Between the Refutation and the Resignation...Part 2

Concerning the discussion going on at Chess.com about the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+), there is an alternate viewpoint to that of Jerome Gambit Gemeinde (and Chess.com) member Bill Wall ("it's the type of opening I like in blitz chess and I have had fun and success with it. My success this year has been 18 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss") – that of Chess.com member Kacparov("The Jerome gambit can be easily refuted").

Perhaps his opinion was based on his own experience in games like the following, which Kacparov shared.

Kacparov - Slotherman

Chess.com

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

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

This is a solid defense, if Black knows what he is doing.

7.Qf5+ Kd6 8.Nc3

A relatively unexplored variation, compard to 8.f4

8...Qf6 9.d4 Qxf5 10.dxc5+ Kc6 11.exf5 d6 12.cxd6 cxd6 13.Bf4 Bxf5

By exchanging Queens, Black has taken much of the energy out of White's attack – for which the first player has sacrificed a piece for a pawn. Note that even should Kacparov win the pawn at d6, his "Jerome pawns" will be split, one on each side of the board.

14.0-0-0 Nf6 15.Rhe1 Rhe8 16.f3 Nc4

White develops and looks for opportunities. Black continues to exchange pieces.

17.b3 Rxe1 18.Rxe1 Nb6 19.Kd2 Re8 20.Rd1 Nbd5 21.Nxd5 Nxd5 22.Bg3 Re3

The pawn on c2 is a tempting target for Black. Only White is aware how risky it is, however.

23.Bf2 Rc3 24.Rc1 a5 

Overlooking the fact that the Rook is trapped.

25.Bd4 Rc5 26.Bxc5 dxc5 27.Re1 h5

White now has a Rook and a pawn for two pieces, a small advantage at this point.

28.a3 b5 29.g3 g5

It is this slip that gives the game away. 

30.Re5 Bxc2 31.Kxc2 g4 32.f4 b4 33.axb4 axb4

34.Rxh5 Ne3+ 35.Kd3 Nd1 36.Kd2 Nf2 37.Re5 Kb5 38.f5 Nh3 39.f6 Black resigned

That is a lot of energy to spend on defeating a lower-rated player, and if Kacparov's other Jerome Gambit games were just as much a struggle, it is clear why the opening holds little attraction in his eyes.