Jerome Gambit: It Is Always Time To Fight

The following game is a good example of White's relentless fight against his opponent, even as things become difficult. Those who play the Jerome Gambit know that "difficult" is not the same as "hopeless". We see, once more, that victory can come even in the most challenging situations. 

DusanAtanackovic - Bashifisti

5 0 blitz, Chess.com, 2020

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 

The Ponziani Opening.

3...Bc5 4.Bc4 h6 5.Bxf7+ 

The game has transposed into a Semi-Italian Jerome Gambit: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 h6 4.c3 Bc5 5.Bxf7+

5...Kxf7 6.Nxe5+ Nxe5 7.Qh5+ Ng6 

8.Qd5+

According to The Database, this move is new, but the idea behind it - a "nudge" - is as old as Alonzo Jerome's analysis. 

8...Ke8 9.Qxc5 d6 10.Qh5 Qf6 

11.O-O N8e7 12.d4 Be6 

Probably not the best move, as it encourages both f2-f4, with the threat of f4-f5, forking a couple of pieces, and Qh5-b5+, with the threat to take the b-pawn. In response, however, White calmly adds to his development.

13.Na3 Bf7 

Black starts to harass his opponent's Queen.

14.Qg4 h5 15.Qg3 h4 16.Qg4 Be6 17.Qg5 Qf7 

The Queen is safe, but she has only the Rook to help defend against five enemy pieces on the Kingside. White's next move does nothing to address this imbalance.

18.Nb5 h3 19.Nxc7+ Kd7 20.Nxa8 

This is a risky capture.

20...hxg2 21.Re1 Nh4 

22.Qb5+ 

Hoping to move the action to the Queenside and capture the enemy King. A little bit of distraction would help, too, as Black is threatening the ...Nf3+ fork.

22...Kd8 23.Qa5+ b6 24.Qxa7 

What a mess! Black now has a checkmate in 7, starting with 24...Nf3+. However, he is distracted by White's actions, and decides to harass the enemy Queen one more time...

24...Nc8 

Amazingly enough, this hands the win over to White.

25.Bg5+ Ke8 26.Qxf7+ Kxf7 27.Bxh4 Rxh4 

White is up the exchange and three pawns.

Black is either short of time or short of inspiration, and drops a piece, ending the game.

28.Nc7 Bh3 29.Re3 Ne7 30.Rf3+ Kg6 31.Nd5 Ng8 32.Nf4+ Kg5 33.Nxh3+ Black resigned

Never give up.