Annotated chess game

Dubious as the Bb4 does little anyways but there is nothing terribly wrong. This also prepares b4.

Better then Bd2 - the bishop does something!

Slow perhaps but we are debating with theory. This move is often played by black for a number of reasons. 1) so that after Bd3 Qc2 there is no threat to take the h pawn after Bxf6 Bxh7. 2) To create a escape square for the king from back rank threats. Furthermore, he is not really losing time as white has to move his bishop.

I must say that blacks Re8?! is dubious. I may be wrong (I know little QGD Exchange theory) but it doesnt really do anything. Then again it is hard to suggest an improvment.

The idea to exchange bishops although is good for white (he exchanges his 'badish' bishop) gives black some breathing space and lessens the chance of an attack on the king as there are fewer pieces on the board.

Good move playing for the c file.

? Positional blunder by far. The e5 square is gone and black has no compensation. Furthermore the king is weakened and is subjected to attacks. Furthermore his bishop has gone from bad to awful.

I think Nf6 is better. Although black has given away e5 he has a limited control over e4 which can be exploited by Nf6. Furthremore - black now has chances to play e5! himself to rid of the weakness and open the bishop up.

? White returns the favour. He gives away e4 to black. Then again his bishop is good where as blacks is bad so there are some slight - very slight positional advantages for white.

A good move preventing the advance of the pawns however, I wonder if a knight would be better placed on g5 rather then a rook - it looks rather clumsy there. Another plan for white now is b4! (making more use of the a3 move earlier) and Nb3-c5 where it dominates the game.