| 
| 
 | 
1. e3 
 | 
I was White in this game. 1.e3 is not a common opening move, but it is very flexible and solid. | 
   1 comment
    | 
|   | 
| 
 | 
1... d5 2. d3 
 | 
My opening is considered unorthodox because I have blocked both bishops, but I want to develop my bishops to d2 and e2. A lot of people say that it is a passive setup, but I don't think playing agressive in the opening is necessary, unless your opponent makes a mistake. | 
   2 comments
    | 
|   | 
| 
 | 
2... Nf6 3. Nf3 Bg4 
 | 
I don't think this is a good square for the bishop, because after Be2 the bishop is useless there and is subject to harassment by h3 later | 
   2 comments
    | 
|   | 
| 
 | 
4. Be2 e6 
 | 
Black is initiating a Torre setup, where Black has ideas of pushing the queenside pawns for a queenside attack, or Black can make the maneuvers c5, Nc6 Bd6 Bb8 Qd6 with a kingside attack in mind along the b8-h2 diagonal. | 
   
    | 
|   | 
| 
 | 
5. Bd2 
 | 
I calmly continue development without thinking about attacking. I don't have any weaknesses, so I should be fine | 
   
    | 
|   | 
| 
 | 
5... Bd6 6. Nc3 c5 7. a4 
 | 
I'm not sure if this move was necessary. I wanted to stop a future b5, and this was also a waiting move to see if Black would castle into my attack | 
   1 comment
    | 
|   | 
| 
 | 
7... O-O 
 | 
Black has castled kingside, which I think is a mistake because I can push my kingside pawns with tempo | 
   
    | 
|   | 
| 
 | 
8. h3 Bh5 
 | 
Black's other option is giving up the bishop pair to stall the advancing of my kingside pawns, but both continuations look bad for Black | 
   
    | 
|   | 
| 
 | 
9. g4 Bg6 10. g5 Nfd7 
 | 
Nh5 would place the knight on the dangerous diagonal where my queen and bishop are aimed | 
   
    | 
|   | 
| 
 | 
11. h4 f6 
 | 
Black wants to get the bishop to a safe square, while also challenging my pawnstorm, but I think this is a mistake because it allows a pawn sacrifice | 
   
    | 
|   | 
| 
 | 
12. h5 Bf7 13. g6 hxg6 14. hxg6 Bxg6 
 | 
For compensation for the pawn, I have open files toward Black's king, and I can take advantage of Black's weak g6-square | 
   
    | 
|   | 
| 
 | 
15. Nh4 Bh7 
 | 
No better is Bf7 Bh5 because Black cannot take the bishop since after Qxh5 I have the dangerous threat of Ng6, similar to what happened in the game | 
   
    | 
|   | 
| 
 | 
16. Bh5 
 | 
My pieces have nice control of the light squares, and my missing pawn doesn't have any significance at the moment since there are still lots of pieces on the board | 
   
    | 
|   | 
| 
 | 
16... Ne5 
 | 
g5 is interesting, but I think I can just play Ng6 and then f4 later and exploit my open g-file. Black's knight move doesn't really do much to help defend.  | 
   1 comment
    | 
|   | 
| 
 | 
17. f4 Nf7 18. Qg4 Re8 
 | 
Qd7 might have been a better way of defending the pawn | 
   
    | 
|   | 
| 
 | 
19. Bg6 
 | 
I'm clearing way for my queen to come to h5 to continue the attack on the weak light squares, and I'm threatening Bxh7  Kxh7 Nf5  followed by Qxg7# | 
   
    | 
|   | 
| 
 | 
19... Bxg6 20. Nxg6 
 | 
I'm intending to play Qh5, so Black should move the knight and play Kf7 to stop mates along the h-file. | 
   
    | 
|   | 
| 
 | 
20... Bc7 
 | 
I thought Black would play Nh6, but after Qh5 the play is similar to my continuation of the game. I plan to castle queenside and bring my other rook to the g-file. | 
   1 comment
    | 
|   | 
| 
 | 
21. Qh5 
 | 
Threatening Qh7# | 
   
    | 
|   | 
| 
 | 
21... Nd6 22. O-O-O 
 | 
I don't think Qh7  now is necessary. I'll just get my rook active on the g-file and continue the attack from there | 
   
    | 
|   | 
  |