Jerome Gambit: Settle Down and Work A Bit

Not every Jerome Gambit game is a quick smash. Sometimes the attacker has to settle down and work a bit - even in a blitz game. The following game is a good example.

spicyindianswag - AyujVerma
3 2 blitz, Chess.com, 2020

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

 4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Kf8

A safe move. White will recover a piece. Then he will need a plan.

7.Qxe5 d6 8.Qf4+ Nf6 9.c3 

White will extend his pawn center. Meanwhile, Black will return some material and castle-by-hand.

9... Kf7 10.d4 Bb6 11.O-O Rf8 12.e5 dxe5 13.dxe5 Kg8 14.exf6 Qxf6 

Often I talk about psychology in the Jerome Gambit: how the defender can be surprised or become anxious, or become over-confident and dismissive. This can affect his move choice in a bad way.

Black wields his own psychology here: his King is safe, and he wants to exchange Queens. Sure, he will be a pawn down, but with the two Bishops, he can resist for a long time. In the meantime, White has to deal with the disappointment of his attack disappearing.

15.Qc4+ Be6 16.Qd3 

Suddenly, it appears that Black's development is overwhelming. Can he punish White? Remember, this is a 3-minute game.

16...Bxf2+ 17.Kh1 Bf5 

This is why we study chess puzzles to get better. Komodo 10 suggests 17...Rad8 18.Qe2 Bd5 19.h3 Rde8 20.Qg4 Bg3 21.Bf4 Qxf4 22.Qxf4 Bxf4 and White's game has become very painful.

But - White now wriggles his way out!

18.Qf3 Bd7 19. Rxf2 Qxf3 20. Rxf3 Bg4 21. Rxf8+ Rxf8

If you strike at the king, you must kill him.

Black had his chance against a higher-rated opponent, but that time has passed quickly. Now White has the extra piece.

22.Kg1 c5 23.Be3 b6 24.Nd2 a5 25.Rf1 Re8  26. Re1 Re5 27.Bf2 Rd5  

Black does not want to exchange pieces, but, as White's pieces come into play, the danger increases.

28.Ne4 b5 29.Bg3 b4 30.Nd6 Bh5 31.cxb4 axb4 32.Nc8 Kf7 

Like in a scary movie, we want to say "No! Don't leave the house!"

33.Nd6+ Kf6 34.Bh4+ g5 35.Ne4+ Kf5 36.Ng3+ Kg4 37.Re4 checkmate

Very nice!