Jerome Gambit: Taking His Time

The following game is another example of patient play by Bill Wall, withthe Jerome Gambit - he can afford to move slowly, waiting for his opportunity.

Wall, Bill - Hell

internet, 2024

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ng6 

7.Qd5+

Stockfish 16.1 evaluates this move as almost 1/2 pawn better than the direct capture of the Bishop. 

7...Ke8 8.Qxc5 d6 

An interesting alternative "kick" of the Queen was 8...b6 9.Qc3 Qf6 10.Qxc7 Nf4 11.O-O Ne7 12.d4 Ne2+ 13.Kh1 Rf8 14.Be3 Kf7 15.Qc4+ Black resigned, Wall,B - NRKD, internet, 2013. 

9.Qa3

Bill likes to experiment. More main line was 9...Qe3.

9...Qg5 

Reacting aggressively. Black keeps pace for another 15 moves before stumbling. 

Bill has also seen 9...Nf6 in Wall, B - Guest2360621, PlayChess.com, 2013 and 9...Ne5 in Wall,B - Guest558550, PlayChess.com, 2021 (1-0, 20). 

10.Qf3 N8e7 

A little stronger was 10...Nf6, but he wants to bring his Rook over. 

11.O-O Rf8 12.d3 

In turn, attacking the enemy Queen.

12...Qh4 13.Qe2 Bg4 14.f3 Bd7 

Attacker and defender appear to have changed roles.

15.Nc3 Nf4 16.Bxf4 Qxf4 17.d4 Rf6 18.Rad1 Rh6 19.g3 Qf6 

White's defense continues to hold.

Black still has an extra piece for two extra pawns - if only he could castle now. 

20.Nd5 

Unfolding some more with 20.f4 was also possible, but Bill wants to target the enemy King. 

20...Nxd5 21.exd5+ Kf7 22.Rfe1 Re8 

23.Qc4 Rxe1+ 24.Rxe1 Qg5

Giving White his chance.

25.Qxc7 Qf5 26.g4 

This must have come as a shock to Black - White's fragile Kingside strikes.

26...Rg6 27.Kf2 Rxg4 

Black is skeptical.

28.Re6 

The only move to keep the advantage, but it is a stunner.

28...h6 

Best was 28...Kg8, but it falls to 29.Qd8+ Qf8 30.Qxd7 and now 30...Rf4 can be met by 31.Re8. Ouch.

29.Qxd7+ Kg8 30.Re8+ Black resigned

Checkmate is on its way.