Jerome Gambit: A Knight's Distraction

The latest Jerome Gambit game from Vlasta Fejfar comes with a reminder to all defenders: have fun, but do not allow your attention to wander, do not become distracted.

As the following game shows, Black's distraction is followed by his loss.

vlastous - JOHN LEGEND
internet, 2018

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ng6 7.Qd5+ Ke8 8.Qxc5 N8e7 

An interesting position in the 6...Ng6 variation (with the 7.Qd5+ "nudge"). I am sure that the computers are happy with Black's chances, but I have to point out that in the 20 games with this position in The Database, White has scored 80%. 

9.Qc3 

Vlasta has also played 9.O-O. See vlastous - Makaviel ,S, internet, 2017 (1-0, 21).

9...d5 10.d3 d4 11.Qc4 Ne5 

The computers like this move - but I don't. I can't count the number of times that Black has gotten in trouble in the Jerome Gambit by having one of his Knight's harass White's Queen. Even if we are only talking about the defender's attention wandering, I have to question the play.

12.Qb3 b6 13.f4 N5c6 14.f5 Bb7 15.O-O Qd6

Someone who glanced the game now might say "All Black has to do is castle and he has a crushing position." Ah, but Black can not castle, and he still has to focus and figure out a plan.

16.Bf4 Ne5 17.Na3 a6 18.Nc4 

18...N7c6 

Oh, Knights, you will be the death of me!

Black dutifully protects his Knight on e5 (on that square for the third time) from a double attack. But, he overlooks something.

19.Nxd6+ cxd6 

In a bit of irony, Black now has (only) 2 Knights for a Queen - not nearly enough. White finishes the game quickly.

20.Qe6+ Ne7 21.f6 gxf6 22.Bxe5 fxe5 23.Rf7 Kd8 24.Qxe7+ Kc8 25.Qc7 checkmate