Jerome Gambit: In This Case, Not So Much

The following game shows the dangers (for both sides) that the Jerome Gambit can provide, during blitz play. It is not possible to analyze deeply, and a slip can be fatal - providing the opposition notices. In this case, not so much.

Anonymous - Hai_no_Ken
10 5 blitz, lichess.org, 2020

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ng6 

7.Qd5+ Kf6 8.Qxc5 

Probably the "cleanest" response to Black's unusual King move. An alternative was 8.d4 (with the threat of 9.Bg5+, winning the Queen) Bb4+ 9.c3 Ke7 (to allow ...Nf6) 10.cxb4.

Also seen recently: 8.Qf5+ Ke7 9.Qxc5+ d6 10.Qg5+ Nf6 11.d4 h6 12.Qe3 Kf7 13.O-O Re8 14.f4 Rxe4 15.Qb3+ Be6 16.d5 Bxd5 17.Qh3 Kg8 18.Nc3 Be6 19.f5 Bd7 20.Nxe4 Nxe4 21.Qf3 Ng5 22.Qb3+ Kh7 23.fxg6+ Kxg6 24.Qd3+ Kh5 25.Bd2 a6 26.Rae1 Bb5 27.c4 Bc6 Black resigned, gabrielebattaglia - vgiagourta, lichess.org, 2020

8...d6 9.Qe3 N8e7 10.d4 h6 11.f4 Kf7 12.O-O Bg4

This was a blitz game, but the move illustrates the difference between development and just moving a piece.

13.f5 Ne5 

Simply giving a piece back. Perhaps he would have done better to force White to open up - and over-extend - his Kingside pawns with 13...Nf8 14.h3 Bg5 15.g4, but the first player would still be better.

14.dxe5 dxe5 15.Qb3+ Kf8 16.f6 

A classic Jerome Gambit move.

16...gxf6 17.Rxf6+ Ke8 18.Qb5+ c6 

19.Qxb7

It is hard to believe that one move could change the nature of the game, but this one does. Not only is White's Queen sidelined (at the price of a pawn) but the weakness of his first rank will quickly be exposed.

Hypothetically.

19...Rf8 

Instead, 19...Qd4+!? would have put Black on top, i.e. 20.Kf1 Rd8 21.Qb3 (21.Nc3 Bc8 22.Qb3 Ba6+) 21...Qd1+ (21...Bc8 22.Nd2 Ba6+ 23.c4) 22.Kf2 Qe2+ 23.Kg3 Rg8 and White would have to give up his Queen.

20.Rxf8+

Back on track. Black can now do some scary things, but he is only putting off his demise. 

21...Kxf8 21.Bxh6+ Ke8 22.Bg5 Qd1+ 23.Kf2 Qe2+ 24.Kg3 Ng6 

I know that the old saying is "three pieces and an attack" - but not in this case.

25.Qxa8+ Kf7 26.Qxa7+ Ke6 27.h3 Bh5 28.Qa8 Qxe4 29.Qe8+ Kf5 30.h4 Qg4+ 31.Kh2 Nxh4 

Dear White Knight and White Rook, I miss you. Signed, your King.

32.Qd7+ Kxg5 33.Qxg4+ Kxg4 34.Nc3 Bg6 35.Re1  White won on time in a clearly better position.