Here are my annotations of the games. Hope they help. They might have an error or two because its 1am here and I didn't double check them. Anyway, thanks for sharing the games if you have any questions just ask. Good Luck with your chess!
Two games, a win and a loss. Advice? (Beginner)
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Thanks for the reply! I'm looking over it and I think you're pretty much spot on in retrospect. The only two things I can explain:
1) Where you said moving the knight away from the attack was the better move you are right (Lost game, move 7) but the reason I didn't was just one of courage and if it fails, stupidity. I didn't think he would exhange his Bishop for my knight seeing as how he didn't even attempt to develop his knight and was trying to attack all over with the Bishop. I figured it had value to him beyond it's worth.
2) Again he didn't take the Knight because his Bishop was under attack. It worked the first time so I tried it again. Against a player who was more evenly developing their pieces I wouldnt have done it either time.
Also thanks for the better counter to that opening. Not sure why I didn't think of that, it seems much more flexible.
Keep in mind that I've just started playing a lot recently, so I'm sure I made a million odd moves in first games. I'm mainly looking for someone to tell me things I did right in both games and things I did wrong in both games. Basically my good and bad tendencies. Also answer a few questions.
First the loss: http://www.chess.com/livechess/game.html?id=322732891
I mainly have two questions.
1) Was there any point I could have taken control of the game but failed to capitalize on an opportunity?
2) After move 19 I feel my fate was sealed. What should I have done on that move and also after that move was it still salvageable in any way?
Now the win:
http://www.chess.com/livechess/game.html?id=322774428
I feel like I applied some good tactics but also caught a few big breaks that he could have taken advantage of.
Main questions:
1) Did I win this game or was it lost on the other end. I know he could have prolonged the game by moving his knight final move but I think I had it won long term anyway by that point.
2) I feel like I made some good defensive moves early on but also caught breaks later. Am I right on this? And where in particular was I lucky, and what could I have done?
Also as I said anything I did consistently well or poorly in both games? Thanks a million to anyone who reads this and replies with their insight. And again remember I'm basically a beginner. Just starting to figure out which openings I like, understanding center control and all that good stuff.