when ahead, remember to simplify

This principle is now well known. Yet one sometimes forgets it when taken by the game

With black, what would you do here ? take the b2 or f4 pawn ?

....

Here I chose to take the f4 pawn, afraid of what would happen with the rook on b1 when in fact moving back the bishop on d4 wich check forced the exchange... the best of both worlds.

Conclusion: never forget basic principle like 'when ahead, simplify'