Annotated Chess Game 12171062 by 64squaresofpain

Weakening pawn moves cost games

23. c4 b5 24. Qd1b3
c5 was tempting but that Knight on a4 dominates my Bishop.... I instead make my Queen more active
24... bxc4 25. Qb3xc4 Na4b6 26. Qc4b3 Re8d8 27. Bd2c3
I wish to win e5
27... Nb6d7 28. Qb3b2 Ra8xa1 29. Re1xa1 Qc7b7 30. Nf3d2
? I believe Nc4 was the plan but Rd1 was better
30... Nd7f6 31. f3
? Although right now this move is OK, it proves costly later
31... Qb7b6 32. Kg1h2 Qb6b5 33. Ra1a5 Qb5d3 34. Qb2b3 Qd3e3 35. Nd2c4 Qe3f4 36. Kh2g1
A draw is on the cards, but it seems both sides want to win
36... Bd6c7 37. Ra5a7
? I saw a possible attack on my opponent's King, but this is dangerous whilst my King is on this open diagonal... better was Rook back to a1
37... Qf4c1 38. Kg1f2
?? This was purely to stop the checks/repetition possibilities that would have come with Kh2, but...
38... Rd8d3
I only now realise my opponent's attack is fast, so I resort to "hope chess"
39. Nc4xe5
As in, "I hope for Bxe5 or Rxc3/Qxc3 and I will get a win or draw respectively"
39... Bc7b6
Nope, no hope, it's now forced mate.... White resigned