

It is possible for a club player to keep up with a grandmaster, especially when the GM is giving "Jerome Gambit odds" - for a little while, at least.

In the following Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) game, Black's position is better after a dozen moves, and is even after one more. However, following the maxim that In the Jerome Gambit, when White equalizes, he has the advantage, White forces resignation after Black plays a half-dozen more moves.

Grandmasters, they are different.

GM Nakamura - NN

3 0 blitz, internet, 2021

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5. Nxe5+ Nxe5 6. Qh5+ Ng6 

7.Qxc5 

The Grandmaster's choice - as in SanitationEngineer - NN, 3 0 blitz, Chess.com, 2020 (1-0, 45); GMHikaruOnTwitch - Jesus-vous-bat-tous, 3 0 blitz, Chess.com, 2021 (1-0, 25); GMHikaruOnTwitch - Math694, 3 0 blitz, Chess.com, 2021 (1-0, 25); GMHikaruOnTwitch - szachy1000, 3 0 blitz, Chess.com, 2021 (1-0, 21); GMHikaruOnTwitch - simonsah2004, 3 0 blitz, Chess.com, 2021 (1-0, 27) [see "Jerome Gambit: GM Hikaru Nakamura Again"] - although not as strong as the "nudge" 7.Qd5+, played as early as Jerome - Brownson, Iowa, 1874 (1-0, 28).

7...c6 

Keeps an enemy piece off of d5, and allows for ...d7-d5.

8. O-O Qe7

According to The Database, this is a new move, and a good one.

9.Qe3 Nf6 10.Nc3 Re8 11.d3 Kg8 

Black knows enough about the Jerome Gambit to castle-by-hand.

12.f4 d5 13.e5 Nd7 

I was amused to see that Stockfish 14 recommended 13...Ng4, instead, as I have criticized "attacking the Queen with the Knight, for no good reason" in the past. The line Stockfish 14 recommends is complicated, but I suppose it represents "good reason".

14.d4 b6 15.f5 Ngf8 16.Qg3 c5 

Black hopes to undermine White's pawn center before it becomes dangerous. He is a bit late, however, and he also makes a couple of tactical errors. Remember, this is a 3 0 blitz game, and it can be easy to overlook things.

17.Nxd5 Qd8 

Preventing a Knight fork of two Rooks from c7, but falling victim to something worse.

18.Bg5 Qxg5 

Falling on his sword. If, instead, 18...Nf6, White can follow with 19.Bxf6 (the g-pawn is pinned) 19...Qd7 20.e6 when 20...Nxe6 21.fxe6 Rxe6 would not be enough, as 22.Rae1 would highlight White's attack. Black would have to surrender a lot of material, and suffer checkmate anyhow.

19.Qxg5 cxd4 20.f6 Black resigned

There is too much to defend against.

Jerome Gambit: Lessons From the Grandmaster's Games (Part 2)

 

The following Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) game, from the YouTube video "GM Hikaru on 1900s: They Don't Make Em Like They Used To", is a reminder to defenders and attackers alike: certain moves should be played with an awareness of the possible consequences.

GM Nakamura - NN

3 0 blitz, internet, 2021

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ g6 

It is attractive to block the Queen's check and threaten Her Majesty with a pawn, all in the same move. It is almost like a reflex action.

However, in doing so Black commits himself to sacrificing a Rook, as in the Blackburne or Whistler defenses (see "Jerome Gambit: What About the Rook?").

7.Qxe5

"Oh my gosh, I think my man just blundered the game" said GM Nakamura, at this point. "The Jerome Gambit is very OP [over powered]." 

The Grandmaster was being prescient in his comment - Black turns over the game on his next move. 

By the way, we have seen Nakamura face Whistler's defense, 7...Qe7, in GMHikaruOnTwitch -30second-guy, 3 0 blitz, Chess.com, 2021 (1-0, 71) and GMHikaruOnTwitch - BulletManiac30sec, 3 0 blitz, Chess.com 2021 (1-0, 38).

The Database does not have a Nakamura game against Blackburne's defense, 7...d6.

7...Nf6

Black protects his Rook, but gives up his Bishop. He will be 2 pawns down.

8.Qxc5 d6 

Black could have tested his opponent's sense of humor by playing 8...Nxe4 instead. The joke? 9.Qd5+ Kg7 10.Qxe4 would be met by 10...Re8, winning the Queen. (Instead, 10.0-0 would be the move.)

So, Black could win back one of his missing pawns, but he would still be a pawn down against one of the top blitz players in the world.

9.Qd4 Re8 10.d3 d5 11.f3 

Wisdom of the grandmaster. White is ahead in material, but he does well to address his King's safety first.

11...dxe4 12.Qxd8 Rxd8 13.fxe4 b6 14.O-O Bb7 15.Bg5 Black resigned

Black's Knight is under attack, twice, and he cannot bring in another defender with 15...Rd6 because of 16.e5.

White gets the final laugh.

Jerome Gambit: Lessons From the Grandmaster's Games (Part 1)

A quick look at the following 3-minute Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) game by Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura, from one of his speedruns (see "Jerome Gambit: Speedrunning Tricks") provides a few lessons for the developing club player.

GM Nakamura - NN

3 0 blitz, internet, 2021

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ke6 

Maybe the GM's opponent is familiar with the Jerome, and this is his favorite defense; maybe he just wants to hang onto material.

7.Qf5+ Kd6 8.f4 Qf6 9.fxe5+ Qxe5 10.Qf3 

The Database shows 50 previous games with this position, including ones in which Alonzo Wheeler Jerome plays against Shinkman, Brownson, Amateur, Jaeger, Paine, Colburn and Charles. Both players appear to have a feel for the opening.

10...Ne7 

Reasonable, but 10...Nf6! was stronger. 

11.c3 Ng6 

Black believes that he has prepared for the coming pawn advance, but he has overlooked something. An even game was to be had with 11...Qf6 

12.d4 Rf8

White's pawn forks the enemy Queen and Bishop, but Black's Rook attacks White's Queen. Is that enough for the defender?

13.dxe5+ 

Capturing with check, the kind of thing that can be overlooked in the calculations in a 3-minute game.

13...Kxe5 14.Qh5+ Kd6 15.Qd5+ Black resigned

White will pick up another piece, and be a Queen ahead.

Jerome Gambit: Speedrunning Tricks

 

I enjoy playing the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+).

I enjoy playing over the Jeromes that Readers of this blog send me.

I enjoy watching Jerome Gambit games.

I have especially enjoy watching videos of Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura playing 3-minute games, one after the other, using "tricks" - risky gambit openings - to defeat his opponents.

Of course, some of those games are Jerome Gambits.

I recommend:

"Speedrunning to 3000 With Tricks Only"

"Hikaru Jeromes his way Through 1200s"

"Hikaru Tricks some 1500s"

"The 1600s DENY Hikaru any Fun"

"GM Hikaru on 1900s: They Don't Make Em Like They Used To"

You might object Of course GM Nakamura would be successful against weaker players, even while giving them "Jerome Gambit odds!"  But that is exactly my point. 

Play along with him, stop the video at different points in the game, ask yourself what moves you should make, then start the video and see how the GM proceeds.

All the games the grandmaster plays are fun. I especially like the Jerome Gambits.

For bonus material, if you are interested in the Jerome-ish 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+, there is a game each in 

"Speedrunning to 3000 With Tricks Only"

"Tricks that work on 1000 rated players"

Jerome Gambit: Tactics Real And Imagined

The following Jerome Gambit (by transposition) game shows an attack that wins quickly. The notes show that the tactics could have been sharpened, with equal danger for the defender.

A win is a win is a win.

fianchettosstorm - tipsy

3 0 blitz, FICS, 2021

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.O-O Bc5 5.Bxf7+ 

Starting out as a Two Knights Defense, the opening moves to a "modern" variation (no 5.Nxe5+) of the Jerome Gambit - 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ Kxf7 5.0-0 Nf6.

5...Kxf7 

The Database has almost 2,500 games with this position.

6.c3 Rf8 7.d4 exd4 8.cxd4 Bb6 

9.e5 Ne8 

A slip that goes unpunished. Black needed to play 9...Nd5.

10.Qb3+ 

Reasonably interfering with Black's plan to complete castling-by-hand with ...Kg8.

Stronger was 10.Bg5 first, and if 10...Ne7, then 11.Qb3 would force the King out into the open. 

10...d5 11.exd6+ Be6 

Black had to try 11...Kg6 which would be well met by 12.d5, with advantage to White.

12.d5 Na5 13.dxe6+ Kg8 Black resigned

Black realized that he could now meet 14.e7+ with  14...Nxb3, but after 15.exd8/Q Rxd8 16.axb3 Nxd6 he would be down a piece.