Jerome Gambit: Tactics Real And Imagined

The following Jerome Gambit (by transposition) game shows an attack that wins quickly. The notes show that the tactics could have been sharpened, with equal danger for the defender.

A win is a win is a win.

fianchettosstorm - tipsy

3 0 blitz, FICS, 2021

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.O-O Bc5 5.Bxf7+ 

Starting out as a Two Knights Defense, the opening moves to a "modern" variation (no 5.Nxe5+) of the Jerome Gambit - 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ Kxf7 5.0-0 Nf6.

5...Kxf7 

The Database has almost 2,500 games with this position.

6.c3 Rf8 7.d4 exd4 8.cxd4 Bb6 

9.e5 Ne8 

A slip that goes unpunished. Black needed to play 9...Nd5.

10.Qb3+ 

Reasonably interfering with Black's plan to complete castling-by-hand with ...Kg8.

Stronger was 10.Bg5 first, and if 10...Ne7, then 11.Qb3 would force the King out into the open. 

10...d5 11.exd6+ Be6 

Black had to try 11...Kg6 which would be well met by 12.d5, with advantage to White.

12.d5 Na5 13.dxe6+ Kg8 Black resigned

Black realized that he could now meet 14.e7+ with  14...Nxb3, but after 15.exd8/Q Rxd8 16.axb3 Nxd6 he would be down a piece.