The following game is another Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) from the informal blitz match we have been looking at. Surprising moves continue to appear, in part because the Jerome inspires creativity. The time control also has its impact.
drewski02 - dperez22
3 2 blitz, Chess.com, 2021
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+
4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ke6
7.c3
This move is a regular part of the Giuoco Piano - 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3. It does not fit in well with the Jerome Gambit, however, because of the "hole" it creates at d3 - Stockfish 14 assesses Black now as being the equivalent of a Queen ahead of his opponent.
The Database pushes back against that assessment, however. There are 30 games with this move, with White scoring 42%.
The issue, as ever, is, given the time available and the experience with the Jerome Gambit, can Black take advantage?
7...Bxf2+
Wow.
The recommended response is 7...Nd3+, when White stands to lose material in a variety of ways. 8.Ke2 allows the Knight to fork White's King and Queen with 8...Nf4+. 8.Kd1 allows the Knight to fork White's King and Rook with 8...Nxf2+. 8.Kf1 is probably the strongest response, but 8...Qf6 would be the start of a serious attack on the King.
The text - returning the Jerome Bishop, similar to the Jerome counter-gambit - is still good for Black. After all, being two pieces ahead, he can afford to sacrifice one.
8.Kxf2 Qf6+ 9. Kg1 Nd3
Now the Knight joins the attack. It is a bit strange, but anticipating d2-d4 with either 9...d6 or 9...Nf7 would be stronger.
The main problem with the move is now that 10.Qd5+ would allow White to collect the Knight.
10.Qg4+
White has a plan to defend against the checkmate threat, but it is not enough. He loses a piece, and then receives a surprise.
10...Kf7 11.Qg3 Nxc1 12.d4 Ne2 checkmate
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