Jerome Gambit: Under Pressure

The following game is a good example of the pressure that White can inflict upon the enemy King in a Jerome-related line. 

Boris - NN

2020

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Na5 

In this side line, Black immediately moves to win "the minor exchange" after 4.Bb3 Nxb3.

White can now grab a pawn with 4.Nxe5 Nxc4 5.Nxc4, but he prefers the "Jerome treatment".

4.Bxf7+ Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Ke6 

A bit stronger might be 5...Ke7. See "Revision".

6.Qh5 

This is very Jerome-like play: first the Bishop is sacrificed, then the Queen goes to h5. The result is a very dynamic position. 

It is worth looking at the alternatives, however, as, surprisingly the fussy Komodo 10 rates other moves higher. Slightly.

First, it is important to mention that The Database has 87 games with 6.Qh5, with White scoring 68%, so it's a good move from a practical point of view, even if the computer evaluates it as -/=.

What does Komodo 10 prefer?

It's favorite (at 25 ply) is 6.d4, which it evaluates as +/=. The Database has 476 games with that move, with White scoring 73%. Fair enough.

The next in preference is 6.Nc3, evaluated as =. The Database has only 1 game, with White scoring 100%. Practically a novelty, or worthy of "Jerome Gambit Secrets #14"

Then comes 6.Qg4+, also evaluated as =. The Database has 55 games, with White scoring 64%.

Following is 6.Nf3, rated as =. The Database has 11 games, with White scoring 82%

Next is 6.0-0, evaluated as =. The Database has 2 games, with White scoring 100%. Again, practically worthy of "Jerome Gambit Secrets #15".

Rated as -/=, with 17 games in The Database, is 6.f4, although it scores 71%.

One way of deciding is to ask yourself, Do you want to sacrifice the Knight at e5? If Yes, you should look at 6.Nc3, 6.Qg4+ and 6.0-0. If No, you should look at 6.d4, 6.Nf3, 6.f4 or 6.Qh5.

It is very important to note that Komodo 10 (like The Database) is only an assistant in making a move choice. The difference in evaluation between its favorite, and the text move, is only about 1 pawn.

6...b5

This is a bit of a surprise, and justifies White's move. Strongest was probably 6...Nf6.

7.Qf5+ Ke7 8.Qf7+ Kd6 

9.Qd5+ Ke7 10.d4 

Capturing the Rook was possible, but White is looking to capture the King. 

10...c6 11.Bg5+ Nf6 12.Qf7+ Kd6 13.Bd2 Nb7 

14.a4 

Looking to add his Rook to the attack. Also possible was the material grab, 14.Ng6 Kc7 15.Nxh8 as 14...hxg6 would be answered by 15.Bf4#.

14...Qe8 

Looking to evict or exchange the Queen. Safer was to withdraw his King with 14...Kc7.

15.axb5 Nd8 

More of the same. His position is a mess. For example, if 15...cxb5, 16.Qxe8 Nxe8 17.Nf7+ will lead to the win of the Rook.

16.Bb4+ Kc7 17.Ba5+ Kb8 18.Qb3

Still focused on the King. He could be temporarily bought off by exchanging Queens on e8, then capturing the Knight on d8, but he wants more.

18...Nb7 19.bxc6 dxc6 20.Nd2 Bd6 

21.Ndc4 Bxe5 22.Nxe5 Nxe4 23.O-O Bd7 

Black still has a  piece for a couple of pawns, but the pressure on his King is intense.

24.Rfe1 Ned6 25.Bb4 Kc8 26.Ra6 h5 

If this is the start of a counter-attack, it is a bit optimistic.

27.Nxc6 Qf7 28.Qg3 Rh6 29.d5 h4 

30.Qc3 Bxc6 31.Rxc6+ Kb8 32.Bxd6+ Nxd6 33.Qb4+ Nb7 

34.Re7 Qxd5 35.Qxb7 checkmate