London System-Greek Gift

Though I'd show this example of a greek gift in the London System.I've only been playing a couple of months, so I'm always happy to get the opportunity to use plays such as this that I've learned. 

Please feel free to comment and critique.

So what do you do after 15.. Qxg5? 16. Bxg5, Nxd1 17. Rxd1 and you're a piece down. 16. Qd3+(orQc2+), Qf5 17. Qxc3, Qxf4 and now you are 2 pieces down. 

Good job recognizing a pattern and going for it, however you always need to double-check. Also, since your queen is attacked, turn that double-check into a triple-check. 

Very good points.Usually, the queen isn't under attack in this position, or the black Q,isn't directly attacking the white knight.It was a blitz game so things were happening quickly.I appreciate your comments-thanks!

Also, move 18. Why did he not take your queen?

Anyway, you play very well for your level. But London System? ELO 650? London System? Don't you want to use a simpler opening?

Hi Michahellis--some unique play here with lucky chances on both sides.  7. b4 was the start of a weak plan; you want to leave your queenside alone for the most part and focus on that kingside attack with moves like Bd3, Ne5, Qe2/Qc2, 0-0/0-0-0, etc.  Since black is going to aim his counterattack at your queenside anyhow, moving your stuff over there really only helps his cause.  8...Ne7 was better than 8...Na5 so black's knight could redeploy itself to g6, and you slipped up next with 12. e4, giving away an important pawn.  Again, think about ways to prepare moves like that so they do more damage.  If you complete your development first with 0-0 and play Bg5, black's f6 knight is pinned to his queen.  Then when you play e4, his knight can't take and he faces the threat of that same pawn going to e5.

Anyhow, black made another errant knight move with 13...Nc3?  He absolutely needed that piece on f6 again to keep his king defended.  But the move you wanted after 14...Kxh7 was 15. Qd3+, recovering your material with chances for both sides.  15. Ng5+?? was a blunder, since 15...Qxg5! wins in all variations: 16. Bxg5 Nxd1, 16. Qc2+ Qg6, etc., and black stays on top.  Finally turn 18 raises some questions for both sides, but then again it was a bullet game, so that probably explains that.

So a lot of wild moves here, some good and some not so great, which is to be expected in rapid games.  Play longer ones as well so you start recognizing more of those tactics and seeing further ahead.  With time to calculate, you'll still beat these people, but you'll do it without hanging your queen and that will make all the difference.

In looking at this again.I must have been half asleep.I was incredibly lucky that for some odd reaon my oppenent had the same blind spots that I did.I'm not sure how I didn't see possible continuations that all would have ended disasterously for me.I truly appreciate the times you guys have taken to critique my play.I'm pretty embarassed to have even posted this,looking at it again.

I don't find the London System to be that complex and I tend to win more than I lose with it.I have used some good learning materials and have a decent idea of the lines in this system, depending on what black chooses to do.Of coruse, I'm a beginner ( having only taken up the game in January) and I'm prone to tunnel vision and blunders.I hope to clean this up as I improve.If anyone would like.I have devoted quite a bit of time to learning thus far and I do have some good games, where things go well,believe it or not :) 

Every game is a learning experience!

Thanks again!

your opponent missed capturing your queen. anyway, nice checkmate

Hmm.

hi

No.