One "scientific" response to the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) is to return the sacrificed material with the hope of blunting the attack.
In the following game, however, two factors continue to favor the attacker: an extra pawn, and Black's early assessment that he can relax.
Littleplayerparis - Lokotromis
10 0 blitz, lichess.org, 2021
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+
4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Kf8
Mentioned in Alonzo Wheeler Jerome's analysis of his opening in the March 1874 Dubuque Chess Journal - see "In The Beginning..." - and appearing in Jerome - Brownson, Iowa, 1875 (1/2-1/2, 29).
6.Nxc6 Qf6
A clever idea, threatening both checkmate and the capture of White's Knight - which cannot retreat nor be traded off. The Database has a dozen games with the move, with White scoring 75%.
Still, the simple 6...dxc6 was a better idea, because it turns out that the White Knight can continue to cause difficulty for Black.
7.d4 Qxc6
8.Qf3+ Nf6 9.dxc5 Qxe4+ 10.Qxe4 Nxe4
White has recovered his sacrificed material and will remain a pawn up. It is Queenless middle game, different from the violent attack that often comes in the Jerome Gambit, but White can press on with his advantage.
11.Bf4 Nxc5 12.Bxc7 d5
Black relaxes too soon. Moving a center pawn to open up a line for development is usually a good idea, but...
13.Bd6+ Black resigned
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