Any praise or criticisms welcome!  Perticularly proud of 16... Bc6 (stopping the queen from being tied down from the defense of d5, preserving the bishop, and allowing Qd4+)

Way to power that rook in there.

Good job mate

I question 9...d5, and personally, I wouldn't have played that.  Yet, 12. Nf3 is a blunder.  Way to take advantage of your opponent's mistakes!  Nice one!

could you elaborate on whats wrong with 9... d5?  Patzer me just saw it as opening the center when I had superior development.

Alright.  I'll give it a shot.  9...d5 seems unnecessary.  In fact, black is already better at this point, and there is no need for d5.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

White's bishop looks like it's in a precarious position.  In my opinion, I wouldn't give white the option of exchanging light-squared bishops and develop strategic play against the poorly placed bishop.  Maybe something like this:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maybe it is more accurate to say that 9...d5 isn't a bad move, but rather some moves are better than others.

Two suggested lines from rybka, which I missed.  Bd7 threatening b5... which has too many variations to list.  And another way to play 9... d5 that I missed.  The way I played 9... d5 wasn't judged too negatively by the way, because despite it neglecting to take advantage of the bad bishop, it does still open up the position.

I appreciate your input, don't misinterprit me as being unreceptive, but I think worrying about 9... d5 might be splitting hairs at my level.

Understood.

rybka's suggestion is very good.  In view of that, 9...d5 isn't bad after all.  Fritz agrees that black has an edge.  Actually, Nxf3+ could've been played at move 9, also, and would've had a significant advantage.

I somewhat like d5 now.  I think I respect it, now.  Nice move!

13...Bxd3?! is slightly off. It allows White to undouble his pawns and get an advantage in the centre. Better was 13...Bb6 and if 14.Bxb6 then you will get an open file.

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I have to disagree.  It paves the way for 14...Rxe3+ and Rxf3, where black is much better.