I'd like some feedback on my play style

So, here's the deal. I haven't been playing chess for a looong time, so I'm pretty much still a newby.

My rating is normally arround 1100-1200, so I though a good way for me to evolve was to post one of my games and ask you guys for advice \ critics about the way I play.

(I was black btw)

From what I see, I may be over eager to exchange pieces. Anyone?

My analysis cannot compare to an NM's, but you want to exchange too often.

Unless you are up material, you should not exchange pieces unless there is a combination in it or it will greatly improve your position. With equal material, more exchanges make the game more drawish.

I'm not anything special but I agree with previous comments about over-exchanging (something I'm guilty of too...sometimes I think, well, his piece looks stronger than mine, let's just clear them off of the board and negate the problem, while actually I'm removing a strong potential attacker for my own side) - and I thought that 20...Rf5 was inexact because it locked up your most powerful piece. In fact, that rook didn't move for the rest of the game (not that it needed to necessarily, but placing it on a more active square in that position would have given you a few more dynamic threats. One more thing - if you know that your endgame is your Achilles' heel, that should be good reason to stay away from exchanging based upon habit - the quicker you exchange, the sooner the endgame!

Here is a tip for the ending.  It is good to exchange pieces in a superior ending, but trading pawns only increases the defender's drawing chances.

instead of exchanging knights on move 15; take the free pawn instead on f3. otherwise it was a wellplayed game indeed

OK, let's see...

5... Bg4+  Bad time waste. W wants to play f3 anyhow.

6... Be6 A lousy square for the bishop, but after the previous...

7... Nd5 The centralisation/simplification is not too bad. The central pawn situation is such that you could be steam-rollered if you don't.

9... Nc6 you seem to be trying to tie your pieces together. e6; Nd7; looks better to me.

11... O-O-O+  Agreed - but without it your overall position is poor.

13... Nd4 This is weak. Far better to play e6; and Bc5;

15... Nxe2+ If I was playing this position I would have spent a lot of time on Nxf3;. I don't know whether it can be played or not, but it is interesting.

16... e6  Long overdue, but better late than never!

17... h5  You are defending against a  non-threat!  Try instead Bc5!!

18... Bxh5  Mistake probably. Bf5 has much more sting.

OK. After this you have an endgame. It is a classic good vs. bad bishop position.

Play g6 and put pressure on B's pawns. Exchange rooks if possible.

The position should be a simple win for black. The only slight problem that presents is that the BK must find a way through. That should not be hard if you have won a pawn or too first.  ;-)

Hope that's the sort of comment you wanted!