Jerome Gambit: Not Taking It Seriously Is Taking A Risk

Vlasta Fejfar sends a Jerome Gambit game that is another reminder to defenders the world over: take the opening seriously enough to get out of it alive, or risk losing a full point.

vlastous -asimgorci
internet, 2018

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Kf6 

If only the Jerome Gambit were this simple: protect the Knight and stay two pieces ahead. Besides, if White thinks he can x-ray attack Black's King with 7.Qg5+?, winning the Queen, there's simply 7...g5! and all is well. 

On the other hand, The Database shows that White scores 79% in 56 games with 6...Kf6, so White has every reason to be skeptical. 

7.Qf5+ Ke7 8.Qxe5+ Kf8 

It is interesting to note the number of Jerome Gambit games
that reached this position - with Black to move. The move order, however, was 6...Kf8 7.Qxe5. In the current game, White simply captures the second piece.

9.Qxc5+ d6 10.Qc3 Nf6 11.d3 g6 

White is ahead 2 pawns. It is not clear what Black intends with this move - although it weakens two dark diagonals. 

12.Bh6+ Kf7 13.O-O Be6 

It looks like Black almost has his game together.

14.Nd2 Ng4

Hoping to chase away White's Bishop, but actually ending the game. 

15.Qg7+ Black resigned

Black will drop his Rook at h8 after 15...Ke8 16.Qxh8+ and a simple exchange of Queens with 16...Kd7 17.Qxh7+ Qe7 18.Qxe7+ Kxe7 19.Bg5+ will leave White up an insurmountable Rook and 3 pawns.