A First Time Decline

"Theory" on the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) Declined (not 4...Kxf7) is rather sparse, as most players elect to take the first sacrificed piece.

perrypawnpusher - walkinthespirit

blitz 12 0, FICS, 2009

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5

4.Bxf7+ Ke7

Perhaps out of surprise, perhaps out of a wish not to go along with White's plans, Black declines the opportunity to go two-pieces-up-for-two-pawns. White winds up a pawn ahead, playing against a displaced King – a considerable luxury.

5.Bb3 Nf6 6.Nc3 Na5

It appears that the Knight is taking things "personally". This will only lead to more misfortune.

7.Nxe5 Nxb3 8.axb3 d6 9.Nf3 Rf8 10.d4 Bb4 11.Bg5

11...Kf7 12.Bxf6 Qxf6 13.0-0 Bg4

On this move my opponent overlooked – as I did on my next move – that the Black Bishop is in a precarious position.

14.e5

This is ok, but look at what Rybka 3 found: 14.Nd5 (forking Queen and Bishop) Bxf3 15.Qd3 (avoiding the Queen swap on f3) Qd8 16.Qxf3+ Kg8 17.Qd3 (the uncovered attack by the Rook has to be dealt with) Ba5 18.Rxa5 (nabbing a piece, but it's not over yet) c6 (attacking the Knight and Rook) 19.Rfa1 cxd5 20.Rxd5 Qf6 21.f3 Qe6 22.Rb5 – so what was at stake was a pawn, not a piece.

14...dxe5

Capturing on f3 was again the right idea, as now White has Nxd5+.

15.dxe5 Qe6

The game now totally unravels.

16.Ng5+ Kg8 17.Nxe6 Bxd1 18.Nxf8 Bxf8 19.Raxd1 Re8 20.Rfe1 Bc5 My opponent is a fighter, but a Rook is a Rook.

21.e6 a5 22.Nd5 c6 23.Nc7 Re7 24.Rd7 Black resigned