Jerome Gambit: Difficult to Figure Out

The Jerome Gambit can be a difficult opening for the defender to figure out. Good moves can look bad, and bad moves can look good. The following game is an example.

Wall, Bill - MLHZ
FICS, 2019

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

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Kf8 

6.Nf3 

A rare move - The Database has only 1 other example - but Bill likes to experiment...

6...Qe7 7.O-O d6 

The e-pawn can be taken, but Black is suspicious.

8.d3 Nf6 9.Nc3 Kf7 

Black begins the process of castling-by-hand.

10.Nd5 Nxd5 11.exd5 Nd8 

Overly careful. The Knight should go to d4.

12.Re1 Qd7 13.Ng5+ Kg6 14.Re4 h6 15.Rh4

15...Qf5 

Coming to the rescue, but falling into a tactical trap.

16.Qh5+ Kf6 17.Rf4 Black resigned

Oh, my!