Queen in the Back

a key observation here is 13.Bb5+ wins queen.

Great catch on both.

I was so flustered at the full-on onslaught of his Queen that I neglected to consider checking in order to take it.

I also obviously got drawn into the whole 'I take, then you take' rhythm of it and forgot the theory behind pins and such...

This is why I post in this forum.  I felt this was a moderately strong game, but already I've been shown a variety of plays that were probably stronger. 

Well, first thing is that you closed the position extremely early. While this may not be totally bad, black could have just played Nd5 and stayed safe.

4.Qe2 does about nothing but block the bishop's development. One of the important principles of the opening is to develop as fast as you can so you can attack with all of your pieces.

6.Nc3 blocks your c pawn. This is minor but c4 is about your only hope for a break.

11.O-O allows the other guy to get knight for bishop and a pawn, which is bad in a closed position. Trading queens does not kill you, and you don't have to trade queens anyways.

13.Qf4 is too slow of an attack. Nf7 would make it pointless. Better is 13.Bb5+! Winning the queen.

The resignation was understandable, but

14...Nb4 you have a little trap here. 15.a3 and if he takes the bishop, 16.Bd8 seems to win.

23...Rf8 and you have no attack.

The mate was nice, but your opponent played poorly. It seemed you did not have much of a plan in this game. You should always take the time to come up with a plan of action in the middlegame, and see if your opponent can prevent it. Don't play for tricks. Your plan worked, but only because your opponent helped you. (Note I am only doing this to help, I could probably make as much notes in one of my games as yours :)

Oops. 15.a3 and then 16.Bd8 fails to Kd7. As I said, don't play for traps XD

2. Nf3. If your opponent doesn't stop you from fully occupying the center, 2. d4 is usually good. There's nothing wrong with 2. Nf3 either.

4. Qe2. The queen is usually a bad defender, and in front of the bishop looks really awkward. I would have preferred 4. d4.

7. Bg5. It's not clear that the bishop is better here than on d2 where it breaks the pin. 

9. Qe3 You are really hanging your bishop out to dry by taking away it's diagonal. If 9. ... Nc7, your opponent is threatening to play ... h6 and ... g5 trapping your bishop. I prefer 9. Bxh6 gxh6 10. Qd2 attacking the undefended pawn on h6.

As pointed out already, 13. Bb5+ wins the queen. 

14. Bxh6 gxh6 15. Qxh6 wins a pawn and Ng5 will add to the attack on the king. 

Is it generally considered a 'good idea' to respond the Nxf2 fork with Kxf2?  Otherwise, what would be a good defense against it in a situation where the Queen Bishop can't go to e3?

I was under the impression that responding like that can draw your King out where he doesn't want to be or at least make him an easy target for a move or two.

Qxe8, I appreciate the candid commentary.  I know that, more often than not, I'm a poor chess player.  It's for comments like yours and Loomis's that I keep posting my games.

Ah, I think I see what you are worried about now:

 Check the move list for variations.

Okay.. I am a rather unorganized thinker so my advice is not very reliable. As for the Nxf2 problem, not at all, where did you hear that?Your opponent harly has any pieces out, so after Kxf2 you can just develop your kingside and catle artificially (Meaning you get your king's bishop, knight, and rook out, then put your king on g1 or f1)

Never be afraid, if you do not challenge your opponent's ideas, you will never improve. Try to calculate an exact variation, and if he can't win, take the free piece.