I think annotating your games is a great way of improving your game!

I have always liked the advance version, but it may well not be the best

Fair question. There is a third option: 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 - the Panov-Botvinnik Attack, which is a line I quite like (as a lead in to the Gunderam Variation, in which White establishes a pawn wedge at c5, and a crimp in Black's Q-side).

Botvinnik tried 3...c5?! against Tal in the 1961 Return Match. He switched to this (...Bf5) move after Tal handed him his head.

Tal's health was eating away at him most of that match but he had some moments, the game you highlight being one

5.Be2 is good. For a long time Bd3 used to be played, but after the light-square bishops were exchanged, White tended to lack effective attacking resources. GM Mischa Tal's approach was to play h2-h4, but that didn't turn out very well neither.

6. black could have chosen c5 break than Ne7. Black should get this break whenever he get the opportunity. Centre is closed, white not in a position to attack ., so black can wait for castle. Plz put ur views.

I don't know...6...c5 is playable,but while it attacks a centralpawn,it could be followed by 7.c4,that also attacks a centralpawn.

The purpose of Nh4 is to exchange it for the Black light-square bishop. White then keeps her own light-square bishop - a useful lever against the K-side - or either flank, really.

In this case, it depends on the comfort level of the player. You can debate either way and neither is fully wrong for white.

Presumably he wanted to create a retreat square for his Bf5 if necessary.

That would be my guess. That is why 7.Nh4 would have been fine. Black would have had to accept the exchange of bishop for knight.

It can be - but you do have to have a concrete plan. What is white's plan here?

One plan that could incorporate this move without committing to one flank or the other is to follow it by the rapid deployment of the undeveloped pieces. But it also serves another purpose: to place Black's Q-side under restraint - the 'thematic' ...c5 will require several moves' preparation..

Looking at White's pawn chain , seems white can play kingside attack. Plan. Ne1 followed by f4 & Nf3...

I don't quite see it either...

I like this move and its sequel...

nice start to a 1,2,3, blow

Q retreats

...And Black still can't 'get in' ...c5. Black is running the danger of getting himself squashed.

recaptures and protects a5 pawn.

Yes - where on earth is he to put his king?

Methinks it will be staying in the centre. Castling long is certainly out of court...

Yes, but the diagonal is blocked with the pawns on d4 and e5 with not much chance of releasing it...

Overprotects e5. Looks OK to me.

nothing wrong with this as I can see

Reasonable, I think. But I might have been inclined to leave the King in the centre if I could, and played ...f5 or ...Rf8.

I never thought castle was going to happen. As Ion says playing it in the center would of worked. As Joe says he would of castled for safety... Time will tell as White wins.

16.Nc5 is a mistake, allowing black to equalize

I quite like Nc5 .... but not just yet - perhaps protect the a pawn with say Qd2 first, so that if Nc5 NxN white can take back with the b pawn and leave the pawn on b7 looking very weak. Playing Bd3 and exchanging white squared bishops seems good

I like the move too - in fact I nearly suggested it for the previous move, but then concluded it was premature. Instead Rc1 prepares this knight move so that after ...Nxc5 White can retake with the rook. Alternatively, the move b4-b5 would then have come into consideration. Yes, I might well have opted for the rook move myself.

Rc1 then this move.

After 16...Nxc5 17.dxc5 Ng6 Black's position is sound

Here, it is correct Joe, 16...Nxc5 is the proper move

This was a good move by Black

Why? Better Qb7 with advantage for white. After the text move Black has no compensation for the exchange

Have to agree with Cyrano. not a good move.

In my view... probably. Taking with the rook would have gone towards securing ownership of the a-file.

R with out a question as for reason Ion said.