Played on FICS server with 15 60 game time, so it was a long game. Quite common to have the bishop pair in the middlegame still it's difficult to win. I know you should try to open the position, any other tips on how to play with the bishop pair?

SJplayer,

Nice game, although I think you could've won in there somewhere. I definitely liked your position out of the opening. You were right to open up the position and I liked the way you used your bishops to restrict the white knights (an important thing to do when you have 2 bishops vs. 2 knights).

I think that as far as critical positions in the game go, move 11 would be the place to look for a longer term plan.

Also, I liked the combination with Bxc3. A few thoughts about some possible improvements: maybe 21...Bxe4 with the idea of creating a weak and isolated e4 pawn which you could play against. Although this gives up the two bishops, it would create a nice target. Not sure if this is best, but it's something you might want to look at.

Also, I think 33...Bxf3+ followed by Bc6 defending the b5 pawn would've been better for you. I think you want to keep pawns on the board in general.

Interesting game!

I think I reckoned that it was sort of critical how to develop on move 11 so I spent some time on what to play, about 5 min according to the video. The idea with Bd7 was to play 0-0-0,c5,Bc6 that was basically it, maybe a little basic when thinking for 5 min?

About move 21. This was probably a critical position aswell and a lot of time on this according to the video. I looked at Bxe4 but I wasn't sure how to play against this weak pawn, I thought that if white just kept the pawn on e4 he could mabey just play Kf3 and it seems impossible for me to win the pawn. Also I think if white gets to trade rooks the pawn might even be an asset, but I'm not sure.

When I played Bd5 I was only expecting Nxc5 and I thought I would be able to open up the position further and trade rooks at the same time to make a clear bishops vs. knight endgame like in the game. I think this was good but the problem was I think that 22.Kf2 before taking probably is not as good for me since now he is really threatening to take and I can only play Bxe4 and I have nothing for giving up the bishop pair in this position. I didn't look at anything else then 22.Nxc5, I'm really curious how to make sure that I have looked at all variations. Is there a good way not to forget variations, since I don't think my problem is visualizing the moves but actually being sure that I have looked everything that is important. I'd be very happy on your thoughts on this problem.

SJplayer