3.f5 is well met by Qa8!

In this position a draw was agreed, but Black had every reason to keep on playing; 5...dxe4 6.Nd4 axb5 with ...Rd5 and ...Rcd8 or even ...g6-g5!? coming up.

Fixing weak pawns on d6 and c6.

1...dxc5? 2.Be3 White soon recovers the pawn with a clear positional advantage.
1...d5? 2.exd5 cxd5 3.Nxd5! Nxd5 4.Qxd5 Bxa4 5.Qe4+ +-

In view of Black's badly coordinated pieces, White sharpens the game.

This won't end well, but it was difficult to find a good remedy to the f4-f5 threat.

Swapping Black's main defender.

With moves like Re3-g3 and Bb3+ coming up, White has an overwhelming advantage.

Creating new opportunities on the queenside.