Jerome Gambit: Not So Drawish Line

The Four Knights Opening has a reputation for being somewhat drawish, so Black, in the following game, might have relaxed a bit when his offer of an Alekhine's Defense turned into a Four Knghts.

Of course, White's plans were anything but peaceful. 

angelcamina - marcldk
1 0 bullet, lichess.org, 2020

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

The Italian Four Knights Jerome Gambit.

5...Kxf7 6.Nxe5+ Nxe5 7.d4 Neg4 

The Knight escapes danger, while thinking of aggression.

Best was probably 7...Bd6, which, in the regular Jerome Gambit line (minus Nc3 and ...Nf6), would be an error. With enough time, all this can be worked out; but, in a one minute game, who has enough time? 

8.dxc5 c6 

This creates a bit of a hole at d6 in Black's position, which White will eventually exploit.

9.O-O Re8 10.Bg5 Ne5 

The Knight seems to have lost its sense of direction. It will eventually sacrifice itself for a couple of pawns, as a "scientific" response to the gambit, but things never work out quite right.
  
11.f4 Ng6 12.e5 Nxe5 13.fxe5 Rxe5 14.Bxf6 gxf6

Material is even, and the pawn at c5 looks about ready to fall, but the first player's lead in development is what really matters.

15.Qd3 Qg8 

Protecting the h-pawn, but there is not time for that. Best was 15...Qe7, although the game would quickly slide downhill, anyhow: 16.Qxh7+ Ke8 17.Qg8+ Qf8 18.Qg6+ Kd8 19.Ne4!? another classic case of retarded development, Black's d-pawn blocking his light-squared Bishop, which, in turn, blocks in his Rook.

16.Rae1

This is a solid move, and White trades off his opponent's defender. With more time to calculate, he would have found (but didn't need) 16.Rxf6+ Kxf6 17.Re1+ and he would quickly recover his sacrificed Rook.

16...Rxe1 17.Rxe1 b6 

Struggling to free the Queenside - too late.

18.Qd6 bxc5 19.Re7+ Kg6 20.Qg3+ Kh6 21.Qxg8 Bb7 22.Rxh7 checkmate

Jerome Gambit: Another Historical "Oversight"

My game against AndrewLLL in the third round of the "Italian Game Battlegrounds" tournament at Chess.com (see the previous post) has already progressed enough that I can now correct a historical "oversight": despite my commitment to share all of my Jerome Games, regardless of outcome, on this blog, I sort of "overlooked" the game perrypawnpusher - joseluislopez, blitz, FICS, 2012 (0-1, 55).

You might notice that I lost that game against joseluislopez, and that maybe I was too embarassed to share it. That is not quite right: I did post an endgame position from our game that featured a double blunder, before my eventual loss by checkmate.

Yet, fair is fair, so here is the game - with a couple of lessons to learn.

perrypawnpusher - joseluislopez
blitz, FICS, 2012

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 Bd6 8.dxe5 Bxe5 

9.f4

Starting the advance of the "Jerome pawns".

9...Bxc3+ 10.bxc3 d6 

I willingly traded my Queenside pawn structure for some time - Black's Bishop moved 4 times before leaving the board, while my Knight moved once. This was probably a mistake. A master would find active play to compensate, but I am not a master. Well on into the endgame, you will still be able to see the effect of the different Queenside pawn structures.

11.O-O Bg4 12.Qd3 Re8 13.h3 Bh5 14.g4 Bg6 

So far, White is playing aggressively, in true blitz style. Black probably should have returned material with 14...Bxg4!? which would have led to some danger to White's King.

15.f5 Nxe4 

This is a mis-reading of the position, as it allows White to open the f-file. Instead, Komodo 10 suggests the bizarre 15...Bh5!?, and has Black holding on to a small advantage.

16.fxg6+ 

This move leads to White's advantage, but the alternative, 16.Qd5+, would have led to checkmate: 16...Kf8 17.fxg6+ Qf6 18.Rxf6+ Ke7 19.Rf7+ Kd8 20.Qxb7 Re7 21.Rxe7 Kxe7 22.Qxc7+ Ke8 23.gxh7 Nf6 24.h8/Q+ Ng8 25.Qxg8 checkmate..

16...Kxg6 17.Qf3 

Looking to put more pressure on the enemy King, but overlooking Black's response, which is an effective remedy. More accurate would have been 17.Qd5, when 17...Nf6 (the only move to prevent checkmate) 18.Qf5+ Kf7 19.g5 would have led to a clear advantage.

17...Qf6 

White's dynamic compensation for his structural defects has been wasted. Black now grinds his opponent down - and a significant part of his plan is to take advantage of White's isolated Queenside pawns.

18.Qxf6+ Nxf6 19.Bd2 Re4 20.Rab1 b6 21.Rb4 Rae8 22.Rxe4 Rxe4 23.Kg2 Re2+ 24.Rf2 Rxf2+ 25.Kxf2 Ne4+ 26.Ke3 Nxd2 27.Kxd2 Kg5 28.Ke3 h5 29.gxh5 Kxh5 30.Kf3 Kh4 31.Kg2 g5 32.c4 c6 33.c3 b5 34.cxb5 cxb5 35.Kh2 a5 36.Kg2 b4 37.cxb4 axb4 38.Kh2 d5 39.Kg2 d4 40.Kf3 Kxh3 41.Ke4 g4 42.Kxd4 g3 43.Kc4 g2 44.Kxb4 g1=Q 45.a4 Qb6+ 46.Ka3 Kg4 47.Ka2 Kf4 48.Ka3 Ke4 49.Ka2 

I do not remember why I was playing on, a Queen down; most likely, my opponent was short of time. Only a miracle would save me - and I was not ready, when it came.

49...Qb5?? 50.Ka3?? 

Capturing the Queen would have led to a draw, even a pawn up. Probably I was short of time, too.

50...Qa5 51.Kb3 Kd4 52.Ka3 Qc3+ 53.Ka2 Qb4 54.Ka1 Kc3 55.a5 Qb2 checkmate

(My personal notes to this game suggested that I avoid 9.f4, and try something like 9.Ne2 - which I did, against AndrewLLL. We shall see how that works out.)

Jerome Gambit: Ever Onward

The third round of Chess.com's "Italian game Battlegrounds" tournament has started, and I find myself in Group 2 - which consists of me and andrewLLL.

As always, I was fully prepared to place my chances for success in the hands of the Jerome Gambit, but a review of my opponent's recent games suggests that he much preferred 3...Nf6, the Two Knights Defense, to 3...Bc5, which would limit my Jerome options.

So, after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6, I crossed my fingers and played 4.Nc3, fully expecting 4...Nxe4, when I was resigned to returning to last year's site of grave strugggle with the Noa Gambit against RemoveKubab1 with 5.Bxf7+.

However, perhaps andrewLLL got a hint of the won game looming before him, and played, instead, 4...Bc5, allowing me to move the game into the Italian Four Knights Jerome Gambit with 5.Bxf7+.

The Database shows that I have played this line in 60 games, scoring 74%, but you never know when it comes to "refuted" openings, do you? 

Jerome Gambit: Deep Dive (Part 3)

[continued from the previous post]

ZahariSokolov - GizmoClass
FICS, 2019

If you are attacking, and you slip up, you might be down some material. If you are defending, and you slip up, you might be down your King. Keep this bit of wisdom in mind, as the game progresses.

19...Bh3 

Black senses he has time to strike back, not only defend. He misses a couple of points.

First, White still has the threat of 20.Bb4, skewering Black's Queen and winning the Knight on e7; that was why 19...a5, covering the b4 square, instead of the text, was essential.

Second, White's last move contains the threat Qxb5 checkmate, if Black should ever move his Queen away from protecting the pawn at b5 - making 20.Be3, pinning and winning the Queen, a grave danger. (If 20...d4, then 21.Bxd4.)

20.Re1 

Saving the Rook, but missing the winning move just mentioned.

The game now has the feel of time pressure about it. 

20...Bg2 

Continuing to overlook the main threat, as does his opponent. 

21.exd5 Bxf3+ 22.Kc1 Bxd5 23.c4 

Dizzying. White did not have 23.Be3 at his disposal, instead of the text, because of 23...Qxe3+ 24.Rxe3 Bxb3 25.Rxe7 Rae8 26.Rxe8 Rxe8 27.Ke2 Bf7, and Black would have a piece for a pawn.

23...a6 

Not appreciating the fact that White's last pawn move restored a major threat. Better was 23...Kb7, tip-toeing away from the Bishop pin, and, after 24.Re5 Rhd8, maintaining a roughly balanced game.

24.Be3

Yes.

24.Bxc4  25. Bxc5+ Kxc5 26. dxc4 b4 27. Qe3+ Black resigned

Quite a battle!

Jerome Gambit: Deep Dive (Part 2)

[continued from the previous post]

ZahariSokolov - GizmoClass
FICS, 2019

The game is unblanced and getting more complicated by the move: both Queens are out, both Kings are uneasy. Black should try 10...Ne7, but he prefers to unblock his d-pawn, to allow him to develop his light-squared Bishop. White presses his attack. (Luckily, I have Komodo 10 to help explain things.)

10...Kc6 11.Qd5+ Kb6 12.Nc3 

White knows that he has the advantage, and that his focus is the enemy King. Development seemed most helpful, although Komodo 10 liked a few Queen checks followed by a pawn strike, instead: 12.Qb3+ Ka6 13.Qa4+ Kb6 14.b4!? when the Bishop will fall, one way or another. (Or, maybe not. Komodo 10 suggests that after 14...Bf2, White probably does best to play 15.Nc3, after which things continue 15...a6 16.Qa5+ Kc6 17.b5+ Kd6 18.Qb4+ c5 19.bxc6+ Kxc6 20.d4 when things are a royal mess, but the computer believes White to be better.)

12...Ne7 

In turn, Black would have done much better to move a pawn, first, tossing the extra piece to get his monarch some safety: 12...c6 13.Na4+ Kc7 14.Qxc5 Qxf4 15.Qf2 d6 and White is only up a pawn. 

13.Na4+ Ka5 

This is the kind of position that screams: tactics! White now has a checkmate - how?

14.Qb3

Another good move, although missing the better 14.b4+ Kxa4 15.Qb3+ Kb5 16.a4+ Kb6 17.bxc5+ Kxc5 18.Ba3+ Kc6 19.Qb5 checkmate. Nice.

14...Qh5 

Black protects his Bishop - and dreams of threatening ...Qxf3+, winning a Rook, if White ever leaves the pawn unprotected, or if he blocks his Queen's protection of f3 with Nc3 or c3 or d3.

15.Rf1 

The reasoning behind this move is unclear. White's best was probably 15.c4 c6 16.d4 and White's pressure would increase. As it is, Black gets a slight breather.

15...b5 16.Nxc5 

White could have grabbed a piece back with 16.Qc3+ b4 17.Qxc5+ Qxc5 18.Nxc5. 

16...Qxc5 

17.d3 d5

Overlooking a tactic.

18.Bd2+ Kb6 19.a4 

Missing the skewer 19.Bb4, winning the Knight on e7.

[to be continued]

Jerome Gambit: Deep Dive (Part 1)

It has been a while since I took a deep dive into a Jerome Gambit game, so I decided to inspect a 2019 game played by ZahariSokolov, online at FICS. He has 410 games in The Database, scoring 50%. Many of his games explore important lines, and can be quite complicated.

ZahariSokolov - GizmoClass
FICS, 2019

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

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ke6

What could be more understandable than wanting to hold on to your extra 2 pieces? It is too early in the game to assess whether GizmoClass is naive or knowledgeable in making this move choice. (The Database has 1,121 games with this position; White scores 54%.)

7.Qf5+ Kd6 8.f4 Nf3+ 

Aha! The player of the Black pieces knows a bit about the Jerome Gambit, or he has a solid creative streak about him.

This Norton Defense, which first appeared in Jerome - Norton, correspondence, 1876 (0-1, 42), was referred to as "a new departure" in the September, 1876 issue of the American Chess Journal. "[...Qf6] is the usual play. The text move prevents White from castling."

The "usual play" appeared in Alonzo Wheeler Jerome's analysis of the Jerome Gambit that appeared in the April 1874 issue of the Dubuque Chess Journal; as well as in the games Jerome - Shinkman, Iowa, 1874 (0-1, 21) and Jerome - Brownson, Iowa, 1875 (1-0, 43).

The text move, 8...Nf3+, can be found in 14 games in The Database, with White scoring a deceiving 71% (Komodo 10 assesses the position as even). It can be contrasted with 8...Qh4+ 9.g3 Nf3+ , the "Nibs" defense, which dates back at least as far as 1899. (The Database has 54 games; White scores 54%.)

Interestingly enough, despite Black's apparent knowledge of the Jerome Gambit, only one other game by GizmoClass appears in The Database - a 83-move draw (6...Kf8) played against ZahariSokolov, 6 months earlier. Did somebody "book up", afterwards?

9.gxf3 

Capturing the Knight is best, but even the Gambit's creator slipped and chose 9.Kf1 in a game, instead: 9...c6 10.gxf3 Qe7 11.b4 Bb6 12.Bb2 Kc7 13.Qe5+ Qxe5 14.Bxe5+ d6 15.Bxg7 Bh3+ 16.Ke2 Bg2 17.Rd1 Ne7 18.Bxh8 Ng6 19.d4 Rxh8 20.Kf2 Nxf4 21.c3 Rg8 22.Nd2 Kd7 23.Ke3 Rf8 24.Rg1 Bd8 25.Kf2 Rg8 26.Ke3 Nh3 27.f4 Nxg1 28.Rxg1 Rg4 29.Nf1 Bh3 30.Ng3 Rh4 31.Nf5 Bxf5 32.exf5 Bf6 33.Rg3 Rxh2 34.a4 Rh1 35.a5 Re1+ 36.Kf3 Re7 37.Rh3 c5 38.bxc5 dxc5 39.Rh6 cxd4 40.cxd4 Bxd4 41.f6 Rf7 42.Ke4 Bxf6 and Black won, Jerome,A - Norton,D, correspondence, 1876.

To be fair, I should mention that I have played 9.Kf1 a couple of times, too - perrypawnpusher - igormsp, blitz, FICS, 2011 (1-0, 13), and perrypawnpusher - rheapennata, blitz, FICS, 2012 (1-0,12) - and ZahariSokolov has gotten away with 9.Kd1, as well in  ZahariSokolov - LAVAL, FICS, 2015 (1-0, 32). I have already argued, elsewhere, that "Good luck is better than a license to steal."

9...Qh4+ 10.Kd1

An earlier mistake that he shied away from was 10.Ke2, as in ZahariSokolov - Quarte, FICS, 2015 (0-1, 17); but it is hard not to enjoy the follies of an early computer against Jack Young: 10.Ke2 Qf2+ 11.Kd3 Qxf3+ 12.Kc4 b5+ 13.Kxb5 Rb8+ 14.Ka5 Bb4+?! 15.Ka4 Qxh1?? 16.Qe5+ Kc6 17.Qd5+ Kb6 18.Qxb5 checkmate

How should Black proceed?

Of course, 10...Qe7 11.Qd5 checkmate, is not optimal, at least for the defender, ZahariSokolov - GhengusFungus, FICS, 2014. 

Instead, 10...Qf2 allows White to sue for peace by initiating repeated checks, e.g. 11.Qe5+ Kc6 12.Qd5+ Kb6 13.Qb3+ Ka6 14.Qa4+ Kb6 15.Qb3+ Kc6 16.Qd5+, etc. Actually, the American Chess Journal editor William Hallock, commenting on Jerome,A - Norton,D, correspondence, 1876 (see above) wrote that after 10...Qf2 "Black has the better position". I challenged this notion in perrypawnpusher - Sir Osis of the Liver, Jerome Gambit 3 thematic tournament, ChessWorld.net, 2008, and, when my opponent was unwilling to split the point, I went on to win (1-0, 19).

ZahariSokolov had already faced 10...Nf6, which led to an edge for White, but he lost after an unusual and unfortunate oversight: 11.e5+ Kc6 12.exf6 d6 13.Nc3? Bxf5 14.d3 gxf6 15.a3 Qf2 16.Bd2 Qxf3+ 17.Kc1 Be3 18.Bxe3 Qxe3+ 19.Kb1 Qxf4 20.Ka2 Be6+ 21.b3 Qd2 22.Kb2 Rhg8 23.Ne4 Qe3 24.Rae1 Qd4+ 25.Ka2 Bxb3+ 26.Kxb3 Rg2 27.Rd1 Qb6+ 28.Kc3 Rag8 29.Nxf6 Qa5+ 30.Kb3 Qb5+ 31.Kc3 Qe5+ 32.d4 Qxf6 resigned, ZahariSokolov - panpanOneTwo, FICS, 2018.

Best is probably 10...Ne7, but that is not what GizmoClass played.

 [to be continued]

Jerome Gambit: Checkmate the King

It is good to remember that your ultimate goal is to checkmate the enemy King. If you have some fun along the way, so much the better.

JoeBau - sailingsoul
FICS, 2019

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 h6 

The Semi-Italian opening. It is sometimes referred to as the "Anti-Fried Liver Defense", aimed at preventing a White Knight from moving to g5, i.e. 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5 Nxd5 6.Nxf7 Kxf7

4.Nc3 Bc5 5.Bxf7+ 

Now we have the Semi-Italian Jerome Gambit

5...Kxf7 6.Nxe5+ Nxe5 7.Qh5+ Ke6 

Black would like to hold on to his extra material. He has a few games in The Database, so, perhaps he sees the position as simply a "standard" Jerome Gambit - with the addition of ...h6 and Nc3.

(By the way, in 6 out of his 8 games with the White pieces, he played Nf3-g5, which may reflect on his interest in ...h6, as a defensive move, as indicated in the note, above.)

8.Qf5+ Kd6 9.Nb5+ Kc6 10.Qxe5 Kxb5 11.a4+ 

Well played: the target is the King. It would be out of place to pawn-grab with 11.Qxg7, which would be well met by 11...Qf6, with Black advantage.

11...Kc6

Safer was 11...Ka6 12.Qxc5 b6 and the King will find refuge at b7.

12.Qd5+ Kb6 13.b4

Nice: Black's Bishop can not move without allowing checkmate at b5 - or can it? It is not immediataly clear that 13.a5+ Ka6 should have been interpolated, first. 

13...Bxf2+ 

This is very interesting. The defender returns material; this can be followed by a timely ...a5, giving the King an escape square at a7 - that is why 13.a5+ was best, earlier, to chase the King over to block that move.

14.Kxf2 Qf6+

Not all Queen checks are the same. The only one that escapes checkmate is 14...Qf8+, controlling the c5 square, e.g. 15.Ke2 a5 16.Qd4+ c5 17.bxc5+ Kc6 when White has compensation (safer King, better development) for his sacrificed material (2 pawns for a piece). 

15.Ke2 c6 16.Qa5 checkmate