Jerome Gambit: Trapped

The Jerome Gambit and its relatives present an exchange of material for weaknesses in the defender's position that can be taken advantage of. The King is at risk.

The following game is a textbook example. 

The ending is memorable.

Guest0679558022 - Guest4717316331

10 0 blitz, Chess.com, 2022

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 h6 

The Semi-Italian opening.

4.Bxf7+ 

This is what I have referred to as an "impatient" Jerome Gambit, as White does not wait for ...Bc5 before sacrificing his Bishop. 

The Database has 2,654 game examples. White scores 42%.

There is shock value to this line, as Black's last move was designed to make his position safer. The sacrifice disrupts that.

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.d4 Nc6 7.Nc3 Nf6 8.e5 

White has two pawns for his two sacrificed pieces; he puts them to use.

8...Qe8 

Black defends actively.

9.O-O Nh7 

Instead, Stockfish 14.1 recommends returning a piece: 9...Nxe5 10.Re1 d6 11.Bf4 Bg4 12.f3 Be6 13.dxe5 dxe5 14.Bxe5 Rd8 when Black's King is still a bit uncomfortable, but his extra material clearly makes him better.

White focuses on the weakened light squares on Black's Kingside.

10.Nd5 Qd8 

11.Qf3+ Kg8 12.Qb3 

We have seen this kind of position before: Black's King is crowded into a space that only appears to be safe.

12...Ng5 

Black needed some breathing room with 12... g6. This is a blitz game, and sometimes things get overlooked.

13.Nf6 checkmate

Beautiful. The Knight check can be dealt with, the Queen's check can be dealt with - but not both at the same time.