Jerome Gambit: Underestimated Again

One of the reasons that many of us play the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) is that it is so outrageous, our opponents can't help but underestimate its dangers - and, too often, they quickly tumble into the abyss.

Check out this recent game by Bill Wall.

Wall, Bill - Guest9006209
PlayChess.com, 2019

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.d4 Bd6 

Black is up 2 pieces, and generously decides to give one back, pocketing a pawn for himself in the process.

I think Bill is 14 - 0 in games from this position. It's not a guaranteed win for White, but Black is going to have to do some serious analysis to survive.

7.dxe5 Bxe5 

And, there you have it, figures Black. He would have done better to put the Bishop on e7.

8.Qd5+ 

Also, 8.Qh5+ works, and Bill has a couple of wins to show it.

8...Kf6 

Hang onto the Bishop. Bring the Knight to e7 to chase away the Queen. I got this...

9.f4 Bxf4 

All right, take the Bishop. I'm still even in material.

10.Bxf4 d6 11.Bg5+ Black resigned

Yikes.