I think I played well above my usual standard in this game. Feel free to point out my glaring howlers but constructive criticism would be much more appreciated.

Sorry about the early annotations being in the wrong places but they don't seem to want to get edited.

Well played. Your opponent played you as he was waiting for you to blunder, but never did blunder (yes, you made mistakes, but no blunders.) These wins are extra satisfying. What I found most impressive about your play was your finish. Excellent, my friend. Excellent!

PS...Study endgame theory and you'll hold your own with most players.

Thanks for the encouragement Ty. As for my endgame I'm only just starting to get further into studying more than straight K+P endings so far. Know of any books that cover the main themes in a clear, concise manner?

I have this book called Basic Chess Endings by Reuben Fine (Revised by Pal Benko). It's an oldie. Because of its age and size (585 pages), this book is often called 'The Bible of Endgames.'

Copy and paste the address below for a closer look:

http://www.amazon.com/Basic-Chess-Endings-Reuben-Fine/dp/0812934938/ref=sr_11_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1227577110&sr=11-1

great game ....!!!

congratulations for beating a player

rated higher than you 200 points ^_^

I think 3.. e3 was a bit passive, locking in your dark bishop. (though black gets you out of this by taking on d4).

This is a minor gripe though, you capitalized on 6.. b6 and 7.. a5 well. Your opponent didnt have to lose a piece, but is stuck with a bad position in any case

The move e3 may appear passive, but it is used in many if not most positions arising from 1. d4.  I often like to use that move of the e-pawn when I play the Sicilian (except there it's pawn to e6 instead of e3).

e3 is often played as park of queen pawn openings, but often after white has developed the dark bishop.

In this case especially, responding to blacks counter-attack of 2...c4  with 3. e3 ceeds the initiative to black, imho.

Doesn't 38. Nc5 win the e-pawn? If Nc2 counterattacking you can play Qxe6+ or if you prefer Nxa6 Nxe1 Nc7 and your king can stop the d-pawn in time.

I agree with the e3 move. I don't understand why you moved 4. Nc3 after black did 3...Nf6.

SirDavid: Thanks for pointing that one out. It would have taken a lot of the stress out of the endgame for me without that 5 pawn chain marching down the board. The worst oversight by me that was pointed out was 12. Nb5!! instead of Ba3??.     I could have blown him off the board early.

Peregrin_Took: I played Nc3 to discourage him from dropping his Knight into the hole on e4.