How do I improve?

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gilangilan
Hi all. I'm trying to improve my Daily play. I'm typically hovering between 1425 and 1525, and want to get to the next level. I use the opening database to try to eliminate opening traps. I use a lot of lessons on chess.com. I check analysis after games and retry my mistakes. But once I get into the middle game I find I'm often too aggressive or don't know how to progress.
Can anybody see what's wrong with my game, looking at this example, and give me concrete tips on how to improve from this point?

I can post more games if that's relevant.

Thanks.

Epic_Zugzwang

Hi Gilan,

10. Nb5 indeed is pointless. Either go for Na4, or defend the pawn on e5. Once the latter falls, black breaks out. Remember that a large part of the idea of the French is to try to keep the black's light-squared bishop blocked in - one you fail at that (and lose the pawn, to boot), you're in trouble.

Trading bishop-for-knight on d4 yields a weak pawn on that square, but on the other hand, you now have the bishop pair. Use it!

19. ...Na7 sets up a trade of light-squared bishops. Instead of 20. b4, you should develop your rook with Rc1. This also avoids the bishop trade.

24. f5 made no sense to me - I would've played Be7 since that diagonal is nicer. Instead, you let your bishop get booted, and ended up blundering it.