This is my first completed online game. I think the weakest aspect of my game is the opening. I try to play Caro-Kann as black, but it seems my opponents leave the classical lines early and leave me scrambling. I'm not posting this to gloat, but so that those of you who are much better than me can give me some insight as to whether or not I'm analyzing my moves correctly.

Thanks.

play wid mee

LOL, bring it on.

17.Na3 was a really good move:)

Nice game. Here are my comments:

3. ... Nd7 - I agree this is not the best. 3. ... Bf5 is probably best. You could also consider 3. ... Qb6. one problem with the move you played is that white may push the e pawn forcing you to weaken f7. You should become familiar with 3. e5 by the way; it's the fairly often played advance variation of the opening.

4. ... Nb6 - As you say, took 2 moves. Not great.

7. ... Qxh4. You really should see the knight forking rook and king. I think I would play cxb5 because I don't think white has enough compensation for a whole piece. But the move you played works out ok. You're ahead after this exchange sequence.

10. ... f6. Interesting move. I would probably play 10. ... Qe4 to win the c2 pawn. But I also like f6; as you say, it gives you rapid development.

17. ... Na3 is a mistake and threatens to hand back to white all your hard-won advantage.  White has a number of good moves including Bg5+ and Rdg1. Clearly, if he takes the knight it's mate in 1. But you have to assume that your opponent will play the best move not the one you'd like them to make.

Of course, in this position white takes the bait. I would say you were lucky though.

I don't think there was a greal deal wrong with your opening. You played it reasonable wrong and even had you seen the knight fork Nc7+ then Qxh4 was stil playable.

Well played!!!!

Thank you for your analysis, Corum. After checking with Fritz, I see that 17. ... Na3 is a mistake, putting white back on equal footing. I would have never seen that OTB at my level, but it is definately something to look out for. I guess I dodged a bullet there.

Could you explain 3. ... Qb6? I'm can't see what that move accomplishes at the moment. Thanks again.

that was good ...

but, I hate online chess ....

ChessKitty,

You're right. and I new better when I did it, but my first thought was to get that Knight developed. I think I need to slow down in the opening and think through things.

On a side note, are you gonna play me? I sent you a request.  I look forward to learning from you even though you're probably going to annihilate me.

it seems i missed Bg5+ when i said Na3 was good. i must have been blinded of the coolness of that move:O

No problem, Tiger. I missed it too. If I would have seen it, I probably wouldn't have made Na3. I miss a lot of moves. I'm just a patzer.

Instead of 3...Nd7 you should have played 3...Bf5

After 3...Nd7 4.e6 is brutal.