I'm listening to Jethro Tull's "Aqualung" and feeling like the chessic equivalent of that title character...
The April issue of
"Kaissiber"
is out
, with a whole host of serious (and seriously good) articles
-- but not the Jerome Gambit article.
Wouldn't you know it, the editor prefers cutting-edge Grandmaster analysis over my historical/hysterical droolings...
So, to keep the chess fires burning until the next issue
(
which I hope, hope, hope will show Jerome's Double Opening
) here's a gem from the pages of the Adelaide Observer, from 125 years ago.
Oh, and on the topic of Jerome Gambit games - please send 'em if you got 'em.
Rick Kennedy
WARNING: The Jerome Gambit is quite disreputable and has quite a few refutations. Its use should be restricted to "fun" games or as a manner of offering "odds" to weaker opponents. The author is not responsible for any disasters that might come from using the Jerome Gambit (although he remains interested in learning about and staring at the wreckage).
The Adelaide Observer, Saturday, May 28, 1881
CHESS IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA
(From the Melbourne Leader.)
The following fine game is one of those in the closely contested match by correspondence to which we lately referred, between Messrs. Charlick and Mann. The time occupied in playing it was six months. It abounds in interesting and difficult positions. Another game has since been finished ending in a draw, making the score - Charlick 4, Mann 3, drawn 6.
Charlick,H - Mann,J [C50]
correspondence Australia, 1881
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+
This ingenious sacrifice was invented by Mr. Jerome, an American player, in 1874, and, unless correctly answered, yields a strong attack. It seems rather rash to venture on it in a correspondence game.
4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5
5...Kf8 is, we think, better
6.Qh5+ Ng6
6...Ke6 is preferable
7.Qd5+ Ke8 8.Qxc5 d6 9.Qe3
The authorities give 9.Qc3 but White prefers the text move.
9...Nf6 10.d4 Qe7
10...Kf7 is surely stronger, bringing his R in to immediate action, and threatening to take KP with Kt.
11.0-0 Ng4
This only assists White in developing his game by driving back the Kt presently; 11...b6 seems the best method of getting his forces into action.
12.Qe2 Qh4 13.h3 Nf6 14.f4
White has now a most formidable attack.
14...Nh5 15.Qf2 Qxf2+ 16.Rxf2 Rf8 17.f5 Ne7 18.c4 c6
Again we should have preferred 18...b6
19.g4 Nf6 20.Nc3 d5 21.e5
White's pawns now look quite irresistable.
21...Nd7 22.cxd5 Nxd5 23.Ne4 N7b6 24.b3 a5 25.e6
This, we believe, is premature. 25.Bg5 is a very strong move.
25...h6 26.Bb2 Ke7 27.Re1 Ra7
Black's game is so cramped that defeat is inevitable.
28.Nc5
White might also have obtained a fine game by advancing the KRP here.
28...Na8 29.Nd3 b5 30.Ne5 Kd6 31.Rc1 Ra6 32.Rc5 Bb7 33.Rfc2 Rc8 34.Bc1 a4 35.b4
Very well played.
35...a3
Had he taken P with Kt, White would ahve gained a winning position by 35...Nxb4 36.Bf4
36.Bd2 Nab6 37.Be1 Na4 38.Bg3 Ke7 39.Nd7 Nxc5 40.dxc5 Rg8 41.Bd6+ Ke8 42.Rd2 Ra4
This, we believe, is his best play; had he moved 42...Nf6 White could have replied with 43.Be5 forcing the game in a few moves.; If 42...Nxb4 White wins off-hand by 43.f6
43.Rxd5
Well played, obtaining a winning position, through it still requires great care to bring about that result.
43...cxd5 44.f6 gxf6 45.Nxf6+ Kd8 46.e7+ Kc8 47.Nxg8 Bc6 48.Nf6 Rxb4 49.e8Q+ Bxe8 50.Nxe8 Rb1+ 51.Kf2 Rb2+ 52.Kf3 Rxa2 53.Nc7 b4 54.Nxd5 b3 55.c6 Rc2 (must) 56.Bxa3 Ra2 57.Bd6 Rc2 58.Be5 b2 59.Nb6+ Kd8 60.c7+ Rxc7 61.Bxb2 Rc5 62.Bd4 Rb5 63.Nc4 Ke7 64.h4 Ke6 65.Ke4 Rb1 66.Ne3 Kf7 67.h5 Kg8 68.Nf5 Kh7 69.Be3 Re1 70.Nxh6 Rxe3+ 71.Kxe3 Kxh6 72.Kf4 1-0
The whole of the end game has been played by White with the greatest precision.
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Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ (Read 32793 times)
