Where did i go wrong?

I felt pretty strong at this point(13. Rxd8), but i keep getting matches with the computer at easy where we just trade off pieces over and over.. im trying to use the queens gambit and understand its strategy better. What am i doing wrong or what should i have done after i had the advantage (move 13)? Ignore turn 18 and after i kind of gave up after that

You hung your queen.  Play 21 Be3 and you're winning handily.  And 22 Qc3+ should prevail, I think (although things are getting a bit messy by then).

Move your pieces out. Even a Queen advantage is ittle use if you leave your pieces on the back rank. Instead of 14. f3, which only made it harder to get your forces developed, you could have played 14. Bg2 followed by castling and then Nf3 and moving the c1-Bishop.

Move 1 by the computer is not even that realistic. 1....e5 To me you can not even play the Queen's Gambit then. Just from my point.

At 1 ...e5 your against the

• A40: Queen's pawn, Charlick (Englund) gambit

Your best response i say are 2 dxe5, 2 d5 and 2 e4

Yeah i know you want to play 2 c4 but it is not always playable on the 2nd move.

At 2. c4 Nc6 3. Nf3. At your move 3 the computer has control of d4 so you move 3 Nf3 is a natural respond to a player new to this opening. But not the best move as the e pawn can advance and create problems. I suggest  3 d5, 3 dxe5 and 3 e3.

4th move (position wise in trouble) so 4 Nc3 is the only move. Why the computer did not take the d4 pawn next move?

6th move (I skipped as the computer blundered) your back in the game and ahead piece wise.

7th move . 2 options Control the center or try to castle. Play Qb3. Many reasons why if you look over the bord. Protects those pawns on queen side. Defense in center it pawn advances. And it aims at f7 which your Knight can later attack by playing Ng5.

At move 15 15. e4 Kd6. Just stop as this is not a realistic game. And you will not improve this way.

I say keep this to understand your mistakes. But throw it away as it is not a true Queens Gambit game.

First learn how to Controll the center and take back controll of the center if you lose it. This will happen to even the best of us.

2nd Ask yourself why did my opponent play that move. If you do not do anything else remember this one. The biggest source of mistakes in games at any level. Players miss this one.

3rd do not move just to move and hope your opponent did not see your mistake. Or they did not see what you are planning.  Strategy, strategy, strategy. I know the only one you might know is trade off pices. Look for others like castle early and get the pieces near your opponents king where things can happen. Not sure how to do this.

I recommend some practice. The Basic :

King and Queen  vs King     

King and Rook vs King

King and 2 Rooks vs King

Then after that learn the mating patterns which you can find several books on that subject or google it or use bing.com to find examples.

Now you can return and study the opening of the Queens Gambit. Keep it simple. Not saying your stupid but the more complex you make chess the harder you make it to learn.

1 d4  d5  or 1 d4  Nf6   or  1 d4  e6    are the most common response to your first move.  Black has a different strategy in each of these. And each has a variation. In every case Look for ways to Control the center or stop Black from getting so much control.

Develop pieces when given a chance. Sometimes it will require you move several pawns in the Queens Gambit. Which is more than most openings. This opening is heavy on the use of the c-pawn, d-pawn and the e-pawn.

This will be enough to get you started in the right direction.

I recommend that you focus on playing solidly.  You left quite a few pieces undefended in that game.  Also, try castling your king before you go on an attack.  14. Bg2 followed by 15. 0-0 helps keep your position solid. 

How did you skip all the way down to move 14. By then it everything is just out of order. Her reason for asking where did she go wrong? Vague about the opening and start hitting the Middle Game.

Read the original post:

"... what should i have done after i had the advantage (move 13)?"

Wow, thanks everyone, especially royal bishop! I really want to know how to start playing chess and this really opened my eyes. I like the analysis on the opening moves and using my queen and knight to attack the king. Cant wait for my next game!

I went to avoid that situation. Why?

Fixing the issues in the earlier moves is way more important. And they are the same problems. So i really anwsered that problem indirectly.

With the Queens Gambit or any d4 opening, if you do not fix things early the game can get ugly. Once the QG is working for you in game the sweet  taste of victory is waiting.

You asked Phairsage why he addressed the position after move 13.

I answered you: because the thread-starter ASKED him to comment on that position.

As a general rule... and rhetorical flourishes aside... when someone asks a question, it's because they would like to hear an answer.

People ask for help and respond may not always come back the way they want. But it should come back the way they need it.

If she never gets into a bad situation then she would not have to worry about it. Directly anwsering that question is TMI too much information and may lead to confusion. Showing Marianne_skutt where to correct her moves earlier will fix all her problems in the future. Better to teach a person to fish than give them a fish.

I showed her places to develop her pieces. And mentioned the idea of strategy during a game. Her strategy may vary from mine or yours. Something she was trying but needed some direction with in the opening. Fix the opening issues and the Middle Game issues most likely are easier.

Can not tell a person how to play the Middle Game without seriously touching on the opening. It like if the person is in the middle of making a dinnner for 15 and they have all kinds of food and etc on the table. Where do you start? At the beginning even if they want you start in the middle. If an ingredient is missing or not prepared correctly that will make a nasty dinner. Example . Follow the directions on the box when making things. If you think you missed something go back to the beginning and rest will fix itself.

I like your first 7 moves. Why? You had a plan in mind.

After that you were excited that you captured that Bishop. Consider 2 things here:

1) How many pieces does it require for you to mate a King?

2) How safe was your king since you did not castle?

For the 2nd question 10. Rxh2  was ok but 10 Nxh2 was better as you would be able to castle and keep the king safe and attack at will.

Now for the first Question by now i am sure you know you have to get near the King. Surround the opponents king with as many pieces possible and it makes mate easier.

Played better this game! 

Congrats on your win!