Jerome Gambit: Until Something Happens

When a defender loses to the Jerome Gambit, it usually happens one of two ways. White either falls upon him like a ton of bricks, or Black defends effectively - until something happens. Sometimes the slip the second player makes seems small, but the punishment can still be harsh.

In the following game, the lines in the notes may appear complicated, but they are the kind that an attacker can enter, knowing that, in the end, he will prevail.

Wall, Bill - Guest2038506
PlayChess.com, 2019

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.d4 Bxd4 7.Qxd4 d6 

Black has defended well and has a piece for a pawn. He would do well to take care of his King, castling-by-hand.

8.O-O Nf6 9.Nc3 Re8 

The defender continues in his task.

It might be relevant to note, however, that Bill has reached this position 15 times, and has scored 13 - 1 - 1. It is a familiar hunting ground.

10.Bg5 h6 

11.Bh4 g5 12.Bg3 Nh5 

According to The Database, this move is a novelty. Black casually goes about exchanging a Knight for a Bishop.

13.f4

White strikes with what he has. Things are going to get messy.

13...Nc6 14.fxg5+ Kg6 15.Qd3 Nxg3 

Black continues according to his plan, unaware that the situation has changed.

16.Rf6+ Kg7 

The first shock is that the pawn at g5 cannot be captured, as it would lead, inexorably to checkmate: 16...Kxg5 17.Qxg3+ Kxf6 18.Nd5+ Kf7 19.Rf1+ Bf5 20.Rxf5+ Ke6 21.Qg4 Qh4 22.Nxc7+ Ke7 23.Nd5+ Kd8 24.Qxh4+ Kd7 25.Rf7+ Re7 26.Rxe7+ Nxe7 27.Qxe7+ Kc6 28.Qc7+ Kb5 29.c4+ Ka4 30.Qd7+ b5 31.Qxb5# White does not have to know the exact sequence; he can find his way down the path, move-by-move.

The second shock is that Black's best defense requires him to sacrfice his Queen immediately: 16...Qxf6 17.gxf6 Nh5 (Black has a Rook, a Bishop and a Knight for a Queen and 2 pawns, but his position is very difficult) 18.Nd5 Ne5 19.Qd4 Bd7 20.Nxc7 Nxf6 21.Qxd6 Rac8 22.Rf1 Rxc7 23.Qxc7 Black still has 3 pieces for his Queen, but White should be able to out-play him.

17.Qxg3 Ne5 18.Nd5 

18...c6 

Black's best defense was complicated and still inadequate: 18...Bg4 19.Qh4 h5 20.h3 Be6 21.Nf4 (21.Qxh5 Rh8) 21...Bf7 22.g6 Bxg6 (22...Qxf6 23.Nxh5+) 23.Qg5 Kh7 24.Nxg6 Qxf6 25.Qxf6 Nxg6 26.Qf7+ Kh6 27.Qxc7 Re7 28.Qxd6 Rf8 29.Re1 Black's Rook and Knight can not stop White's Queen from nabbing pawns and prevailing.

19.gxh6+ Black resigned

Mate will come the next move.