Jerome Gambit: Highest Scoring?

Wandering through this blog the other day, I re-visited the post "Jerome Pawns to the Rescue", where I had looked at 5th move alternatives (to 5.Nxe5+) in the Jerome Gambit.

I found this interesting note

To keep statistics in perspective, it must be noted that the highest scoring move is 5.a4, with 100% in 4 games.

Not surprisingly, given the relative non-aggression of the move, things have changed. A visit to lichess.org shows 32 games with 5.a4, with White scoring 42%.

The following 3-minute game is a caution.

monif_thabata - jagr135

3 0 blitz, lichess.org, 2023

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.a4 

 Check out "Jerome Gambit: Can He Do That? (Part 2)"

5...d6 6.c3 Bg4 

7.Qb3+ 

Both Black and White overlook that 7.b4 here would win a piece (although Black would still be a little better).

7...Kf8 8.O-O Bxf3 9.gxf3 Qg5+ 

Black's Queen is more effective than White's and has a larger supporting staff.

10.Kh1 Bb6 11.Qc2 Nge7 12.b4 Ng6 13.a5 

The Black Bishop is trapped, but it is too late.

Or is it?

13...Nf4 14.Rg1 Qh4 

The Queen needed to retreat with 14...Qh5 - it makes a difference. Then 15.Qd1 Nd3 16.Rg2 Nxf2+ 17.Rxf2 Bxf2 would win for Black.

Now White has a way out: 15.axb6 Qxf2 16.Qd1 Nd3 17.bxc7 Ne7 18.Qf1 and 18...Qxf1 19.Rxf1 Rxc7 is equal.

Instead, Black wraps things up.

15.Rg4 Qxf2 16.axb6 Qxf3+ 17.Kg1 Nh3 checkmate