using the bishop pair

Since another thread has two very poorly-played games that paulgottleib and pfren have analyzed, I'm hoping for some comments on this game. My own review and the computer analysis didn't find any glaring mistakes or blunders, but I still think that I let a better position slip into a draw. I trust that others will find errors that I overlooked. I'm especially interested in tips for using the bishop pair (beyond creating open diagonals and restsricting the opponent's knight, of course).

I didn't annotate the individual moves, since I don't remember my thought process on each one, but my general plan after the exchange of queens was to reach a position in which white couldn't defend the b-pawn and e-pawn at the same time. When that plan didn't work, I tried to win with a passed pawn. I know that white's king was more active, but I'm still not sure how I should have gotten my king involved.

The exchange of rooks made white's life easier. I think 29...f5 was called for. After 30. exf6 gxf6 Blakc destroyed her pawn structure for good: the center pawns will roll over and will open teh king's position later highlighting the power of two bishops (against white's naked king)

Bishops are good if the poisiton is so open :)

I don't see why White would follow 29...f5 with 30.exf6 instead of continuing with 30.Rc2. Also, I thought that an exchange of rooks would favor the side with the pair of bishops over the side with the bishop and knight. Is that a bad principle, or is there something about this particular position that made White benefit from the exchange of rooks? 

Hi, after f5 your bisshop is attacked, he has only b1 to go to, not really an impressive square, so that's probably why exf6 e.p. is suggested.. After Rc2 fxe4 Rxc3 bxc3 Rxe4 black has won a piece for two pawns, and gained a distant passer, don't think that's a good idea for white

I don't Think there is a need to panic and play Rc2. exf6 is okay but black has better chances. Bb1 is bad also as Black will have uncontested control on h1-a8 diagonal via Bb7 with great positional plus

Thanks again for taking the time to comment, nayksegismar and irWietje. I know it's been a few days, but I'm just getting back to analyzing the game now. Maybe I'm hopelessly confused, but I'm not sure whether some of the comments are suggestions for White or for me (Black). I may have confused matters by asking why White would follow f5 with exf6.

I do see the advantages of playing 29...f5 instead of Rc5, but I don't understand that comment about Black's destroying her pawn structure after 29...f5 followed by 30.exf6 gxf6.

In the actual game, I played 29...Rc5, and the exchange of rooks followed. Was there a better way to use the pair of bishops starting from move 31?

It's generous of you to talk about "players like us" even though your rating is about 600 points higher! I'll look into the lines you suggested.

Hi LJM, quite a technical game so I just offer some thoughts open for discussion as there is nothing obvious for me.

• in the position after 23.Bc6, I'm not sure the bishop pair is an advantage unless you manage to open the game for your light-squares bishop (he had no real scope at that point in the game) ; if you keep the pawn-structure intact, I'd rather trade the light-square bishops (23...Bb7) and aim for an endgame with R+B vs. R+N with the rook on the 5th rank, and king to the queenside - though it may not be enough to win, it's a way to try and take advantage of the slightly weak e5 pawn 
• I was a bit surprised by your 37...Bd5 and wondered about 37...Bxe4 instead - there may be some tactical problems as it looks difficult to defend both e5 and b3 (eg. 37...Bxe4 38.Rxe4 Rd3 39.Re2 Bxe5)
• I think nayksegismar's idea of 29...f5!? is very interesting : after the trade, you push your pawn duo and create weaknesses in your opponent's pawn structure - then your bishops will have more power for playing on both sides ; I've been told by a stronger player: "when you have the bishop pair, push your pawns forward", and I think that's a very good rule of thumb

edit : I now realize my 2nd line is mistaken as after Bxe5 Rxe5 a5 is under attack, so probably paul's 37...Ba6 is a better try, as 37...Bd5 looks a bit too easy on white.

Not a big ending player but my idea is for position at 33...

I read the other guys ideas and the fresh comment I will add is "improve your worst placed piece" in this case the King, the King got to keep active so it looks better on e7 for example than h8, why not improve his position.

Meanwhile improving whites pieces is a lot harder, they are tied at the defense and the white king is difficult to improve. Of course this is not a winning idea but you should always try to improve your worst piece.