What was the best move?

I have just finished a game, during which this position appeared. (I am white)



I spent a good couple of days with it, I even set up a board which is probably the first time I have ever done that with an RHP game. There was so much going on and I wanted that one killer move but I couldn't see it. Can any of you see anything?

Here is the full game, comments welcome.

Why not Rd6 at 35?


EDIT 8(!!!): Nope. I hadn't throught it through properly.

You are up a piece, so trading down (and winning more material) is a great idea. But what about:
19: Nxf4!
Threat: Ne6 winning the queen
variations:
A: 19: ... gxf4 20: Nc6! bxc6 21: Rxd6
Here, I don't think i would analyse any more, because of the discovered check, and winning
attack

B: 19: ... Re7 20: Ng6+ Kg7 21: Nxe7 Nxe7 22: Rhf1! With the threat of opening the f-file with Rxf6, I have this idea too from my own homemade novelty in the french defence. I have yet to use it, though. If black does nothing then: 23: Rxf6! Kxf6 (the critical variation) 24: Qxh6+ Kf7 25: Qh7+ Kf6 26: Rf1+ Bf5 27: Qh6+ N5g6 28: Nxf5 Qf8 29: Nxe7+ Ke5 30: Qxg5+ Qf5 31: Nxg6+ Kxe4 32: Qxf5+ Kd4 33: Qd3# Just a long variation, it's very hard without computers. But the attack is obviously winning. Best move is 22: ... Ng8 23: Bxd6, winning more material. Qxd6 Nf5+ winning the queen is the best reply for black.

Good luck analysing rest of the variations, if you do it without moving the pieces then you get good calculation training.

Originally posted by ViktorN
You are up a piece, so trading down (and winning more material) is a great idea. But what about:
19: Nxf4!
Threat: Ne6 winning the queen
variations:
A: 19: ... gxf4 20: Nc6! bxc6 21: Rxd6
Here, I don't think i would analyse any more, because of the discovered check, and winning
attack

B: 19: ... Re7 20: Ng6+ Kg7 21: Nxe7 Nxe7 22: Rhf1! With the thre ...[text shortened]... the variations, if you do it without moving the pieces then you get good calculation training.

Hey thanks a lot... I have major blind spots it seems, I had no problem looking for sacrifices to open up the position but I just never considered moving backwards for that pawn... You're right, In variation A I can't see any way out for black.

Actually, my last post is proof I shouldn't give advise...ever. White loses a queen as well, in my scenerio.

Well. No more diagrams from me on this forum. Ever.

I like this kind of position. It seems to be clearly won by white. As pointed out by ViktorN, you are up a piece, so you have every time to improve your position. Just after a quick look:
1) Black's d6 square looks terrible week
2) Black's King only escape square is g7

Maybe combine these two features by moving the two Knights, and then playing Rxd6. This could be assited by opening the g-file (playing h5/f6/Rhg1)