Jerome Gambit: One Step Ahead

Sometimes a game can be won without an overwhelming tactical display. It can be enough to be one step ahead of your opponent - as the following game demonstrates.

Wall, Bill - Truguy

internet, 2022

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ng6 

7.Qxc5 d6 8.Qd5+ 

This is a typical Jerome Gambit "question" - does Black want to be dynamic and play 8...Be6, blocking the check, developing a piece and attacking the enemy Queen, at the cost of the b-pawn? Then, again, is the b-pawn worth it?

Often defenders get into the mindset I am not familiar with this opening, but my opponent must know what he is doing because nobody would just throw away two pieces, so I should trust that he knows what he is doing...

So, if it looks like White wants to grab the b-pawn, maybe he should not be allowed to take it.

8...Kf8 9.d3 Nf6 10.Qb3 Qe7 11.O-O Qe6 

Exchanging Queens would ease Black's defense, so of course White declines.

12.Qc3 c6 13.f4 Ne7 14.Nd2 Kf7 

If there is time, Black may be able to castle-by-hand. White, therefore, makes sure there is not enough time.

15.f5 Qe5 16.Qb3+ d5 17.Nf3 Qc7 18.e5 

18...Ne8

Similar to yesterday's post, Black's Knights are stumbling backward.

He might have taken advantage of the opportunity to play 18...Qb6+ 19.Qxb6 axb6 while he had the chance.

19.Ng5+ Kf8 20.Ne6+ Bxe6 21.fxe6+ Kg8 22.Rf7 Qxe5 

If only Black can capture White's two center pawns, he would be a happy extra piece ahead.

Plus, the offer of the Knight on e7 is deliberate: 23.Rxe7? Qe1#

White is too far ahead in his attack to be distracted.

23.Qxb7 Rb8 24.Qxe7 Qd6 25.Rf8 checkmate