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The position is quite non-standard, with both kings in the centre. But whilst White can castle by hand, and evacuate his king to the kingside, it is harder for Black to find a safe home for his king. This is the main thing that defines White’s advantage. With his next move, White ensures himself a static advantage.

Black cannot bring his bishop out to a6 and it is impossible to get his pieces out at all. This means that sooner or later, he will have to advance the d-pawn, after which his pawn structure will lose its solidity.

Here, the rook exerts strong pressure on the open file. In open positions, such an approach is usually more effective than building pressure on some weakness or other. So this move is stronger than 20.Rhc1, for example.

The most technical. The king moves to a safe zone, and Black will inevitably come under an attack.

Black is helpless, and White can take his time.

Black resigned.

All of Black’s hopes of freeing his position are bound up with the advance d6-d5. White’s next few moves are directed at preventing this:

White has more space, so exchanges do not favour him:

26.Ne3! bxc4 27.bxc4 Qc8 28.Bd2 Ng6 29.Nd5 Nxd5 30.cxd5 Rf6 31.Qb3

Black’s queenside is defenceless, with his light-squared bishop presenting an especially poor impression.