Game 5240876
First of all, I'm sure there are a plethora of mistakes that seem very obvious to those players rated higher than me. Please take ratings into account and let me know the positives/negatives of this Evans Gambit game.
Good opening play by White. But having built up a nice position
you must use it and that means putting on the kicking boots.
The moment 8...f6 appeared White should have thinking
about a Qh5+ and a way of exploiting the weakened King's position.
Here is the game up until move 15 when White played 15.a3? (why?).
Instead this is how the game could have/would have
gone if a more experienced player had been White.
7 d5 closing the center not ideal; down a pawn keep the lines open
9 Bc1 may be better; Be3 in question after f5-f4 - not doing much on e3
12 c4 Nice move, threatening c5 and if b4 a3 is playable at some time
15 Bxh6 followed by greenpawn's line above is best.
In an attack, take the most direct route to achieve your aims and make threats when possible.
Prefer 18 Nf5, 19 Nf5 (with Bd1, d6 is no longer possible)
Glad you played f4 but you dropped a few pawns up to that point; 25...Bg6 and Black is up 4 pawns - those pawns matter should an endgame arise.
(some of my comments are mentioned above, sorry)
7.d5
GM Rowson mentions the concept of "talking to your pieces" in his books. When considering d5, remember to "talk" to all your pieces, including the bishop on c4. This bishop would "tell you" that he's not happy with the d5 pawn cutting off the nice diagonal a2-g8. Instead, this position requires quick development of all the pieces so I suggest 0-0.
8.Bg5
When placing a piece such that it can be attacked by enemy pawns - f6 or h6 in this case - you need to consider how you'd respond to such an attack. If Black responds h6, how would you follow up?
- a) retreat the bishop to e3 with a loss of time
- b) play Bxe7, which helps Black develop his pieces, i.e. Nxe7 or Qxe7. Also White has more space so it would be better not to exchange pieces and instead keep the bishp pair
- c) Bh4 allows g5. Two factors support Black making this advance: he's not yet castled, and the centre is closed (see 7.d5). So, Bh4, g5, Ng6 and suddenly there are nice squares for the Black knights to aim for
8... f6
The bishop was detering the knight on g8 from being developed, by threating to capture it and weaken Black's kingside. Ironically, f6 forces the bishop away but also takes away the f6 square for the knight on g8. It also weakens Black's kingside.
12.c4
Good move. It's interesting to look at the pawn mobility prior to c4. White has a4 or c4 attacking b5, or advancing further and gaining more space. Playing for f4 is not so clear (e.g. it may suit Black's dark square bishop on d6 after a potential exf4).
Black has c6 or f5 pawn breaks. Of course, timing needs consideration too. After c4, Black should play bxc4. This reduces White's pawn mobility on the queenside (which is otherwise dangerous, as the game shows). The downside is the opeing of the b-file but chess is often a question of compromises rather than something for nothing.
15.a3?
Commented earlier in thread. A key point!
15... 0-0?
Black has not only allowed White's d5 pawn to become mobile, but then places his king in line with the White bishop. 16.d6+ is definitely the kind of forcing move you want to be considering.
17.Nh4
Again, be more aware of discovered checks: d6+
19.Bd1
What is the idea behind this move? I can't see any consistent follow up.
22.d6 ?
Unfortunately, you now advance this pawn when it opens up your opponent's light square bishop! 🙂 And only after moving your's off the a2-g8 diagonal. Imagine your bishop still on b3 here.
25.Qg7 ??
Black blunders a piece, and let's White back into the game.
27.Ng3
In terms of "talking to your pieces", your bishop and rook on a1 are shouting the loudest. They are the ones which are currently doing the least; try to improve their positions: e.g. Bb3 or Ra2
28.Ngf5
At least this is consistent with your previous move (Ng3), though you still need to "listen" to your whole army and get them all involved in the fight.
30.Bb3 🙂 He's happier and your rooks are now united.
31... Qg4?
Black leaves too many pieces en prise, and helps White exchange off to an easy win.