Jerome Gambit: Partial Solution

In the following Jerome Gambit game, the second player starts with one of the strongest defenses, but only completes part of it. 

This gives the first player time to execute his attack and produce a miniature.

Chicco79 - Satkhan1

5 0 blitz, lichess.org, 2025

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ g6 7.Qxe5 Qe7 

As I noted back in "Flaws (Part II)"

Black has a stronger [than 7...d6] counter-attack here, starting with 7...Qe7! as Jerome discovered to his dismay in the games of his correspondence match with Lt. G. N. Whistler, secretary of the Lexington, Kentucky Chess Club, in 1876.

 8.Qxh8 

Taking the Rook can be dangerous for White, if Black knows the correct follow-up. He does - for a while.

8...Qxe4+ 9.Kf1 b6 

Black plans to add his light-squared Bishop to the attack on the enemy King.

However, this gives White time to even the game and fight for a draw, by demonstrating the vulnerability of Black's King.

10.Qxh7+ Kf8 11.d3 Ba6 

If either - or both - players wanted to split the point, there is 11...Qd4 12.Be3 Qxb2 13.Bh6+ Nxh6 14.Qxh6+ Ke7 15.Qh7+ Kd8 16.Qg8+ Ke7 17.Qh7+ etc,  draw 

Instead, Black pins the annoying d-pawn, increasing the pressure.

However, there is time for White to perform the same exchange of pieces as in the note - only this time, for advantage.

12.Nc3 Qf5 13.Bh6+ 

13...Ke8 

Not much better is 13...Nxh6 14.Qxh6+ Kg8 15.Qd2 when White's Queen has returned home, ahead two pawns and the exchange. 

14.Re1+ Ne7 

Only the sad 14...Kd8 15.Qxg8+ Bf8 16.Qxf8+ Qxf8 17.Bxf8 avoids checkmate. 

White now has a choice of checkmates. 

Which one would you pick?

15.Ne4 

Or 15.Qg8+ Qf8 16.Qxf8 checkmate. 

Or 15.Qh8+ Kf7 16.Qg7+ Ke8 17.Qg8+ Qf8 18.Qxf8 checkmate 

15...d5 16.Nxc5 bxc5 17.Qxe7 checkmate