Jerome Gambit: An Insidious Idea

In the following game, when Black constructs a porous defense, it looks like he is headed for a loss. However, he keeps his wits about himself, and creates a drawing chance which catches his opponent by surprise.

Even when the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) is rolling toward victory, it is nessary for White to remain aware of possible surprises along the way. 

Littleplayerparis - Bogdan20090131

5 0 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 d6 

Blackburne's defense.

8.Qxh8 Qf6 

Possibly Black thought: This move threatens both the exchange of Queens - ending White's attack - and the crushing ...Qxf2+. This is correct as far as it goes, but there is more to the position.

For example, exchanging Queens with 9.Qxf6+ Nxf6 would deprive Black of any counter-attacking chances, leaving White up the exchange and two pawns.

Furthermore, as the game continuation shows, White has an even better choice of moves.

9.Qxh7+ 

Blackburne's defense is based upon both trapping White's Queen after she captures the Rook and attacking White's King. This escape undoes both plans.

9...Kf8 10.O-O Bg4 

11.Nc3 Bh5 12.Qxc7 Re8 13.d3 Bf3 

An insidious idea. Black is lost, but, as the saying goes, You can only lose a game once.

14.Be3 Bxg2 15.Kxg2 Qh4 16.Bxc5 

Precisely the move Black was hoping for. Ahead a Rook, a Bishop, and three pawns, White overlooks the defensive 16.h3 - not unusual in a blitz game.

16...Qg4+ 17.Kh1 Qf3+ 18.Kg1 Qg4+ 19.Kh1 Qf3+ 20.Kg1 Qg4+ 21.Kh1 draw

The repetition of position saves Black half a point.