Joe, the exchange will make it a bit harder for W to attack on the k-side - one less piece to use. The N on f6 has only one job at this point. It is eyeing e4.

Getting there by the scenic route? But with reduced material and the 'good' bishop gone, Black's counter-action on the K-side looks difficult to arrange.

wrong knight,,, 16..N8d7!

Maybe Black should bring the Queen nearer the action first: ...Qd6!?

17.Rf3 would also be strong

Am I wrong in thinking that it's always a good idea to keep your rooks linked on the back rank. I looked at Rf3 but didn't know if it was a mistake. Regards Willy....

17.a4 would have been my choice - keeping the lads together. But there isn't all that much in it here. After 17.Rf3, Black might try 17...f6 forcing away (or off) that advanced knight. 17...f6 does weaken the K-side, but in order to break it open White would have to weaken his.

I think Black pretty much had to get rid of White's strong knight, and one of his own weak ones. White's recapture is the kind I would play almost every time. But it is always worth sparing a glance at the alternative (dxe5). On this occasion it looks not too bad at all, providing White with an assault column ion the e- and f-files.

the passive play Charles spoke of earlier. 18..c5 is a better try

18...c5 seems bally near essential: 19.dxc5 Rxe5 and Black is still doing reasonably OK.

19...Bxc6 is better because Black's pieces are almost out of moves after bxc6. Joe look at see how few squares are open to any of B's pieces. He is in terrible trouble.

Not only does does this pawn capture leave Black moire or less movebound, but that leave a backward pawn flapping loose on the half-open c-file. Even though after ...Bxc6, the bishop is little better than a giant pawn, at least it gives Black's Q-side some rigidity.

I can only suppose he had some hope of getting in c5, or maybe he simply realised that c6 will be a target.

an OK move, but you had better, 22 Nb7! with the idea of 23.Nd6.

The line Kenneth suggests looks to be winning: 22.Nb7 Qc7 23.Nd6 Rf8 24.Nf5 Ree8 25.Qf2 and suddenly White has a powerful K-side attack going down.

23..Be6 is slightly better according to Fritz, but only 0.14 better.