My first game was against an expert in a open tourney. I lost but at least it looked nice :)

3.f4 - White's setup is called the Stonewall. There are pros and cons to his move order. The pro is 3.f4 avoids 3.Bd3 Nc6!?. The con is that your opponent's tipped his hand that he plans Bd3, Ne5, and to smash your kingside. My top candidates here would be ...g6, since a fianchettoed kingside is harder to break down or ...Bf5, anticipating and countering Bd3 and taking aim at that juicy hole on e4.

8...c4? - This is a mistake when White has a Colle-like structure. First, note c3 prepared a retreat square for the bishop. Second, now you have to spend a tempo on ...b5 to support the c4 pawn especially after e4. Third, you've resolved the central tension and that mostly favours your opponent. Eg, now 10.e4 dxe4 11.Nxe4 Bb7 12.Nxf6+ Bxf6 13.Ne5 +/=.

9...a5 - "I think 11...b4 was definetly better." After 11...b4 your opponent may err with 12.cxb4, but more likely he continues with 12.Rh3 and exactly the same attack as in the game. Still, I agree 11...b4 is a better move.

12...h6? - "I was also in time trouble". I doubt your opponent was in time trouble as so far he's mostly played "system" moves. The game is entering the tactical phase and that is precisely when you need most of your clock time.

13...g6? - Ouch!

15...Nh5? 16.Nxg6! - Double-ouch, but credit to  your opponent... nice tactic! 16.Nxf7! is also thematic and seems to work out very well for White.

 

Oh well. Congratulations for going out there and giving OTB chess a try! This is one of the most excellent ways to improve your game.

By the way, if you want to learn more about the Stonewall check out this.

Thanks for taking a look. I think 8...c4 may have killed my winning chances here. Looking at it now a queenside attack might have done a little after 11...b4 12.Rh3 g6 but winning looks out of the question. I actually haven't looked at any 1.d4 systems like the Colle, Stonewall, London e.t.c; Usually, I just play KID style and that saves opening time. I Didn't do any work on 2...d5, I just kinda played it there... Oh well, looks like I have work to do. Thanks again.

I was playing Master James McFarland last evening in a G10.  I sacrified a knight for 2 king side pawns and had a very solid game.  So what do i do next?  I drop my queen.