Jerome Gambit: Wait For the Shot

In the Jerome Gambit, White has chances to win that are based upon his opponent's miscalculations or outright errors. Sometimes that means that instead of immediately crashing and bashing, the first player has to develop his game steadily, watching and waiting for the equalizing - or winning - shot. Often, it goes like in the following game.

Wall, Bill - Guest8904564
PlayChess.com, 2019

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

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

It feels like Bill has reached this position a gazillion times before, but The Database says it's only 72 - plus 3 times with the black pieces.

8.Qe3 Nf6 9.O-O Rf8 10.f4 Nc6 11.Nc3 Kg8

Black has castled-by-hand, has kept up with his development, and still has a piece for a pawn. He has no complaints - except that the game isn't over, yet.

12.Qd3 Kh8 13.Re1 Qe7 14.Be3 Ng4 

Black, rightly, has thoughts about attacking on the Kingside. If nothing comes of it, he can always win the "minor exchange". White has to find ways to keep him busy.

15.Nd5 Qf7 16.Bd2 Be6 17.c4 Bxd5 18.exd5 

18...Ne7 

And here it is. Black wants to attack, so the correct 18...Nb8 doesn't appeal to him. However, White's response forks both Knights.

19.Qe2 Qh5

Certainly threatening, but he should have tried 19...Nxd5 20.Qxg4 Nf6 21.Qe2 with an even game, because White can counter the text effectively.

20.h3 Nxd5 

Things quickly go from bad to worse. He had to try something like 20...Ng6 21.Qxg4 Qxg4 22.hxg4 Nxf4, although, with 23.Re7 White would still retain the advantage in the endgame.

 21.hxg4 Nxf4 22. gxh5 Nxe2+ 23. Rxe2 Black resigned

Now it is White who has a piece for a pawn, and that is enough for Black to strike his colors.