Jerome Gambit: I Don't Know

Although I am (allegedly) a smart person, I have no problem saying "I don't know" when something is beyond my knowledge.

About the following Jerome Gambit game, I have to say: I don't know.

perrypawnpusher - HopInThePonyTakeThe Candy

Chess.com, 2026

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ 

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.d4 

I played 6.Qh5+ in my previous game against the same opponent.

6...Qf6 

This is the first time I have faced this move. 

There are 238 games in The Database with 6...Qf6. White scores 53%

7.dxc5 d6 8.O-O 

Let the defender grab the pawn, King safety is more important.

8...Nh6 

There was nothing wrong with 8...dxc5.

Now that my King is safe...

9.cxd6 cxd6 

10.Qd5+ 

Hoping to create some mischief on the light diagonals.

10...Ke7

I do not think that I was impressing my opponent. If he were taking me seriously, then I would see 10...Qe6 here. 

11.Nc3 Nhg4 

Starting an attack on my King.

12.h3

This move does not get the bull off of the ice, as my Fritz chess program once griped. (Was that my Talking Fritz? That thing really criticized my play.)

More to the point is 12.f4 and then, after 12...Nc6, 13.h3.

12...h6 

The world is a busy place, and often it intrudes. Chess for amateurs is for spare time, and must give way to more serious tasks. Even phone calls can disrupt.

Especially when facing the "refuted" Jerome Gambit.

I do not know the motivation behind Black's move. Perhaps he intended 12...h5.

Instead, he had an escape with 12...Nf3+ 13.gxf3 Ne5 14.f4 Qg6+ 15.Kh1 Qh5 16.fxe5 Qxh3+ 17.Kg1 Qg4+ 18.Kh2 Qh4+ 19.Kg2 Qg4+ and there will be a draw by repetion. 

13.hxg4 

Why not?

13...Bxg4 

Allowing me to try a cheapo. 

14.Qxb7+ Bd7 

Already on to better things. 

15.Nd5+ Black resigned

An ending fitting for the Jerome Gambit.