Jerome Gambit: Jerome Pawn Overreach

Sometimes the "Jerome pawns" are helpful, either in attack or defense.

Sometimes they overreach, and become vulnerable, as does the King that takes shelter behind them.

perrypawnpusher - vkar33

Jerome Gambit Classic #1, Chess.com, 2024

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ke6 

7.f4 Nh6 

A relatively rare move, according to The Database, which gives White the advantage.

8.Qxe5+ Kf7 9.Qxc5 Re8 10.O-O d6 11.Qe3 Kg8 

Black's King is safe before a dozen moves have been played, something that can not be said about all Jerome Gambits. The cost is being down a couple of pawns, however.

12.d4 d5 13.e5 Nf5 14.Qd3 b6 

15.g4 Nh6 16.h3 Qh4 17.Qf3 c6 

Black is not impressed with White's broad pawn center, and plans to move around it.

18.Be3 

After the game, Stockfish 16.1 expressed a dislike for this move, preferring 18.Bd2. It took me a while to find out why.

18...Bxg4 

Returning material to open up White's King.

19.hxg4 Nxg4 20.Rf2 

In the Chess.com automated review of the game, the computer was delighted with this move. In contrast, Stockfish's reaction was more of a meh. The point is that there is more going on than just returning the exchange.

20...Nxf2 

Neither I nor my opponent saw: 20...Re6!? 21.Nc3 Rh6 22.Nd1 Nxf2 23.Bxf2 Qh2+ 24.Kf1 Rf8 25.Bg3 Qxc2 26.Nf2 Qxb2 27.Re1 Qd4 with a very dynamic equality.

21.Bxf2 Qe7 22.f5 

Opens things up too much. Better was 22.c4, with advantage.

22...Qg5+ 23.Kh2 Qc1 24.Qc3 Qh6+ 25.Qh3 Qc1 

It looks like my opponent is about as "happy" with his position as I am.

26.Qc3 Qh6+ 27.Qh3 Qc1 28.Qc3 Draw by repetition