After 8... h5 there was also Ne3 (it doesn't look trapped).
You didn't realy secrificed a rook for a better position, the same mate you did at the end was possible before you gaved your rook, so you lost your rook and knight and then used the same position you had before in the center to end this game...
techsword was up on material, but down on position. he needed to bring his rook over sooner, to protect his h-file (Rh8). He also needed to free up more squares for his king once the pressure arose. perhaps he could have threatened my queen with his since he was up on material, though i could see no eminent exchanges.
i felt like 10. ...Qe7 was a mistake on his part, and that he should have found a stronger move there.
i also realized i waited too long to execute my attack plan, and that it could have cost me. the moment my diagonal was freed for my white bishop (14. e5), the way was cleared, since he had still decided to leave his h-file undefended. i knew i was going to lose my a1 rook already, why move my knight around? honestly guys, i can't remember why. :(
15. Qh7+ Kf6
16. Qh6#
would have been the right moves on my part, again realizing he left his h7 pawn undefended by his non-king pieces. i am sure i missed a lot of other opportunities, as did he, but i'm interested in how my play was on this match, versus my other game against baron (thread titled "ugly win number 1").
i realize i have an aggressive style of play, which is best served by intimidating my opponent into making mistakes, but what to do to sharpen that quality against players who see through my attacks? i think it is going to be a problem for me.
any thoughts are appreciated. thank you in advance.
...ryan