How to have a composure when I "think" I have a strong initiative, winning position?

@deadlypolka said ^

Yes, f3 is dubious move that is out-of-theory that should be avoided in classical games.

But I use this sideline in rapid games since it controls e4 and g4 squares for Ne4, Ng4, Bg4 things. Nf3 is more common but black will almostly automatically Bg4 and that's what blacks most common position. I didn't like that.

If I used common 6. Nf3 line I think I did not have a chance against strong 1900 player, since it's mostly their favorite position.

I agree that 21. Nb3 reroute was weak move but I used Nb3 instead of Nd3 since I thought If I play Nd3 that would block queen supporting d4 pawn, and there could be chance for tactic that I miss but I think it was too much consideration and It was time pressure problem I think.

I understand you wanted to restrict black, but h3 was available and e4 was already under control from the left knight. If its a known position to you, then that's alright- you should play what you know.

@elkress said ^

Yes, f3 is dubious move that is out-of-theory that should be avoided in classical games.

But I use this sideline in rapid games since it controls e4 and g4 squares for Ne4, Ng4, Bg4 things. Nf3 is more common but black will almostly automatically Bg4 and that's what blacks most common position. I didn't like that.

If I used common 6. Nf3 line I think I did not have a chance against strong 1900 player, since it's mostly their favorite position.

I agree that 21. Nb3 reroute was weak move but I used Nb3 instead of Nd3 since I thought If I play Nd3 that would block queen supporting d4 pawn, and there could be chance for tactic that I miss but I think it was too much consideration and It was time pressure problem I think.

I understand you wanted to restrict black, but h3 was available and e4 was already under control from the left knight. If its a known position to you, then that's alright- you should play what you know.

I also searched for database that h3 is also minor sideline that is selected 5%, so in case of restricting black h3 is also viable option. and I understand you concern and look for this h3 option too. Thank you

@deadlypolka said ^

Yes, f3 is dubious move that is out-of-theory that should be avoided in classical games.

But I use this sideline in rapid games since it controls e4 and g4 squares for Ne4, Ng4, Bg4 things. Nf3 is more common but black will almostly automatically Bg4 and that's what blacks most common position. I didn't like that.

If I used common 6. Nf3 line I think I did not have a chance against strong 1900 player, since it's mostly their favorite position.

This seems like pretty strange reasoning to me. Playing a move like f3 against a strong player would also appear to be a dubious choice.

@MrPushwood said ^

Yes, f3 is dubious move that is out-of-theory that should be avoided in classical games.

But I use this sideline in rapid games since it controls e4 and g4 squares for Ne4, Ng4, Bg4 things. Nf3 is more common but black will almostly automatically Bg4 and that's what blacks most common position. I didn't like that.

If I used common 6. Nf3 line I think I did not have a chance against strong 1900 player, since it's mostly their favorite position.

This seems like pretty strange reasoning to me. Playing a move like f3 against a strong player would also appear to be a dubious choice.

I want to know how to choose right, valid sideline preperation against strong player.

I'd like to know about how to judge if the sideline is worth using.(like condition checking) since I priortize avoiding what opponent wants to play most(which would be very familiar to them)

@deadlypolka said ^

I want to know how to choose right, valid sideline preperation against strong player.

I'd like to know about how to judge if the sideline is worth using.(like condition checking) since I priortize avoiding what opponent wants to play most(which would be very familiar to them)

Against weaker players, one is already waiting for them to make a mistake. Playing a dubious move as a 'sideline' is not going to do them any favours. Play solidly, play what you understand has the best success rate. Eventually, stronger player could get impatient and force the issue and that's when you strike.

Analyzing with the engine, it does look like you were significantly better before f3- which gave away all your advantage. f3 is not a sideline there, just a mistake

@elkress said ^

Analyzing with the engine, it does look like you were significantly better before f3- which gave away all your advantage. f3 is not a sideline there, just a mistake

Oh, now I see why I use this false sideline.

I originally use Ne2 defend the pawn plus avoid getting Bg4-ed, plus supporting c3 knight on the pressure.

f3 was in response to Bg4 mistake(which weak players play anyway automatically)

Then I my memory got mashed and move order accelerated and it somehow remained "oh, did it start by f3?" which is just a bad move.

It was easy to mess my memory since f3 was good move in english attack/150 attack setups of which openings cannot be easily Qh4+ed. In scandinavian also Qh4+ was not an option, so I thought f3 was solid move.