Requesting game review from higher-level player - AlbinCountergambit(3. cxd5)

Hello all,

It would be tremendously appreciated if a higher level player would be so kind as to review the game I've posted here below!  In this embedded PGN are my notes of what i was thinking as I was playing.  I played as white.

What advice and key takeaways to study would you give me?
What do you think my most critical moments are that I should be analyzing more thoroughly to improve my game?

(The code legend I created for myself is “SCOUTE.”)
S = I feel Stuck
C = I feel Comfortable
O = I Overlooked a position or tactic
U = I feel Uncomfortable
T = This was a Time consuming move
E = Eureka! I discovered something good!

You just thumped a player rated 400 points lower.  Not very interesting tbh.  Sorry!  

3. cxd5 is NOT the main or best move, but its fine, and by 5. ...bb4 there are like 1100 games in the chess365 database.  I definitely don't think you played the best move at every single point.  10. qa4 struck me as kind of aimless, although I'm not sure why stockfish thinks it gives away a chunk of your edge -- maybe it gives black time to castle whereas the immediate ba3 looks like it could cause problems.  Every move is important when you have this kind of superior development.  You missed 13. bxe7 which just wins outright - got to look for those killing blows in positions like this!  23. ne5 struck me as obviously wrong, but by this point, it doesn't really matter, your whumping black regardless.  Really not a ton I see you can learn from the game, except that you should clearly look at 13. bxe7 and self-flaggelate a little in the hopes it helps you down the road.  Well played overall.  

3. cxd5 is hardly played (actually the second option in the position is 3. e3, not 3. cxd5). After 5... Bb4 we have transposed into the 3. cxd5 Queen's Gambit Chigorin, where it is known the two best moves are 6. Bd2 and 6. a3. As played Black has a good game by taking on d4 earlier.

2 quick comments:

1. Opening: From the perspective of chess logic and playing correctly, you should take the pawn on e5 when black plays the Albin, gaining a material advantage with various promising systems available. The Albin counter gambit accepted is a fun, complicated opening that gives black practical chances, but it is better for white. cxd5 brings his queen to a powerful square and puts immediate pressure on your centre, so you can't gain time on his queen easily with Nc3 if black plays accurately. Black is immediately fine after cxd5, which is not true after dxe5, where white holds an advantage with precise play.

I would recommend to study 1 system that you like against the Albin after dxe5 and take an extra pawn. They come in handy.

2. Self reflection and learning. Having a systematic approach to review games you play and reflect like this is great for your chess improvement. Just make sure you do it with just as much attention and detail when you lose- those will be the most important games to learn from. In general, I think it's good to play against people a bit higher rated than you (maybe +200), not so much higher that you don't stand a chance, but enough that you have a tough fight on your hands.

Thanks for your helpful tips everyone!  Much appreciated!