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13... Ne7
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Here goes. I have to get my pieces some activity so I set myself up for a sacrifice.
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14. Bd3
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Really....did my opponent see that coming as well? If you look into a chess book about how to ideally place your pieces....white is two moves away. The queen on e2 or d2 and the c-rook on d1 would be a textbook piece placement and I have allowed it.
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14... b5
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My last ditch attempt is to trade down. The player with the cramped position should search for even trades to alleviate some of the lack of mobility problems. I look to kick his knight from the c3 square and trade rooks. Less pieces need less room to work.
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15. Qd2 Bc6
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I saw a chance to make some exchanges in the center so I bailed on my last plan.
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16. a3
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My opponent prevents 16....b4. Always a step ahead of me.
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16... d5
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Now I lose my nerve a little here and go for a pawn sacrifice that hopefully (a bad way to play chess is move and hope) gives me enough activity for the sacrifice. I know my opponent is likely to respond with 17. e5 gaining more space. 17.....Nd7 makes my light squared bishop useless and my dark squared bishop can easily be exchanged whenever my opponent wishes with Bh6 then Bxg7. What I had in mind was to sacrifice the d-pawn for the bishop pair. What I had worked out was the line...16...d5 17. e5 Ne4 (leads to a loss of my d-pawn) 18. Bxe4 (not 18. Nxe4?? due to the pawn fork 18....dxe4) dxe4 19. Ng5 winning the d-pawn on the next move. I am aware this will happen. I also know that white can force the exchange of dark squared bishops which gives me nothing for the sacrifice but I can exchange his dark squared bishop first. After 19. Ng5 Nf5! is the way to keep my bishop pair. If 20. Bf4 I can respond with 20....Qxd4 or 20...Nxd4 material equal again and much needed space gained. I give 19...Nf5! because it accomplishes my idea not because it is a great move.
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17. e5
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As expected not allowing exchanges and gaining space. White is in complete control.
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17... Ne4
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Here is the sacrifice.
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18. Bxe4
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My opponent captures with the correct piece of course avoiding the blunder mentioned earlier.
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18... dxe4 19. Ng5
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Will win the e4 pawn.
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19... Nf5
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All according to plan. Secures the capture of the dark squared bishop.
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20. Ngxe4 Nxe3 21. Qxe3
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Now I realize the error in my ways but it is far too late to go back now. The bishop pair and the backward d-pawn make me feel like I have compensation for the lost pawn. My analysis was excellent but my evaluation was terrible. Analysis is calculating all the possible lines and captures. I am pleased looking back to see that aspect of the game was correct for me. Evaluation is looking at the position after the captures are over to see who stands better. If you told me I was going to be down a pawn but have the bishop pair and the opponent has a backward pawn on an open file, I would say I like my chances. The problem is, in this position, I would rather have the knights. I didn't see it this way during the game, but my opponent easily turns this position into a win for him. What I failed to recognize is that the holes in black's position (f6 and d6 are the worst ones) and the white knight's ability to access them give white all the play. I saw 22. Nf6+ but that gives me back the pawn so I didn't worry about it. I failed to see 22. Nd6 completely dominating the game.
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21... Qh4
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I admit I did not have any plan at this point. I felt I accomplished something by getting the bishop pair and was in control. This move keeps the initiative (so I think) by threatening to win the exchange with 22...Bh6. I assume my opponent will see this but can't do anything about it.
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22. f4
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My opponent takes action against my plan but I still like where I stand.
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22... Bh6
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Attacking f4 a second time.
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23. Ref1
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Defending f4. I thought this was good for me before Bh6. I considered the rook defending the f-pawn and calculated incorrectly. 23. Rf1 Bxe4 24. Nxe4 Rxc1 25. Rxc1 Qxf4 and I am loving my position. However, I miss the easy solution for white. 23. Rf1 Bxe4 24. Qxe4 is what I failed to see and now white gets the initiative and the game from here.
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23... Rfd8
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Since my original plan fails I should probably get my queen out of there. I sensed some danger at this point knowing Nf6+ is in the air but I fail to listen to my instincts. I feel like I have to press on.
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24. Nf6+
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No surprise there.
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24... Kh8 25. Kh2
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Now the game is all over. White has trapped the black queen.
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25... Bg7
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This gives some breathing room for the queen.
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