White has the advantage, thanks to his extra space. But how great is this advantage? Black’s plan is to strengthen the e5- pawn if necessary with ...f7-f6, bring his Ra8 to the centre (probably with the help of exchanges on the d-file) and include his light-squared bishop in the game via c8. If he succeeds in doing this, White will have few chances of a break on the kingside. By exploiting a tactical motif, White finds a way to change the position in his favour:

This is not about simplifying or conceding the open file. It is just that after this exchange, the black pieces lose coordination.

The pawn that now lands on d4 restricts Black’s bishop, and is excellently blockaded by the knight. Another important thing is that the white e-pawn gets the chance to advance, and he can start piece play on the light squares on the kingside.

This move gives up control of e6, which allows White to carry out an attack.
It made sense to provoke some opening of lines on the queenside with 25...a5, or get the sleeping bishop into play by 25...Bc8 – in both cases, White has a clear advantage, but there is a lot of fight left.

The black rook is now absolutely passive, like his other pieces, which decides the outcome of the game.

The game started as a Grünfeld. White has a passed pawn on c5, but at the moment, its presence is not felt, as it is securely blockaded by the knight. With his last move, White proposed the exchange of bishops, so as to weaken the black king and reduce the pressure on the long diagonal.

The strongest and the main theoretical move.

Tempting is the semi-forcing variation 17.Qxe6 fxe6 18.Rd2 (18.Bxg7 Bxd1 19.Bxf8 Bxe2 leads to the loss of material) 18...Bxh6 19.Rxc2 Nb4 20.Rc3 Nxa2 21.Ra3 Nc1 22.Bd1 a5!, leading to a complicated position with an extra pawn for Black, and roughly equal chances.

A strong positional decision! Black gives up his lovely bishop for the knight, ensuring himself the ‘eternal’ blockader on c6, as the white dark-squared bishop can never attack the Nc6.

Depriving White of the two bishops, after which he faces a long and unpleasant defence. The engines assess the endgame as equal, but from the player’s viewpoint, Black’s position is clearly preferable.