Should we play forcing lines - which give our opponents direction in what moves to play? Or should we leave them to their own devices, and trust that they will go astray?
The Jerome Gambit offers both opportunities, as the following game shows.
Wall, Bill - Guest1302712
PlayChess.com, 2018
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+
This is about as forcing a move as White has at his disposal - although a small number of defenders have insisted upon refusing to accept the Bishop.
4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.d4 Bxd4 7.Qxd4 d6
Both sides have thematic options. White is sure what he wants to do. Black, not so much.
8.O-O Nf6 9.Nc3 Re8 10.Bg5 c6
Guarding against a possible Nd5, with pressure against his Knight at f6. A good alternative was to kick the enemy Bishop with 10...h6, or continue castling-by-hand with 10...Kg8.
11.b3
I admit to being puzzled by this move. So, apparently, was Bill's opponent.
11...Be6
Too casual, especially when 11...Kg8 was still available. It is the equivalent of yelling to the "Jerome pawns" - Come and get me!
12.f4 Ng6
Black needs to engage and fight back, as Stockfish 9 shows: 12...Neg4 13.h3 Nh6 14.Bxh6 gxh6 15.e5 Bxh3!? 16.gxh3 dxe5 17.Qc4+ Kg7 18.Rad1 Qe7 19.Rfe1 Kh8 20.fxe5 Nd7 21.Ne4 Nxe5 when Black's extra h-pawn may not be meaningful, but if either side would have an edge, it would be the second player.
13.f5 Bc8
Giving up the Bishop with 13...Ne5 was probably better than un-developing.
14.fxg6+ hxg6 15.Rad1 Bg4
White has pressure on Black's pawn at d6; Black counters with pressure on the White pawn at e4.
16.Rd2 Re6
In protecting the d-pawn, Black overlooks a threat.
17.e5 Rxe5 18.Qxg4 Qb6+ 19.Kh1 Qc5
Tactics now allow White, with an extra piece, to stay ahead.
20.Bxf6 gxf6 21.Ne4 Qe3 22.Rxd6 Qxe4
The return of this piece is not for free.
23.Rfxf6+ Ke7 24.Qd7 checkmate
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