Jerome Gambit: With Flair

In the following game, White has a minute to win it - and does so with flair.

angelcamina - EKrake

1 0 bullet, lichess.org, 2024

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Nc3 Bc5 5.Bxf7+ 

The Italian Four Knights Jerome Gambit.

4...Kxf7 6.Nxe5+ Nxe5 7.d4 Bxd4 8.Qxd4 Qe7 

Black's Queen protects his Knight and will pressure White's e-pawn.

9. O-O Nc6 10.Qc4+ Kg6 

This move is too risky. Athough Stockfish 16.1 shows that after 10...Kg6 Black's advantage drops to 0.00 - an even game - there are practical disadvantages.

A safety-first move might have been 10...Qe6. 

11.f4 Rd8 

It can be tempting for a defender to conclude that the Jerome Gambit is so reckless that there is plenty of time to respond effectively.

In this case, thought, the Rook move combined with the previous King move leads to a forced loss for Black.

12.f5+ Kh5 13.Qe2+ 

Now, if Black makes the right move, he only faces a checkmate in 13 moves.

13...Kh4 

There is no way out for Black's King.

14.g3+ Kh3 15.Qg2+ Kg4 16.f4+ Kh5 17.Rh4 checkmate