van Wely – Topalov, Corus 2006

White:
Loek van Wely (2647)
Black:
Veselin Topalov (2801)
Opening
Queens Gambit: Slav
Tournament
Corus 2006, Wijk aan Zee, Round 4
Date
17/01/2006
ECO Code
D15
Result
0-1

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 a6 5. a4 e6 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bh4 dxc4 8. e3 b5 9. axb5 cxb5 10. Bxf6 gxf6 11. Nxb5 axb5!? 12. Rxa8 Bb4+ 13. Ke2!?
No doubt van Wely was aware of his compatriot’s play in 1999. This is an awkward looking move, preventing the light-squared bishop from developing quickly. The idea is to keep the knight active to ward off any initial tactical blows.
13. Nd2 Bb7 14. Ra7 (14. Ra1 Rg8 15. Be2 Rxg2 16. Kf1 Bxd2 17. Qxd2 Qd5 18. f3 Qg5 19. h4 Qg6 20. d5 Nd7 21. dxe6 fxe6 22. Rd1 Bc6 23. Bd3 +- Marovic – Pomar, Olot 1969, 1-0 (35) ) 14… Qb6 15. Ra1 e5 16. Be2? exd4 17. O-O castling right into Black’s attack 17… Rg8 18. Bf3? Bxd2 19. exd4 Bb4 20. Bxb7 Qxb7 21. g3 Qd5 22. b3 c3 23. Qd3 Rg6 24. Rfe1+ Kf8 25. Qe3 Kg7 26. Qe8 Bd6 27. Qd8 Nc6 28. Qc8 Nxd4 29. Re8 Nf3+ 30. Kf1 Nxh2+ 31. Kg1 Nf3+ 32. Kf1 Qd3+ 33. Kg2 Nh4+ 34. Kg1 Rxg3+ 35. fxg3 Qxg3+ 36. Kf1 Qg2+ 0-1 Van den Doel,E-Van der Wiel,J/ch-NED, Rotterdam NED 1999 (36)
13… Bb7 14. Ra1 f5 15. Ne5 Rg8
The White position is gradually being locked down. The only active piece left is the White knight on e5.
16. f4 Nc6
The knight intends Nb8-c6-a5-b3. 16… Bxg2? doesn’t work because of 17. Rg1 Bxf1+ 18. Qxf1 +- (18. Rxf1?! f6 19. Nf3 Rg2+ 20. Rf2 Rg4 +/=))
17. Nf3 Na5 18. Kf2 Nb3
The black knight is well posted.
19. Ra7 Be4
Black’s minor pieces are all actively placed and ready to combine. Its a matter of getting the Black queen into play now.
20. Ra2 e5!
Position after 20...e5! Starting to open up the lines to the White king.
21. fxe5 f4 22. Be2 =
22. exf4 Bxf3 -+ 23. gxf3 Bd2!
22… fxe3+ 23. Kxe3 Qd5 24. g3?!
Shredder 7: 24. Rg1 Bd2+ 25. Kf2 Bxf3 26. Bxf3 Qxd4+ 27. Kf1 Qd3+ 28. Be2 Qf5+ 29. Bf3 Qd3+ 30. Be2 Qf5+ 31. Bf3 Qd3+ 32. Be2 [eval -6.9]
24… Nxd4 25. Nxd4 Bxh1 26. Bf3 Qxe5+ 27. Kf2 Bc5 -+ 28. Bxh1 Bxd4+ 29. Kf1 Rg5
and the last piece comes into play. The opposite coloured bishops give Black a commanding grasp of the White kingside position.

30. Bf3 Kf8 31. Kg2 Qe3 32. Kh3 Kg7 33. b3 cxb3 34. Ra3 b4 35. Rxb3 Bc3 36. Qe2 Qc5 37. Qd3 Qc8+ 38. Kg2 Ra5 39. Qc2 Qe6 40. Qb1?
40. Kh1 -+
40… Ra1 41. Qc2 Bd4 42. Bd1 Qe1 43. Bf3
43. Qe2 is one last hope 43… Qxd1 44. Qxd1 Rxd1 45. Rxb4 Rd2+ 46. Kf1 -+
43… Qf1# 0-1

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