Jerome Gambit: The Problem is the Solution

One of the criticisms of the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) is that the White Queen becomes active too early, and moves too often. That concern could apply to the following game - if it were not for the fact that the Queen holds her own, and eventually leads her side to victory.

omgmg - anonymous

3 0 blitz, Chess.com

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ng6 

7.Qd5+ Kf8 8.Qxc5+ d6 9.Qe3 Qf6 

Often this move is a major part of Black's defense.

10.d4 N8e7 11.O-O Bd7 12.f4 Re8 

The "Jerome pawns" support the White Queen in her face-off with five enemy pieces.

13.e5 

Stockfish 10 suggests the interesting alternative 13.f5 Nh4 14.Nc3 Kg8 15.Qf2 h6 16.Be3 Kh7 17.Rae1 Rhf8 when the game seems in balance.

13...dxe5 

Hint for the defender: although the move seems natural, it isn't always the best move to make the pawn exchange. Here 13...Qf7 was more prudent. 

14.fxe5 Qxf1+ 

A bit of a panic move. He could have tried 14...Nf5, although 15.Qa3+ Qe7 16.g4 would still be a bit better for White, i.e. 16...Qxa3 17.Nxa3 Ngh4 18.gxf5 Nxf5.

15.Kxf1 Bb5+ 16.Kg1 Nd5

A quick glance shows that Black has four pieces developed, while White has only one. However, there are tactical reasons to clearly prefer the first player.

17.Qf3+ Ndf4 18.g3 Rd8 19.gxf4 Rxd4 

20.Nc3 Rxf4 

A slip, possibly time related.

21.Bxf4 Nxf4 22.Qxf4+ Ke7 

23.Nd5+ Ke6 24.Nxc7+ Kd7 25.Nxb5 Ke6 26.Rd1 Re8 27.Rd6+ Ke7 28.e6 Rf8 29.Rd7+ Ke8 30.Nc7 checkmate