Interesting draw, how many missed opportunities?

A game I recently had against a 1900

Any thoughts? How did I play for being a 1400 against a 1900?

I know my endgame as messed up, any suggestions for how I should have played better?

All comments are appreciated!

Time control was 75 minutes per side with a 5 second delay.

On move 6, you should have played 6...Nc6 because if he trades knights it would be difficult 4 him 2 harass the queen.

Perhaps so, but does the queen out in the center really accomplish much for black? It looks to me like the position would be about equal if that happened, white has a bit more development, and the queen isn't doing much.

With your move 18. ... Qc8 What if White plays 19. Nxf5 Qxf5  20. c7+ Qd7 21. Rd1 and if 21. ... Qxa4  22. Nxf4 and White threatens 23. Nb6. If Black plays 22. ... Rc8 then 23. Bf4 renewing the Nb6 threat.

Your dead lost after 15. g6 to nd5, confirmed by computer.  Nd5! virtually ends black's ability to resist.  However, the position is tremendously ugly regardless...white's pieces are just swarming, and you are badly undeveloped. 

This is the "anti-Caro Kann", a recognized try by white.  Your 6th move is not an alternative played by masters.  http://www.365chess.com/opening.php?m=12&n=1663&ms=e4.c6.c4.d5.cxd5.cxd5.exd5.Nf6.Nc3.Nxd5.Nf3&ns=3.31.25.40.640.753.52.54.305.314.1663

Of course, the database alone does not suggest a clear path to equality for black. 

I'm assuming you mean 14. ... Qc8.

Here's what happens

ArtNJ - so essentially, I should have lost the game except my opponent blundered the attack?

After g6 yes, your lost if white plays correctly.  I am not saying that your 6th move loses, just that its not an option masters chose there and might allow white a bigger advantage then some of the other choices.  It kind of looks a little suspect in that it gets you behind in development.   

Yes, this wasn't the first game I've played with huge pressure on the a4-e8 diagonal. Did you see any better moves than the one I played for dodging white's attack? Or should I simply have avoided Nb4?! altogether and played something like Nc6?

Here is a game where Topalov was in your shoes, chose a different 6th move and drew.  As you know, Topalov is one of the 5 strongest players in the world.

http://www.365chess.com/game.php?gid=3654080

And here is Magnus, the #1 player in the world, getting beaten by Morozevich as black who choses a different 6th move from what Topalov chose:

http://www.365chess.com/game.php?gid=3609116

I would look at these games and chose your 6th move based on what looks better to you.   

what would happen if white had played 11. dxc6

if the black knight takes the rook, then you take b7 with check, and get his rook

if he takes your bishop, then still take the pawn and you still have some nice threats going. he can't queen trade, because you take rook, promote to Q w/ check. when he blocks, you move your new queen to c6 for check, and your in a very favorable position (in my opinion)

i don't know... that might not be at all accurate, i'm not very good at chess

oozecube

I hope you see that Black will be a pawn down in the diagram #6 and after White moves Ra8, Black will be two pawns down. In #13, picking up from the diagram 2 ... Rb8 3. Qxd8 Kxd8 (if 3. ... Rxd8 4. Bf4) 4. Bf4 Rxb7  5. Rad1+ and White is a pawn up with a better game.

Well, I definitely do now that you pointed it out.

mnag, what do you think was a better way to defend black's position after Nb4?!, or should I just not have played it?

27....a5? is a blunder, even forgetting that he can win a pawn due to the bishop fork. You put your pawn on the same colored square as the bishop, and he can easily lock your pawn on that square with a quick a4. Once he holds your pawn on a5, he virtually forces simplification that leaders closer to a draw, even with your +1 advantage.