Jerome Gambit: Those Jerome Pawns, Again (Part 1)

My latest Jerome gambit game started out in a rather organized fashion. It was only when things got messy that I was able to wrestle a better position from the hands of a prepared and well-motivated opponent. 

The passive Rook sacrifice at the end of the game allowed the "Jerome pawns" to shine, again.

perrypawnpusher - ManWithABigPlan

2d/move, Chess.com, 2021

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.Bc4 Bc5 5.Bxf7+ 

The Italian Four Knights Jerome Gambit. 

The line always makes me feel uneasy, although I generally do pretty well - The Database has 65 games with White scoring 75% - this is not as good as my results with the main line Jerome Gambit - 81% - or the Semi-Italian Jerome Gambit - 88%.

5.Kxf7 6.Nxe5+ Nxe5 7.d4 Bxd4 8.Qxd4 d6 

Black has a piece for a pawn. He is well-placed to castle-by-hand.

White has the typical Jerome strategems: he can castle either Kingside or Queenside, he can play Bc1-g5 with pressure on f6, he can advance his pawn f2-f4.

The text move is probably the strongest response.

I have also seen

8...Qe7 in perrypawnpusher - HGBoone, 6 12 blitz, FICS, 2010 (1-0, 27), perrypawnpusher - BigKalamar, 2 12 blitz, FICS, 2011 (1-0, 49), and perrypawnpusher - OudeKwakkelaar, 2 10 blitz, FICS, 2014 (1-0, 16); and

8...Re8 in perrypawnpusher - hklett, 2 12 blitz, FICS, 2010 (0-1, 20), perrypawnpusher - KaZC, 2 12 blitz, FICS, 2010 (1/2 - 1/2, 61),  perrypawnpusher - Fazmeister, 2 12 blitz, FICS, 2011 (1-0, 36),  perrypawnpusher - JoseSoza, Italian Game Tournament, Chess.com, 2012 (0-1, 34), and perrypawnpusher - spince, 2 12 blitz, FICS, 2014 (0-1, 41), 

9.O-O 

After the game, Stockfish 13 showed a slight preference for 9.Bf4 and 9.Bg5. I never considered the first move - although I now see that the early Jerome Gambit enthusiast yorgos played it 10 times, scoring 50%, a dozen years ago. I have played the second move once, in perrypawnpusher - wuolong, Chess.com, 2013 (1-0, 16). 

9... Re8 10.Bg5 c5 

Striking out at the Queen like this always seems anti-positional to me, leaving a hole at d5, but it has been successful in a number of past games.

I have also faced

10...Kg8 transposing to perrypawnpusher - hklett, 2 12 blitz, FICS, 2010 (0-1, 20) above, and 

10...Be6, in  perrypawnpusher - andrewLLL, Italian Game Battlefield, Chess.com, 2020 (1-0, 39). 

11Qd2 Kg8 12.f4 Nf7 

Black removes his Knight from attack by the pawn, protects the d-pawn and attacks the Bishop at g5. It is hard to find another move that does that much work.

Now I was ready to complete my development, and was not afraid of a possible ...Nxg5, as that would open up the f-file for my Rook and place an annoying pawn at g5.

[to be continued]

Jerome Gambit: Familiar Ground

In the following game I was helped by treading on familiar ground - as the links in the various game references show.

I also gained a few "extra" moves to improve my position, as my opponent used a few "extra" moves to place his pieces. It all added up.

perrypawnpusher - hamadkargarfard7

Jerome Classic #1, Chess.com, 2024

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Kf8 

The March 1875 issue of The Dubuque Chess Journal contained the game Jerome - Brownson, Iowa, 1875 (1/2 - 1/2, 29), in which this move first appeared.

6.Nxc6 dxc6 

Black captures with the d-pawn, to pressure the d4 square and prevent White from placing a pawn there.

7.O-O 

Instead, 7.Nc3 as in perrypawnpusher - Ykcir, blitz, FICS 2009 (1/2 - 1/2, 11) and 7.d3 as in perrypawnpusher - fortytwooz, blitz, FICS, 2010 (1-0, 29); perrypawnpusher - Jore, blitz, FICS, 2011 (0-1, 16); perrypawnpusher - Conspicuous, blitz, FICS, 2011 (1-0, 13); perrypawnpusher - Lark, blitz, FICS, 2011 (1-0, 12); and perrypawnpusher - pitrisko, blitz, FICS, 2011 (0-1, 30) were comparable alternatives.

7...Nf6 

Again, there were a number of other choices:

7...Qh4 as in perrypawnpusher - Al-der, Italian Game Classic, Chess.com, 2019 (1-0, 26); 

7...Ne7 as in perrypawnpusher - smarlny, blitz, FICS, 2011 (1-0, 25); 

7...Be6 as in perrypawnpusher - PasayDefence, Piano Piano tournament, Chess.com, 2020 (1/2 - 1/2, 57); perrypawnpusher - spince, blitz, FICS, 2013 (1-0, 29); and perrypawnpusher - CorH, blitz, FICS, 2009 (0-1, 74); 

7...Bd6 as in perrypawnpusher - Lark, blitz, FICS, 2009 (1-0, 18); 

7...h5 as in perrypawnpusher - jackedU711, Giuoco Piano Game, Chess.com, 2023 (1/2 - 1/2, 14); and 

7...Qf6 as in perrypawnpusher - DaniyarManat, Chess.com, 2021 (1-0, 19). 

8.d3 Bg4 9.Qe1 Qe7 

Instead, 9...Qe8 appeared in perrypawnpusher - MRBarupal, blitz, FICS, 2011 (1-0, 13). 

10.Kh1 Qe5 

The Queen will wander.

11.f3 Bh5 12.c3 Bd6 

Black eventually puts his Bishop on e7, so perhaps it should have gone there now. The expenditure of extra moves largely evens the game.

13.f4 Qb5 14.c4 Qb4 15.Nc3 Be7 

It took White's c-pawn two moves to get where it is now, and the f-pawn, likewise, arrived in two steps - a consequence of Black's play.

With two pawns for the sacrificed piece, but a strong broad pawn center and a safer King, White is better. 

16.a3 

It was time to get the center pawns going with 16.e5.

16...Qb6 

The Queen avoids the mischief that would have arrived after 16...Qxb2 (i.e. 17.Ra2 Qb3 18.Qa1 followed by Rb1) but at b6 it is out of action. Her Majesty would have been more helpful at d6.

17.e5 Nd7 18.f5 

The "Jerome pawns" bring serious trouble.

18...Ke8 

Hoping to step out of the line of fire, wishing to avoid something like what happens when central files open: 18...Qd4 19.f6 gxf6 20.exf6 Bxf6 21.Bh6+ Kf7 22.Ne4 Qxb2 23.Nxf6 Nxf6 24.Bg5  

19.f6 Nxf6 

Hoping to slow things by returning material.

20.exf6 gxf6 21.Rxf6 Kd7 

22.Nd5 

Cute, but so was 22.Qe6+ Kd8 23.Bg5.

22...Qc5 23.b4 Qd4 24.Qxe7+ Kc8 25.Qxc7 checkmate

Jerome Gambit: Quantity Does Not Assure Quality

There are a lot of games in the notes to the following game.

It reminds me of my visit to The Ohio State University Chess Club, decades ago. I played 13 games, each with a different opening or defense. I lost every game. The club members didn't know what to say - How could someone who knew so much, know so little?

perrypawnpusher - GladiadorAguila

"Play The Italian Game III", Chess.com, 2023

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Nc3 Bc5 

Instead, 4...Nxe4 5.Bxf7+ would be the Noa or Monck Gambit.

5.Bxf7+ 

5...Kxf7 6. Nxe5+ Nxe5 

Instead, 6...Ke8 7.Nxc6 bxc6  was seen in perrypawnpusher - opazovalec, 10 2 blitz, FICS, 2014 (1-0, 16) 

7.d4 Bxd4 

A slight improvement over 7...d6 seen in perrypawnpusher - OudeKwakkelaar, 3 12 blitz, FICS 2011 (1/2 - 1/2, 62).

Also seen was 7...Bd6 in perrypawnpusher - joseluislopez, blitz, FICS, 2012 (0-1, 55); perrypawnpusher - lixuanxuan, 14 0 blitz, FICS, San Jose, California US 2014 (1-0, 22);  perrypawnpusher - LttlePrince, blitz, lichess, 2020 (0-1, 29); perrypawnpusher -andrewLLL, lichess.org, 2020 (1-0, 18);

And 7...Bb4 in perrypawnpusher - kezientz, blitz, FICS, 2010 (1-0, 9); perrypawnpusher - Abatwa, blitz, FICS, 2010 (1-0, 17); perrypawnpusher - SSGSSGSSG, blitz, FICS, 2018 (1-0, 20); perrypawnpusher - obmanovichhh, blitz, FICS, 2010 (1-0, 39); perrypawnpusher - LydenChess, blitz, FICS, 2011 (1-0, 15); perrypawnpusher - Aerandir, blitz, FICS, 2011 (1-0, 15); and perrypawnpusher - Gibarian, blitz, FICS, 2010 (1-0, 33). 

And 7...Neg4 as in perrypawnpusher - xxfred, blitz, FICS, 2012 (0-1, 28);

And 7...Re8 as in perrypawnpusher - hklett, blitz, FICS, 2013 (1-0, 31); perrypawnpusher - strandskatan, blitz, FICS, 2013 (1-0, 38) 

And 7...Ng6 as in perrypawnpusher - aksakal, blitz, FICS, 2017 (1-0, 17) 

And 7... Nc6 in perrypawnpusher - hudders, blitz, FICS, 2010, (1-0, 13) 

And 7...Nd3+ in perrypawnpusher - genericme, blitz, FICS, 2015 (1-0, 22) 

And 7...Nf3+ in perrypawnpusher - wertu, blitz, FICS, 2010 (1-0, 20) and perrypawnpusher - catmandu, blitz, FICS, 2014 (0-1, 12)

8.Qxd4 Nc6

This is an improvement over 8...Re8 seen in perrypawnpusher - Fazmeister, blitz, FICS, 2011 (1-0, 36); perrypawnpusher - KaZC, blitz, FICS, 2010 (1/2 - 1/2, 61); and perrypawnpusher - spince, blitz, FICS, 2014 (0-1, 41) 

Also seen was 8...d6 in perrypawnpusher - hklett, FICS, 2010 (0-1, 20); perrypawnpusher - JoseSoza, Chess.com 2012 (0-1, 34); and  perrypawnpusher - andrewLLL, lichess.org, 2020 (1-0, 39). 

And 8...Qe7 in perrypawnpusher - BigKalamar, blitz, FICS, 2011 (1-0, 49); and perrypawnpusher - OudeKwakkelaar, blitz, FICS, 2014 (1-0, 16).

9.Qc4+

Or 9.Qd3 as in perrypawnpusher - anandh, blitz, FICS 2011 (1-0, 11); perrypawnpusher - Duir, blitz, FICS, 2011 (1-0,42); and perrypawnpusher - bartab, blitz, FICS, 2012 (1-0, 19)

9...d5 

9...Ke7 as in perrypawnpusher - Avious, blitz, FICS, 2010 (1-0, 40) 

10.exd5 Re8+ 11.Be3 Ne5 

Black still has his traditional piece-for-two-pawns advantage.

12.Qb3 

Better might have been 12.Qf4.

12...Neg4 13.O-O-O Nxe3 14.fxe3 Kg8 

With both Kings safe, the focus can turn to the "Jerome pawns" which seem more like targets than attacking units.

In the tactics that follow, things do not get better.

15.Rhe1 a6 16.d6+ Be6 17.Qxb7 cxd6 18.Qb4 d5 19.e4 Bg4 20.Rd2 Qc7 21.Nxd5 Nxd5 22.Rxd5 Qxh2 

Take the heavy pieces off of the board (making White's King safer), and in club play (like this game) White would have interesting chances in the endgame.

After the game Stockfish 15.1 scoffed at this idea, however, considering Black to be more than a piece better. 

23.Qd2 Qc7 24.Qd3 

The Rook lift 24.Re3 might have been better. 

24...Be6 25.Rd4 Qc5 26.Ra4 

At this point I was out of ideas and merely shuffling pieces. 

26...a5 27.Qd4 Qg5+ 28.Qd2 Qb5 29.b3 Red8 30.Qe2 Qg5+ 31.Qd2 

The final mistake, a mouse slip - I resigned immediately

 

Jerome Gambit: Getting More Right This Time (Part 1)

The following game, a rematch in the fourth round of the "Italian Game Battlefield" tournament at Chess.com, was another (see "Jerome Gambit: His Trap Was Part of My Trap") Italian Four Knights Jerome Gambit. Much to my relief, after my exhausting struggle against Tacotopia (see "Jerome Gambit: Overthinking?" Parts 1 & 2), I was able to find the win of the exchange and use it to win the endgame.

perrypawnpusher - andrewLLL

Italian Game Battlefield tournament, Chess.com, 2020

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Nc3 Bc5 5.Bxf7+ 

The Italian Four Knights Jerome Gambit.

5...Kxf7 6.Nxe5+ Nxe5 7.d4

7...Bxd4

Previously, andrewLLL had played 7...Bd6 against me. According to The Database, I was 1 - 2 - 0 (33%) against 7...Bd6 before that game.

Komodo 10 sees 7...Bd6 as slightly stronger than 7...Bxd4. Against 7...Bxd4, I was 15 - 7 - 1 (67%).

All in all, I was happy to see the text move.

8.Qxd4 d6 

The strongest response. I have also seen

8...Qe7 in perrypawnpusher - HGBoone, blitz, FICS, 2010 (1-0, 27), perrypawnpusher - BigKalamar, blitz, FICS, 2011 (1-0, 49), and perrypawnpusher - OudeKwakkelaar, blitz, FICS, 2014 (1-0, 16); and

8...Re8 in perrypawnpusher - hklett, blitz, FICS, 2010 (0-1, 20), perrypawnpusher - KaZC, FICS, 2010 (1/2 - 1/2, 61),  perrypawnpusher - Fazmeister, blitz, FICS, 2011 (1-0, 36),  perrypawnpusher - JoseSoza, Chess.com, 2012 (0-1, 34), and perrypawnpusher - spince, blitz, FICS, 2014 (0-1, 41),

9.O-O 

Stronger than 9.Bg5 in perrypawnpusher - wuolong, Italian Game tournament, Chess.com, 2013 (1-0, 15).

9...Re8 10.Bg5 Be6

This move is not a mistake, but I am always happy to be able to advance my f-pawn and cause the Bishop to move again.

11.f4 Nc6 12.Qd3 Qd7 

This move doesn't look right, however. Although this game was played at a 3 days / move time control, it is possible that my opponent was using the Chess.com app on his phone, and mis-keyed the move (instead of, say, 12...Qe7) and quickly but mistakenly sent it. Just a guess - I have done that before, myself.

Better was 12...Kg8, castling-by-hand.

13.f5 Bxf5

After the game, Komodo 10 recommended 13...Bxa2 instead.

14.Rxf5 

With plans to put pressure on the Knight at f6, taking advantage of the pin to the enemy King. This is stronger than 14.exf5, which might be what my opponent expected, and which would have left me with only a slight - if any - edge.

14...Re5 15.Raf1 Rxf5 16.Rxf5 Ne7 

Material is even, although White's pressure - especially along the f-file - should allow him to win a pawn. White's isolated e-pawn participates in the attack, which would not have been the case, had the pawn captured on move 14.

[to be continued]