Jerome Gambit: Losing Time

Attack in chess requires development. 

Development requires time.

Losing time might precipitate an attack.

See how Bill Wall puts it all together in the Jerome Gambit (.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) game that follows.

Wall, Bill - Jojop

internet, 2022

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ng6

7.Qd5+ Kf8 8.Qxc5+ d6 9.Qe3 Nh6 

According to The Database this reasonable move is new. Black develops a piece and protects the f7 square.

10.O-O Ne5 

This helps White build his pawn center - his original plan, anyhow.

11.d4 Neg4 

An empty threat, but at least it allows the Knight to relocate to f6, which is an improvment over its placement at g6 - although at the cost of time.

12.Qe2 Qh4 13.h3 Nf6 14.f4 

14...Qg3 

Black is looking to follow this up with 15...Bxh3. He probably could have simply played 14...Bxh3 15.gxh3 Qxh3, with a small edge, although his attack would be difficult to pursue, as he does not have the development he needs.

15.f5 Bd7 16.Nc3 Re8 

This looks relevant, but either 16...Nf7 or 16...Bc6 were better preparation for 17.e5. 

17.Bf4 Qh4 18.Qc4 

White does not proceed with the expected center pawn break. 

Black now pounces upon what he believes is an error. He probably should now reassigned his Rook to defense with 18...Rc8. 

18...Nxe4 19.Nxe4 Rxe4 20.Qxc7 

If Black can get rid of the enemy pawn at f5, he would still have his threat of ...Bxh3, plus he is threatening the Bishop at f4 twice, and it is only protected once...

The problem is that his King is no longer safe. Irony.

20...Bxf5 

Killing two birds with one stone?

No.

21.Bxh6 

Removing the defender of the Bishop.

21...Qf6 

This move - protecting the Bishop and pawn, and threatening the enemy Bishop - allows checkmate, but the alternative, 21...Ke8 22.Rxf5 gxh6 23.Qg7 was painful, too.

22.Bxg7+ 

Again destroying the defender, this time the defender of the enemy Queen, and, in turn, of the enemy Bishop.

22...Qxg7 23.Rxf5+ Kg8 

Black can give away the store with 24...Ke8 25.Qxg7 Re7 26.Qxh8+, but checkmate will still arrive.

24.Qd8+ Black resigned