Jerome Gambit: Open, Occupy and Control the f-File

In the following game, Bill Wall shows that he can take the essential parts of the Jerome Gambit and, patiently, put them together for the win.

Wall, Bill - Irene

internet, 2024

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Kf8 

7.Qxe5 d6 8.Qc3 Qf6 9.O-O Ne7 

Black declines to exchange Queens, as happened in Wall,B - Guest10254637, PlayChess.com, 2014 (1-0, 38).

10.Qd3 Bd7 11.Nc3 Rd8 12.Qe2 a6 13.d3 

The game has reached an educational position.

Black has an extra piece for two pawns. He has better development. 

On the other hand, White knows the Jerome Gambit. He knows that the f-file is important, starting with the fact that his Rook is on the same file as Black's Queen and King. This is where the play will come.

13...h5 14.Kh1 g5 

Black hopes to hold back the advance of White's f-pawn, but only makes the move stronger. 

15.Be3 Ke8 16.f4 Bxe3 17.Qxe3 gxf4 18.Rxf4 

18...Qg7 

The time that Black has taken to readjust his pieces has been used by his opponent to open, occupy, and control the f-file.

19.Nd5 Rg8 

Black's threat reminds me of a conversation I had with a friendly opponent, many years ago. "I was winning..." he said. "Right up to the point where I checkmated you," I continued.

Necessary was 19...Rc8, When Stockfish 15.1 suggests a split point with 20.Raf1 Nxd5 21.exd5+ Kd8 22.Rf7 Qe5 23.Qf2 Qg5 24.h4 Qg6 25.Rf6 Qg7 26.Rf7 Qg6, etc.

20.Nxc7 checkmate.