Another Jerome Gambit Practice Tournament (Part 10)

Of the following game, it can be said that Black was doing very well - until he wasn't.

Sharp openings like the Jerome Gambit can be like that.

Chioborra - LemonOtter42

Jerome Gambit Practice Tournament, Chess.com, 2023

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+

4... Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ke6 

7.Qh3+ 

This was looked at in Yury V. Bukayev's posts "JG: The New (Parts 1, 2 & 3)",

7...Kd6 8.Nc3 Qf6 9.O-O 

The alternative, 9.d4, was suggested by Yury V. Bukayev in the post  "JG: The New (Part 3)".

9...Ne7 10.d3 

White goes for solid play.

He had more aggression in 10.d4, if only because 10...Bxd4 11.Nb5+ Kc5 12.Nxd4 Kxd4 would then lead to checkmate: 13.Qe3+ Kc4 14.a4 Nf3+ 15.gxf3 Qd4 16.Qa3 Qxe4 17.fxe4 Kd4 18.Qb4+ Ke5 19.Qxe7+ Kd4 20.Be3+ Kc4 21.Qc5#.

The Database has 3 other games with 9...Ne7, but all continue 10.Nb5+.

10...Kc6 11.Be3 Bxe3 12.fxe3 Qg5 

Black has an extra two pieces to compensate for his lost two pawns.

13.d4 d6 14.d5+ Kc5 15.Qg3 Ng4 

After White's inaccuracy at move 10, Black should have taken the money and run - exchanged Queens and pressed on in a Queenless middlegame.

16.Qe1 Qh4 

Oh.

An idea that works in the position: 16...Qxe3+ 17.Qxe3 Nxe3. 

An idea that does not work in the position: 16...Qh5 (still with the checkmate threat) 16...Qh5 17.b4+ Kb6 18.Na4+ Kb5 19.c4+ Kxc4 20.Qe2+ Kxb4 21.Rab1+ Ka3 22.Qb2+ Kxa4 23.Qb4#.

17.Qxh4 

The game is pretty much over after the Queen is lost.

Tactical maniacs might point out that it wasn't even necessary to take Her Majesty, as there was a forced checkmate similar to the one above: 17.b4+ Kb6 18.Na4+ Kb5 19.c4+ Kxc4 20.Qe2+ Kxb4 21.Rab1+ Ka3 22.Rb3+ Kxa4 23.Qb5#. 

17...Ng6 18.Qe1 Rf8 19.Qe2 a6 20.Rxf8 Nxf8 21.Rf1 Ng6 22.Na4+ Kb4 23.a3+ Kxa4 24.Qc4+ Ka5 25.Qb4 checkmate