Led Astray?

When it comes to the Jerome Gambit, Bill Wall may not have seen it all - but he has seen a whole lot of it. So, while it would seem to be a good idea to take him into a side line, finding a place he hasn't been to before can be a bit of a challenge.

Wall, Bill - DYQH
FICS, 2013

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 h6

The Semi-Italian Opening.

4.O-O Bc5 5.Bxf7+

The Semi-Italian Jerome Gambit.

5...Kxf7 6.Nxe5+ Nxe5 7.d4 Bxd4 8.Qxd4 Qf6 9.Be3

Note, 9.f4 allows 9...Nf3+ 10.Rxf3 Qxd4+ winning White's Queen.

9...Nc6

We have come far enough in the game to note that the current game is the only one in The Database to contain this move. Has Black succeeded in leading White astray?

Perhaps not.

There is a game with a similar, alternative move for Black in The Database: 9... Ne7 10. Nc3 Rf8 11. Nb5 c6 12. Nc7 Rb8 13. f4 Nf3+ 14. Rxf3 Qxd4 15. Bxd4 Kg8 16.Bxa7 Black resigned, Wall,B - Foman, Chess.com, 2010. 

10.Qd3 Qxb2

Black's Queen gobbles a poisoned pawn.

11.Nc3 Nb4 

This attack on White's Queen will actually doom the Knight and put Black's Queen at risk. Better was the developing 11...Nf6. 

12.Qc4+ Ke8 13.Rab1 Qxc2 14.Rxb4 Nf6 15.Rc1 Black resigned