Another Jerome Gambit Practice Tournament (Part 9)

Here is another example of tactics winning the day in a complicated Jerome Gambit position.

LemonOtter42 - KevinOSh

Jerome Gambit Practice Tournament, Chess.com, 2023

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

4...Kxf7 5.d3

This "modern" version of the Jerome was LemonOtter's choice of opening line in each of his games with White in this tournament.

5...d6 6.Ng5+ 

This check is tempting, but does not lead to anything. The Database has 147 game examples, with White scoring 26%.

6...Kf8 

6...Ke8 might have been better. See below.

7.Nc3 h6 8.Nf3 Bg4 

The game has gotten away from White. Moreover, there are complications ahead, and whoever does better with them will get the full point.

9.Nd5 Nd4 

The Knight is not as secure as Black thinks. White can now play 10.Nxd4, as 10...Bxd1 can be met by the fork 11.Ne6+. (Black does best with 10...Qh4.)

10.b4 c6 11.bxc5 

11...cxd5 

First Black should have played 11...Bxf3 12.gxf3 and then 12...cxd5 because this move could have been met by 12.Nxd4.

12.exd5 dxc5 

Again, first 12...Bxf3. 

13.h3 Bxf3 14.gxf3 Qxd5 

Black now finishes up.

15.c3 Qxf3 16.cxd4 Qxh1+ 17.Kd2 Qxd1+ 18.Kxd1 exd4 

19.Ba3 b6 20.f4 g5 21.fxg5 hxg5 22.Kc2 Rxh3 23.Rf1+ Kg7 

24.Rf5 Kg6 25.Re5 Nf6 26.Re6 Re8 27.Rd6 Re2+ 28.Kb3 Rxd3+ 29.Ka4 Rxa2 30.Rc6 Rdxa3+ 31.Kb5 Rb2+ 32.Kc4 Rc3 checkmate