Closed Positions and Outposts

So I hope you enjoyed our first game. Now, in closed positions, you need to come up with targets to find a plan.

Your problem with the position above is, 

"Is it a draw?"

Once you are done, highlight the text after this. No, it isn't a draw.

Ok. Why is it not a draw? First, look for weak pawns. d7 is weak, h5 is weak, but nothing else. The position is completely closed though. Now, you need find a suitable pawn to take and mate. d7, or h5? If you take on h5 you get nothing. But if you take on d7... WAIT. Qf3, or Bf5 first, but then h6... but Bf5! and hxg5... BUT Bxd7+!!. This is devastating. Bxd7+ and Qf5+ and d7# wins. 

There is a hidden beauty in closed positions.

The question is, "is Nxc6 a good move, with the idea of Nd4?"

I don't want to put this in white, because this is honestly quite obvious. Of course not. 

Sorry for the people who said yes, but you lose all advantage. Ra4 is just winning, preventing a4 and going Rxc4. 

I hope you liked this blog.