Jerome Gambit: Not Able to Take Advantage of Generosity

Sometimes stronger players will give weaker players "odds" - material or time - to make the contest more equitable.

In the following game, White - rated over 2000 - generously plays the Jerome Gambit in a rapid game, but his opponent is not able to take advantage of the generosity. 

Balazs, Ladislav - Cedzo, Adam

SVK-ch rapid, Slovakia, 2020

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

White, rated about 500 points above his opponent, gives "Jerome Gambit odds".

4...Kxf7 5. Nxe5+ Nxe5 6. Qh5+ Ng6 

7.Qd5+ Ke8 8.Qxc5 d6 9.Qe3 Nf6 

10.O-O Ng4 11.Qc3 

Interesting. White's Queen takes aim at g7, along the diagonal. This leaves his own Kingside a bit unprotected, but perhaps he wanted to avoid 11.Qg3 Qh4 and an exchange of Queens.

How should Black take advantage of Her Majesty's absence? Stockfish 11 suggests 11...Nf4, but it would take a good bit of confidence to play the move when there were other, less exotic, but less powerful, choices. 

11...Qe7 

12.d4 Rf8 13.f4 

13...Nxh2 

Boldly returning the sacrificed piece, for an attack that does not quite materialize. Instead, 13...Qh4 was playable, but not exciting after 14.h3 Nf6. Stockfish 11 likes 13...d5, but 14.exd5, opening the e-file against the King, is only for the truly brave.

14.Kxh2 Qh4+ 15.Kg1 Nxf4 16.Bxf4 Rxf4 17.Nd2 

Material is even, but it is Black's King who is at risk.

17...Rg4 18.Qf3 

There is a lesson here. Stockfish 11 suggests 18.Qc4, instead, but after 18...Rxg2+ 19.Kxg2 Qg5+ 20.Kf3 Bg4+21.Kf2 Qxd2+ 22.Kg3 h5 White would still be winning, but what a mess!

The text move is simple and strong. White would like to win the game, not create a piece of art for the ages.

18...Qe7 19.Rae1 Be6

Not the strongest defense, but Black senses his chance for glory has passed.

20.d5 Bd7 21.e5 

Of course.

21...Kd8 22.e6 Bb5 23.Qxg4 Bxf1 24.Rxf1 c6 25.Rf7 Qe8 26.Qg3 Black resigned