5. f3? It seems like White was determined not to make any attack at all, with the exception of trading off your inactive finachettoed bishop at the cost of three moves, during which time his bishop and knight are growing cobwebs on the back rank all the way up to move nineteen.
Actually this game follows the openings book until moves 9 or 10, and this has been played before by strong players
That may well be, but I don't understand f3, and it looks like White didn't either. It's okay to follow the masters if you understand their strategy and exactly what to do with it, but it looks like White did not. He may have been better off developing his own strategy and thinking about his own moves.
Interesting game.
I have a few questions though
after 8. f3 what about 8....d5? thematic break in the center and with the queen on c7 covering e5 it seems to work
Also endgame theme. Why didnt you use your advantage of 2 rooks and blacks bad bishop by having attacks on both flanks?
Ie improve your king to c3 then play g4-g5 and open up another file. if a rook is traded or not shouldnt matter since a rook should dominate the horrible dark squared bishop.
Thanks!