Dragon Analysis

I dont have an engine on me, and I need someone to check my tactics in the following game...I was black:

On your first question, 11...Bxg4 is not tactically sound due to the simple 12. Bxg4 when the only way to not drop a piece is 12...Nxg4 13.Qxg4 Nxd4 but then white has the powerful 14. 0-0-0! with a strong attack once the knight retreats. Therefore it might be better to try 12...Qb6 with the idea of taking on b2 after the bishop retreats, offering some compensation for the piece. 11...Nxg4 is not better though. For example 12.Bxg4 Bxd4 13.Bxd4 Bxd4 14.Bxc8! with some interesting complications which are nevertheless favourable for white.

However, 17...Rxb2! is correct, as you suggest, because if Kxb2 then Nxe4 gains basically all the material back with a strong attack to boot.

I think that instead of either 11...Bxg4 and 11...Nxg4 perhaps 11...Qa5 takes advantage of white's overly slow buildup (Be2 just seems like it's in the wrong place for tis entire variation. Also that delayed the nice Qd2, which in turn delayed 0-0-0... I like black after 11...Qa5.

As a bonus, it comes with the threat of ...Nxe4, and on 12.Bf3 Ne5 makes white feel a bit awkward.

After a brief look, I have to say I disagree with your marking 17.Rdg1 as a "?".

Not that I think it was a great move, just that I think black is easily and quickly winning after anything else too:)

In fact, how DOES he defend the sacrifice? 17.Bd2 doesn't, 17...Rxb2 is just as deadly as 18.Kxb2 runs into Rb8+ (or Nxe4 STILL heh even with the bishop on d2). Now he seems to HAVE to move the rook...Rdg1 or something similar:), but than Rfb8 forces resignation.

There doesn't seem to be any way to create complications either. 17.e5 Rxb2 again, your threats are faster than his, and deadlier.

Rxb2 is coming, and I don't see any good way to stop it.