Please help

This is my game earlier today in the Virginia High School Capital District Chess Tournament.  It was the semifinals, and I thought I was doing well.  My opponent stopped my initial attack (unintentionally, he later admitted when we reviewed the game together).  Here's the game up to the point where I lost it (I played black)

I was hellbent on promoting the pawn, so I played 23... d2.  Here's the rest of the game:

Any advice?

Nxf3 and then Qe2 and you are winning

I wouldn't go as far as he is winning, Erik... although perhaps equality is achieved... In fact white is probably still at an advantage.

I agree. Exposes the king and gives hope for promoting the pawn.

Re1 defends everything after the Qe2 not sure its an unclear position after

It doesn't expose the king if white captures with his queen...

Hi

Good game. 23. ... d2 is an error though. The best line is probably 23. ... Nxc4 24. b3 Ne5 25. Be4 g6 and the game is level.

Also, after 23. ... d2 24. Be5 Qd7 loses a piece to Qh5+. 24. ... Kg8 is probably best though the position is still difficult.

30. g4 is probably not white's best resource. I would prefer 30. Rf1.

I also wonder whether 32. ... Qxb2 would be better than 32. ... g6.

I think - as you imply yourself - you became a bit fixated on the d2 pawn and pushing for the win. I think you could have drawn the game had you played 23. ... Nxc4.

I too was thinking Nxc4.  It picks up the free pawn without ill effects, doesn't it?

23 ..Nxf3 24. Qxf3 Qe2 25. Qxe2 dxe2 26. Re1 Rd1 and you win, or

26. f3 Rd1+ and you still win.

Even if white responds to Nxf3 with gxf3, I think Nxf3 is a very good move because you're trading a Knight for a Bishop on an open board, and giving him doubled f pawns.