Jerome Gambit: Tonic

Occasionally the essence of the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) can act as a tonic for one's game, to provide energy towards a win.

grocko - Niccccco

3 0 blitz, FICS, 2022

1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Bc5 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.d3 h6 5.c3 

We have a basic Giuoco Piano style position, with Black substituting ...h6 for the more useful ...Nf6. Still, he can proceed prudently now with 5...Nf6 and an even game.

5...Na5 

Black goes in for the "minor exchange", swapping a Knight for a Bishop. He gets the Bishop, but not in the way he expects.

6.Bxf7+ 

The sacrifice that is at the core of the Jerome Gambit. It energizes White's game.

6...Kxf7 7.Nxe5+ 

The weakness of the light squares around Black's King will prove fatal.

7...Ke8 8.Qh5+ Ke7 9.Qf7+ 

This is enough. Even more brutal is 9.Ng6+. 

9...Kd6 10.Qd5+ Ke7 11.Qxc5+ d6 12.Ng6+ Black resigned