Cool Caro-kann classical trap

Somehow I highly doubt that 10.Bxa7 is a good idea if the computer analyzed a ?? for that move. (and while 11. ...Qxa7 is certainly a blunder, no one says Black has to play that move immediately. After preventing the knight checkmate Black can pick off the bishop, yesno?)

8. b3!? is not too bad, but it turns a very active white position into a somewhat less active position after 8. ... Bxe4 9. Bxe4 Ngf6. According to Rybka, white still has an advantage here, but not quite as large (about .2 to .1, so not a big deal). Better was 8. Nd6+! exd6 9. Bxf5. At least that's what my computer says.

8. ... Rd8!? is a strange move, since black can no longer castle queenside. Here you probably should take advantage of the position with 9. Nd6! exd6 10. Bxf5 Ne7 11. Qe2, with lots of potential threats. Instead, the innocent looking 9. Be3? Gives black the opportunity for 9. ... Qc7, where it can happily defend the king. The position is even here.

10. Bxa7? gives up material after 10. ... b6 11. Qe2 Bxe4! 12. Bxe4  and the bishop is trapped. The exchange in the middle is key; your opponent fell victim to blind greed, and didn't see the massive threat the knight posed to an unsuspecting victim. It was a nice trap, but one that would have ended badly for you if black were a little more careful.

For what it's worth, 11. Re1? is not white's best line in the position, but the other ones are a bit harder to figure out. Since you were trying to lay a trap, I would recommend 11. Qe2!? as perhaps being a bit stronger and still posing the same threat of 12. Nd6# if black doesn't trade off your knight.

I think b3 is bad becuase the bishop now has to control two diagonals.

Why even bother getting computer analysis if you are just going to disagree with it. 

well, i dint know what the result of the analysis would have been, bondiggity, and EEbster, i agree. i also know that i should have done Re1 before Bxa7. lol

Nice !