Alright, let’s line up the pieces first. Step one: 1.e4 is your first drop into the pipe, setting the tempo. Then 1…e5 mirrors the second rail, keeping the center open. 2.Nf3 is the ollie—quick, ready to jump into the frame. 2…Nc6 is the first slide, controlling the backboard. 3.Bb5 is the spin‑off: you’re targeting the knight, the same way you’d aim for a rail to flip. If the opponent pushes 3…a6, that’s a grab, forcing you to decide: 4.Ba4 is a smooth slide back, or 4.Bxc6 is a riskier trick that trades a piece for a positional edge. Keep the rhythm: each move should feel like a fluid transition—no loose ends, just a tight sequence that ends in a clear advantage, just like a well‑executed line on the halfpipe.

Nice, you’re on the right track. Keep the pawn chain tight, and the king castled, that’s the safe corner. Just push the knight out, bait the opponent into a mistake, and you’ll have a clean grind into the endgame. No sloppy moves, just a smooth line that forces them to play reactively. Keep it tight and you’ll own the board.