Thanks - you’re very kind, I’m enjoying the game very much - though I’ve remembered how much easier it is seeing potential moves and how the game may unfold when just watching a match - as opposed to playing in one 😃
You play very well; logical and always pressing & probing - whilst also maintaining a solid base for defence. It’s intriguing to both watch and play against.
Well you play solidly yourself. Though I gained a material advantage early on, you still had pieces placed in such a position that left me worried. That’s why I almost forced the queen and rook trades. Sometimes the best strategy is to secure a material advantage, then trade till the little advantage becomes more significant. Even a one pawn advantage means much more when there are fewer pieces on the board.
Forcing the Queen and Rook trade was a good tactical move - and really did for me. My main hope at that time was to try and feign an attack by my Queen on your right flank - though position the Queen to threaten the G7 pawn after trying to work your Knight around the G4 area with my Rook for a sneaky (and undeserved) checkmate 😃 (or force a mistake/advantage from it…)
As you say, after the Q & R exchange that early advantage and positioning has become more significant. Eeek! 😃