Jerome Gambit: Choices

I suspect that one of the reasons that Bill Wall opts for a main line in the Jerome Gambit - 6.d4 - that gives Black a lot of choices is specifically because it gives Black a lot of choices. Choice can mean "taking up clock time to calculate". It also can mean "making the wrong choice". Why force Black to make the right choice?

Wall, Bill - Guest_5402
chesstempo.com, 2018

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

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

8.Qd5+ 

Black has too many choices. To block the check, or not? To move the King, or not? To protect the b-pawn or not? 

"Objectively", Black is fine after any choice, but it hasn't worked out that way in "real life". The Database has 13 games with this position. White scores 69%.

8...Ke8 

The Database has 5 games with this position. White scores 80%.

The alternative was to let go of the b-pawn: 8...Be6 9.Qxb7 Nf6. 

9.Nc3 Nf6 10.Qb3 b6 

11.O-O Bb7 12.f4 Nc6

13.e5 dxe5 14.fxe5 Qd4+ 15.Kh1 Nxe5 

Black's idea, but not a good one.

16.Qe6+ Kd8 

Not 16...Kf8 17.Rxf6+ gxf6 18.Bh6 checkmate 

17.Rd1 Qxd1+ 18.Nxd1 Re8 19.Qh3 

Black has a piece and a Rook for his Queen.

19...Neg4 20.Qg3 Nh5  

This slip ends the game.

21.Bg5+ Kc8 22.Qxg4+ Kb8 23.Nc3 Black resigned

White's material advantage is too great.