Jerome Gambit: Once More, Danger on the f-File

The following game illustrates the danger that rides along the f-file, toward the defender's King. 

Even if it takes a tempo, shuffling the King one way or the other is more likely to help survival.

If not, the game can end quickly.

angelcamina - ObaHube

1 0 bullet, lichess.org, 2025

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ng6 

7.Qd5+ Kf8 8.Qxc5+ N8e7 9.O-O 

angelcamina has reached this position 21 times previously, and from here he played 9.O-O 19 times. The other two games he played 9.Qe3

Stockfish 16.1 (32 ply) prefers 9.f4 right away.

9...d6 10.Qe3 Bd7 

Black's play is passive. Possibly he is not familiar with the Jerome Gambit, and so misses the thematic 10...d5. 

11.f4 Qc8 

This looks like Black is taking steps against the possible advance of White's f-pawn, but this is ineffetive. Better, reaching the center, is 11...c5.

Remember this is a 1-minute game, and there is not a lot of time for positional analysis.

12.f5 Ne5 

Sacrificing a piece for two pawns with either 12...Nxf5 13.exf5 Bxf5 or 12...Bxf5 13.exf5 Nxf5 would fall to 14.g4.

The defending King is on the dangerous f-file, facing the Rook. 

13.d4 Nc4 

Active, but the alternative, 13...Nf7, would have offered his monarch more shelter. 

14.Qb3 b5 15.Bg5 Qb7

Black's Queen snipes at the enemy center. This overlooks the coming danger. 15...h6 16.Bxe7+ Kxe7 would at least get the King out of the line of fire. 

16.f6 Nc6

The Knight abandons his King, and allows a forced checkmate. It is understandable that Black shies away from 16...gxf6 17.Rxf6+ but that was his "best" choice.

17.fxg7+ Kxg7 18.Qg3 

The threat of discovered check intensifies the problem.

18...h5 19.Bf6+ Kh6 20.Qg7 checkmate