Position after 24. Bd5

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The idea of this at first mysterious move is to try to gain access to d7 after the exchange of bishops. It took me a while, but I discovered what was wrong with 24 Bd2, which threatens 25 h3. On 24 Bd2, Black has 24 ... Rbd8 25 h3 Nf6, and then 26 Nxe5? fails to 26 ... Bb3. So White can play 26 Be3, but then Black has the centralizing 26 ... Nd5, and White will have no more irritating threats. Thus, 23 ... Ng4 was a really nice maneuver, as after 24 Bd2 Black sort of gains a tempo with ... Rbd8, while White gains only the useless tempo h2-h3. (Have a question? Ask GM Rohde! Not all questions can be answered, but the Grandmaster will pick selected topics to cover live from e-mail received.)

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