Training Game: EOGuel vs. Nikita00000

Hello!

As mentioned in my previous blog, I made it a priority to play a couple of good quality slower games on Chess.com, and analyze them as to find my weaknesses and flaws in my game.

I got in a game last Sunday, which was interesting, though very uncomfortable. It was pure luck that I was able to win:

I hope you enjoyed reading, as I will be posting more of my practice games!  As always, feel free to comment questions or possible improvements!

Wow, you sure got that win gifted to you there at the end. 

I know! Before that, I was looking for a perpetual at best! The Queen gift wrapped it and everything! 

Why did you move 3. Be5? 

I thought I could get something from the newly weakened diagonal he opened. Did not strike any gold. 

In your game there were some moves that didn't appear to accomplish much or seemed inaccurate.

Move 3, as you stated, isn't necessary since you're moving the same piece twice without reason

Move 4, I would have considered Bxf6, which damages black's pawn structure. It isn't a clear advantage or anything, but if you are playing your bishop on e5 you might as well use it.

Move 5, this is completely playable, h3 is also possible, but h4 has the intentions of playing h5 attacking the fianchettoed structure, so you better use that pawn!

Move 6, doesn't seem to be as bad as you think, because the bishop normally wants to play to h6 and exchange for black's fianchettoed bishop. Since black uses their knight to attack, that knight is side-lined. "Knights on the rim are dim"

Move 8, is yet another bishop move. I would have played e3 or Nc3, you need to develop not move the bishop AGAIN

Move 15,...fxe5 was another response that looks bad for your sac, or at least double-edged.

Sample line 15...fxe5 16. Bxh5 cxd4 17. e3xd4 e5xd4 18.  cxd4 Bf5 and it seems imbalanced

hxg6 also looks possible.

Decent sac, it really helps that your opponent developed awkwardly!

Move 18, stockfish has the right idea.by releasing the pawn tension on the c-file, your king is slightly safer, and by playing g4 you are getting your attack started (g4-g5, Rg1,f4) 

Move 19, e4 as you noted isn't strong. Since your opponent isn't getting any attack against your king, just focus on where the king is weak (g and h file) and just throw your pawns down the board), by keeping pawn on e3, your king's diagonal isn't exposed and only your opponent's diagonals are open to be attacked

Move 20, your move is good, I'd also consider e5 (since you played e4)

Move 24, g4 is still screaming at me, with ideas of Rh3 - f3

I didn't like your idea of trading queens, you could have played more aggressively 

The rest of the game is tactics that were missed on both sides

- - - -

In opposite side castling, be sure to use your pawns, or at least understand that it's a race between pawns on both sides of the board. Also, watch out for your opponent's clunky development (knight was running out of squares) and try to develop before moving your bishop 20 times haha. Best of luck to your improvement!

@NationalPatzer, I really appreciate the comments! I can tell you spent a lot of time looking at the game, and the notes help!

I meant to make a comment after move 8. It was similar to move 3, where I was trying to get something out of nothing.

Though, you are right. It was on the stupid side to move my Bishop like 5 times only for it to be traded off for a Knight lol!

Thanks for following! 

And for some reason, I underestimated the potential of a g4 push. I should be considering these things in future games.