I am a relatively inexperinced player but competent. I recently had a game in which I mated after 22 moves. This is new to me as I normally experience at least 30-35 minimum (even with the same player). But I suddenly realised where I was after my opponent made what I consider to be a crucially bad move at move 16. I have never analysed a game and would like to know is it possible for me to see where I am like this normally in any game at all times or does it suddenly happen in a game that you see something like this. Is this experience part of a new learning curve for me? How do I remember how I got to this stage and can I apply the same strategy? Because until this stage I didn't have this plan as it developed. As you can see I'm having diifficulty explaining in words what i mean. Would somebody please take time to analyse this game with me and share my thoughts as to what I saw and how I came to this point and then explain to me If this is a normal experience , and my game is at a new stage, or if it was a one off? Many thanks.Game 1410329
Originally posted by mikelomWhat I call the AHA! moment. Yes, 16. f3 was a big mistake, but his position was a complete mess by then. So was yours, but he made the bigger mistake first and at least you were on the front foot. A nice mate in the end which shows you're starting to see combinations and more than a move or two ahead.
I am a relatively inexperinced player but competent. I recently had a game in which I mated after 22 moves. This is new to me as I normally experience at least 30-35 minimum (even with the same player). But I suddenly realised where I was after my opponent made what I consider to be a crucially bad move at move 16. I have never analysed a game and would like ...[text shortened]... perience , and my game is at a new stage, or if it was a one off? Many thanks.Game 1410329
But, and this is a big but, you and your opponent are obviously beginners. Everything was okay up until the end of move 4, then you both went all haywire. 5. h3? is bizarre. Generally you push a or h pawns to prevent a bishop move or to push the bishop away, because otherwise it's a move that weakens your position. 3. ....a6 was okay for that reason but premature. You both then go on to destroy your own pawn structures making it impossible to castle safely and made little effort to control the centre. 7 ... rb8 was absoutely pointless when you could have developed one of your pieces instead. 8. Qd2 was seriously bad - it hemmed in his own bishop effectively putting him a piece down. As a result he had to retreat the Queen later. 11. ... ne4 was a good and natural move. A protected, advanced knight is enormously cramping for the opposition. He was feeling the pressure of the kinght, which is why he blundered. There's lots of errors and a couple of good moves (all yours BTW).
Get yourself off to the library and take out a couple of basic books on chess tactics - you'll pick up a lot there. Keep at it, you can only get better. I might add that if I had to choose a side at any point in the game, I'd rather be in your position than his!