Jerome Gambit: Worry Begats Distraction?

If I were to guess about the following game, I would say that Black was surprised that a move that he had prepared against, was, nonetheless played against him; and this had an adverse effect on his following move, and, thus, the game.

Bill Wall shows himself to be a bit of a practical psychologist with his play.

Wall, Bill - Bose

SparkChess, 2025

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.d4 

There are almost 4,400 games with this position in The Database, going back to Jerome - Norton, correspondence, 1876 (unfinished).

6...d6 

By contrast, this practical way of dealing with the pawn attack on two pieces - let White decide which one he wants, Black will save the other - appears in only 108 games in The Database, with the earliest being in 2003.

7.dxc5 Bg4

More frequently seen is 7...Nf6, which Bill has scored 6 - 1 - 1 against. 

The idea behind the text can be seen if White reacts by blocking the Bishop with 8.f3, because 8...Qh4+ would then displace the King, leaving it unable to castle.

However, Bill has something other in mind.

8.Qd5+ 

This Queen check raises the same question that we have seen when Black's light-squared Bishop is at home - Is the response ...Be6, giving up the b-pawn, a good idea? Should the developed Bishop be called back?

8...Ke7 

Instead, 8...Be6 9.Qxb7 was seen in Wall,B - Guest8860423, PlayChess.com 2019 (1-0, 46). Stockfish 16.1 prefers the block by the Bishop. 

Bill has also faced 8...Ke8 in Wall,B - MLVD, internet, 2021 (1-0, 14).

9.Qxb7 Nf6 10.Nc3 dxc5 

This is an interesting position. White has two pawns for his sacrificed piece. His Queen risks being out of play. Black's King is not safe.

The computer sees the position as equal. I suspect that most Jerome Gambit players would prefer playing White.

11.Bg5 Rf8

Reinforcing the Knight.

I think Black would have been happy with his piece play after 11...Rb8 12.Qxa7 Qd6 13.f3 Be6 14.Rd1 Qc6.

12.Nd5+ 

Anyway.

12...Ke8

Black decides to let his Queen protect the Knight, and retires his King (to an unfortunate square). Instead, he could have held on to his slight advantage with 12...Kf7.

The text move drops a Rook.

13.Nxc7+ Kf7 14.Nxa8+ Bd7 

White's 14th move comes with check, thanks to where Black's King placement.

15.Nc7 

15...h6 16.Bxf6 Qxf6 17.Qd5+ Kg6 18.O-O-O 

White is the exchange and three pawns ahead.

Black's compensation is minimal.

18...Rc8 19.Qxc5 Be6 20.Rd6 Nd7 21.Qa5 Black resigned

Black's Bishop is at risk, and exchanging it off - with 21...Qf4+ 22.Qd2 Qxd2+ 23.Kxd2 Rxc7 22.Rxe6+ - or protecting it - with 21...Nf8 22.Nxe6 Nxe6 23.Qd5 Kf7 - leaves his game with poor prospects.