Jerome Gambit Magic

Sometimes a Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) game unfolds with a sense of magic about it, as if the gambiteer simply walks past dangers to his win.

The following game is a fun example.

Chalcinos - 3mad7mdy

10 0 blitz, Chess.com, 2023

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ng6 

7.Qd5+ Ke8 8.Qxc5 d6 9.Qe3

This is a routine Jerome Gambit position. Perhaps White, familiar withe the opening, arrived at it a with few ticks on the clock.

9...Nf6 10.O-O Ng4 

Many Black pieces feel an immediate need to attack White's Queen, especially since she has been wandering the board, causing further dislocation of his game.

10...Ng4 does not surrender all of his advantage. It could be part of a plan for both Knights to corral Her Majesty - if the follow-through is done right.

11.Qh3

This new move has its risks. Did White anticipate his opponent's sacrifice? Or did he simply see himself passing through the complications, unscathed?

11...Nxf2 

Black takes advantage of the uncovered attack on the Queen to grab one - and then another - pawn.

It is an attractive idea, but the real danger was with 11...Nf4!? when White is going to lose material. One example of the possibilities is 12.Qf3 (Stockfish says this is best) Rf8 13.Nc3 (covering the e2 square) Nxh2 14.Qg3 (capturing the Knight 14.Kxh2 allows 14...Qh4+ 15.Kg1 Nh3+ and White must give up his Queen after all) Nxf1 15.Kxf1 Qf6 and White is only down a Rook.

12.Qb3 Nxe4 

Having said A, Black now says B.

The attack would continue if Black ignored the pawn grab, and instead offered a piece with 12...Nh3+ 13.gxh3 Qh4. 

13.Qf7 checkmate

Presto!