Questions about attacking chess

Hi! Recently I played a 3|2 game with a player of about equal strength. I ended winning because of a disconnect, although the final position was objectively drawn, or slightly better for my opponent. Throughout the whole game, I was completely winning, and had very good attacking chances, but I never found the right concept to break through. Was wondering if someone could help me and point out my mistakes. 

I know I missed 19.Bxg6! ...I realized it a few moves after I had the opportunity to. I knew something was there, but I couldn't find it when I had the chance to. 

Some questions I have:

• If the position is calling for a breakthrough, what should be my thought process when trying to find the winning move? Ik candidate moves, but sometimes the moves aren't immediately obvious.
• How do I balance flank-attacking and "principled play"? For example, I tend to play chess, especially blitz, like a "coffeehouse player". Often, I make concessions in other areas of the board when I'm trying to attack. For example, in the game, after 16.g4!?, the computer recommends the following:
  
  
  Playing d4 is a hard move to spot in blitz, but it's something that would be found in an over-the-board classical time control. In around half of my attacking games, I feel like I allow way too much counterplay, and create way too many weaknesses in my camp.
• Sometimes, I randomly get concerned my opponent will generate some sort of counterplay, and play overly defensive, tempo-wasting moves (for example 20. Kb1). I knew that Rg5 was the right idea (as can be seen next move), but I just played Kb1 intuitively because I didn't want to allow counterplay. It feels like I'm not identifying the correct moments to defend, and when to attack.

Thanks in advance, and sorry for this long post 😅

You are too strong for me to critique! But this made me think in the same way there is a "beginners" forum, there should also be a "master" forum and "advanced" forum for high rated amateurs. Good luck with your chess!

There is no such thing as being, "too strong to critique"

But thanks, and you too! 

14. h4 doesnt look accurate to me (if it wasnt for your g3 bishop) and your attack seemed pretty slow when you tried opening the kingside.

I prob suggest 0-0-0 and try bringing your rooks around and attack by sacking pawns if you have to

28.f5 looks nice to me (i didnt rlly calculate)

the second board confuses me because I dont understand it lol. In terms of thought proccess in that postion you want to find a way to open up the king with your pieces and attack ig

I think you might have missed an opportunity on move 23 to take control of the h file and possibly use it as a future possible point of entry. Otherwise you played pretty solidly !!

I knew the dark squares were weak, but I couldn't figure out a way to get my bishop there. I didn't see either how to sac the pawns for an attack, other than h4-g4 (but that's not a sac)

The problem, for me, is that I know the concepts usually, but sometimes it's hard to figure out how to apply them :/

I thought about that briefly, but i stopped looking at it after 28 ...gxf5, I couldn't find the continuation, and I didn't want to be material down with low time.

right

I played far from solidly xD

I thought about that, but 23. Rh1 is met by Rh8, and I don't really own the file. I don't really want to trade pieces, since I want to attack, and it would cost a tempo to move away, which is why I didn't go for it.

Looking back, though, your suggestion makes a lot of sense -  I didn't really have an attack at that point anymore. So I should probably have just traded, and grind the slightly better endgame.

I guess I was just really fixated on attacking (I knew I had a great attack, and I didn't want to believe it slipped away) :/

yeah i understand same here. That is why i always prefer classical chess so i can analyze deeply so i dont rlly miss stuff

so first of all, the Nf3 move order in the london can be refuted by black so u should delay Nf3 until black plays e6.And to see moves like Bxg6, u gotta evaluate ur position first by checking how many pieces u have around his/her king and how many he/she has for defense. For example, after sacrificing a piece if u have like 4 pieces on the attack and ur opponent has only one piece to defend with, its a good investment generally. Then u gotta start calculating lines to check if u get good amount of material back or u have a possibility to mate the opponent. If the lines u calculated fulfill either of these conditions, u must go for it. This is what I do when I see an opportunity to sac and most often than not it works. And regarding your second point, no d4 is not that difficult to find IMO. there is this principle in chess which states that a flank attack must be met with a central breakthrough and I am sure ppl who know this will at least consider the move d4. In the third point u asked how to balance principled play and aggression. Well, u gain that skill only thru playing more games IMO. And the 4th point is actually connected with my first point-If u have enough pieces near ur king, there is no reason for prophylaxis cuz u can defend easily. In ur game, black was a bit passive and would have needed at least 5-6 moves to generate an attack. While Kb1 isn't wrong(it actually shows a good understanding of prophylaxis) it is definitely a bit early IMO. yep, thats all ig, hope I answered ur questions, good luck with your chess!

The second board is showing how I allow too much counterplay, and make too many concessions when attacking :/

this is mainly the plan/idea

oof Dr.vishy takes my spotlight

xD

After Rh1, you're actually not trading because of this line: d4 is best however.

I play the Nf3 move order, since I play the Torre against the KID.

I don't know, sometimes I know I should sacrifice, I think it's good, but I'm too scared to play it. Then other times, I hand away free pieces for no reason. Your advice makes a lot of sense though, thanks!

Yeah, that's the problem - a lot of people would find it otb. The problem I have is that I allow way too much counterplay when I'm attacking

Thanks so much!