Jerome Gambit: Another Application

 

If you look at the games of Alonzo Wheeler Jerome, you will see that he consistently played "his" gambit 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+. 

However, as many tactical minded players have shown (as recent as "Jerome Gambit: Application"), parts of the Jerome Gambit can be applied to other openings to yield wild, attacking play - especially in blitz games.

Guest0679558022 - Guest4717316331

10 0 blitz, Chess.com, 2022

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 h6 

I call this the Semi-Italian Opening, based on Euwe and Meiden's use of the label in their Chess Master vs Chess Amateur (1963).

Others prefer the title Anti-Fried Liver Defense, because it keeps White's Knight off of g5, thereby avoiding the Fried Liver Attack, 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5 Nxd5 6.Nxf7 Kxf7.

4.Bxf7+ 

This variation does not have a name, but I refer to it as an "impatient Jerome Gambit", as White sacrifices before Black plays ...Bc5. The lack of a hanging Bishop on c5 makes White's subsequent play more like the Halloween Gambit 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Nxe5 Nxe5 5.d4.

For the record, although not as representative as the selection of Jerome Gambit games, The Database has 2,634 games with the position after 4.Bxf7+, with White scoring 42%. 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ 

Stockfish 14.1 shivers down to its bits and bytes at this move, but its recommendation to transpose to the Scotch Opening with 5.d4 exd4 6.Nxd4 is not to everyone's liking. Again, The Database has  271 games with that line, with White scoring 41%.

5...Nxe5 6.d4 Nc6 

White has sacrificed two pieces for two pawns. In return he has a large pawn center, an enemy King to attack - and an opponent who has (most likely) been taken out of his opening preparation. In a slower game, this might not be enough, but in blitz that is often serious compensation.

7.Nc3 Nf6 8.e5 Qe8 9.O-O Nh7 

The Knight withdraws to an uncomfortable place. It is interesting that the computer suggests that Black settle things "scientifically" by returning a piece for two pawns, with 9...Nxe5 . 

10.Nd5 Qd8 11.Qf3+ Kg8 

We see the impact of White's pawn on e5: first, with Black's Knight chased away, his own Knight can come to d5, and second, the Black Knight can not come to f6 to protect against the check.

There is another lurking danger, as well, tied to the defender's misplaced Knight. 

12.Qb3 

Threatening a discovered check along the a2-g8 diagonal.

12...Ng5 

Hoping to give his King some breathing room.

This could be accomplished safer with 12...g6 13.Nxc7+ d5 14.exd6+ Kg7 15.Nxa8 Bxd6 16.Be3 Nf6 when the position would be messy, but with Black's Kight back in his rightful place at f6, the second player likely would have the advantage.

13.Nf6 checkmate

Discovered, double check and mate. Very, very nice.

Jerome Gambit: Cast A Larger Shadow

Facing the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) , the Sillycon Defense can be an annoyance - but only if it is played correctly.

In the following blitz game Black takes a moment to prepare for further development - or is it castling-by-hand? - and turns the game over to his opponent. Only a shadow of the defense is left.

sosyghuf - Kazwhite

3 0 blitz, 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.f4 Kc6 

This side step by the King, abandoning the Knight, is actually strong. The game perrypawnpusher - jonmather, 3d/move, "Giuoco Piano" tournament, Chess.com, 2021 (1-0, 33) is a recent example.

9.Qxe5 b6 

Incautious, however.

10.Qd5+ Black resigned

Black will lose a Rook, when he will be down two pawns and the exchange. Unless he is well ahead on the clock, he does not have adequate compensation for the material.

Jerome Gambit: A Not-So-Gentle Reminder

Yesterday's post featured Blackburne's defense to the Jerome Gambit, and even had a link to the famous / infamous game Amateur - Blackburne, London, 1884 (0-1, 14). If a chess player knows only one Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) game, it is probably that one. 

I recently watched the YouTube video "Hack the Jerome Gambit! #Shorts" presented the chess channel "GAMBITEERS!"

This Channel is dedicated to everything related to, chess, rare and offbeat gambit openings, transpositions. chess history, top 10 /facts, and "The Best of Philippine Chess!".

The short video focuses on the Blackburne game, and is a not-so-gentle-reminder that White needs to know how to stay out of trouble in the Jerome Gambit, and what lines to pursue toward victory. (In the context of that game, 9.d4 or 10.Qd8 were better alternatives.)

There is no analysis in the video, only the moves of the game, but it provides a decent balance to a not-so-recent YouTube video that I just ran across, "What chess gambit openings is worth learning?" by Gary Flores of Chessdelights.com.

I love that Mr. Flores identifies the Jerome Gambit that he learned early in his chess career, and that he labeled it as the "deadliest gambit" and his "favorite gambit" in his personal chess repertoire, reporting that he scored 3 wins in 3 games in his first 3 attempts with the Jerome, online at Chess.com.

Searching, I found 4 relevant games: one regular Jerome Gambit, two games with 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 h6 4.Bxf7+, and a Blackburne Shilling Jerome Gambit - all wins for White, of course. 

Jerome Gambit: A Complicated Variation

Although it remains a complicated variation for both Black and White, it is becoming clearer that if the attacker opts to face the Blackburne defense in the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) he has his best chances - "objectively" and practically - with the less popular of two lines of play.

The following blitz game gives a small peek at that line.

 

UnnamedHunter - Vic73

10 0 blitz, lichess.org, 2021

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ g6 

It is important for Black to realize that he is offering a Rook here. See "Jerome Gambit: What About the Rook?"

7.Qxe5 

Black is at a crossroads. He can play 7...d6, Blackburne's defense, or 7...Qe7, Whistler's defense.

Computers tend to prefer Whistler, based on the counter-attacking chances after 7...Qe7 8.Qxh8 Qxe4+. 

Many players, however, remember and are inspired by Amateur - Blackburne, London, 1884 (0-1, 14), and play Blackburne's 7...d6.

7...d6 8.Qxh8 Qh4 9.d4 

According to The Database, White played 9.0-0 in 150 games, scoring 65%. (Current theory is that best play leads to a draw.)

On the other hand, there are 99 games in The Database where White played 9.d4, and he scored 77%.

Knowledge of the lines, tactical skill, and time management seem to have more to do with winning, as opposed to anything Stockfish 14.1 would have to say.

There are ideas tucked in the notes to "Jerome Gambit: It Helps to Be Prepared" and a caution in "Jerome Gambit: Not So Easy"

Three continuations show how complex the play can become

Black wins the Queen for two Rooks and a Bishop: 9...Bb4+ 10.c3 Bh3 11.gxh3 Re8 12.O-O Nf6 13.Qxe8+ Kxe8 14.cxb4 Nxe4 15.Nc3 Nxc3 16.bxc3 Qxh3 17.f3 Kd7 18.Be3 Qf5 19.Rae1 Kc8 20.Rf2 b5 21.Kg2 Kb7 22.h4 ;

White's Queen escapes and he is up a piece, but his King is uneasy: 9...Qxe4+ 10.Be3 Qxg2 11.Qxh7+ Kf8 12.Rf1 Bb4+ 13.c3 Bf5 14.cxb4 Bd3 15.Nd2 Re8 16.Qh4 Kg7 17.Qg3 Bxf1 18.Nxf1 Qd5 19.O-O-O Qxa2 20.d5 ; and

White's Queen escapes but Black wins it for two Rooks and an attack that fizzles: 9...Nf6 10.e5 dxe5 11.Nd2 Bxd4 12.O-O Bd7 (12...Be6 13.Nf3 Bxf2+ 14.Rxf2 Qxf2+ 15.Kxf2 Rxh8 16.Nxe5+) 13.Qxa8 Bc6 14.Qd8 Qg4 15.Qxc7+ Kg8 16.Qxc6 bxc6 17.Nf3 Bb6 18.h3 Qf5 19.Be3 Bxe3 20.fxe3 Qxc2 21.Rac1 Qe4 22.Rfe1 

9...Bb6 

Black would like to attack White's Kingside, while also trapping and winning White's Queen, but first he rescues his Bishop.

The recommended line here, though, is 9...Nf6, as in dj222 - invincible1, GameKnot.com, 2003 (1-0, 17). Surprisingly, that is the only game example in The Database.

More popular is the attractive 9...Qxe4+, as in perrypawnpusher - DocBrowne, 3d/move, Giuoco Piano tournament, Chess.com, 2021, (1-0, 19). The play can become wild after 10.Be3 Qxg2 11.Qxh7+, but Black's King will be more at risk than his counterpart, who can eventually play Nd2 and 0-0-0.

10.O-O 

White tends to the safety of his King. The computer suggests 10.Be3 first, but I side with UnnamedHunter on this one. Remember, this is a blitz game.

10...c5 

Undermining White's pawn center.

Black could have tried Stockfish 14.1's novelty suggestion, 10...Bh3, but that would have better fit a game with either a much longer time control - or a 1-minute bullet game where everything quickly gets randomized.

11.dxc5 Bxc5 12.Qc3 Qxe4 

Each side has gotten what it wants: Black has destroyed White's pawn center, while White's Queen has escaped.

White is ahead an exchange and a pawn, and his King is sheltered.

13.Be3 Bb6 

White can now exchange Bishops, but he puts his Knight into play, instead.

14.Nd2 Qg4 15.Nc4 Nf6 16.Nxd6+ Kg7 

A slip, but ultimately it does not matter.

17.Rad1 

Solid. 17.Ne8+ Kg8 18.Nxf6+ would have finished a bit earlier. Black had his plan, and he executed it.

17...Bd7 18.Nxb7 Rc8 19.Rxd7+ Black resigned

Jerome Gambit: Application; One More Thing

In considering the Jerome Gambit-like sacrificial line that we looked at in the previous post, focusing on the game  DylanYuIM - d52276ev, 10 0 blitz, lichess.org, 2022 (1-0, 10), it is useful to add a link to an article on "Bruno's Chess Problem of the Day" by Yury V. Bukayev, which covers related play

 It is necessary to add here, that there is the same situation in C50 Hungarian defence! Thus, after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Be7 4.d3 h6!? 5.d4!AN ed!? we can have the following: 6.c3!? [Of course, the move 6.Nd4 is good.] 6…Na5? [It realizes white’s trap. Black must play 6…Nf6! 7.e5 Nh7!] 7.Bf7! [the pawn h6 (instead of pawn h7) makes black’s position weak here too] Kf7 8.Ne5 with a very strong winning attack, that is analogous mostly to Bukayev Jerome counter gambit. It is analogous to 3…Bc5 4.0-0 h6?? AN 5.b4!, that the variation 3…Be7 4.0-0 h6?? AN 5.d4! etc. (White wins.) and similar variations of C50 Hungarian defence are not important for theory, because h7-h6 is here a useless, unlogical response. But the move 4…h6!? is useful, logical after 4.d3 here too. 

By  the way, to look at Yury's coverage of the Bukayev Jerome counter gambit, mentioned above, as well as links to other analyses he has assembled, you can check out this earlier post.

Jerome Gambit: Application

DylanYuIM returns - see DylanYuIM - Cafe12, 3 0 blitz, lichess.org, 2021 (1-0, 22) - to apply the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) treatment to a quiet position that his opponent is trying, in vain, to make even quieter.

It is a lesson to remember: even if you can not get a Jerome Gambit game, you can apply Jerome Gambit tactics.

DylanYuIM - d52276ev

10 0 blitz, lichess.org, 2022

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Be7 

The Hungarian Defense. Black is rated 1980, so I think he knows what he is doing

4.d4 exd4 5.O-O  

An interesting waiting move. He also had 5.Nxd4 and 5.c3 available.

How will Black respond?

5...h6 

Too cautious. This move is seen in the Semi-Italian Opening, 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 h6, which Grandmaster Pavel Blatney (for example) played with in the 1990s. Better was 5...Nf6.

6.c3 

Offering another pawn.

There is a relevant comment from from the Semi-Italian Opening game in Euwe and Meiden's Chess Master vs Chess Amateur (1963), after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 h6 4.d4 ed 5.c3 

It cannot be stated objectively which of the two methods [5.c3 or 5.Nxd4] is the better. But by the sacrifice of a Pawn, White can demonstratemore convincingly the futility of Black's ...h6 

This lesson can be applied to the current game.

6...Na5 

This move is playable after 5.c3, but not now.

Stockfish 14.1 suggests 6...Nf6 7.cxd4 d5 8.exd5 Nb4 9.Bb5+ Bd7 10.Bxd7+ Nxd7 11.d6 cxd6 12.Re1 Nd5 13. Qb3 N7f6 14.Qxb7 Qc8 and White is better.  

Worth mentioning in passing is 6...dxc3 7.Qd5 d6 8.Qxf7+ Kd7 9.Be6 checkmate.

7.Bxf7+ 

DylanYuIM identifies himself as a student of the Jerome Gambit, and here he applies his lessons to the game at hand. 

Perhaps Black was expecting the mundane 7.Bb3, when 7...Nxb3 8.Qxb3 would be about even, despite his lag in development.

7...Kxf7 8.Ne5+ Ke6 

The King could have retreated to f8, and into the Knight fork 9.Ng6+, leaving him down material. Worse would have been 8...Ke8 because of 9.Qh5+ g6 10.Qxg6+ Kf8 11.Qf7 checkmate.

9.Qg4+ Kxe5 

Allowing a swifter end than 9...Kd6 10.Nf7+ Kc6 11.Nxd8+ surrendering his Queen.

10.Qf5+ Black resigned

It is checkmate next move.

Jerome Gambit: Versus the Caruana Bot?

 

I am not sure that it "proves" anything, but it was fun to watch the recent YouTube video of the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) game between Stockfish 14.1 and the Fabiano Caruana Bot.

Joe Kempsey asks "Can the Fabiano Caruana Bot Defend Against Stockfish 14.1’s Jerome Gambit?"

Reminds me of the video of Stockfish 14 playing against the Play Magnus [Carlsen] bot, as mentioned in the earlier post  "Jerome Gambit: What If?".