Jerome Gambit: Kings in Danger

The following game shows both Kings in danger, and only one of them was able to escape. Fortunately, it was mine.

ce_1 - perrypawnpusher

Jerome Classic #1, Chess.com, 2024

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.d3 

A "modern" variation of the Jerome, as opposed to the "classical" 5.Nxe5 that Alonzo Wheeler Jerome played.

5...Nf6 6.Ng5+

Recently seen in LemonOtter42 - Chioborra  Jerome Gambit Practice Tournament, Chess.com, 2023 (1-0, 24), LemonOtter42 - KevinOSh, Jerome Gambit Practice Tournament, Chess.com, 2023 (0-1, 32), and NNN_1 - Shustruy, internet, 2022 (1/2-1/2, 30).

Overall, I have faced this move 5 times, scoring 3 - 1 - 1.

The Database shows 1,107 games with 5.Ng5+. White scores 36%.

6...Kg8 

At 30 ply, Stockfish 15.1 evaluates this move and 6...Ke8 as the same. An example of 6...Ke8 is madmadmal - perrypawnpusher, blitz, FICS, 2009 (0-1, 53). 

7.Be3 

Using the idea of 7.c3 h6 8.Qb3+, RattyMouse out-played me - see RattyMouse - perrypawnpusher, 3 0 blitz, FICS, 2009}(1-0, 31) 

7...d6 

Years ago, I exchanged Bishops, 7...Bxe3 8.fxe3 in bushytail - perrypawnpusher, blitz, FICS,2008 (1/2-1/2, 50). 

8.Bxc5 dxc5 9.c3 

Guarding the d4 square and preparing for a Queen check along the a2-g8 diagonal.

10...h6 

A rather clueless choice on my part. A better idea was 9...c4 block that dangerous diagonal, and if 10.d4, then 10...h6. Instead, 10.dxc4 Qxd1+ 11.Kxd1 would not help White a bit.

10.Qb3+ Nd5 

Am I tricky, or what? This move is best, but it reflects upon the uncomfortable position I had put myself in.

11.exd5 

Underestimating me, or the position. The right way was 11.Qxd5+ Qxd5 12.exd5 with a small edge. 

11...Qxg5 

My turn to fumble my chances. 

After the game, Stockfish 16.1 recommended 11...Na5 12.Qa4 Qxg5 13.Nd2 (If 13.Qxa5, Qc1+) b6 (saving the dim Knight, not grabbing the g-pawn) 14.Ne4 Qf5 15.O-O Bd7 16.Qc2 Nb7 17.Ng3 Qf7 18.Rae1 Qxd5 19.f4 exf4 20.Ne2 f3 21.Nf4 Qf7 22.Rxf3 Re8 23.Rxe8+ Bxe8 24.Qe2 Nd6 and Black would have been better.

All a bit beyond me.

12.dxc6+ Kh7 

13.Qd5 

Instead, 13.cxb7 Bxb7 was risky, but  13.O-O would have been prudent, and would have kept things in balance. 

With the text, White protects his g-pawn and advanced c-pawn, but leaves his own King at risk.

13...Qc1+ 14.Ke2 Qxh1 15.Qe4+ g6 16.cxb7 Bxb7 17.Qxb7

White has a pawn for the exchange, but his Knight and Rook are unfortunately placed, so, even given his raggedy pawn structure, Black is better. 

I wish, during the game, that I was as confident as the computer, after the game. White's Queen continued with her threats.

17...Rac8 18.Qd5 

Threatening checkmate at f7.

18...Rhf8 19.Qd7+ Kh8 20.Qh3 

 20...h5 

Also okay was 20...Kh7, but I was concerned about 21.Qd7+ Kg8 22.Qh3 Kh7 23.Qd7+ and a possible draw by repetition.

After the game, the computer pointed out that after 22.Qh3, Black would have had 23...Rxf2+!? 24.Kxf2 Rf8+, when White would have had to give up his Queen with 25.Qf3, since all other moves would allow checkmate. After that, Black's Queen would dominate White's Rook and Knight, while gathering in some pawns.

21.Qg3 Kh7 22.b3 Qc1 23.Qxe5

A final slip. 

23...Rce8 24.Qxe8 Rxe8+ 25.Kf3 g5 White resigned

Checkmate is on the horizon.