Jerome Gambit: At the Speed of Thought

I remember a trend, years ago, in some of the science fiction that I was reading. Travel by space ship "at the speed of light" became so routine that something faster was needed. I then began to read about travelling "at the speed of thought". That seemed really fast.

So many Jerome Gambit bullet games (one minute time limit, no increment) seem to travel at that speed of thought. Players have to think fast - or else.

angelcamina - puffy04
1 0 bullet, lichess.org, 2019

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.Bc4 Bc5 5.Bxf7+ 

Black started out with the Petroff Defense, and then moved along to the Four Knights opening, hoping to keep things solid and calm. However, this transition to the Italian Four Knights Jerome Gambit quickly upset his equilibrium.

5...Kxf7 6.Nxe5+ Nxe5 7.d4 Bb4

This kind of move you would think should work: Black's Bishop escapes danger and pins White's only developed piece; while the second player remains two pieces up. The only problem is that it surrenders most of Black's advantage. Better was 7...Bd6.

8.dxe5 Bxc3+ 9.bxc3 

9...Nxe4

The kind of move that comes to mind when there are "free pawns" on the board, but angelcamina shows that nothing is free. After 9...Re8 10.exf6 Rxe4+ 11.Be3 Qxf6 12.0-0 d6 Black would still have an edge.

10.Qf3+ 

Even stronger was 10.Qd5+, followed by picking up the Knight. This double attack shows up in a number of Jerome Gambit lines.

10...Nf6 11.exf6 gxf6 12.O-O d6 

A glance at this position, a moment's thought, would suggest that Black has bought peace and equality with his return of material. (Look at White's pawn structure.) However, White quickly shows that this is not true. (Always remember the warning: When White has equalized in the Jerome Gambit, he has the avantage.)

13.Qh5+ Kf8 14.Bh6+ Kg8 15.Rfe1 Bf5 

It looks like Black wants to put this Bishop on g6, to guard against the threatened check by White's Rook, on g3 - but he overlooks that the piece is unprotected.

16.Qxf5 Kf7 17.Qh5+ Kg8 18.Re2 

This looks like a mouse slip - the Rook was heading to e3, and then on to g3, ending the game. No matter. (White also had 18.Qd5#, but he can checkmate as he pleases.)

18...Rc8 19.Qg4+ Kf7 20.Qg7 checkmate