Jerome Gambit: Assistance

As is often the case, the Jerome Gambit benefits from any assistance given by the defender. 

So do lines related to the Jerome, as in the following game.

ZeKnightRider - skvoretc

5 0 blitz, lichess.org, 2024

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Na5 

First looked at on this blog in "Offside!", 16 years ago.

White can now simply play 4.Nxe5, or simply 4.Be2, but he want to apply the Jerome treatment.  

4.Bxf7+ Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Ke7 

Or 5...Ke6 6.d4 d6 7.Qg4+ Ke7 8.Qg5+ Nf6 9.Nf3 Nc6 and White is a bit better.

And 5...Ke8 can be met by the thematic 6.Qh5+ g6 7.Nxg6.

6.Qf3 

Somewhat stronger is 6.d4, but White is thinking about a knockout blow.  

6...Nf6 7.Nc3 

7...d6 8.Nd5+ 

It is interesting that 8.d4!? was a good move here, as 8...dxe5 (9...Ke8 or 9...Qe8 could be tried) 9.dxe5 9...N-moves is met by 10.Bg5+. Better is 9...Rg8!? when White can grab the Knight with 10.exf6 or build the pressure with 10.Bg5.  

8...Ke6 

Of course, dodging 8...Nxd5 9.Qf7 checkmate, but missing White's next move, nonetheless. 

Instead, 8...Ke8 would leave White searching for a followup. There is nothing in 9.Nd3 Nxd5 10.exd5 Qe7+, 9.Nxf6+ Qxf6, or  9.d4 dxe5 10.dxe5 Nxd5. 

9.Qf5 checkmate