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Any comments on my gameplay here?



This is the first game I've had analyzed here, and I'm curious as to what people think about my performance here. Even if it's negative feedback.
Some general chess ideas, with specific tie-ins to this game:

1. You gave away a pawn by playing 4. Nc3 instead of defending the g4 pawn. Don't give your opponent free stuff.

---advanced: only give your opponent free stuff if you get something better, such as checkmate!

2. Watch out for squares your opponent can use to attack your king (and for you to attack the enemy king)! If you think about how Black can attack your king here and see the possible attack from h4, it becomes obvious that you can stop them by playing Nf3 which defends h4.

3. Opening moves should usually accomplish at least two of the following: attack the center (the 4 squares in the middle of the board: e4, d4, e5, and d5), occupy the center, move your back row pieces (except king) forwards (usually pointing at the center), or open ways for your pieces to attack the center.

For example: 1. d4 occupies the center, attacks another center square (e5), and clears the way for your dark-square bishop to move somewhere better. e4 does all of the same things.

1. f4 is reasonable because it does attack the center, but it only does that one good thing and it makes your king more vulnerable! It's probably not a good first move for a relatively new player, although you could still study the Bird Opening if you really enjoy playing it. 1. c4 (English Opening) is also reasonable, especially since it doesn't expose the king.

4. The reason it's good to control the center is that your pieces can cover the most ground from the center of the board, and might even think about jumping into your opponent's camp from there, which can cause them a real headache. You want your pieces to use those squares some day, and you don't want your opponent to have the same potential!

5. Other players will repeat this a lot, but it does bear repeating: in any given position, look for whatever checks, captures, or threats you can play, as those are usually the most powerful moves. Your opponent's responses are easier to predict because they tend to be more limited. If your opponent is trying to win a pawn or two and you threaten him with checkmate or capture a whole piece, he has to stop! At least temporarily.

---advanced: watch out for what checks, captures, and threats your opponent can make against you. Threatening to capture a knight isn't much good if your opponent threatens you with checkmate!
Addendum: Keep playing lots of games! It's not fast, but it's the best way to turn book knowledge into wins.

I usually see it recommended to play games with longer clock times while you think about how to apply what you've learned, and it's not a bad idea.
I'm not sure what you mean by bait, SendBeggar, but thanks for the advice and comments, Door_Belle
Wait, why? I was playing that game when I was tired.
Wasting good time of people like @Door_Belle that genuinely try to help you. Shame on people like you
I am sorry if I did something wrong. I do intend to follow Door_Belle's advice. It's just that sometimes I still play the same bad moves out of habit.
I'm gonna keep feeding the troll, apologies. You lost maybe 10 games by playing f4 g4 or f5 g5, and waiting to get the quickest checkmate possible. Only one reason possible for that

You had your fun, and you had your fun troll post. In due time, moderators will see my report and flag you a cheater

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