Jerome Gambit: Opponent Slip

I am not going to advance to the next round of the "Play The Italian Game III" tournament, but it was nice to score my first win in the following game. 

My play was not particularly good. For a change, I was able to take advantage of a tactical slip by my opponent, instead of the other way around.

perrypawnpusher - vityas81

"Play The Italian Game III", Chess.com, 2023

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 

The Two Knights Defense.

4.O-O 

Looking for a transposition to the Jerome Gambit.

I have also played 4.Nc3.

4...Bc5 5.Bxf7+ 

Here we go.

5...Kxf7 6.Nxe5+ 

Interesting is 6.Nc3 as in leobrazer - perrypawnpusher, blitz, FICS, 2009 (0-1, 48) 

Also 6.d3 Rf8 7.Ng5+ Kg8 8.Nf3 d5 White resigned, as in Capt.Mandrake - perrypawnpusher, JG3 thematic tournament, ChessWorld.net, 2008. 

6...Nxe5 7.d4 

7...Nc6 

Or 7...Bd6 8.dxe5 Bxe5 9.f4 as in perrypawnpusher - Freddy1201, "Play The Italian Game III" tournament, Chess.com, 2023 (0-1, 23) 

The recommendation of Stockfish 15.1 is 7... d5. In The Database, White scores 1- 12- 1 against the move (!) 

8.dxc5 Rf8 9.Nc3 Kg8 

10.Bg5 Qe8 11.Bxf6 Rxf6 

Instead, 11...gxf6 looks uglier, but is better. 

12.f4 

This mistake overlooks the tactical chances that go with 12.Nd5. 

12...Qe7 13.Qd5+ Kh8 14.Rad1 

White is ahead in development, but still needs some help to get to an even game.

14...Nb4 

It is tempting to attack the enemy Queen, and the computer still rates Black as better after this move, but as a prelude to a pawn grab, it is not a good idea.

15.Qc4 Nxc2 

An unfortunate slip.

Black needed to play 15...a5, which calls into question the whole idea behind the Knight move. White would, of course, answer by kicking the Knight with 16.a3, when Black would have to find 16...b5!? to keep his edge.

16.Nd5 Black resigned

The Knight on c2 is a goner.

vityas81 needs to win 4 of his remaining 5 games to move on to the next round, a challenge, but not impossible.