Annotated chess game

Erika usually plays 1.e4 I think that there might have been a little more going on then meets the eye, and it has nothing to do with this game.

Absolutely.

In fact, I think that this is why she played 2.Bc4 in her last annotation. As it started off with 1.e4 e5 2.Bc4, however, 2...Nf6 had to still be preferable since the N is developed before the B which I noted there.

I also favor 3.d4, as it gains tempo.

Yes, I would've developed the N. My answer here would be 4.e4, to prepare 5.Bg5

I get confused with when it's considered a poisoned pawn. But, I like the post and diagram.

But the queen could just move out of the way, ahead by a pawn

6.Bc3!! See above annotation. ++++++++ Response to eric2jin 6.Bc3 Qb5 (...Qb6 is the only alternative that keeps the queen) 7.Bxg7, and White goes ahead by a rook. ++++++++ I keep forgetting that the substantive annotation doesn't allow for fen diagrams, so I reproduce them by way of a comment. ++++++++++++++ Something I overlooked in my substantive annotation: 5...Qxb2 6.Bc3 Bb4! 'half-pinning' the c3-Bishop. 'Half-pin'? The bishop can not capture the queen, on account of the exposed check, but CAN take the bishop. If the Black Queen takes the rook then, White plays (7.Bxb4 Qxa1) 8.Bc3 Qxa2 9.Bxg7. So Black would be better playing 7...Qxb4ch 8.Nbd2 ... Although a pawn down, White would have a fine game.

I also think so.

End of the line given in the note

In fact, I think it's more then fine, as white would have a space advantage with pieces closer to the center.

That's better, but I reckon that black is not in great shape anymore. This is a very similar position to what I saw with one of cami3's note. Where a very similar setup had occurred. Her development was very near complete, but her opponents position looked something like this. There was no development there either so she used the Q and a strategy with both of her N's to trap the K and Q as they were on the same diagonal. That helped her to force a win. Wouldn't work here, but I reckon that white could do a lot of damage with black's undeveloped pieces. Having said that, I would've gone on the attack, at once, with 7.Qg5 forcing the Q to move, which would be proceeded with either 8.Nc3 or 8.Qd7.

A line I omitted from my substantive note: 7...Bxd4 8.Nxe4! Qd8 (to maintain the bishop's protection) 9.Nxd4 Qxd4 10.Bc3 .... and where have we seen this tactical shot before? The Queen can not protect g7, as the knight on e4 is blocking access to g4!

Or just developing.

Which plays just as powerful a role, that we'd see with 8.Bg5 But, I like this move better for the reason that you mentioned, ION.

I don't think black anticipates 9...Qxg2 Instead, I think that her goal is 9.Nxf7?? in an attempt to win the R. But, that also won't work since there's nothing else attacking it.

Investigation indicated the knight move, though not the best, still keeps some advantage for White, even after 9...Qxg2 7.Rf1 Qxh2 8.d4! (...Bxd4?? 9.Nf3!). So perhaps it is not a mistake after all.

Definitely.

Welll... reduced some of White's advantage...

Her goal was the Queen more then anything else. As that resulted in Erika's final blunder with her last annotation. I emphasized how important it was to be patient, and even, posted cami3's blog about this in that game. It was natural looking, and she was after the Queen. But, there was something much more important, the mate threat which occurred in the game as black found the best move and mated her there.

I wonder the same thing, ION.

I would've captured on b6, just to liquidate. And, that would be followed by castling.