opponent was 1796 when the game started. I believe this is the highest rating I've ever played, and also my highest win.

 

I believe he made some serious positional errors, as did I.

I made a couple of moves that at first glance look like I just dont know what I am doing, but I had a follow-up plan that I don't believe he even looked for. As a result, I think he let his guard down thinking I was just incompetent. 

 

I want to know what you guys see. Give it to me absolutely straight. What errors did I make, and why were they errors. What moves were strong? Do you feel he simply gave the game away? What errors did the opponent make, and what moves could he have made instead?

For 3. I would have gone Bb5-Ruy Lopez- without locking the King's bishop.

I haven't had much experience with that. I will certainly start studying that line.

 

I am still favoring the KIA, hence the fianchetto of the light bishop.

your opponent, in my opinion, is quite passive plus making major mistakes...if the opponent is much aggressive, i think the line 7 ... f5 might be a bit problematic for you due to his pieces are more developed and positioned to the direction of your king. At the same time, as for me, i would delay castling to see how you respond. In my opinion, you should in the beginning adopt a more aggressive opening (refering to the move g3) by d4, then developing the knight to its favour spot if exchange happens and at the same time you get to delay Black's pieces development...

My appologies if i offend you...if you have any disagreement, let me know so i can improve too =)

No, please! Don't worry about offending me. I greatly appreciate constructive criticism. People are too quick to take offense when they are told that they could be doing something better. I would only take offense if you were hostile or if you simply belittled my game with no real substantial content to your post.

 

The only way to get really good at a game like this is to 1) play against opponents smarter than you, and 2) to seek and seriously consider the feedback of those smarter than you. 

 Thank you very much for your insight :)

I think you played very well. Congratulations.

3.d3 looks a little too passive , I would have played Bc4 (italian) or Bb5(ruy) first , then think about an eventual d3 . If I was black I would have played more aggressive ( but then that's just my style ).  eventual f5 would have been my preference , black should look to open the centre and go for h4 and g4 to open up some lines on your king . I like 8.a4! as this move forces him on defensive .

Black played a fairly boring response to an opening I found to be very defensive.  Black's best maneuver was pinning the king's knight with his bishop but he lacked aggressiveness for followthrough.

 

A lower rating paired with a defensive opening likely lulled him and he was waiting for you to make a mistake and capitalize.  You did not make any errors other than a few sacrifices that opened your mating combo.  Since he was playing oppurtunitistically, I would guess he was "phoning it in."

 Nonetheless, you combined your oppurtunities with an awareness of what was developping to get the win.

All I can say is you played a good game

I personally favor 6. Be3, as it breaks the pin of the Knight to your Queen.

9.... Nxb4 is what I would have done, it appears to be sound tactially, as it maintains the strong Black Bishop. 

13. Rb1? Hangs your knight, and superficially attacks the Black Kingside (as you have attacked the Kingside with a sole piece that is not yet supported).

14....b6, is a move I dislike as well, as it again weakens the defenses of Black's castled King.  I prefer 14. Qc6.

15. Bxb6 I dislike because 15....Kc8 16. Bxc7 Qxc7 allows the King to escape to the better-defended Kingside.  Remember: Your opponent does not have to take an offered sacrifice.