Middlegame weakness

Hello community,

so what happens often to me lastly is that I perform great during the opening. Until move 15-20 I play excellent moves. I develop good positions with lots of opportunities and a clear advantage.

All the time I was concerned about performing well in the openings to avoid having to play out a game that doesn't bring me joy. Now I realize that I lack the skill to capitalize on an advantageous position.

On the one hand I enjoy my progress in the opening on the other hand I'm a little frustrated about my attacking skills. I was never interested in mating my opponent fast. I'd rather play for a positional advantage and decide the game in the endgame.

Now I'm not so sure about my approach anymore and would like to improve my attacking skills. I found the lessons and wanted to know if someone could give me an advise on which ones are suitable for me.

It looks to me like e5 would be a powerful move for White because: (1) it expands White's center; (2) it opens up a diagonal for White's LSQ at d3 that will aim at Black's fortress; (3) it might drive off Black's only kingside defender, the knight at f6. All that would in turn be preparation of an attack on Black's castled king, probably with pieces instead of pawns. Therefore I believe I would strive for that e5. Note that White hasn't even finished developing yet, so I would most likely consider first 18. Re1 to prepare for that e5 push, and if Black follows with 18...Nbd7, White can add further preparation with 19. Bf4, and I can't see that Black can further discourage that e5 push.

More generally, probably the most common attacking move as the opening ends and the middlegame begins (which is what the above position shows) is a pawn push by White from the 4th to the 5th rank, especially e4-e5 or f4-f5 (especially in the Pirc, Sicilian, or Scandinavian), sometimes d4-d5 (especially in the Scandinavian), or sometimes a different pawn. Therefore such pawn pushes should always be the main considerations at that point in the game, and in the above game there is only one such choice, which narrows your choices down further.

Can Anybody Help Me analysis this game please if possible.

What do you think of White Play?Which style of play was it?

Your contribution will be of much help.

The play looked weak to me for both sides. Both sides missed better opening moves.

Technically, White started off with a hypermodern style since the Vienna Game (1. e4 e5 2. Nc3) is a hypermodern opening since it leaves flexibility for White to play f4 if he wants. However, after 3. Nf3 (which opted out of the 3. f4 possibility) it turned into a Three Knights game, then after 3...Nc6 it turned into a Four Knights Game, both of which are pure classical style, and drawish besides.

Black was using the King's Indian Defense.

Thank you for taking the time to answer, I really appreciate it.  I adapted your advise to some of my latest games. The pawn storm really adds a new quality to my way of playing.  My latest game (won because my opponent abandoned). Although not free of inaccuracies; I put my opponent under pressure early on and he seemed to struggle:

Possible continuation with 19. ...Bd5 20. Qb3 Bxc4 21. Qxc4+ Rf7 22. Kne5 Qe8 23. Knxf7 ... clear advantage for white.

Careless, While I'm far from  a master, it appears to me that the pawn structure and the open b file strongly suggest a queen side attack.  Yet your plan was h4.  My suggestion is to study pawn structures and learn to attack with the pawns structure. 

What I know about the KID is the following:

]Mar del plata center

The diagram names on post #9 are not correct.

What Sqod said on post #2 is correct.

White should strive for e5 in such a position.

However, I think Sqod did sort of leave out some information.

In the diagram of post #1

White would try to play e5.

However, white probably should prepare e5 first.

If white plays e5 right away he will not be able to capture on e5 with another pawn.

White should move the knight from f3

Than play the pawn move f2-f4.

Than move the knight back to f3.

Than play e5 which will be supported by the f4 pawn + knight on f3.

If black than takes the e5 pawn with dxe5.

White could than recapture with fxe5.

Which will leave white with 2 powerful center pawns.

I will fix the names & diagrams from post #9 below:

Classical Variation/ Traditional KID

Petrosian Variation

7.d5 was his signature move in this variation.

He was a positional player;thus, playing d5 gains more space which is a positional advantage.

Also by playing 7.d5 right away it stops black from playing side variations such as exd4 lines!

Sämisch Variation

This line can be very deadly.

If black isn't careful white will do a massive king side attack!

The pawn move f3 supports the e4 pawn + it helps white with future savage pawn attacks with g4 + h4.

Averbakh Variation

Hopefully the above examples can show you how those positions are different!

Xplayer it would take way too long to play f4-e5. Also why would black take on e5 then? That would make ur plan Work. BuT if black just doesnt take on e5 What will end up happening is ur pawn on f4 will just be worse their than on f2. Ur king gets weakened and ur bishop on h6 will look weird. Dont expect ur opponent to play Bad moves.

Your exactly right it would take a lot of time.

However, the position which is shown on post #1 is a closed position.

White has the luxury to waste time in a closed position!

In closed positions you try to move your pieces to spots where you think they are best placed.

It may take white 3-5 moves to do his plan.

However, the simple truth is what can black do in response?

Black is lagging in development and he made some mistakes previously.

White has all the time in the world in this position.

Black is at White's mercy to be honest.

Hupps. I made a mistake. The pawn on f4 (Sämisch) , should have been f3. Thanks for the summary. I will look into it soon.

You are really helpful. Could you make a short summary of the common variations of the B50 Sicilian? Dragon, Najdorf, Sheveningen, Richter-Rauzer, Canal-Sokolsky? How long have you been playing chess?

I am not sure if you have checked out my Articles.

However, I did make some short summary's on the Sicilian.

The below link shows all the Articles I wrote.

https://www.chess.com/blog/X_PLAYER_J_X

As for the Sicilian:

I have made 5!

The below link is the introduction link.

https://www.chess.com/blog/X_PLAYER_J_X/sicilian-defence2