Jerome Gambit: When It Works, It Works Well

 

Why do club players use the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+)?

Because, when it works, it works well, especially at fast time controls.

The following game is another example.

Mothaolo - nike22

1 0 bullet, lichess.org, 2022

1. e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.d4 

6...Nc6 7.dxc5 Nge7 8.Qf3+ 

White's Queen acts quickly, to disrupt Black's plan to castle-by-hand.

8...Kg8 

Black's King has been tucked away, but in the way of his Rook.

9.O-O Qf8 

To exchange off the enemy Queen.

10.Qb3+ d5 

11.exd5 

Tempting, and understandable in a bullet game, but the other pawn capture of the d-pawn, 11.cxd6+, was stronger: 11...Qf7 12.dxe7

11...Ne5 

This justifies White's last move. A Knight on the rim, 11...Na5 would have been safer, by comparison.

12.d6+ Qf7 13.Qxf7+ Kxf7 14.dxe7 Kxe7 

The position has simplified and White has a 2 pawn advantage.

The excitement is not over yet.

15.Re1 

The Knight begins to take heat.

15...Kf6 16.Bd2 Re8 17.Bc3 b6 18.f4 Black resigned

The Knight will fall.