Jerome Gambit: It All Seems to Make So Much Sense, But...

Consider the following game. Black's unworried play in the opening is sensible, as he refuses to be panicked by the sacrifices of the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+). However, his unhurried middle game play allows White to comfortably build up an attack - and end the game with a bang.

Wall, Bill - Harnza, Shannon

FICS, 2020

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5. Nxe5+ Nxe5 6. Qh5+ Ke6 

7.f4 Nf6  

With this move, Black develops a third piece to counter White's Queen. It all seems to make so much sense, especially since the first player's sacrifices have suggested that the game is all in fun, anyhow.

Alas, this is not the solution to the Jerome Gambit, as a post mortem will point out. Meanwhile, White recovers his two sacrificed pieces.

8.Qxe5+ Kf7 9.Qxc5 Re8 

Preparing to castle-by-hand, and putting pressure on the center. He has to be active, he is down a couple of pawns.

10.O-O 

Offering to return a pawn, to get his King to safety. Black declines.

10...Kg8 11.d3 d6 12.Qg5 h6 13.Qg3 b5 

To fianchetto the Bishop. 

14.f5 Bb7 

Missing the tactic.

15.Bxh6 Re7 16.Bg5 Rf7 17.Nc3 a6 

White will build his attack, and Black does not keep pace.

18.Ne2 c5 19.Nf4 Qe8 20.Ng6 Nh7 21.Qh4 Qd7 22.Rf3 c4 

Striking at White's center - but what has he missed?

23.Qxh7+ Kxh7 24.Rh3+ Kg8 25.Rh8 checkmate

Very nice!