Here is a position where Black is badly cramped. His bishop is a tall pawn and there isn't much for Black to do. But how can White win? If Black just plays passively is there really any way for White to win here.?

i don't think black is 'badly cramped' here.  he has total freedom to do whatever he wants.  open files for the rooks, lots of pawns, etc.

He seems practically stuck to me. If he moves the a-rook he will lose a pawn. His bishop has nowhere to go. The d-pawn will be captured if it ever moves. The only active piece is the rook on h6 but it can't do anything on it's own.

rd6

White can't be too complacent.... after c5 Bb7 maneuver it's even black who is a bit better.  The pawn on e5 makes white's bishop worth (slightly) less than it's counterpart.

Black has a few weaknesses though, like the backward d7 and doubled pawns... so it's unlikely that black can win with this small ADVANTAGE

A draw seems like a reasonable outcome.  Black's slightly better pieces vs white's better pawns.

Hmm, my computer likes white by half a pawn, but I think that's unreasonable.  I think it's misevaluating the space or something.

Anyway, to answer your question, yes, I think black has a pretty easy fortress here.

the position is drawish ...the pawn on b6 is not of any use...black can give it and continue playing..one plan can be bring the Rook on a6 to g8 and try to attack on the king side by playing g5 

Happy new year everybody..

Glad to hear such a strong player give their impression of the position.

How does f3 stop black from freeing his bishop with c5 and Bb7?

I suppose putting him on c6 would be artificial activity if I never intended to pressure the kingside, and c5 gives white targets on the queenside.

I attempt to think this way in my games.  Is it wrong to be afraid of the d pawn sac because of opening a center file? (I feel like I'm giving white play for his rooks).  I do like the idea of clearing e6 for the bishop (or rook), which I hadn't considered at all.

I don't have much respect for what the computer says if I feel strongly about my own evaluation (and the computer shows me no tactics to change my mind).  What I do sit up and pay attention to though is when a stronger human player (like you) says white is definitely ahead when I'm thinking equal but I'd prefer to be playing black!

I don't mind giving up a pawn, and I don't mind the space issue.  I don't even mind not having a target to attack.  I just want my pieces to be more active than white's.  I like that black's rooks are on the only open files, that white doesn't have a clear target (to my thinking anyway).  I also like that white's bishop has no scope.

In your experience (I'm guessing) the activity issue will eventually be resolved one way or another, and all that will be left is black's poor pawns and less space.  This makes sense to me and if this is what you're seeing then I would agree I'd rather be playing white.

(wow, that makes a lot of sense, I guess I just had to talk it out).

Thank you :)