How could it have gone better?

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chessmariani

Hello, everyone! 
 
Recently, I asked for some help in analyzing a game that I couldn't finish (What were my chances? http://www.chess.com/forum/view/game-analysis/what-were-my-chances).  Now I would like to post a game that I played against a 1450 player.  The point of the post is the same: I'm a newbie trying to get better (reading Idiot's Guide to Chess, just finished Chapter 6) and I would like some guidance from you advanced players as to how I could have played better.  Thanks, and God bless! :) 
 

chessmariani

Oh, forgot to mention I am black!

shuttlechess92

your note on move 25 was correct.

besides that, a very nice game!

bondiggity

Good game, I ran your game through my chess engine. Here are the moves that it didn't agree by a large share (the moves are what was suggested to be played):

 

7...Qb6

8...Qb6

 

12...Bxb4 if (13. cxb4 Qe5 (wins rook))

or

 

12...Nxb4 if (13. cxb4 Bd4 14. Nc3 Bxc3)

 

14...Be6

 

16...Bf5 (followed by 17...Re8 where you can recapture with your other rook)

 

23...Ne5

 

24...Bd4 (wins the knight)

 

On move 25, you were right. Bd4 Nxf6+ Rxf6 Bxf6 Bxh1 is just an even trade.

 

 

Great game if you are just starting out!!