sibi_90 wrote:  Ba6 is played. What if Bc5 is played instead? I wasn't expecting Ba6. That involves more calculation horizontally.

That's chess, even for one move deep you have so many calculations - Bc5 doesn't come in (captures, checks, attacks) but it is a usual response to go away from being captured whereas Ba6 comes under the heading of attack, therefore you have to consider all the possible moves which come under captures, checks and attacks which definitely will take so much time even for one move. 

Yes, you are preaching to the choir. I was trying to get others on the same page here. If we play a3 and Ba6, then why not axb4? And you may have found the line I was looking at before. Bxe2 and Re1 lands a 3 point evaluation after Bxf3 and gxf3. 

So, a3 is now back on the table.

ajl721x wrote:

Ah, you think you think I am stupid then?

I think you can learn how to explain what you know better. There are many people who can solve problems or do procedures, but they have a hard time explaining to others for them to learn. 

I brought up an idea of inner pawns before outer pawns. sibi_90 stated, "if b1 knight is already on its way to kingside attack my first preference is c3"

This would help in evaluating positions, and I will take that into account next time I am faced with a similar position.

Now you got your answer as 3 moves in the line 1.a3 Ba6 which ends in equal trade, now consider another continuation 1.c3 Ba6 2.Re1 (your pieces are safe while your opponent loses a Bishop), and the number of moves deep varies from one line to another. Also you have to be careful of back rank weaknesses too(in the given game) .