Blunder after blunder after blunder…

I recently played three G15 games in a row against a fellow and all three games were riddled with opening blunders; here’s a little tactics quiz from the games.

 

In this position (from a QGD Panov-Botvinnik Attack) what should Black play?

Highlight: 9...Bb4 10.0–0 Nf6 White has a slight initiative, but Black’s position is OK.

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He blundered with 9…Nxd4?  What should White play?

 

 

Highlight: 10.Bxd4+ Qxd4 11.Bb5+ and Black resigned.  He has to give up either the a8R or the Q.

 

In this position (from the Two Knight’s Defense) my opponent (White) should have played what?  Highlight:  18.Be3 was his best. 

 

He actually played 18.c4.  How does Black respond?

Highlight: 18…e3! Exposing him to a devastating attack from the B’s and Q.  After 19.d5 19...exf2+ 20.Kxf2 Nxd5! 21.Qxd5 Bc5+ 22.Be3 Qf6+ his Q is lost.

In this position (from a Four Knights Game) I have just blundered with 9.Bxc3??.  What should Black play?

 

 

Highlight: He should play 9...Qf6 Attacking the B on c6 and threatening bad stuff on f2. 10.f3 Nxc3 11.bxc3 Ba6! 12.Qxa6 Bxc3+ 13.Kf2 Bxa1 and because my B is pinned, I can’t capture the a8R.  Instead he played 9...Bf5? 10.Bxa8 Ng3?? 11.Qxg3… and now Butthead wasn’t man enough to resign; he just disconnected.