Jerome Gambit: Consolation Prize

Sometimes a defender does a good job against the Jerome Gambit. Sometimes he even reaches a checkmate-in-11 moves.

Sometimes he does not have enough time to work it all out, and has to force a draw, as time runs short... or his frustration shows through.

NNN_1 - Shustruy

internet,  2022

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.d3 

One of the "modern" variations of the Jerome Gambit, as opposed to the "classical" ones featuring 5.Nxe5+. Both players have a greater choice of moves and plans.

5...Nf6 6.Ng5+ Kg8 7.Nc3 h6 8.Nf3 d6 9.h3 Kh7 

A quiet position. White's compensation for his sacrificed piece, one pawn, does not seem enough - especially since Black has castled-by-hand.

10.O-O Rf8 11.Nh2 Be6 12.Kh1 Qd7 13.f4 exf4 14.Rxf5 Ne5

White has opened the f-file, but still lags in development.

15.d4 Ng6 16.Rxf6 Rxf6 17.dxc5 Nh4 

Black has the right idea: Attack the King.

18.cxd6 

Stockfish 15's suggestion is objectively better, but not appealing: 18.Qe2 Nxg2 19.Kxg2 Bxh3+ 20.Kh1 Rg6 21.cxd6 Rf8 22.Be3 Bg2+ 23.Qxg2 Rxg2 24.Kxg2 Qxd6 White has 3 pieces for his Queen, but his King is at risk and Black's connected passed Kingside pawns are a long term headache.

18...Bxh3 19.gxh3 Qxh3 20.Qe2 

Allowing a checkmate in 11 moves, but 20.Qg1 Rg6 is hardly promising.

Still, Black has to find the mate.

20...Raf8 21.Be3 Nf3 

More pressure on h2, although that could also have been applied by 21...Rf2 22.Qxf2 Rxf2 23.Bxf2 Qg2 checkmate 

22.Nd5 Nxh2 

Much of the heat has gone out of the position. Black could have still ground things out, instead, with 22...Rxd6 23.Nf4 Qxh2+ 24.Qxh2 Nxh2 25.Kxh2 Re8 when his extra Rook would pair up with his Kingside pawns to outplay White's two extra pieces.

Now, while Black's position looks strong, he cannot find anything more than a draw - and neither can I. It is not clear if it is this realization, or the clock, that wraps the game up.

23.Qxh2 Rf1+ 24.Rxf1 Rxf1+ 25.Bg1 Qf3+ 26.Qg2 Qh5+ 27.Qh2 Qf3+ 28.Qg2 Qh5+ 29.Qh2 Qf3+ 30.Qg2 Draw