Jerome Gambit: Not Always Crash and Boom

The Jerome Gambit can produce a no-holds-barred attack that decimates the defender. It can also provide an opportunity for the creation of weaknesses in the defender's camp - followed by patient play to take advantage of the minor "destructions".

Wall, Bill - Alfaave
PlayChess.com, 2018

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.d4 Ng6 

One of the nice things about defending against the Jerome Gambit is that you have so many ways to return one of the sacrificed pieces.

7.dxc5 Nf6 8.Nc3 Re8 9.O-O Kg8

Black has every reason to be content with his position: he has a piece for a couple of pawns, and his King has castled-by-hand.

His only problem is that his opponent isn't interested in resigning - he wants to play until he wins.

10.Qd4 b6 11.Bg5 bxc5 12.Qxc5 d6 13.Qd4 c5

14.Qa4 Bd7 15.Qa6 Qb6 

I suspect that Bill welcomed the opportunity to exchange Queens here, as he was able to create targets for his remaining pieces. His skill, and his experience with the Jerome Gambit, gave him a better understanding of how to play the game.

16.Qxb6 axb6 17.Bxf6 gxf6 18.Nd5

The game doesn't always have to be *Crash!* and *Boom!*. White's Knight targets weaknesses in Black's position, and the defender does not cover up well.

18...Rf8 19.Nxb6 Ra7 20.Rfd1 Bc6 21.Rxd6 Bxe4 22.Nd7 Rxd7 23.Rxd7 Bxc2 

Black has two pieces for a Rook - and two pawns. The pawns are going to cause problems.

24.a4 Ra8 25.a5 Be4 26.a6 Nf8 27.Rc7 Ne6 28.Re7 Bd5 29.a7 Nd8 

Black's Knight is almost to his defensive position at c6.

30.Rd1 Nc6 31.Rb7 Be6 

A slip. The tireless Knight needed to take one more defensive leap, 31...Nd4, to shield the Bishop.

32.Rd6 Bc8 33.Rc7 Black resigned

Black's Knight is en pris, but cannot move to safety, as it protects against Rd8 checkmate.