Jerome Gambit: No Need to Harass the Queen

Black is doing well in the following game, until he begins to underestimate his opponent, and overestimate the enemy Queen.

Too much attention is given to the wrong places.

Wall, Bill - Sisus

SparkChess, 2025

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.d4 

Black has a number of possible responses here. He can play the bold 6...Qh4!? (if he knows what he is doing), he can play the thematic 6...d5!? (ditto), he can play the subtle 6...Bb4+ 7.c3 Be7, he can play the logical 6...Bxd4 - or he can play something else.

6...Bd6 

Something else: Two pieces are threatened, so, save the Bishop, then capture the pawn that captures the Knight.

7.dxe5 Bxe5 

According to plan, but 7...Bb4+ 8.c3 Be7 (or the simple 7...Be7) was the way to go.

When you draw an incorrect conclusion about the Jerome Gambit - it is a "refuted" opening, so it has no dangers - you can become sloppy in choosing moves.

8.Qd5+ Kf8 9.Qxe5 Nf6 

Black sigh a sigh of relief: he has a quite position and is only a pawn behind.

Alas, even that assessment is misleading.

10.Nc3 d6 11.Qa5 b6 

Swatting at the annoying Queen.

12.Qb5 Bd7 

Again.

13.Qc4 b5 

One too many.

14.Nxb5 d5 15.Qc5+ 

Side-stepping.

15...Kf7 16.Nxc7 Nxe4 

It is easy to find bad moves in a bad position.

17.Qxd5+ Kf6 18.Nxa8 Black resigned