Jerome Gambit: Valuable Time (Part 4)

                                       

[continued from previous post]

perrypawnpusher - JAMARTINO

Not only the Italians play the Italian, Chess.com, 2025

12...Nb4 

Harassing the Queen is often too tempting.

Tucking away the King with 12...Kg8 is more frequent in my games

perrypawnpusher - anomis, blitz, FICS, 2010 (1-0, 59);

perrypawnpusher - mjmonday, blitz, FICS, 2010 (1-0, 32);

perrypawnpusher - Angstrem, blitz, FICS, 2010 (0-1, 35); 

perrypawnpusher - Padalino, blitz, FICS 2010 (1-0, 20);

perrypawnpusher - amirelattar, blitz, FICS, 2010 (1-0, 50);

perrypawnpusher - yuriko, blitz, FICS, 2010 (1-0, 31);

perrypawnpusher - kholthaus, blitz, FICS, 2010 (0-1, 45); 

perrypawnpusher - DeDaapse, blitz, FICS, 2010 (0-1, 24); 

perrypawnpusher - JohnBr, blitz, FICS, 2010 (0-1, 31);

perrypawnpusher - tharadili, blitz, FICS, 2011 (1-0, 30); 

perrypawnpusher - kholthaus, blitz, FICS, 2011 (1-0, 17); 

perrypawnpusher - yuriko, blitz. FICS, 2011 (1/2 - 1/2, 37)

Also 12...Qe7 as in perrypawnpusher - alsuarezdi, blitz, FICS, 2010 (1/2 - 1/2, 88) 

13.Qc4+ d5 

With more time to think, my opponent finds the right response to the check: not 13...Kf8 as in perrypawnpusher - yuriko, blitz, FICS, 2011 (1-0, 34) or 13...Be6 as in  perrypawnpusher - grunf, blitz, FICS, 2010 (1/2 - 1/2, 69). 

14.Qxb4 dxe4 

Material is now even. It is not yet clear if the passed pawn on e4 is a strength or a weakness. White's King is safer.

15.Be3 

Blockade.

15...Nd5 

After the game, Stockfish 17.1 recommended this line of play: 15...a5 16.Qb5 Qe7 17.h3 c6 18.Qb6 Ra6 19.Qd4 b5 20.Rfe1 Ra8 21.a3 Kg8 22.Qb6 Ra6 23.Qc5 Qxc5 24.Bxc5 e3 25.Rxe3 Rxe3 26.Bxe3 Bf5 27.Rc1 h5 28.Bd4 Ra8 29.Nd1 Rd8 30.Bb6 Rd2 31.Bxa5 with an edge to White.

Wow. All those Queen moves for White, all those pawn moves for Black... It is clear that I am not a computer

16.Nxd5 Qxd5 17.Rfd1 Qf5 

Compared to the previous diagram, the Knights are gone.

Might as well continue to pressure the advanced e-pawn.

18.Rd4 Kg8 19.Rad1 c5 20.Qb5 

Both Kings are safe. White has the better development. Black has the passed pawn. 

Exchanging Rooks looks like a short-term plan.

[to be continued]

Jerome Gambit: Valuable Time (Part 3)

                                              

[continued from previous post]

perrypawnpusher - JAMARTINO

Not only the Italians play the Italian, Chess.com, 2025

9...d6 

I have also faced

9...Nc6 

perrypawnpusher - mjmonday, blitz, FICS, 2010 (0-1, 26);

perrypawnpusher - DeDaapse, blitz, FICS, 2010 (0-1, 19);

perrypawnpusher - kinghh, blitz, FICS, 2010 (1-0, 31);

perrypawnpusher - transilvania, blitz, FICS, 2011 (1-0, 12);

perrypawnpusher - LeChinois, blitz, FICS, 2011 (1-0, 15);

perrypawnpusher - javipangea, blitz, FICS, 2011 (1-0, 19); 

perrypawnpusher - MrMef, blitz, FICS, 2012 (1-0, 27) 

9...Re8 

perrypawnpusher - Odeon, blitz, FICS, 2012 (1-0, 15) 

9...Qe7 

perrypawnpusher - philippemuurmans, blitz, FICS 2010 (1-0, 28);

perrypawnpusher - jaymen, blitz, FICS, 2010 (1-0, 40); 

perrypawnpusher - louarn, blitz, FICS, 2010 (1-0, 21);

perrypawnpusher - cinamon, blitz, FICS, 2011 (1-0, 25) 

10.f4 Nc6 

Although Stockfish 16.1 assesses (34 ply) this position as being 2 1/2 pawns better for Black, I have scored 12 - 4 - 3 (71%) in games with White in this position. 

There are 62 games in The Database with this position, and White has scored 73%.

Blame it on the Jerome Gambit.

Also seen is 10...c5 in perrypawnpusher - Leoleon, blitz, FICS, 2017 (1-0, 17)

11.Qd3 Re8 

Also 

11...Nb4 as in perrypawnpusher - havasiviktor, blitz, FICS, 2019 (1-0, 19); 

11...g6 as in perrypawnpusher - gmann, blitz, FICS, 2011 (1-0, 36); 

11...Rf8 as in perrypawnpusher - pwr, blitz, FICS, 2010 (1-0, 38) and perrypawnpusher - HRoark, blitz, FICS, 2011 (1-0, 21); 

11...Be6 as in perrypawnpusher - HRoark, blitz, FICS, 2010 (0-1, 40) 

12.Bd2 

White is getting to swing his Queenside Rook to e1 and put more pressure on the enemy King. Sounds simple.

Didn't happen.

[to be continued]

Jerome Gambit: Valuable Time (Part 2)

 

[continued from previous post]

perrypawnpusher - JAMARTINO

Not only the Italians play the Italian, Chess.com, 2025

8...Bxd4

This move is logical, although I have faced a number of other responses to the "Jerome pawn" center.

Hang on:

8... Nf3+ 

perrypawnpusher - TijsH, blitz, FICS, 2010 (1-0, 37);

perrypawnpusher - AirmanLeonidas, blitz, FICS, 2010  (1-0, 18);

AlonzoJerome - HenryV, blitz, ICC, 2011 (1-0, 33);

perrypawnpusher - truxtrux, blitz, FICS, 2013 (1-0, 65)

8...Be7 

perrypawnpusher - tcs, blitz, FICS, 2013 (1-0, 22)

8...Nc6 

perrypawnpusher - RonMeister, blitz, FICS, 2010 (1-0, 20);

perrypawnpusher - Alquinte, blitz FICS, 2010 (1-0, 22);

perrypawnpusher - Yonki, blitz, FICS, 2012 (1-0, 24)*;

perrypawnpusher - Kdrb, blitz, FICS, 2012 (1-0, 27)

8...Qe7 

perrypawnpusher - cinamon, blitz, FICS, 2011 (1-0, 21) 

8...Neg4 

perrypawnpusher - GiantReign, blitz, FICS, 2010 (1-0, 20);

perrypawnpusher - NewValues, blitz, FICS, 2011 (1-0, 36);

8...Re8 

perrypawnpusher - louarn, blitz, FICS, 2010 (1-0, 49);

perrypawnpusher - catri, blitz, FICS, 2010 (1/2 - 1/2, 42); 

perrypawnpusher - Fendertele, blitz, FICS, 2011 (1-0, 36);

perrypawnpusher - Frele, blitz, FICS, 2011  (1-0, 26) 

8...Ng6 

perrypawnpusher - gmann, blitz, FICS, 2010 (1-0, 21) 

perrypawnpusher - richardachatz, blitz, FICS, 2010 (1-0, 20) 

8...Bd6 

perrypawnpusher - KnightRoyal, blitz, FICS, 2010 (1-0, 21) 

perrypawnpusher - drandika, blitz, FICS, 2010 (1/2 - 1/2, 31)

perrypawnpusher - grunf, blitz, FICS, 2010 (1-0, 15) 

8...Bb4 

perrypawnpusher - Angstrem, blitz, FICS, 2010 (0-1, 16) 

9.Qxd4 

(*- Hmmm... Looks like I have not posted this game. I will do so, soon.)

[to be continued]

Jerome Gambit: Valuable Time (Part 1)

Playing a lot of Jerome Gambit games (770, counting all varieties) should be helpful to my play - and it often is.

The notes to the following game hint at how much I was assisted by my experience.

I hope they boost the play of Readers as well.

perrypawnpusher - JAMARTINO

Not only the Italians play the Italian, Chess.com, 2025

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 h6 

From "A Jerome Look At The Semi-Italian Opening (Part 1)"

On this blog I refer to 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 h6 as the Semi-Italian Opening, a name given to it in Chess Master Vs Chess Amateur (1963), by Max Euwe and Walter Meiden. Here is what the authors say about Black's third move (I have changed the notation from English descriptive to algebraic.)

This is a favorite move of the weaker amateur. He fears some future attack by the White QB (Bg5, for instance) or by the White KN (Ng5), and, before the White QB is even able to move, he plays the precautionary 3...h6. In certain positions, such a precautionary move is occasionally necessary, but in this position, not only is it not necessary, but it consumes valuable time. This puts Black one move behind White in the type of opening where tempi are of greatest importance. Instead of meeting the enemy's rapidly mobilizing forces with armed soldiers (i.e., by bringing out his pieces), Black only loses time and force, and, without realizing it, even weakens his defensive wall...

When an ex-world champion player points out that 3...h6 "consumes valuable time," it is worth remembering.

A gambit player benefits from "valuable time".

4.O-O 

It is true that d2-d4, either now or on the next move, transposing into a Scotch Game or Gambit, is a bit better than the text; but I wanted to transpose into the Jerome Gambit.

4.O-O has been my overwhelming choice here.

I tried 4.Bxf7+ a couple of times but do not recommend it: perrypawnpusher - marapr, blitz, FICS, 2007 (1-0, 27) and perrypawnpusher - anonymous, casual over-the-board game, 2014 (1-0, 14).

Also, I tried 4.Nc3, once, although it transposed after 5.O-O: perrypawnpusher - gmann, blitz, FICS, 2011 (1-0, 36).

4...Nf6 5.Nc3 Bc5 6.Bxf7+ 

The Semi-Italian Four Knights Jerome Gambit. 

The Database shows I have played it in 60 games, scoring 79%. 

6...Kxf7 

Accepting the Bishop is natural and good, although, some time back, I had an opponent decline with 6...Kf8, and then do it again a year and a half later. See perrypawnpusher - Duquesne, blitz, FICS, 2010 (1-0, 21) and perrypawnpusher - Duquesne, blitz, FICS, 2012 (1-0, 21). 

7.Nxe5+ Nxe5 

There is no solid reason to avoid capturing on e5, except, perhaps, psychological, but I have to admit that I once stumbled against 7...Kg8 in perrypawnpusher - roccovargas, blitz, FICS, 2011 (0-1, 22) and once against 7...Kf8 in perrypawnpusher - ojot, blitz, FICS, 2012 (0-1, 15).

(Yes, sometimes I do regret committing to sharing all of my games - good, bad, and ugly.)

8.d4 

The "Jerome pawns" begin to strike back.

[to be continued]

Jerome Gambit: Reorientate

The following game reminds me of chess advice

“If you have made a mistake or committed an inaccuracy there is no need to become annoyed and to think that everything is lost. You have to reorientate yourself quickly and find a new plan in the new situation.”
– David Bronstein

angelcamina - MarcelVogel118

1 0 bullet, lichess.org, 2026

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ng6 

This position is at least as old as Jerome - Brownson, Iowa, 1875 (1-0, 28).

7.Qd5 +Ke8 8.Qxc5 d6 9.Qc4 

angelcamina has played 16 games that reached this position, scoring 63%.

9...Qe7 10.Nc3 Ne5 11.Qe2 Nf6 

Black is better, with a piece for two pawns, but his King remains at risk - something that could be remedied if he could now castle, but that is no longer possible.

12.d4 Ng6 

Instead, 12...Nc6 was more forcing, because White's Queen no longer defends the d-pawn.

13.O-O Kf7 14.f4 Re8 

15.e5

The "Jerome pawns" begin their advance.

15...dxe5 16.fxe5 Kg8 

Completing his castling-by-hand, but better - leading to an even game - is returning the sacrificed material with 16...Nxe5 17.dxe5 Qxe5 18.Qf2 Bd7 19.Bf4 Qh5 20.Rad1.

17.Qc4+ 

White could have played 17.exf6 with advantage, but it is a lot to calculate (17...Qxe2 18.f7+ Kh8 19.Nxe2 Rf8 20.d5 Ne5 21.b3 Rxf7 22.Bb2 Bf5 23.Ng3 Bxc2 24.Bxe5 Re7 25.Bf4) versus getting Her Majesty out of the line of fire, with check.

The text move works because of the time control.

17...Be6 18.d5 Nxd5 

Instead, the retreat 18...Qd8 would have won a piece.

19.Nxd5 Bxd5 

See the note, above.

20.Qxd5+ Kh8 

The position is settling down.

21.Bd2 Qxe5 22.Qxe5 Nxe5 23.Bc3 Ng4 

The text move allows White to grab the initiative again.

24.Rf7 Rg8 25.Rxc7 Rac8 26.Rxb7 Rcd8 27.Re1 Rde8 28.Rxe8 Rxe8 29.Bxg7+ Kg8 30.Bc3 

30...Ne3 31.Rxa7 Nxc2 32.Rg7+ Kf8 33.Rxh7 Re1+ 34.Kf2 Re7 35.Rxe7 Kxe7 36.g4 Ke6 37.h4 White won on time

5,000 Blog Posts

 

This is the blog's 5,000th post!

Many thanks to those who have shared comments, provided encouragement, and contributed games and analysis over the years.

Thanks, too, to Readers, for whom I continue to publish this blog.

Jerome Gambit: Rely On the "Jerome pawns"

In the following game, White relies on the pawns that he has to overcome whatever advantage Black might have by having an extra piece.

angel_camina - Dreamscape1

Chess.com, 2026

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 h6 4.O-O Bc5 5.Bxf7+ 

The Semi-Italian Jerome Gambit.

5...Kxf7 6.Nxe5+ Nxe5 7.Qh5+ Ke6 

8.c3 

White played this one move later, in angelcamina - hamed1988h, 1 0 bullet, lichess.org, 2023:  8.Qf5+ Kd6 9.c3 Qf6 10.Qh3 Nf7 11.d4 Bb6 12.e5+ Nxe5 13.dxe5+ Qxe5 14.Rd1+ Ke7 15.Bd2 Kf8 16.Qf3+ Nf6 17.Re1 Qd5 18.Qg3 d6 19.c4 Qxc4 20.Bc3 Bd7 21.Bxf6 gxf6 22.Nc3 Qc5 23.Rad1 Qxf2+ 24.Qxf2 Bxf2+ 25.Kxf2 Black resigned

8...g6 9.Qh3+ Kf7 10.d4 d6 

11.Qg3 Bxd4 

Black returns some of the sacrificed material.

White activates his "Jerome pawns".

12.cxd4 Nc6 13.d5 Ne5 14.f4 Ng4 15.h3 N4f6 16.Nc3 Nh5 17.Qf3 Kg7 

18.g4 Nhf6 19.e5 Nd7 

Too passive. Counterplay with 19...h5 - even at the cost of another piece - was the right way to go.

20.e6 Ndf6 21.g5 Nh5 22.f5 hxg5 23.fxg6 Nf4 24.Bxf4 gxf4 25.Qxf4 

White is clearly in control.

25...Nf6 26.Rf3 c6 27.Raf1 Rf8 28.Qh4 cxd5 29.Rxf6 Rxf6 30.Qh7+ Black resigned