This was a rapid game (most of the time I play classical, but I threw this game in for fun), so the moves played weren't as accurate as they could have been. lichess.org/FhKgEh2s/black I do my best to provide comments of what I was thinking during the game.
The opening was a bit strange, with my opponent (white pieces) playing quite defensively. I'm pretty sure my move Bb5 was a mistake that I played too quickly, but I won a pawn on the next move so at that point I felt like I had something to work with.
m16: I played Qe7 to connect my rooks and also keep defending my f6 knight. I would have preferred my pawns nice and neat, but I'm not sure if my bishop would be better on e7 than my rook. I played Bd6 at the start because I didn't think he'd be attacking my f6 knight but here he is.
m18: I'm quite happy with my Bc6 move- I have control of the only open file and I've closed off all other files for my opponent. In the endgame I can make use of my passed pawn.
m20: I played Qb4 too quickly and missed my knight on f6. Oh well.
m22: "When in doubt or when you have the option, play in the center!" I tried to implement this with my moves and it did seem to show possibilities. I was probably caught up with my opponent's ideas later on in the game.
m23: I wasted this move here. My idea was to play Rg8 and attack on the g-file and try to get rid of my weak pawns. However this idea is quite complicated. I know this is the wrong idea but what is a correct one?
Around m30, I feel like I'm probably able to get my rook and queen somewhat active, but I don't know how I should get my Bc6 into play. He's not really doing anything.
m31: Now that he's moved that knight, I have kind of found a new plan; attacking the d3 pawn. I will put my bishop on a6.
m39: Now I'm feeling somewhat flustered with my king in the open. I'd like to trade queens.
m46: Now that I've traded a bunch of pieces, my extra pawns will win the game for me. I'll play b5-b4 and get my rook behind the passed pawn.
I appreciate feedback and criticism. Thanks and Happy Checkmating!
The opening was a bit strange, with my opponent (white pieces) playing quite defensively. I'm pretty sure my move Bb5 was a mistake that I played too quickly, but I won a pawn on the next move so at that point I felt like I had something to work with.
m16: I played Qe7 to connect my rooks and also keep defending my f6 knight. I would have preferred my pawns nice and neat, but I'm not sure if my bishop would be better on e7 than my rook. I played Bd6 at the start because I didn't think he'd be attacking my f6 knight but here he is.
m18: I'm quite happy with my Bc6 move- I have control of the only open file and I've closed off all other files for my opponent. In the endgame I can make use of my passed pawn.
m20: I played Qb4 too quickly and missed my knight on f6. Oh well.
m22: "When in doubt or when you have the option, play in the center!" I tried to implement this with my moves and it did seem to show possibilities. I was probably caught up with my opponent's ideas later on in the game.
m23: I wasted this move here. My idea was to play Rg8 and attack on the g-file and try to get rid of my weak pawns. However this idea is quite complicated. I know this is the wrong idea but what is a correct one?
Around m30, I feel like I'm probably able to get my rook and queen somewhat active, but I don't know how I should get my Bc6 into play. He's not really doing anything.
m31: Now that he's moved that knight, I have kind of found a new plan; attacking the d3 pawn. I will put my bishop on a6.
m39: Now I'm feeling somewhat flustered with my king in the open. I'd like to trade queens.
m46: Now that I've traded a bunch of pieces, my extra pawns will win the game for me. I'll play b5-b4 and get my rook behind the passed pawn.
I appreciate feedback and criticism. Thanks and Happy Checkmating!