Jerome Gambit: The Counter-Jerome Gambit Returns

Black's psychological counter to the Jerome Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+) changes the nature of the game, but it does not change the outcome.

It takes more than just a surprise to defeat Bill Wall - and Bill was not surprised.

Wall, Bill - Naren

SparkChess, 2024

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ g6 7.Qxe5 

Black can now play 7...d6, Blackburne's variation, or 7...Qe7, Whistler's variation.

Instead, he opts for the Counter-Jerome Gambit.

7...Bxf2+

As mentioned in "Jerome Gambit: Still Waters Run Deep"

The "Counter-Jerome Defense" or the "Counter-Jerome Gambit". See "Jerome Gambit: How Bad Has It Gotten?", "Jerome Gambit: Tactical Awareness" and "Jerome Gambit: Be Careful, Look Both Ways".

For more recent examples, see "Nobody Expects the Jerome Gambit (Part 3)" and "Jerome Gambit: Psychology".

Checking The Database, there are 638 games with this sacrifice. Alas, Black scores 30%.

8.Kxf2 Qf6+ 9.Qxf6+ Nxf6 

The capture with the Knight is stronger than 9...Kxf6, as was seen in Wall,B - Kumar, internet, 2024 (1-0, 22).

Black has the satisfaction of having liquidated White's attack, although he is now down a pawn, instead of up a piece or two. 

10.Nc3 

Earlier Bill tried the bold 10.Kf3 and still succeeded, in Wall,B - Guest4380606, PlayChess.com, 2015 (1-0, 15). 

10...b6 

A bit better was 10...d6, seen in Wall,B - SCMJ, FICS 2020 (1-0, 24). 

11.Rf1 Ba6 12.d3 Kg7 13.Bg5 Rhf8 14.Ke2 

With the Queens off of the board, White's King is about as safe on e2 as it would be on g1. If play reaches the endgame, the position would be beneficial.

14...Ng4 

Developing either of his Rooks or protecting the d5 square with 14...d6 looks a bit better.

15.h3 Ne5 16.Nd5 c6 

Overlooking the fact that the Bishop had to retreat to b7.

17.Nc7 Bb7 18.Nxa8 Rxa8 19.Bf6+ Black resigned

Black will lose his Knight, being a Rook down.