White has given away too many good squares.

• Black controls b3 to prevent white’s b4 break.
• Black controls 3 central squares
• g3 and h2 are not under white control
• Black can play …c5 and take away white’s only central square

White needed to fight to keep control over d4 and maintain the excellent knight with the move b4 to prevent …c5

White should have also tried to contest Black’s central control of e4.

White is ready to capture any black piece that lands on e4.