Jerome Gambit: Have A Plan

One way of getting past the nagging little problem that the Jerome Gambit is actually a refuted opening is to have a plan, even as your opponent stalls in his resistance.

It helps if the time limit is fast, too, as in the following bullet game.

TColbert - PorkBun0

1 0 bullet, lichess.org, 2025

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nc6 3. Nf3 Bc5 4.Bxf7+

4...Kxf7 5.h4 

This is a creative line in the Jerome Gambit, in this case, headed toward a delayed "Face Palm" variation. The move was looked at a few years ago in "Jerome Gambit: Smash!"

5...Qf6 6.Ng5+ 

Having said "A", White says "B".

6...Kf8 7.O-O h6 8.Nf3 Nge7 

White is behind in development, but he at least has the safer King.

He could use a little help, however.

9.c3 d5 10.d4 Bb6 11.exd5 Nxd5 

12.dxe5 Nxe5 

Ah, yes, remember: this is a 1-minute game.

13.Qxd5 

Now Black can bail out of this breakout by White, into an even game, with 13...Nxf3+ 14.Qxf3 Qxf3 15.gxf3. 

13...Ke8 14.Re1 White won on time

Black is losing a piece, too.