Jerome Gambit: Queen vs Minor Pieces

The following game shows how a Queen can battle minor pieces successfully. A static assessment of the positions might suggest that Black is doing well, but a dynamic assessment  - the Queen in action - tells a much different story.

Readers would benefit from playing over the game several times, just to see how Bill takes advantage of the particular imbalance.

Wall, Bill - Sugie

internet, 2023

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.O-O Nf6 6.Nxe5+ Nxe5 7.d4 

7...Nf3+ 

Black returns some of the sacrificed material. Will White hold onto his d-pawn and allow the breakup of his Kingside pawns? 

8.Qxf3 Bxd4 9.Qd3 Bb6 

White has a pawn for his sacrificed piece, but his initiative gives him an even game. 

10.e5 Ne8 11.Qd5+ Kf8 12.Qf3+ Kg8 

Of course Stockfish 15, which completely distrusts the Jerome Gambit, recommends that White now grab the draw by repetition with 13.Qd5+ Kf8 14.Qf3+ Kg8 15.Qd5+ etc.

What a difference a move makes: one of Bill's games continued 12...Ke7 13.Bg5+ Nf6 14.exf6+ Kf7 15.fxg7+ Kxg7 16.Bxd8 Black resigned, Wall,B - Guest3429793, internet, 2018.

13.Re1

Looking to stir up trouble.

13...d5 14.exd6 Nxd6 

This recapture seems natural, but 14...h6 (or 14...h5) was actually necessary. Black relaxes too soon, an error many of those who defend against the Jerome commit.

The White Queen begins to take over the game.

15.Qd5+ Kf8 16.Bg5 Qd7 17.Be7+ Qxe7 18.Rxe7 Kxe7 

Introductory texts value the Queen as equal to 9 pawns, the Rook equal to 5 pawns, and the Bishop and Knight each equal to 3 pawns. That would put Black about a pawn ahead.

As often happens, however, the Queen proves more mobile and more able to make tactical threats than the opposing Bishop and Rook.

19. Nd2 Rf8 

The Rook should have gone to e8; it makes a difference.

20.Re1+ Kd7 21.Nf3 Re8 22.Rxe8 Kxe8 

23.c4 

White keeps up the pressure.

23...Nf7 24.c5 Ba5 25.Qe4+ Kf8 26.Qa4 

26...b6 27.Qc6 Rb8 28.Qxc7 Ra8 29.Ng5 

29...Nxg5 30.Qd8+ Kf7 31.Qd5+ Be6 32.Qxa8 Bxa2 33.Qxa7+ Kf6 34.cxb6 Black resigned

Black will have to give up another piece (34...Bxb6 35.Qxb6+) and White's Queen will continue to out-duel the remaining minor pieces.