Jerome Gambit: Stumbles

One factor supporting the Jerome Gambit is that many defenders are unaware of the best lines of play. Finding the right way takes time, and often invoves stumbles.

Wall, Bill - Marquitos

Internet, 2022

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.d4 

There are a lot of choices for Black here. Which to choose?

6...Bb4+ 

This is a standard response, and the natural move by White, 7.Nc3, would be very good for Black.

7.c3 Bd6 

This move is still okay for Black, although he could have tossed everything into the wind with 7...Qh4. Also playable were 7...Be7 and 7...Ng6.

8.dxe5 Bxe5 

This move is a stumble, as the danger to the Bishop is not worth the pawn it captures. The retreat 8...Be7 was more to the point. 

9.Qh5+ Ke6 10.Qf5+ Kd6 11.Na3 

This move shows that White knows what he is doing. The first impression is that a "Knight on the rim" cannot be the the strongest move in a wild gambit - but it is.

11...Qf6 

Things go poorly for Black even after the better 11...Bf6, i.e. 12.e5+ Ke7 (12...Bxe5 13.Bg5 Nf6 14.O-O-O+) 13.exf6+ Nxf6 14.Bg5 Kf7 15.O-O-O, when White would have better developmant while Black would have the more at risk King.

12.Nc4+ Ke7 13.Bg5 d6 

Black's response to the attack on his Queen is an attack on his opponent's Queen - but it falls to a check that must be addressed.

14.Bxf6+ Bxf6 15.Qa5 Black resigned

Black has two pieces for a Queen and a pawn. It is not enough.