Interesting positional game with English opening

This was a blitz game on another internet server, I was white:



Although blitz, I think the game is interesting from the strategic point of view. Until 28th move there were only two (pawn) captures, first one occuring in 17th move. So we have all pieces and most of the pawns on the board and in very active position. In the end the opponent just blundered (I guess he gave up to the pressure), unfortunately.

What do you think of this game?

Very interesting game that demonstrates the dangers of having dark-squared weaknesses on the kingside with an opposing dark-squared bishop. Your strong pawns and space advantage gave you substantial advantage throughout the game.

I think that 26. f4 was an aggressive and interesting move to attempt to open the position and activate the minor pieces, but I don't agree with 16. Nd1 which allows black to capture on e4, open up the rook on f8, and potentially activate the bishop on h5 as well. Also, what were your ideas behind 9. Qc2? I would prefer h3 to kick out black's bishop then f4.

@TMac310 , thanks for your comments!

Yes, 16. Nd1 is just a bad move, the weakest move in the game. Nothing much to say about that.

9. Qc2 was played almost instinctively. I like having my queen on c2 in this type of English setup, since it plays several useful roles. Offers protection for Ne2 (in case Nc3 moves), protects Nc3 (in case b2-b3), supports b2 (good square for a bishop Bc1), and makes some pressure to b1-h7 diagonal on the opponent's kingside. And in this case it also liberates Ne2 from a pin. So I think it's rather justified.

26. f4 was a bold move, it just looked useful in many aspects you mentioned. At this point I didn't have much time to think it out completely, so I relied on my intuition here as well.

Although the position looks innocuous for quite some time, I believe that Black has let White play his own game for too long. The "Botvinnik cup" setup is a dangerous attacking formation in the long run. In my opinion you are much better all along (except after Nd1, but that just lasts for one move). As Black doesn't have real counterplay, we see White's potential unfold without hindrance. This is akin to an old classic of the '30s, but with a modern opening.
Qc2 is not ideal in general in this setup because a knight will often land on d4 if Black plays actively. The queen's destination has to be chosen on a case-by-case basis. It's your "problem piece" in this setup (not a big problem though).
The game is also a very nice illustration of a case where a doubled pawn is useful : f5 to cement a space advantage on the kingside, then f4 to open enough lines when you are dominating. Very instructive indeed. Usually the useful double pawn is a b-pawn or a c-pawn, this time it is an f-pawn (not exceptionnal, but unusual).
Congratulations and thank you for sharing the game.

@A-Cielbleu thanks for the review!

told that queen to go kick rocks and stay out the way. she didnt listen and paid for her mistake