Hey Austin,
Welcome to the group! Great games so far. In the second game, the b5 move is stronger as it forces the knight away to two squares. The one recommend by the engine is the best 6..Nce7 but it cramps their kingside.
The other move I could see is Na5, but white has a lot of options on how to handle that as well.
Hello everyone! Glad to be here with you all as we explore our chess journey together.
I would like to share with you all my two 15+10 games today, and intend to do say for everyday that I play in my study plan. I will also be sharing my OTB games here in Salt Lake City that I play every Saturday. Both games ended with resignations fairly early on by my opponent after fairly significant blunders by them. However I do feel as if there are still some decent lessons to learn.
Game 1: Modern Defense with 1.e4: 2.d4 Bg7
White in a vain attempt to develop their position, plays 12. Bd3?? ∓ and ignores the threat of 12... f4, winning the knight!
Takeaway's: White cramps their position with two knight moves on e2 and d2, blocking in their light square bishop, and typical patters of Be3, Qd2, Bh6 to get early counter play against the black king.
9... Ng4 is objectively inaccurate - I wanted to trade my Knight for Dark Squared bishop to remove dark square parity, and create an imbalance that would over time strengthen my dark squares.
Game 2: Italian Game: Anti-Friend Liver Defense
Long term, my plan here is the idea of Nf3 Nc2 Bb2 to prepare d4 for center control in the 4.c3 Italian after taking space on the queenside. Black falls behind in development early, and I decide to put my opponent in an uncomfortable position after 9.Qb3 putting more pressure on the b file, and threating to pick up the pawn on f7 with check.
6.a4 felt natural to take space on the queenside, but is another inaccuracy I would definitely like more insight on this.
Black resigns, and two victories are achieved to start off without blundering in the opening myself!