This was an online game I played at Yahoo! Chess against an opponent who was ranked something like 200 pts higher than me (whatever that means for yahoo ratings...o.O), and overall Im pretty happy with it... 

This is also my first real attempt to analyze one of my own games and see what I did wrong. I didnt go that deep into possible moves/variations because its hard for me to figure good/better/best out like that. In the comments I gave my logic for a lot of the moves I made, and there were some that I thought were questionable. I know it's a lot to read, but if anyone wants to humor a beginner and make some comments, either on the game in general, or to my specific questions/logic/or mistakes I made, I would really appreciate it.

Hi.

 Thanks for sharing your game - I enjoyed playing through it.  I think devloping the bishop on b2 is quite original and although 11.d4 looked a bit shaky, it turned out to be justified - those bishops look menacing pointing at black's King.

3.d4 is considered white's best way of playing for the advantage, but there was certainly nothing particularly wrong with how you handled the position. 

 Congrats, a nice victory!

maybe it would have been better to play 11. Re1--quietly taking a little more control in the center before d4 later? (by the way, thanks rowrulz for the info on 3. d4. I think i will check this line out for white, because I really like how this game turned out)

Great for first analysis.

I think 3. d4 is a must.  In a king's pawn game, white's d4 thrust is almost routine once black is forced to cover e5 with d6.  3. d4 gains space in the center and open things up for the White Q and QB.  3. Nc3 is ok, but it doesn't pressure e5 and d4 and blocks the White c-pawn, which may or may not be useful.

4. Bc4 is logical for castling, but I still prefer d4.

5. a3? is a waste of time (howabout 0-0), doesn't gain space, and takes the pressure off Black.  In general, I don't like the a3-b4-Bb2 plan, and the hole it leaves on d4 would have been exploited by a stronger opponent with a plan like Nc6-Bg4-Nd4, etc.

6. b4--same. Black's response should have been Nc6 to aim directly at d4.

7. 0-0 of course!  Good move.  I really hate Black's Nd7.  The hole on d4 is screaming out, the White N at f3 is pinned, but Black appears way too intimidated by the White B at c4.

By the way, your intention to carry out your own plan and not worry about Black's is psychologically very strong.  It shows the toughness you should always bring to bear on all your games.

11. d4.  You need to have a more precise idea of your plan besides "making things happen."  So far, you're strong on the white squares in the center, so increasing the pressure there would be logical.  Black doesn't have much yet due to his weak play, so you have time for positional buildup: Qe2-Re1-Nd1-Ne3 with p-d3 (at some point) would be logical way to bring that about.

Black's response exd4 is very convenient for you because he gives up the center.  Your trashed K-side isn't pretty but there's no immediate danger yet.  What would have done if 11...Bxf3?  Then if QxB, the d-pawn hangs.  If gxf3, Black is not obliged to give up the center with exd4, and his Nh5 aims right at the dark-square holes.

Once black plays 13...Nd7? he has given up.  Re8-Bf8 was a sensible plan.

The rest of the game is a matter of time.  Nice job.

thank you anax, you gave me a lot to think about--i will go back and look at the game and think about your advice.