Clearing the e-file for the rook, in order to enhance an attack on Black's weakened kingside.
If 1...fxe4 2,Nxe4 d5, then 3.Ng5! , followed by Bh3 with a strong attack.
5.Bxd6 Bf8 6.Re5! Rxd6 7.Qe2 Qf6 8.Rxc5 Re6 9.Ne4! Rxe4 10.Qxe4 Bxc5 11.Qc4+
2.Nb1 Ne4! 3.Bh2 Rd7 with similar play. At this point 4.f3? fails to Be3.