Game analysis

I played as white in this case and obviously lost fairly badly.  I'd love some feedback on how I went wrong, not just in terms of specific moves, but the principles behind those moves, and an analysis of the opening, I believe my opening probably wasn't super strong, but then again, at one point it seems like I had significantly stronger control off the center.

Thanks for your input, I appreciate it

e4 c5 is the sicilian defense and is blacks most sucessful response to e4

The OP has put the wording in a little too early through out his analysis.

Yes, for some reason the comments disappear just before the move.  Any thoughts on the game though and where it might have been played better?

I'm not really a strong enough player to be commenting, so please don't put much faith in me; but you moved your B three times in the first nine moves and once black castled, it never become very active. You are probably right that 5.h3 wasn't the best move here. The dark squared B isn't developed and you know that d5 is coming... d3 or even a3 to give your B a home and threaten b4 might have been stronger. 17.Nb6 might not have been too bad. 17....Rb8 would lose the R to the B that would still be on f4. The B on e7 is undefended so if the B on e6 moves to recapture on d5 the R could take it. But probably 16. Ne2 or Nd1 would have been safer. Hope it helps, even it spurs someone else on to correct me. Take care.

Mark

In general, I would say that your understanding of the Sicilian defense needs some improvement.  I think Black's first 6 moves were consistent in the Sicilian ideas.  When you made a flank move of h3, black responded by hitting in the center, which is the correct approach.  But I think you would've done better to pin the c6 knight and exchanging it rather than allowing it to clear the path for the central pawns. Although bishops are generally stronger than knights in the open center, I think you would have to play for the "exception to the rule", so- to-speak.  Sometimes the knights can prove more valuable than the bishops, and I think Black's knights proved to be quite valuable.