Jerome Gambit: Typical Jerome Fashion

Every time I play a tedious Jerome Gambit - see the latest, in Jerome Gambit: It Can Take A While (Part 1) - I like to play over a sparkling miniature, like the following game, to remind me how the opening is supposed to go.

Wall, Bill - Docteur

internet, 2024

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ke6 

7.f4 Qf6 

Bill has faced this defense before. (That is not suprising: he is approaching 1,600 games in The Database.) His record against 7...Qf6 is 15 - 0 - 1. 

8.Rf1 Ng6 

Sometimes defenders have no idea what to do against the Jerome Gambit, and they succumb quickly.

Other times, defenders realize that they have to return a piece (or two), but they choose less effective means. Here, Black had 8...d6 9.fxe5 Qg6 as a way out - but that idea appears only 3 times in earlier games in The Database.

9.Qxc5 

Because of the precarious position of Black's King, White's two pawns almost balance Black's extra piece.

9...d6 

This would have been more effective a move ago.

Also: 9...Qh4+ 10.g3 Qxh2 11.f5+ Kf7 12.fxg6+ Kxg6 13.Qf5+ Kh6 14.d3+ Black resigned, in Wall,B - Iguo, internet, 2021. 

10.Qxc7 Nxf4 

Asking for trouble. Better was 10...N6e7, although White would still be on top. 

11.d4 Nxg2+

Things fall apart after this, in typical Jerome fashion.

12.Ke2 Qxd4 13.Qf7+ Ke5 14.Rf5+ Kxe4 15.Nc3+ 

Black resigned

It will be checkmate after 15...Qxc3 16.Qd5#