Why does the engine say it's best to take the knight?

In this stage of the game, the engine recommends that Bxf6 is the best move. I would think exchanging the bishop for a knight at this stage of the game is not a good idea for the board is open and bishops are more effective than knights on open boards. I would like to understand the line of reasoning here. Can somebody help me out here? White to move.

It wouldn't be my move for a few reasons (black is cramped, the f6 knight is not great, and it's my "good" bishop) so it makes me wonder at what depth the engine likes it.

But if I were going to play it, it'd be related to controlling d5 and pressuring d6.

Oh, Bxf6 Bxf6 Qxd6 lol

In a more likely position (shown below) you wouldn't play Bxf6.

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The Engine calculates a perfect defense

It calculates that the opponent won't blunder, and will play perfectly

but we're not engines, so look for the Botez Gambit lmao

Thanks for responding friends! @llama47 ,  depth is at 11 for my membership level. A higher value probably would have produced a different advice. What do you mean it is your "good" bishop? 

Depth 11 is garbage even for a free membership. Maybe check again. That's like a 1970's chess engine or something heh.

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Good vs bad bishop is determined by your own pawns. When a bishop is blocked by friendly pawns it's less mobile. When your main pawn chain / the center pawns are on light squares then your light square bishop is worth less than your dark square bishop.

If your main pawn chain / center pawns are on dark squares, then your light square bishop is the "good" bishop.

use chessbase or Arena

they're much faster, much stronger, and much more accurate. Depth 11 on cc is like having an 1800 analyze ur games

u might as well use SF12 on Arena

Thank you @llama47 & @PILOTOXOMXD

np

If you play Bxf6, Black has to capture with the pawn, because on ...Bxf6 you can play Qxd6.

So, Black gets the double-isolated pawns, and his castled position is compromised. (0-0-0 is also unattractive.)
Plus, with your B on c4 and N on c3, and with their f6 N gone, you have a vise grip on the hole at d5.

Bxf6!

That makes sense, thanks @BigSplat2018 :horror. The engine wanted me to play Be3 instead of Bg5 so I guess it did not see value in this position in the first place.