9.b4 is just mistake i think ...Nxb4 10.cxb4 Bxb4 11.Nc3 and d4
Help with Opening Strategies and Goals
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Eaglex, it looks somewhat good, but after 12. Bb7+ Bd7 13. Bxd7 Kxd7 and the pawn is pinned and my King is not so safe. Then with 14. N1e2 it looks better for white. It is possible to avoid the pawn pin, but then if 12...Ke7 13. Nd5+! looks strong, or if Kf8, Qxh6+.
Laskerfan- Thanks! Didn't consider books. But I'm really bad at imagining the positions in my head (as I'm so used to seeing the boards move and such, blame it on youtube lol). So I avoided books. It seems like a good idea though to get the theory understood, and help me imagine the board better (so when I play I can imagine the variations).
Fiveofswords- Thanks so much. There's a lot in there that really helps. As you can see I was quite impatient, especially in my first game. Especially with Nh6 and possibly f6. I guess that is one my main problems, especially with d4. I try so hard to grab a quick advantage with something crazy that risks quite a lot.
As for the endgame, I never really even thought about that. When I think of isolated pawns, I always think about the weakness it would have in the middlegame. But it could be strong pass pawns in the endgame, if I had enough potential with it. I guess with my experience this won't be so easy, but if I start now I think this would really work well. Especially considering the sacrifices (like if it doesn't work, I would still be able to draw if I knew the endgame well). For me right now, the endgame is all about number of pawns, behind or ahead in the exchange (rook-bishop/knight), and the bishop pair. I'm not too deep with having a good pawn structure and such, but this could really help especially at higher levels. (But also even in the middlegames, when taking a risk like even gambitting a pawn, it would be important to know how that would work in the endgame). I feel like for example, in the most recent Anand-Topalov endgame the controversial move Rd2 was only possible because of Anand's knowledge of the endgame. Like even if I was a knight down for example (due to a sac), I can draw it if it was Rook and Knight vs Rook, or maybe even win if it was something like Rook and knight vs Rook and two pawns.
Thanks very much, I think I'm going to try hard to study the endgame. I really enjoy sacrifices and risky moves, but I tend to only do them when I have a guaranteed win outcome. Since chess is based on mistakes, I feel like sometimes doing a !? or ?! move may not be the best, (especially against a computer), but can instigate your opponent to make a mistake (and if the opponent doesn't, with even though there is material loss, with good knowledge of the endgame can help draw the game).
You just gave me a completely new view and interest in this game :).
Looking back on my games, I feel like the opening is one of my weaker points. Sometimes I can completely outplay my opponent in the opening, but when my opponent knows the mainlines I tend to have some problems (especially because I've just started to learn them). Also lots of times in the d4 opening, I have trouble continuing from Queen's Gambit declined. I can get all the pieces developed, but what exactly do I aim for? Also in the French, when my opponent plays well to defend his pawn chain, I usually have problems (I do good when I can win a pawn). Here's a game where I played the French defense, and I sort of liked the opening but others felt it was quite weak.
Here is a Queen's Gambit declined position I got into. I just started the d4 opening and I actually don't really know any mainlines (as there seems to be lots). But I anyways, I played quite badly due to this and made a bad error. I really have problems with what to aim for in the openings. Also is there any other openings that might be better? I like e4, but I don't like playing the Sicillian way too much (or even playing against e5).
Anyways, I showed the end of both games but I'm more interested in the opening. For the French, what are some plans black has after white successfully defends the pawn chain? (I liked Nh6 and Bg7, but not too sure how good it is) And for the d4 opening, what exactly is the strategy? Can anyone tell me any other ways I could have played the openings or what I should be aiming for?