Here is a game I played the other day in the first round of a local Swiss.  I realize that I largely won due to some basic tactics, but is there anything important that I/my opponent missed?

Just few things I noticed when quickly skimming through the game.

• 12. Bf4 threatening Ng6 and if the black queen moves white can take in c6.
• I don't understand why white refuses to win a pawn with 15. Nxc6 or 16. dxc5.

30 Qc1 is mate

Thanks for the game. It's been very instructive to me. Below is my comments on the game.

I think, in general, your opening and middlegame suffered from playing without a plan. This takes time to develop, but moves such as 6. ... Ba6 do not fit well your central plan and also leaves e6 weak. Try to decide on a general plan, good or bad, and stick with it rather than multiple plans or without one.

What was the time control of your game?

The move 6.e5 is definitely not a book move. Did you take more time on your clock after the game went out of book?  Also,why didn't you consider 4...Nge7 before pushing d7-d5? Playing Nge7 develops a piece, fights for the center, and prepares a future d7-d5 break.

5. Bxc6 seemed premature and unprovoked.

I think 5. exd5 exd5 6. d4 might be better at contesting the center.

White's lame play got punished.

I have played this line before, so I have some familiarity with it. White just drifted and both players seemed to be hammering at each other in that amateur way that really defies analysis.

The suggested 5. exd5 exd5 6. d4 is a fine way to play but I think 5. Bxc6+!? is quite an interesting alternative as black's structure ends up quite rigid (it will be difficult to engineer any pawn breaks). Actually black might want to consider something like 4... Nge7 to avoid the doubled pawns.

4...Nd4 recommended in Delcev's book, but both probably better than d5.

Thanks for all the analysis, guys!  I haven't had time to go through all of it, but I will!  The time control was G/30, and I am still very much in need of practice when it comes to recording my games manually so that takes some extra time off my clock every time.  So far, it looks as though d5 was premature on my part.  However, the thing I don't like about Nge7 (correct me if I'm wrong--it looks as though several stronger players feel that this is a good move anyway) is that it blocks the bishop, and the doubled c-pawns help to control the center (the pawn on c5 obviously contributing to central control in a queen's pawn-like structure, and the pawn on c6 helping to defend the one on d5).

Ba6 was an attempt to prevent him from castling, although it is now obvious that he still can do so with d3.

Also, you will see that I attempted to defend the pawn on e5; I forgot somehow that I'd incurred it by capturing one of his pawns, and could afford to give it back.

It looks as though I can receive very instructive criticism here even when I post games that I thought I won handily--when I have time, I should post my Round 2 game that featured some opposite-side castling!

...4.Bb5 d5?(if you really want to move that pawn I recommend d6, although I agree with the majority Nge7 is the best move there)

...6.e5 Ba6!(yes a ! your opponent really has to play d3, which was done to castle kingside and that weakens his grip on the center due to the fact he can't play d4)

7.d3 f6?!(I personally believe it is a waste of a move, better is Ne7 and then Ng6 followed by Be7 and castling)

...9.Bg5 Qd6?(Qc7! is much better as after Re1 you can play Bd6! and hold your e5 pawn)

...13.Qd2 Nd7?(..Nd7? Bxe7 Qxe7 Nxd7 Qxd7 Na4! Bc8 Nxc5! and you are in trouble, Qc7!(protects c6 while getting out of the bishop's diagonal) Rab1 Rab8 Bxf6 gxf6 Nf3 and your intact center should be invaluable)

...17.Rae1 cxd4?!(Rxd4! is the correct piece to take with, the tempo following Rxd4 allows you to play Re8)

...20.bxc3 R4f6?, much better is Rxf2! if he trades and plays Qxf2 Rxf2 Kxf2 then your queen and bishop will out play his two rooks

...23.Qxe2 R6f7?!, Rxf2! Qxf2 Rxf2 Kxf2 Qxh2 and you're clearly better

24.Re3 Rb8?! same as above

...26.Qe1 Rxe1+? this is an inaccuracy at an unimportant stage of the game but better is Qxe3! fxe3 Rxe1+ Kg2 and your two rooks will mate following(...Re2+ Kg3 g5 h4 Ref2 hxg5 R7f3+ Kh4 Rh2#)

...30.Ke1 Qxh2?, Rc1#