An esoteric, but flexible sideline of the King’s Indian.

The position has taken on Benoni-like characteristics.

9. cxd5 This is a more natural capture, and transposes into Modern Benoni positions.

• 9… Re8 10. O-O a6 11. a4 Nbd7 12. Ng3 Qc7 13. Re1 = {Gulko – Damljanovic, Tilburg 1994, 1/2 (110)
• 9… b6 10. a4 Na6 11. O-O Nb4 12. Bb1 Re8 13. Bg5 Ba6 14. Re1 = Gabriel – Bischoff, Bremen 1998, 1-0 (31)

Black regroups to get his f-pawn moving. Without the e4-pawn, White’s thematic pressure on the Black kingside is no longer such a threat to Black.

9… Nbd7 10. f4 Ne8 Nogueiras – Miles, Matanzas 1994, 1/2 (10)

In a case of weak squares, White perhaps has more pawn weaknesses than Black, although Black’s e6-square is a tender spot.

Preparing the typical pawn break with …b5. If White tries to hold it back with a2-a4, then Black swings the knight back to a6 and heads for the b4-square.

It makes sense for White to reroute the bishop to h4, but the e-file looks decidedly dodgy.

White already envisions the g-file opening up, so he tucks his king on the safest nearby square.

Black’s pieces are slowly migrating towards the kingside, which should prevent White from opening up the position too quickly.

Black’s been waiting for this opening.

With Black’s pieces massed on the kingside, this opening battering ram is perhaps too risky.

The knight dominates

White is already committed, and Topalov doesn’t shirk from the task.

24… gxh3?? it may look tempting but Black must resist capturing the pawn 25. Rg1 Re5 26. Rxf6 +-

A clever counter-combination that throws doubt on Topalov’s pawn sacrifice.

26… gxh3? is no good 27. Rg5 Qc2 28. Qxc2 Nxc2 29. Nf5 +-

White’s compensation for the sacrificed pawn has disappeared, and Black gradually usurps the initiative which allows him to fully mobilise his pieces. Black’s hold on the dark-squares – thanks to the formidable dark-squared bishop – is significant.

31… h6!? -/+

Better is 34. Bd2!? =+ and White hangs on

shortens the misery for White

Better is 35. Rxe5 Bxe5 36. Kxh3 Bxg3 37. Kxg3 Nxb3 38. Bg5 -+

35… Nxb3 ?! is clearly inferior 36. Bc7 =

37. Kxh3 praying for a miracle Be5 38. Kg2 Rxb3 39. Ne4 Rb2+ 40. Kf1 -+

37… Rxb3 38. Kxh3 Be5 39. Rxe5 dxe5 -+