Jerome Gambit: Loyal Opposition

Even after 78 games where I faced the Jerome Gambit myself (instead of playing it), scoring 86% in the process, it still feels a bit odd to find myself playing as Black.

Knowing the attack helps me prepare the defense.

Matheus - perrypawnpusher

Wal2010's 3rd Thematic, Chess.com, 2026

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ Kxf7 5.d3 

A "modern" Jerome Gambit, versus 5.Nxe5+, the "classical" variation chosen by Alonzo Wheeler Jerome.

5...Nf6 6.Ng5+ 

I have faced alternatives

6.O-O as in drewbear - perrypawnpusher, Jerome Gambit 3 thematic, chessworld.net, 2008 (0-1, 22); 

6.Nxe5+ as in mika76 - perrypawnpusher, GameKnot.com, 2008 (1-0, 32); 

6.c3 as in Gary_Seven - perrypawnpusher, Jerome Gambit 3 thematic, ChessWorld.net,  2008 (0-1, 30); 

6.Bg5 as in slp011- perrypawnpusher, Chess.com, 2024 (0-1, 8); and

6.Nc3 as in LithuaniaS - perrypawnpusher,  Jerome Gambit Classic #1, Chess.com, 2024 (0-1, 6) 

6...Kg8 

Or 6...Ke8 as in madmadmal - perrypawnpusher, blitz,FICS, 2009 (0-1, 53) 

7.f3 

Again, I have faced other lines

7.c3 as in RattyMouse - perrypawnpusher, blitz,FICS, 2009 (1-0, 31); 

7.Nc3 d6 8.Nd5 h6 9.Nxf6+ Qxf6 10.h4 Qxf2 checkmate, as in eliadr - perrypawnpusher, Chess.com, 2024; and

7.Be3 as in bushytail - perrypawnpusher, blitz,FICS, 2008 (1/2-1/2, 50) and ce_1 - perrypawnpusher, Chess.com, 2024 (0-1, 25). 

7...d6 

After the game, Stockfish 17.1 assessed Black's position as being better by about 4 3/4 pawns.

Does that shake my faith in the Jerome?

Nah.

8.Nc3 h6 9.h4 

Wow. This guy is not holding anything back.

9...hxg5 10.Bxg5 Be6 

It is nice to have the two extra pieces for a pawn for a change.

11.Nd5 

An alternate idea is 11.Qd2 followed by 12.O-O-O.

11...Bxd5 12.exd5 Ne7 13.c4 c6 14.Qd2 cxd5 15.cxd5 

15...Qb6 16.Bxf6 gxf6 17.g4 

White's hopes are with a Kingside pawn storm, but he is missing something...

17...Bb4 18.Qxb4 Qxb4+ 19.Kf1 Qxb2  20.Re1 

20...Rc8 21.Re2 Rc2 22.Rhh2 Rxe2 

Missing the fun 22...Rxh4.

23.Rxe2 Qb1+ 24.Kf2 Qxd3 White resigned