user109: I saw the following position and was wondering how white should continue:


Should white exchange bishops?
Should white play a4 to protect the bishop?
Should white play c4 to protect the bishop and undefended pawn on d5?
Should white do something else

Which of the options above, would be the best way to continue and what should be the thought process behind each suggestion.

user7500: See how black's bishop on d7 doesn't have good squares where it does something useful, so avoid the trade. Because the bishop could be a useful attacking piece, avoid 1. Bd3 Nxd3 since White doesn't want to trade it off. The only available squares are c4 and e2. 1. Bc4 seems a bit more active and flexible, so I would go with Bc4 and similar plans to CWallach's answer above.

user10190: I am a pawn down with bad pawn structure on my Queen side, so rather than exchange or play a4, I would like to keep the thin advantage of having the pair of bishops, so my bishop is to save. 
Where to move it now ? I don't really like Be2, it doesn't give me anything and it dims my bishop's radiance, instead I would probably play Bc4, then Ba2, maybe pushing my pawn on c4 and playing Bb1 (and Bc2 after that), best position I think and the good (b1-h7) diagonale. 
Then with the Queen and Nf3 I could have some possibilities

user9321: As white is a pawn down without compensation, piece exchanges should be avoided. White's only practical chance is a king side attack.  Maybe Bc4, with the plan of Bc4-a2, c2-c4, Ba2-b1. Along with Qh5 and/or Qc2 plus g2-g4. Its slow and black can defend, but what else can white try?

109: <p>I saw the following position and was wondering how white should continue:</p>

<p><a href="https://i.stack.imgur.com/a482x.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/a482x.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<ol>
<li>Should white exchange bishops?</li>
<li>Should white play a4 to protect the bishop?</li>
<li>Should white play c4 to protect the bishop and undefended pawn on d5?</li>
<li>Should white do something else</li>
</ol>

<p>Which of the options above, would be the best way to continue and what should be the thought process behind each suggestion.</p>
 7500: <p>See how black's bishop on d7 doesn't have good squares where it does something useful, so avoid the trade. Because the bishop could be a useful attacking piece, avoid <code>1. Bd3 Nxd3</code> since White doesn't want to trade it off. The only available squares are <code>c4</code> and <code>e2</code>. <code>1. Bc4</code> seems a bit more active and flexible, so I would go with <code>Bc4</code> and similar plans to CWallach's answer above.</p>
 10190: <p>I am a pawn down with bad pawn structure on my Queen side, so rather than exchange or play a4, I would like to keep the thin advantage of having the pair of bishops, so my bishop is to save. </p>

<p>Where to move it now ? I don't really like Be2, it doesn't give me anything and it dims my bishop's radiance, instead I would probably play <strong>Bc4</strong>, then <strong>Ba2</strong>, maybe pushing my pawn on c4 and playing <strong>Bb1</strong> (and <strong>Bc2</strong> after that), best position I think and the good (b1-h7) diagonale. </p>

<p>Then with the Queen and Nf3 I could have some possibilities</p>
 9321: <p>As white is a pawn down without compensation, piece exchanges should be avoided. White's only practical chance is a king side attack.  Maybe Bc4, with the plan of Bc4-a2, c2-c4, Ba2-b1. Along with Qh5 and/or Qc2 plus g2-g4. Its slow and black can defend, but what else can white try?</p>
