compare these two queries:....
Query 1
SELECT *
FROM TableA a
INNER JOIN TableXRef x
ON a.ID = x.TableAID
INNER JOIN TableB b
ON x.TableBID = b.ID
WHERE a.ID = 1 /* <-- Filter here? */
Query 2
SELECT *
FROM TableA a
INNER JOIN TableXRef x
ON a.ID = x.TableAID
AND a.ID = 1 /* <-- Or filter here? */
INNER JOIN TableB b
ON x.TableBID = b.ID