Jerome Gambit: Target?

Blitz games often require quick decision making, like - what do I attack? Do I attack the Queen? Do I attack the King? Something else?

The following Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3  Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) blitz game has a bit of that questioning going on for both sides. The answers that the players find help shape - and finish - the game.

Lc0-o_o - urranna

10 0 blitz, lichess.org, 2022

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3  Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

In the Jerome Gambit first and foremost is the attack on the enemy King. This is why the Jerome Gambit declined and the Counter-Jerome Gambit can have some psychological impact on the first player, 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ g6 

7.Qxe5 Qe7 

Whistler's defense, a strong defense that threatens the exchange of Queens and dares White to capture the Rook on h8, promising an attack on his King in return. See "Jerome Gambit: Boogyman (Parts 1, 2 & 3)".

This is in contrast to Blackburne's defense, 7...d6, where the Rook is still on offer, and White's King may still come under fire, but there is also the ever-present risk that White's Queen may become trapped and/or won.

8.Qxh8 

This is risky, as the complications can favor Black. Indeed, Stockfish 15 rates the second player now as being the equivalent of a Rook and a piece ahead. It is important to note, however, the practical side of the position: The Database has 608 games with this position, with White scoring 63%. YMMV.

8...Qxe4+ 9.Kf1 Bd4 

Black pauses in his attack on the enemy King to attack the enemy Queen.

There are only 5 games in the Database with this position. A measure of the complication here is that while Stockfish 15 sees White as the equivalent of 4 pawns ahead, White has scored only once (our chessfriend angelcamina, in a bullet game!) in the representative games.

In the present game, White has the right idea, until...  

10.Qxh7+ 

Immediately freeing the Queen, by attacking the King.

10...Bg7 11.d3 Qg4 12.Qh3 

The Queen comes back to her side of the board, but it is His Majesty who is at risk now.

12...Qd1 checkmate

Ouch.

Of course, 12.Nc3 would have left White up the exchange and two pawns, with time to retrieve his Queen. 

By minding his Queen, he overlooked the danger to his King.