Jerome Gambit: Almost Anything Can Happen

In a bullet (1 minute, no increment) game, almost anything can happen. The following game is a good example - White reaches a position where he has 3 more pawns, 1 more piece, but hardly any more time. He must surrender 1/2 a point.

angelcamina - yisustorres19
1 0 bullet, lichess.org, 2019

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

The Italian Four Knights Jerome Gambit. If Black was hoping for a quiet game, this move probably comes as a disappointment.

5...Kxf7 6.Nxe5+ Nxe5 7.d4 Nc4 

This is a creative response, and a rare one: there are only two other examples in The Database (White won both).

8.dxc5 Re8 9.f3 d6 10.cxd6 Nxd6 

Black's plan with his Knight has worked, and he holds a piece for 2 pawns advantage.

11.O-O c6 12.Bg5 

This thematic move allows Black to play 12...Qb6+, attacking White's b-pawn, but I can not make sense out of the computer's suggestion of the alternative, 12.a4.

12...h6 13.Bh4 g5 14.Bg3 Re6 

Overlooking White's threat to the 2 Knights.

15.e5 Nf5 

Hanging his Queen, which neither player notices.

16.exf6 Qxd1 17.Raxd1 Nxg3 18.hxg3 Rxf6

19.g4 Be6 20.Rd6 Ke7 21.Rfd1 Bd5 22.Nxd5+ Kxd6 23.Nxf6+ Ke6 24.Ne4 Re8 

White has the game well under control.

25.Rd6+ Ke5 26.Rxh6 Kf4 27.Kf2 Rd8 

This is a mistake, because?

Because now the subtle 28.Re6 would threaten g2-g3, checkmate.

White's choice is also winning, but it suggests that his clock is ticking down.

28.Rf6+ Ke5 29.Rf5+ Ke6 30.Rxg5 b5 31.Rg6+ Kd5 32.Rg5+ Ke6 33.Nc5+ Kd6 

Black is running out of time, and so allows the crushing 34.Nb7+ Kd7 35.Nxd8.

But, White is running out of time, too.

34.Ne4+ Ke6 Drawn

The position can be repeated quickly, and both players sigh with relief.