Jerome Gambit: More Research

More research from Dan Watson on the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+). His source is The Earth (Burlington Vt)  January 7, 1899, page 8. 

I have added diagrams. My notes are in blue - Rick.

Barnett - Gingras

Vermont, 1899

The game between Barnett of Burlington and Gingras of Winoski resulted in a win for the latter, showing that the Jerome gambit is too hazardous when the opponent is a strong player, as Mr. Gingras is, and the loss of the bishop and knight at the outset, can not be compensated for by the advantages of position. Following is the game.

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.d4 

The usual continuation here is 6.Qh5+ and is probably better than 6.d4. 

6...Qh4 

Well played, leading to a strong defense.

I have only one earlier example of this line in The Database, Sorensen - X,  Denmark, 1888 (1-0, 27). - Rick

7.O-O d6 8.dxe5 

In this complicated line, White would have done better to capture the Bishop. - Rick

8...Qxe4 9.Nd2 Qd5 10.exd6 Bxd6

11.c4 Qd3 12.Qh5+ Qg6 13.Qh4 

This was ill considered, and led to the exchange of queens, which White was anxious to avoid. 

13...Qh6 14.Nf3 Qxh4 15.Nxh4 Nf6 16.Be3 b6 17.Nf3 h6 

It is difficult to see any compensation for the sacrificed piece, beyond the extra pawn. - Rick

18.Rac1 c5 19.Rfe1 Bb7 20.Nh4 Rad8 21.h3 Ng8

The beginning of a well devised and strong attack.

22.Rc3 Ne7 23.g3 Rhe8 24.Ra3 a5 25.Rb3 Bc7 26.Bxc5

Well planned, but premature, not having well considered Black's next move, which was the closing tour of the Kt in his ferocious perigrinations. Mr. Gingras is, undoubtedly, one of the strongest players in the state, and this game demonstrates his superior ability.

26...Nf5 27.Be3 Nd4 28.Rd3 Ne2+ 29.Kh2 Rxd3 30.Rxe2 Rd1 

31.f3 Rd3 32.Ng2 Bxf3 White resigned

I would have enjoyed seeing a rematch, where the winner of this game played White - with the Jerome Gambit. - Rick