Annotated chess game

A Trompovsky attack, this usually doesn't bold well on this level. Moreso on the 1800-2200 level where you need that extra surprise element in your game to get you over the edge. On this level, you need to really know the theory to do well or you can get caught in a very bad position very, very early.

Exchanging this bishop was bad. White's only active piece on the board now is that d4 pawn. Black's situation is better. The king side is open, however, this gives an attack line for the rook to exploit, a potential diagonal for the bishop. Just for hindsight and for other readers though, consider this: Most Tromp players will respond 3.Bf4, not 3.Bh4 (and certainly not Bxf6 like this player did). The idea is that after f3 and e4, should Black take on e4, he ends up in a Blackmar Diemer (Here's a game with such an example of how to dismantle an opponent with the Blackmar Diemer: gameknot.com) where White has an extra move Bf4. 3...g5 is ridiculous against 3.Bf4 unless you intended some type of Basman defense to begin with.

2..c5 is a better try, and 3...exf6 is slightly better too if you must go this way. You will be able to play on the half-open e-file

Not passive, it's theory and activates pieces. Simple development at this point.

not 4...e5, but 4...c5 to attack the pawn chain. B cannot play exd5 leaving own pawn structure a mess, but cxd5 works much better

You're the aggressive player we all love in club and OTB tournaments (there's always at least one or two). It's because he or she will throw theory out the window and just focus on what threats are on board at the time. A strategy that can work some of the time, but fail most of the time  

this is not better for Black, you are gaining space, but losing mobility

Unfortunately I can't study chess... I only know theory by seeing games! I know, I know...

You have space, but not a stronger center because it is immobile

Thank you all for your assessements!

I think I like 7. f3 better than white's actual move in this situation. 7. f3 exf3? 8. Qxf3! Qh4+ g3 ends black's kingside attack. Or say black doesn't take on f3. Say black plays d5, which is a much better move. I'd respond with c4 on move 8, and just build up pressure because eventually, something would have to give.

7.c4 was W's best chance here heading towards more normal channels

W had a tiny edge, but 8.Qxg5 gives B a small edge

a slight error

did you at least thank him for this error?

  As for the Q, it was either this or retreating.

not overwhelming yet, but increasingly better

15.Kc2 first would have helped W a little bit. 15....Be6 is OK, but both b5 and d5 warranted a look first.

Rb8 was the better move here...

teardrop , you mean Rab8, I agree

Bxc4!! is the dagger. Remove the most active piece from play and what does he have?

19.Nc4 is the losing move, but 19. Nc6+ has every chance of equalizing because W would follow with 20. d5