The Jerome Gambit: The Eternal Question of Draws

When you play a wild and crazy opening with White like the Jerome Gambit, are you willing to settle for a draw? When you defend against such a reckless attack with Black, will you be happy splitting the point? Is a draw winning or losing a half point?

These questions are spurred by the following game. 

Wall, Bill - Guest2236463
PlayChess, 2018

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.d4 Bxd4 7.Qxd4 Qf6 8.Qc5 

White avoids the threatened ...Nf3+, winning his Queen.

8...Qe7 9.Qd5+ Qe6 10.Qc5 Nc6 

Black decides, at least for the time being, to avoid a draw by repetition. That is reasonable, as he has an "objectively" won positioni.

11.f3 d6 12.Qf2 

White always has the option of flipping roles, and challenging Black to become the attacker.

12...Nf6 13. Nc3 Rf8 14. O-O Bd7 15. Be3 Kg8 

16.h3

Come and get me.

16...Rae8 17.Rad1 Ne7 18. Rfe1 a6 19.a3

Attacking has its risks.

19...Nh5 20.f4 Qf7 21.f5 Bc6 22.Bd4 Nf6 

Black has rearranged his pieces, but hesitates to attack.

23.Re3 Nd7 24.Rg3 Ne5 25.Rd2 Kh8 26.Re3

Perhaps spurred by the clock, perhaps by nerves, Black now decides to go for the draw.

26...Nc4 27.Rg3 Ne5 28.Re3 Nc4 29.Rg3 Ne5

Drawn

Fascinating...