Jerome Gambit: Why Did He Do That?

While it is frequently a good idea to have a plan to direct a chess game, it is always a good idea to have a questioning attitude - constantly asking yourself about your opponent's move, "Why did he do that?" In the following game, Bill Wall's task becomes a bit lighter when his opponent neglects to ask himself about a totally reasonable move.

Wall, Bill - NN
lichess.org, 2016

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3. c4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

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

8.Nc3 Be6 9.b3

This is a reasonable move, and, surprisingly, according to The Database, a novelty.

9...Nf6 10.O-O Rf8 11.f4 Nc6 12.Qd3 Kg8 13.Bb2 Bg4 

Black has done well: he has castled-by-hand and developed his pieces. Although this move appears a bit odd, he remains with the advantage.

14.Rae1 Kh8 15.Nd5 Nxd5 16.exd5 Bf5 

The old temptation, to attack the Queen (and the pawn behind it). Better was to rescue the Knight at c6.

17.Qg3 Qd7 18.dxc6 bxc6 19.Qg5 

Material is even, White's pawn structure is slightly better, and the question Black has to ask himself is about the move of the Queen to g5.

19...Bxc2

Missed it.

20.Re7 Black resigned

The attack on g7 means that Black will have to give up his Queen.