Closing the doors for White's kingside attack. From now on a knight on f5 can always be swapped off, whereas Black has interesting attacking prospects on the opposite flank. The game continued:

followed by ...a5-a4, with a better game for Black.

Preparing f2-f4 with a kingside attack.

Otherwise White could expand by 3 f5.

A decisive breakthrough.

8...fxe5 9.Qxf8 Kxf8 10.Nxe5+ Kg8 11.Nf7 +-

The c5-pawn is doomed. White won without major problems.

Forcing a favourable alteration of the pawn structure.

More dynamics. White reinforces the e5-pawn and creates new opportunities on the kingside.