Jerome Gambit: When Opportunity Knocks

When opportunity knocks, it is best to answer.

Black's slip on his 7th move was the first knock.

His tumble on the 17the move was the final knock.

The door to checkmate was then opened.

JeromeGambitOnly - nicovpaterakis

5 3 blitz, lichess.org, 2020

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ke6 

7.f4 Ng6 

It is possible that Black just mixed up defensive ideas here.

Best was the Annoying Defense, 7...d6 8.fxe5 dxe5, the vexation of many Jerome Gambit players (see 1 and 2 for starters).

8.Qxc5 d6 9.Qc4+ 

White also has the pawn fork 9.f5+, i.e. 9...Kd7 10.Qb5+ c6 11.Qe2 Ne5 12.d4 Nf7 13.O-O with a better game.

9...Ke7 10.Nc3 Nxf4 

Black can take this pawn, as long as he defends well afterward.

11.O-O Be6 12.Nd5+ Nxd5 13.exd5 

Black is up a piece and a pawn.

White has some compensation, in terms of open lines against the enemy King.

13...Bd7 

Blame it on blitz.

The correct retreat for the Bishop was the other way, 13...Bf7, when White would have to work to keep the game in hand. 

Stockfish 16.1 suggests 14.b3 Kf8 15.Bb2 h5 (15...Nf6 16.Rxf6!? gxf6 17.Qf4 Kg8 18.Bxf6 Qd7 19.Bc3 Re8 20.Qg5+ Bg6 21.Rf1 White is better) 16.Rae1 Nf6 17.Qf4 Kg8 18.Re3 h4 19.h3 Rh6 20.Qxh6!? gxh6 21.Bxf6 Qf8 22.Bxh4 Qg7 23.Rg3 Bg6 24.Rf6 Kh7 25.c4 a6 26.Rgxg6 Qxg6 27.Rxg6 Kxg6 and Black has the exchange for two pawns.

14.Qe4+ Be6 15.Qxe6 checkmate