Jerome Gambit: Sidelined?

The following game is an interesting example of a Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ ) where White's Queen appears to wander off and then be cut off from the scene of the action - without any negative consequences, as a defender's error empowers the attacker.

Wall, Bill - Victorius

internet, 2023

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ng6 

7.Qxc5 d6 8.Qa3 

Bill likes to experiment. More usual is 8.Qe3.

I was surprised to see that The Database has 208 games with 8.Qa3, with White scoring 43%. Of late, Carlos_Ricardo at the lichess.org site has played the line the most - 164 times.

8...N8e7 

An interesting development choice. Had he played 8...Nf6, instead, White would probably have had to play 9.d3, possibly stranding the Queen on her side of the board.

9.O-O Re8 10.Nc3 Kg8 

Black has castled-by-hand and has the advantage. What will he do with it?

11.f4 Nxf4

Incomprehensible. White is now better.

12.Rxf4 Rf8 13.Qb3+ d5 14.d3 Be6 

15.Rxf8+ Qxf8 16.Qxb7 

I was impressed to see that White could afford this pawn grab.

16...dxe4 17.Qxe4 

No longer in exile!

17...Nf5 

A slip.

18.Qxe6+ Black resigned