Jerome Gambit: Even A Single Trap?

Long ago - 16 1/2 years (see "Junk Openings"), National and FIDE Master Dennis Monokroussos, philosopher at Notre Dame University, pondered "Is there even a single trap for Black to fall into in the Jerome Gambit?"

Although a bit late, the following game is one answer.

Wall, Bill - Dasasary

SparkChess, 2025

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.d4 Bxd4 7.Qxd4 d6 8.O-O Nf6 

Seen as early as Jerome - Shinkman, Iowa, 1876 (1/2-1/2, 41 ).

9.f4 Nc6 10.Qd1 

Something new for Bill. Three times before, he has chosen 10.Qd3. 

10...Re8 11.Nc3 Kg8 12.f5

Setting a trap.

12...Nxe4 

Falling in. 

13.Nxe4 Rxe4 14.Qd5+

14...Re6 

A sad necessity. 

15.fxe6 Qe7 16.Bg5 Qxe6 

If he was going to capture the pawn, using the Bishop was better.

17.Rae1 

Offering his Queen.

17...Ne5 

Only the sad 17...Nd4 would hold off an upcoming checkmate.

18.Rxe5 Black resigned

Neither of White's major pieces can be captured, and checkmate is still on the horizon.

Q.E.D.