> the big picture plan is already in place.
music! Chess is so tactical that we might forget to look that far or above ahead (and side-ways) ....
> fixing the pawn structure first with 17... dxe4
fixing. Can you elaborate on the thinking behind that word choice? fixing as in repairing, or as it relieving tension or as in making something more usefull, or as in it was unstable (could be the tension release, not being mutually exclusive, here, just my usual wrong context imagination) and then you made it more stable (I mean less transient features of interest, which ones? that the pawn structure would enable or prevent).
This is considered detail to the plan. However maybe the plan is also about the mid to long term board feature.
You gave the plan first, but my curiosity (knowing little bounds....) is having ask, can you give some board arguments to why such a plan was relevant to the positions (and for how long from the opening).
I might remember the visual or the idea, but what makes it "the plan" and for what position did it become "the plan".
That is how I learn, those questions. Just winning does not do it for me. (and that is if I do, and I don't).
I did the same for Colle, I need little board feature arguments to seal the memory of it. And they might not need to be the absolute truth, as long as plausible board logic, they become exploratory hypotheses (I can even make my own, but I welcome others, such as mentor teachers, or other players having their own experiences etc. source, and yes, the more experience players too).
Im interested in whites move, 12. Ra4 its the top stockfish choice, what makes it a good move? Rook a4 doesnt seem so special to me, im curious
Instructive topic, who is here in 2025 lol