Jerome Gambit: Know This

How well do you know the Jerome Gambit? Certainly, the first four moves: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+. Likely the next two, as well, after 4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 and either 6.Qh5+ or 6.d4. As the following game illustrates, it is helpful to know a few more, critical, moves in a variation that guarantees that Black's game will be nasty, brutish and short.

vlastous - imed 86
internet, 2019

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

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ke6 7.f4 Nf6 

Black clearly is unfamiliar with the Jerome Gambit, and, in attacking White's Queen, manages to quickly return both sacrificed pieces. The Database has 63 games with this position, with White scoring 73% - I am surprised that White doesn't do better. You should know the follow-up.

8.Qxe5+ Kf7 9.Qxc5 Nxe4 

Black's second gaffe makes things worse. Again, White should be able to spot the tactic right away.

10.Qd5+ Kf8 

Instead, 10...Kf6 was met by 11.b4!? in Vlastous - Orca, ChessManiac.com, 2016 (1-0, 16) 

11.Qxe4 Qf6 12.O-O d6 

13.Re1 Kf7 14.Qc4+ Kg6 15.Nc3 Rf8

Black still has fight in him, and envisions a counter-attack down the f-file, aimed at White's King.

White has other ideas.

16.Nd5 Qf7 17.Re7 Qf5 18.Qxc7 Qxd5 

What else? But, if it looks like Black can now no longer escape checkmate, you are right.

19.Rxg7+ Kf5 20.Rg5+ Ke4 21.d3+ Kd4 22.c3+ Kxd3 23.Rxd5+ Ke4 24.Qc4 checkmate