Resisting Temptation

When Black faces the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) he should resist the temptation to come up with something new that is crushing or brilliant, and stick with the old, boring, tried-and-true refutations. Unfortunately, to some defenders the Jerome looks like a giant "Kick Me" sign, and they want to add their own signature impression.

jfhumphrey - fractalclouds
blitz, FICS, 2011

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

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.d4 Bxd4 7.Qxd4 d6 8.f4

Here we have a typical Jerome Gambit position, where Black's extra piece outweighs White's two forward "Jerome pawns."

The Database shows Black winning about 3/4 of the games from this position. *Yawn*

8...c5

What could be more natural than kicking the enemy Queen?

9.Qd5+ Kf8

Here is the problem, though. Black has to be ready to sacrifice his b-pawn with 9...Be6 in order for the "kick" to work. I'm pretty sure that jhumphreys had several improvements in store from the last time he met that move: 10.Qxb7+ Nd7 11.0-0 Ngf6 12.f5 Bc4 13.Re1 g6 14.Nd2 Qa5 15.Qxd7+ Nxd7 16.Nxc4 Qxe1 checkmate, jfhumphrey - Yunoguthi, FICS, 2011

10.fxe5 Qh4+

Perhaps this is still part of Black's counter-attack, but he overlooks the fact that his own monarch is in great danger.

11.g3 Qh3 12.Qxd6+

As good as this is, 12.Rf1+ was even stronger.

12...Ne7 13.Rf1+

White has an embarassment of riches, as 13.Bg5 and even 13.Nc3 also give a substantial advantage, either in material or advanced "Jerome pawns".

13...Ke8 14.Bg5 Ng6 15.Qd8 checkmate

The Queen has her revenge.