Jerome Gambit: Casual Casualty

It can be tempting to not take the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) seriously when it is played against you. After all, it is a refuted opening, right?

In the following blitz game, Black plays what might be the strongest defense against the Jerome. However, when he assesses further danger, he is a bit casual in evaluating an upcoming position - where there is danger lying beneath the surface.

This is hardly a personal failing: the time control for the game was 3 minutes (with 2 second increments) and that introduces a certain amount of "casualness" into the game for both players.

As ever, it is also important to see how well the attacker takes advantage of the situation.

kryzelfiz - carlvr

3 2 blitz, lichess.org, 2022

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ g6 7.Qxe5 Qe7 

Whistler's defense. It can be a tough line to play against, but White has his chances in the complications. As you might guess, things are more difficult after 8.Qxh8 Qxe4+.

8.Qf4+ Qf6 9.Qg3 d6 10.c3 b6 

Black is not alarmed by White's threat of d2-d4. He plans to return his extra piece for two pawns, and in the meantime looks to develop his light square Bishop. This approach is a bit casual, however.

Wild aggression was indicated by 10...h5 in GMHikaruOnTwitch - 30second-guy, 3 0 blitz, Chess.com 2021 (1-0, 71). 

Probably an idea a bit more active than the text, but less active than what was played against GM Nakamura, would be on the mark. Something like 10...Qe6. 

11.d4 Bxd4 12.cxd4 Qxd4 13.O-O 

This costs another pawn, compared to 13.Nc3, but White is not taking any chances. He will still be better after this move.

13...Qxe4 

I suspect that Black was happy with his position at this point. He is a pawn up.

There is hidden danger, however. The blitz time control will not allow for deep analysis as play continues - and Stockfish 15 currently evaluates White as almost a piece ahead.

14.Bg5 Ba6 15.Nd2 Qd5 16.Rfe1 Nf6 

If you are happy with Black's development, you have been distracted.

If you are happy with White's develoment, chances are that you play the Jerome Gambit.

17.Bxf6 Kxf6 18.Qc3+ Kf7 19.Qxc7+ Kf6 

Black's King is now in a mating net.

20.Qe7+ Kf5 21.Ne4 

Nice.

21...Bb7 22.Ng3+ Kg4 23.h3+ Kf4 24.Qe3 checkmate