A game in which I got lucky

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rockbadger

Here's a game in which I fluked a win. We were evenly matched, chess.com rating-wise beforehand and would both appreciate some better players looking over the game. i think it's a pretty interesting game.

I'd particularly like comments on whether my opponent had a better attack when attacking my castled King with Bishop, Knight and Queen. And all of the endgame stuff is interesting too... 


anaxagoras
Yes, let's see what the strong players say because I totally suck at this opening from the white side.  Cry
rockbadger
I've updated the game with brief thoughts and questions.
anaxagoras

Ok, here is some move by move commentary.  I apologize if I get more wrong than right...

 Everything looks good until your 9th move, here I like your c3 idea much more than Qf3.  You said that Qf3 threatens Qxf7... that's a fantasy and you should avoid looking for one move threats like that unless they improve your position in some other way.  After Black's Nf6 and 0-0 there is no threat to speak of.  9 c3 is better because it attacks that pesky d4 pawn which is cramping your center.

 10 Bf4 does not support a fork, because your e-pawn is pinned on the file!  You should also consider the merit of trading out dark-squared bishops, though I think it's ok here because it gets ride of black's bishop pair.

After 12 Bb3, I don't know why you fear your king safety.  Your king is fine. It's up to you to make your bishop and knight active, and you have plenty of options.

Move 18, don't give up the file!  Did you think about Kf1 or Qd1?

I don't like move 22-27 for either side.  You both seem to be playing a mindless pawn race game without having specific plans.  Your main objective should be to make use of your bishop-knight imbalance.  When you took the pawn on d5 you gave Black the option of removing that imbalance, which he stupidly declined.

I don't think 32...Rg8 is better because

33 Qf6+ Rg7

34 Rg1 and it's over.

 Nice comeback there.  I think a big way that you can improve your game is to learn about the strengths and weaknesses of knights and bishops, and how to make use of the difference.

rockbadger
Thanks a lot... some really helpful comments. Any recommended resources for learning about knights and bishops?
anaxagoras
Probably anything by Jeremy Silman.  His book The Amateur's Mind was a real wake-up call (and it's very funny in some places).
Piyush_thakur_007

How do you all know this much I just go and move pieces wherever they can move :tongue

Fezwick

28 Qg5 g6

Fezwick

Meant to say:

28 Qg5 g6 29 Qh6. Mate is unstoppable.