Thank you so much for your insight! I found your ideas and suggestions very helpful.
After 7. Qb3 Nh5 8. Bf7+ Ke7 9. Qb4 c4, I couldn't figure out a way to protect the bishop or equalize in material. (At least, that's how I was beaten in one game in the past.) Am I missing some tactical solution?
After 9. Nf1, I was afraid of ...d5 and a result similar to this game (which you coincidentally gave suggestions for, as well). Is the reason that white can play the Nf1-g3 maneuver simply because black hasn't castled yet?
21. Ne6 does look killer indeed! I like it. It reminds me why I should be spending more time calculating in the middle of a combination.
I didn't realize that Bd5 was possible, due to the pin. In the future, I'll try to avoid letting my guard down, especially when the end is near.
Much of my opening repertoire results in a Lopezesque pawn structure, so I'm trying to learn more about it.
Question:
1. Is the dark-squared bishop supposed to stay at home for most of the game?
2. When is it a good time to castle (and when is O-O-O an option?)
3. How should the b1-knight be maneuvered?
The following game illustrates some of my confusion.