Jerome Gambit: Miles to Go Before I Sleep

Although SeinfeldFan91 topped the recent Jerome Gambit thematic tournament at RedHotPawn.com without losing (or drawing) a game, it wasn't always easy. The following game shows that, at least once, he had miles to go before he could sleep...

SeinfeldFan91- kristjan
Giuoco Piano Jerome Gambit Tournament
redhotpawn.com 2016

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

4...Kxf7 5.O-O 

White starts off with a "modern" Jerome Gambit line (i.e. lacking 5.Nxe5+) but quickly transposes.

5...Nf6 6.Nxe5+ Nxe5 7.d4 Bxd4 8.Qxd4 d6

9.Nc3 Be6 10.f4 Nc6 11.Qa4

According to The Database this is a novelty. More often seen are 11.Qd3 and 11.Qe3.

11...Re8 12.f5 Bd7 13.Qc4+ Kf8 14.Bg5 Qe7 15.Bxf6 Qxf6 16.Rad1 Rac8

White has only a pawn for his sacrificed piece, so he needs to be alert to his opportunities, and keep things complicated.

17.Rf4 Ne5 18.Qd4 Kg8

Completing castling-by-hand.

19.Qxa7

A risky snack, but White's situation, in general, is risky.

19...b6 20.Nd5 Qg5 21.f6 Kh8 22.fxg7+ Kxg7 23.Rdf1 Kh8

Equality comes closer. On little cat feet.

24.Kh1 Nc6 25.Qb7

Risky, but providing a distraction.

25...Na5 26.Qa6 Bc6

27.Rf5 Qh4

Just the break that White was looking for. Much more to the point was 27...Qd2, keeping the game even.

Now White's Knight and Rook target Black's weak h7.

28.Nf6 Bxe4 29.Rh5 Bxg2+ 30.Kxg2 Rg8+ 31.Kh1 Black resigned

Black will have to give up his Queen to avoid mate.