Jerome Gambit: Tactical Challenge

Playing the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) at bullet speed is a tactical challenge: Can you see enough, fast enough, to take advantage of what chances are available as they arise?

Msaouli - notwutiwantd

1 0 bullet, lichess.org, 2022

1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Bc5 

Bishop's Opening

3.Bxf7+ 

The Abrahams Jerome Gambit.

3...Kxf7 4.Nf3 Nc6 

Transposing to the Jerome Gambit proper.

5.O-O 

One of the "modern" Jerome variations - bypassing 5.Nxe5+.

5...Nf6 6.c3 d6 7.Qb3+ Be6 

In a bullet game, quick responses are paramount. Here, though, Black takes a mis-step, blocking the Queen check, but overlooking the following Knight fork.

8.Ng5+ Kg6 9.Nxe6 Qe7 

Black could have reduced some of White's play with 9...Qc8, protecting the b-pawn. 

10.d4 

This move comes as expected.

Because of Black's inaccuracy, White also had 10.Nxc5 dxc5 11.Qxb7, when the unprotected Black Knight gives White time to pull his Queen back, e.g. 11...Qd7 12.Qb3. 

10...exd4 11.f4 

Good enough.

There was also a line that takes advantage of discovered check: 11.Nf4+ Kh6 (11...Kg5 12.cxd4 Bxd4 13.Qg3+ Ng4 14.Nd5+) 12.Nd5+ Kg6 13. Nxe7+ Nxe7.

11...dxc3+ 

A logical response to White opening up the a7-g1 diagonal. Also possible was 11...Bb6. 

12.Kh1 

White prefers his Knight over Black's Bishop, so he again does not choose 12.Nxc5.

12...Nd4 

Messy.

Stockfish 15 recommends, instead, 12...h6 13.Nxc5 dxc5 14.Nxc3, when the further 14...Nxe4 15.Nxe4 Qxe4 can explode after 16.f5+ Kh7 17.Bxh6!?

13.f5+ Kh5 

Avoiding the discovered checks that would arise from 13...Kf7, but wandering into a mating net.

14.Qd1+ Kh4 15.Bg5 checkmate