What you would play here? And why?

As the title suggests I'm curious to know what are possible "good" moves for White in this position.



By the way, this is a position reached at the 13th game between Emanuel Lasker and William Steinitz in the World Chess Championship of 1894.

At first glance Rfd1 looks like a candidate, to contest the d-file. The closest I could see to some sort of plan is a3, Rab1 or Rfb1, and b4, initiating queenside play - the first move would be a3. a3 and Rfd1 both look like candidates.

@DeepThought What about Bg5? Putting pressure and pinning the knight.

Second getting a Rook to d1. Then another none.

I've been studying open files lately, so any open file
I see I want to put Rooks on it.
😛

@jon3141 Ng8 breaking the pin

@Duchess64 That's a good point, and I guess that's why this position troubles me. Do you play as White for exchanges? If yes, then how do you proceed without creating weaknesses?

I have a different question, what would be your plan?

Follow up question, what would be your candidate moves to put your plan into action?

My ceiling analysis board likes a4 😉

@Eladar I kinda like Bg5. I don't have a specific plan. I dislike White's position, it seems there is nothing special to do.

I guess Bg5 and after h6, White can play Be3 and centralize the rooks.

@ketchuplover Any particular reason why you like a4?

@jon3141
Bg5 brings h6 and you are either trading your bishop for a knight or you are going to have give up the attack on the knight.