Corus 2007, Round 5 – Radjabov outplays Navara, van Wely and Anand win

Posted on January 21, 2007 by Isofarro

Radjabov stems a rampant Navara and wins after a tense struggle. Shirov plays unsoundly and is swept aside by van Wely. Anand is gifted a point through a Svidler blunder. All other games drawn.

Navara – Radjabov

Navara’s Smyslov variation forces Radjabov to take some risks in his Kings Indian Defence, including a Benko-like pawn sacrifice. Navara emerges with a slender advantage, but Radjabov fights his way back into the game. Navara gives up a piece for three pawns in his attempt to smash his way through to Black’s king, but Radjabov’s counterattack swings the game right into Black’s favour. Navara resigns unable to deflect the mating attack.

Shirov – van Wely

Shirov launches into an English Attack against van Wely’s Najdorf, and its a race of pawn-storms. Shirov launches into a dubious sacrifice that van Wely immediately accepts and stems Shirov’s attack, and grabs the full point.

Karjakin – Motylev

Motylev’s Caro-Kann thwarts Karjakin’s hopes for a White win. With a balanced position a draw is agreed.

Tiviakov – Topalov

Tiviakov’s quiet treatment of Topalov’s Berlin leaves a solid position. Topalov forces an awkward queenside deployment of the White rooks. But Tiviakov has no problems holding the rook endgame

Ponomariov – Kramnik

Ponomariov obtains nothing out of the opening against Kramnik’s Semi Slav. And Black’s activity and kingside threats are enough to convince Ponomariov to split the point.

Anand – Svidler

Svidler has a solid position from Anand’s Anti Marshall Ruy Lopez, but he blunders a piece gifting Anand an easy win.

Aronian – Carlsen

Aronian sacrifices a pawn out of the Queen’s Indian Defence. He uses the compensatory initiative to grab back the pawn, which restabilises the position. The two agree to a draw some moves later.

Posted in Anand, Aronian, Carlsen, Chess, Corus, Karjakin, Kramnik, Motylev, Navara, Ponomariov, Radjabov, Shirov, Svidler, Tiviakov, Topalov, van Wely | Leave a comment

Corus 2007, Round 4 – Another Radjabov win. Topalov novelty busts Shirov

Posted on January 21, 2007 by Isofarro

Radjabov’s coordinated attacks across the board prove too much for Tiviakov. Topalov blasts Shirov in home preparation in the Grunfeld. Navara battles hard to save the game against Kramnik. Svidler struggles against Ponomariov but splits the point. Karjakin’s enterprising play is enough to secure a draw against van Wely. Anand, Carlsen, Motylev and Aronian are happy to quietly share the points.

Radjabov – Tiviakov

Tiviakov’s Accelerated Dragon is not enough to escape from Radjabov’s opening mastery, and Radjabov holds a decent advantage in the middlegame. After a prolonged manoeuvring sequence Radjabov initiates a kingside attack. Tiviakov’s queenside is a little tied up, but conjures up enough play to defuse the kingside threats. Radjabov alternates play between the semi-open d-file and the kingside, and after exchanging Black’s active pieces, Radjabov has a strong position. Tiviakov offers a stout resistance, and Radjabov struggles to make progress. A combined series of threats against Black’s weak pawns on d6 and f6 followed by a pawn sacrifice engineers an entry of the White pieces into Tiviakov’s position. Radjabov alternates play across the board stretching the defensive capabilities of the Black pieces, and finally concludes matters with a decisive attack on the Black king.

Topalov – Shirov

Topalov declines to enter the myriad complexities of the Seville variation of the Exchange Grunfeld, and withdraws his light-squared bishop. Topalov plays a thematic exchange sacrifice, ridding Black’s potent dark-squared bishop for the a1-rook, following the game Najer – Krasenkow, but improves with 25. Qd4. Topalov builds up strong pressure on the kingside with a redeployment of his knight, and the combined threats against the Black king and White’s passed d-pawn is enough to compel Shirov to resign.

Kramnik – Navara

The queens come off the board quickly in a Symmetrical English. Kramnik emerges with a slight edge thanks to Black’s weak c-pawn. After a tactical sequence Kramnik forces entry in to the Black position, but Navara’s active play ensures his position doesn’t complete fall apart. Kramnik enters the endgame with a healthy advantage, but Navara’s stubborn defence splits the points.

Svidler – Ponomariov

Ponomariov has a comfortable Sicilian Najdorf position against Svidler. Through the tense middlegame Ponomariov increases his advantage, but misses an opportunity to have a go at the White king (21… Na3+). Svidler does enough to convince Ponomariov to share the point.

van Wely – Karjakin

Karjakin’s enterprising play makes no impact against van Wely’s Nimzo Indian fianchetto. Karjakin switches to the kingside – offering up a pawn sacrifice on the queenside to stir up trouble against the White king. Another rook sacrifice by Karjakin secures a perpetual check.

Carlsen – Anand

Anand plays a solid Sicilian Najdorf and a draw is agreed when Anand’s queenside produces some activity to balance the position.

Motylev – Aronian

Aronian employs a Steintz variation against Motylev’s Ruy Lopez, and Motylev gains nothing from the opening. A repetition of position concludes matters.

Posted in Anand, Aronian, Carlsen, Chess, Corus, Karjakin, Kramnik, Motylev, Navara, Ponomariov, Radjabov, Shirov, Svidler, Tiviakov, Topalov, van Wely | Leave a comment

Corus 2007, Round 3 – Radjabov wins, Karjakin had Topalov on the ropes

Posted on January 21, 2007 by Isofarro

Radjabov has an elegant finish against Shirov’s attempted improvement over van Wely’s round one play in the Bayonet Attack. Karjakin has Topalov on the ropes all through the game and agrees to draw when still in a stronger position. Ponomariov locks up Carlsen’s position and quickly notches up the full point. Anand’s improvement in the Marshall Gambit encourages Aronian to sacrifice two pieces to establish a perpetual check. Kramnik and Tiviakov quickly steam through to a draw. Svidler battles hard to neutralise Navara’s middlegame advantage, and van Wely’s brutish play is met with Motylev’s counterattack which lands them in a balanced endgame.

Shirov – Radjabov

Shirov repeats van Wely’s Bayonet attack against Radjabov’s Kings Indian, and deviates with 17. Kg2. His pressure on the d6-pawn doesn’t succeed in establishing an advantage. Radjabov opens up the kingside with a pawn-storm (27… h5 and 30… g4), sacrificing the d6-pawn on the way. Shirov then sacrifices his queen to unleash an attack on the Black king. Both sides press with their attacks, Shirov even commandeering an open kingside file Black has created. Radjabov settles matters with an elegant queen sacrifice to create an unstoppable passed pawn. Radjabov emerges from the complications an exchange up, and quickly settles matters by trapping the White king in a mating net.

Karjakin – Topalov

Karjakin plays circumspectly against Topalov’s Najdorf and centralises. After Topalov nips Karjakin’s kingside pawn storm in the bud with 13… h4, Karjakin switches to applying pressure in the centre in conjunction to threats on the queenside. Karjakin gains an advantage because of his centralised pieces, and that advantage grows. Topalov defends the endgame stubbornly, and Karjakin misses a number of better chances to clinch the win (with 42. Qh5! for example). Karjakin acceeds to a draw in a position he still stands much better.

Ponomariov – Carlsen

Ponomariov emerges with a slender advantage from a Topalov-favourite variation of the Queen’s Gambit Slav (4… a6), after Carlsen goes for the unorthodox 7… Ra7. Carlsen refuses the pseudo-sacrifice (on 11. Bb5), and Ponomariov takes control of the c-file and the threat to win an exchange forces Carlsen to ditch his queen for a rook and knight. Ponomariov dominates the position and he prevents Carlsen from developing his queenside rook, entombed by his own dark-squared bishop. Carlsen resigns as White threatens to win all his queenside pieces.

Anand – Aronian

Aronian delves into a Marshall Gamit against Anand’s Ruy Lopez. Anand improves on a previous Aronian game with Shirov with 19. Qg2. Anand proceed to build up a strong edge. Aronian sacrifices two pieces to set up a perpetual check.

Tiviakov – Kramnik

Tiviakov essays 3. d4 against Kramnik’s Petroff, and pieces get swept off the board pretty quickly. Kramnik emerges in the double rook endgame with more active rooks, and regains the temporary pawn deficit. A short draw.

Navara – Svidler

Navara’s English move order prevents Svidler from adopting his customary Grunfeld. Svidler gets a little to ambitions, allowing Navara to get a knight stuck in at b7 along with a definite advantage. Navara opens the a-file, exchanging rooks and leaves Black with control of that file, and leaving Black with a slight edge. A draw agreed in a complex position with Black retaining a slight edge.

van Wely – Motylev

Out of an English Four Knights defence, van Wely gains an advantage with some blugeoning play, but Motylev’s counterattack forces him to give up the exchange, which Motylev conceeds back a few moves later. The rook and opposite coloured bishops endgame is balanced, and a draw agreed after 53 moves.

Posted in Anand, Aronian, Carlsen, Chess, Corus, Karjakin, Kramnik, Motylev, Navara, Ponomariov, Radjabov, Shirov, Svidler, Tiviakov, Topalov, van Wely | Leave a comment

Corus 2007, Round 2 – Topalov smashes van Wely, Aronian, Kramnik and Anand win

Posted on January 20, 2007 by Isofarro

Round 2 explodes to life with Topalov smashing through to van Wely’s king. Radjabov fails to dispose of Karjakin from a very promising position. Shirov blunders badly against Kramnik. Aronian outplays Ponomariov in a queenless middlegame, Svidler eventually makes it to the winning line against Tiviakov in a scrappy game. Anand defends cooly against Motylev’s thee-pawn sacrifice. Navara’s pressure pays off as Carlsen buckles.

Svidler – Tiviakov

Tiviakov’s Centre Counter leaves Svidler with a slight edge despite Black’s apparent activity. Svidler misses a few opportunities of substantially increasing his advantage, but retains the advantage. In a complicated struggle both sides miss the most accurate moves as the game swings wildly between equality and Svidler having a serious advantage. Finally Tiviakov’s position collapses, and Svidler converts the endgame.

Aronian – Ponomariov

Aronian plays a fashionable fianchetto in the Classical Nimzo Indian and gets a position to his liking – piece-play in a queenless middlegame. Aronian holds a definite advantage as Ponomariov struggles to develop his pieces. Aronian gains entry to the seventh rank with a rook, and Black is helpless in warding off the threats. After losing two pawns, Ponomariov throws in the towel.

Topalov – van Wely

In a swashbuckling Sicilian Najdorf, Topalov’s attack connects with van Wely’s king quicker than Black’s attack. Topalov quickly dispatches his opponent with a succession of threats and blows.

Radjabov – Karjakin

Radjabov secures an advantage on the White side of a Queen’s Indian, and forces the exchange of Black’s queen for a rook and bishop, and into a substantially winning endgame. Somehow Karjakin holds the endgame and earns a draw as the position dissolves into a drawn pawn endgame.

Kramnik – Shirov

Kramnik transposes into a Russian Grunfeld and gains a small advantage. He increases his advantage by taking control of the c-file. Shirov blunders material and resigns immediately.

Motylev – Anand

Anand essays the poisioned pawn variation of the Sicilian Najdorf, and accepts three pawn sacrificed from Motylev, at the expense of not being able to develop his queenside. Motylev generates a dangerous attack, but Anand cooly defends as White fails to connect with the Black king. A final blunder forces Motylev’s resignation.

Carlsen – Navara

In a Classical Exchange Grunfeld, Carlsen emerges with an advantage, but Black’s energetic play and White’s overextended centre allows Navara to grab the exchange. White’s centre crumbles under Black’s pressure, but Carlsen manages to hold his position together, but Navara’s kingside attack forces the exchange of queens and Carlsen finds himself the wrong side of a decisive endgame.

Posted in Anand, Aronian, Carlsen, Chess, Corus, Karjakin, Kramnik, Navara, Ponomariov, Radjabov, Shirov, Svidler, Tiviakov, Topalov, van Wely | Leave a comment

Corus 2007, Round 1 – Radjabov derails van Wely’s Bayonet

Posted on January 20, 2007 by Isofarro

Radjabov derails van Wely for the only decisive game in round one, Motylev gets the upperhand against Topalov but agrees to a draw. Kramnik and Carlsen equalises easily against Karjakin and Tiviakov. Shirov and Svidler share some aggressive moves but it ends peacefully. Navara invests a pawn and draws by repetition. Anand has an interesting development idea on the Black side of Ponomariov’s Catalan.

van Wely – Radjabov

Van Wely opts for his preferred Bayonet Attack versus Radjabov’s Kings Indian Defence. Radjabov plays a new move in 15… Bf6. In a complicated struggle, Radjabov gets the better prospects. Van Wely offers a pawn sacrifice with 20. Ne2, but it allows a Black knight deep into White’s position. Although van Wely exchanges off this knight, he can’t prevent the infiltration of the Black heavy pieces down the c-file. Black slowly creeps forward on the queenside, driving the White pieces back, and a tactical sequence starting with an exchange sacrifice (39… Rxb3!) forces van Wely to resign.

Topalov – Motylev

After a Czech Slav, the pieces quickly get hoovered off the board, leaving a rather sterile position. Topalov misjudges the position, and allows Motylev to break in the centre (19… e5) which gives Black an edge. Topalov misses a few opportunities to re-balance the position, but does enough to agree a draw after 24 moves.

Karjakin – Kramnik

Karjakin uses the fashionable 5. Nc3 line agains Kramnik’s Petroff. Karjakin handles the opening quietly, allowing Kramnik to equalise comfortably. Karjakin’s kingside attack gets nowhere, except to allow Kramnik to take control of the e-file, and he uses the better rooks to hold a the typical endgame in this Petroff variation.

Shirov – Svidler

In a Classical Exchange Grunfeld, Shirov manages to erect a pawn centre. Svidler immediately takes action against it (17… e6), but is forced to conceed the long-black diagonal after Shirov engineers a White pawn landing on f6 (20. f6). With Svidler starting to take the upperhand a draw is agreed by repetition of position.

Tiviakov – Carlsen

Carlsen gets an edge in the Nimzowitsch Sicilian against Tiviakov’s 2. c3, and after a temporary piece sacrifice (17… Rac8) Carlsen annexes the back rank, and enters a balanced major pieces endgame where a draw is agreed.

Navara – Aronian

Aronian annexes a pawn in a Cambridge Springs Queen’s Gambit, but Navara has compensation in his better development. Aronian returns the material, allowing Navara to initiate an attack on the Black king, which resolves the game into a draw by repetition.

Ponomariov – Anand

Anand plays an interesting developing plan (10… Ra7) against Ponomariov’s Catalan, but Ponomariov retains an edge. A little hasty play and his dark-squared bishop is removed from the board, and a draw is agreed some moves later.

Posted in Anand, Aronian, Carlsen, Chess, Corus, Karjakin, Kramnik, Navara, Ponomariov, Radjabov, Shirov, Svidler, Tiviakov, Topalov, van Wely | Leave a comment

Kramnik – Topalov, World Championship 2006 (12)

Posted on January 20, 2007 by Isofarro

Topalov adopts Kramnik’s preferred Slav Defence for the last game of the match, but converts it into a Stonewall formation with 13… f5?!. Kramnik goes for a minority attack on the queenside (16. b4 and 19. b5) and infiltrates the queenside with his heavy pieces (21. Qe2 and 26. Qa6). He gains entry on the eighth rank, but can’t make use of it. Topalov counters with an attack down the h-file, and sacrifices a rook (45… Rh2+) to force a perpetual check.

The match score stands at 6-6, so the match goes into a rapid-play tiebreak.

White:
Vladimir Kramnik (2740)
Black:
Veselin Topalov (2810)
Opening
Queen’s Gambit: Slav
Tournament
World Championship 2006, Elista, Round 12
Date
13/10/2006
ECO Code
D12
Result
1/2-1/2
1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 Bf5 5. Nc3 e6 6. Nh4 Bg6 7. Nxg6 hxg6

Both players mirror their opponent’s opening schemes – following the previous game and game 9. This suits Topalov perfectly, since it sidesteps any Kramnik preparation in the last game of the match.

8. g3

Kramnik is the first to divert.

8… Nbd7 9. Bd2 Bb4

and into new territory.

10. Qb3 Bxc3 11. Bxc3 Ne4 = 12. Bg2 Nxc3 13. Qxc3 f5?!

Position after 13...f5?! Topalov is in a provocative mood.

14. O-O

But Kramnik is cautious. He choses against plans of castling queenside and playing against the weakened black kingside pawn structure.

14… Qe7 15. cxd5 exd5

Sensibly keeping the c-file closed.

16. b4

Kramnik opts for a minority attack against Black’s queenside – by creating weaknesses in Black’s queenside, Kramnik will then be able to apply pressure right across the board.. The alternative was a central break with a prepared e3-e4 (perhaps even with f2-f3), which would expose all of Black’s weak pawns. Topalov’s plan is to lock down the centre, and expand on the kingside. First he needs to get his knight into a better osition.

16… Nf6 17. Rfc1 Ne4 18. Qb2 O-O

Although Topalov’s knight is well placed, White’s proposed breakthrough on the queenside is enough to encourage him his king is safer on the kingside.

19. b5 Rac8 20. bxc6 bxc6 21. Qe2

Re-centralising the queen, which now threatens entry on a6 as well as keeping watch on the kingside.

21… g5 22. Rab1 Qd7 23. Rc2 Rf6 24. Rbc1 g4

Topalov aims to lock down the pawn structure around the White king – preventing the White queen from entering the position, so he can concentrate on fending off the queenside pressure.

25. Rb2

White has a free hand on the queenside, and Kramnik plans to infiltrate via the b-file, taking aim at the b7 square.

25… Rh6

Topalov hasn’t given up all hope of a kingside attack. The h-file is the most obvious option of applying a little pressure, especially when combined with …Qd7-f7-h4. White can’t protect his h2 pawn very easily.

26. Qa6 Rc7 27. Rb8+

The feint on entering the seventh rank forces Topalov to conceed the back rank.

27… Kh7 28. Qa3

Position after 28.Qa3. Threatening entry at f8.

28… Rb7 29. Qf8 Rxb8 30. Qxb8 =

White has temporarily run out of steam, and Topalov takes over the initiative.

30… Qf7 31. Qc8 Qh5

Threatening Nd2 first, locking off the White king’s escape route. The h2-pawn is dead.

32. Kf1

Only move

32… Nd2+ 33. Ke1 Nc4 34. Bf1

Black’s initiative has also fizzled, and now he needs to draw back and defend again.

34… Rf6

Defending the f5 pawn which holds the Black kingside together.

35. Bxc4 dxc4 36. Rxc4 Qxh2 37. Ke2

37. Rxc6?? Qh1+ Forks the king and rook.

37… Qh1 38. Rc5 Qb1

Threatening to bring his rook in via the now-vacated h-file, and the White king is then trapped in a mating net, as well as defending the f5 pawn.

39. Qa6 Qb2+ 40. Kf1 Qb1+ 41. Ke2 Qb2+ 42. Kf1 Rh6 43. Qd3

Bringing the queen back in defence of the king, Kramnik also directly threatens the f5-pawn, and with it the Black king.

43… g6 44. Qb3 Rh1+

Topalov steers directly towards the draw by perpetual check.

45. Kg2 Rh2+ 46. Kxh2 Qxf2+ 47. Kh1 Qf1+
1/2 – 1/2
Posted in Analysis, Chess, Kramnik, Queens Gambit, Slav, Topalov, World Championship | Leave a comment

Topalov – Kramnik, World Championship 2006 (11)

Posted on January 17, 2007 by Isofarro

Topalov’s last game with the White pieces sees him out of a Slav with very little. He refrains from his novelty from game 8 and instead plays a more solid 8. Rb1. Kramnik’s solid play gives him a tiny edge through the middlegame, and he pushes Topalov back in the queenless middlegame (35… Ne5, 36… Ra2 and 38… Ng4). Kramnik enters the endgame with an extra pawn, but its meaningless in the opposite coloured-bishops ending. And a draw is agreed on the second time control after Topalov stubbornly defends his position.

White:
Veselin Topalov (2810)
Black:
Vladimir Kramnik (2740)
Opening
Queens Gambit: Slav
Tournament
World Championship 2006, Elista, Round 11
Date
10/10/2006
ECO Code
D12
Result
1/2-1/2
1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 Bf5 5. Nc3 e6 6. Nh4 Bg6 7. Nxg6 hxg6 8. Rb1

Another Topalov novelty. Topalov played 8.a3 in game 9 and won an impressive game against Kramnik using an idea conjured up by his second, Vallejo Pons.

8… Nbd7 9. c5

Closing the centre. Black has the thematic plan of countering with an …e5 break. White could take this opportunity to expand on the queenside.

9… a5

If White expands on the queenside it will leave Black controlling the a-file.

10. a3 e5

The immediate centre-break gives Black equality and balanced play in the centre.

11. b4 axb4 12. axb4 Qc7 13. f4

Preventing the use of the … e5 square from becoming a jumping off point for the Black pieces, White ensures he’ll have a pawn exerting pressure.

13… exf4 14. exf4 Be7 15. Be2 Nf8

Rerouting the knight to …e6 where it exerts pressure on the White pawns, particularly the f4-pawn.

16. O-O Ne6 17. g3

Preventing Black from exploiting the pin on the f4-pawn by …g5, followed by …Qxh2+ with a very strong kingside attack.

17… Qd7!?

Position after 17...Qd7!? Black switches play to the weakened light-squares around the White kingside position, there’s also another more subtle reason for this queen manoeuvre.

18. Qd3 = Ne4?!

Kramnik heads for the exchange of queens, which leaves White with the better placed minor pieces.

19. Nxe4 dxe4 20. Qxe4 Qxd4+ 21. Qxd4 Nxd4

Kramnik has some compensation for Whites better pieces. He controls the a-file, has a strong knight on …d4, and his dark squared bishop is more useful that its White counterpart. Kramnik has a temporary initiative, but Topalov has a better position thanks to his more active rooks, the potential pawn thrusts f4-f5 and b4-b5, and the two bishops give him an edge.

22. Bc4 +=

The bishop takes up an active post and also prevents the entry of the Black rooks on …a2.

22… O-O

There’s no for the Black rook down the h-file, and no easy way of entering play via … h8-h5, so Kramnik decides to castle, and bring the king rook to the d-file.

23. Kg2 +=

Covering the weak f3 light-square, and thus freeing the rook for more active duties.

23… Ra4

Trying to tie White down on the queenside – preventing Bb2 for the moment, thus keeping the Black knight on …d4 for a bit longer. Black could also have gone for play down the d-file with

Fritz 8: 23… Rfd8 24. Rd1 Bf6 25. Rd2 Nf5 26. Rxd8+ Rxd8 27. g4 Ne7 28. g5 Bd4 29. Kf3 [0. 53/16]

24. Rd1 +/-

Slowly White is regrouping, and slowly his advantage is growing. The initiative is with White, Black doesn’t have an active plan at his disposal.

24… Rd8

24… Bxc5 is a sharper alternative, but White has a clever trick up his sleeve. Fritz 8: 25. Be3! (25. Bxf7+!? Rxf7 26. bxc5 Kh7 27. Be3 Nf5 28. Rd3 g5 29. fxg5 Nxe3+ 30. Rxe3 Ra2+ [0.41/16]) 25… Ne6 26. Bb3!! A superb tactical intermezzo that forces Black to ditch the exchange, leaving White with a substantial advantage. 26… Rxb4 27. Bxc5 Rxb3 28. Bxf8 Rxb1 29. Rxb1 Kxf8 30. Rxb7 c5 31. h4 [1.19/16]

25. Be3 Bf6

Kramnik has managed to hold on to the …d4 square, and still has the White queenside tied down, but his pieces are also now tied down. The Black rook also now has the a3-square as an entry point into the White position.

Fritz 8: 25… Nf5 26. Rxd8+ Bxd8 27. Bf2 Bf6 28. h3 g5 29. Bd3 g6 30. fxg5 Bxg5 31. Bxf5 gxf5 32. b5 Ra2 [0.72/16]

26. g4

Aiming to take advantage of his two bishops by taking control of the space on the kingside. The threat of 27. g5 is met by 27… Nc2 (threatening …Nxe3+ and …Na3), where the exchange of rooks on d8 gives Black the opportunity to move the harrassed bishop. Fritz 8:

  • 26. Rd2 Nf5 27. Rxd8+ Bxd8 28. Bf2 Bf6 29. h3 g5 30. Bd3 g6 31. fxg5 Bxg5 32. Bxf5 gxf5 33. b5 Ra2 [0.78/16]
  • 26. Bf2 Fritz 8 reckons this is the more accurate move order. (….Ra3 is harmless because White hasn’t committed a tempo to g3-g4 and thus can reply to the threat of …Rc3 with a useful rook move like Rd2) 26… Kf8 27. g4 Ne6 28. Rxd8+ Nxd8 29. Rb3 Ke7 30. Re3+ Kd7 31. Be1 Ne6 32. Bxe6+ fxe6 33. h4 [0.87/16]
26… Kf8

Removing any potential discovered attack threats beginning with Bxf7+.

26… Ra3! Fritz 8 regards this move (with the follow up of …Rc3) as cutting across White’s plan, which is why it prefers 26. Bf2 before progressing with g2-g4.

  • 27. Bf2 27… Rc3 28. Rbc1 Nc2 29. Rxd8+ Bxd8 30. Be2 Bc7 31. f5 gxf5 32. gxf5 Ne3+ 33. Bxe3 Rxe3 34. Bc4 b5 [0.19/17]
  • 27. Bxd4 is the more promising continuation 27… Bxd4 28. Bb3 Kf8 29. Rd3 Bf6 30. Rbd1 Rxb3 31. Rxd8+ Bxd8 32. Rxd8+ Ke7 33. Rd4 Ra3 34. h4 Ra2+ 35. Kf3 Ra3+ [0.44/17]
27. Bf2

27. g5 Still gives White an advantage. 27… Nf5 28. Rxd8+ Bxd8 29. Bf2 Bc7 Black gets another temporary initiative 30. Kf3 Ra3+ 31. Rb3 +/-

27… Ne6 28. Rxd8+

28. Bxe6 isn’t as strong 28… Rxd1 29. Rxd1 fxe6 30. Be1 g5!? 31. fxg5 Bxg5 += and White retains a fraction of his previous advantage.

28… Bxd8

Fritz 8: 28… Nxd8 29. Be1 Ne6 30. Bxe6 fxe6 31. h4 g5 32. hxg5 Bd4 33. Kf3 [0.81/16]

29. f5?!

Allows a lot of the tension of the position to dissipate, but White retains a slight edge.

Fritz 8: 29. Bxe6 Smashing Black’s kingside pawn formation into three isolated pawns seems to be the smoothest path to victory. 29… fxe6 30. h4 Ra3 31. b5 Ke8 32. Rb4 Bf6 33. Re4 Ke7 34. b6 Ra8 35. Kg3 [0.97/16]

29… gxf5 30. gxf5 += Nf4+

30… Ng5 is marginally better.

31. Kf3 Nh5 32. Rb3 Bc7!

Position after 32...Bc7!? The bishop takes up a useful diagonal, and provides some stability for his knight companion.

33. h4 Nf6 = 34. Bd3

Fritz 8: 34. Bd4 Bd8 35. Be5 Be7 36. Bg3 Bxc5 37. bxc5 Rxc4 38. Bd6+ Kg8 39. Rxb7 Rc3+ 40. Ke2 Nd5 [0.25/16]

34… Nd7

Alternatives were to go for the b4 pawn with (White holding compensation for the pawn in the form of the two bishops). Fritz 8:

  • 34… Be5 35. Bb1 Nd5 36. Be4 Nxb4 37. h5 Ke8 38. Be3 Bf6 39. Bf2 Kf8 40. Be3 Ke8 [0.06/16]
  • 34… Nd5 35. Be4 Nxb4 36. Bd4 Bd8 37. h5 Bf6 38. Be3 Ke8 39. Bf2 Kf8 40. Be3 [0.06/16]
35. Be4

35. Bd4 and if Ba5 exploiting the pin on the b4-pawn 36. Bc3 Bd8 +=

35… Ne5+ 36. Kg2

Trying to keep the game alive, but the initiative is with Black again.

36. Ke3 Ng4+ 37. Kf3 Ne5+ draw by repetition

36… Ra2

Kramnik activates his rook that’s done a sterling job keeping the White queenside in check.

37. Bb1 Rd2

The rook takes up a spendid post on the d-file.

38. Kf1 Ng4 39. Bg1 Bh2 40. Ke1

Only move to hold the balance of the position.

40. Bxh2 allows Black to demolish White’s kingside pawns 40… Rxh2 -/+ with …Rxh4 to follow

40. Be3 Nxe3+ 41. Rxe3 Rb2 -/+ And White’s b4-pawn drops.

40… Rd5 =

Fritz 8: 40… Rg2!? 41. Bd4 Be5 42. Be4 Rh2 43. Bg1 Rxh4 44. b5 Nf6 45. Bf3 Rh3 46. Ke2 Ne4 [-0.34/16]

41. Bf2 Ke7

The king has a useful role to play in neutralising White’s kingside pawns.

42. h5 Nxf2 43. Kxf2 Kf6

The Black king is safe here unless he contrives to lose control of the d-file.

44. Kf3 Rd4 45. b5

White tries to activate his rook by liquidating the queenside pawns.

45… Rc4 46. bxc6 bxc6 47. Rb6 Rxc5 48. Be4 = Kg5 49. Rxc6 Ra5

With the h-pawn certainly dropping, Black’s chances of winning lies in keeping the rooks on. Exchanging rooks would be the simplest path to a draw.

50. Rb6

Aiming to get to the seventh rank where the rook can harrass the two Black pawns.

50… Ra3+

One more check to push the White king further from the defence of his pawns.

51. Kg2 Bc7!?

An interesting plan of protecting the kingside pawns from the White rook

52. Rb7 Rc3 53. Kf2 Kxh5 54. Bd5

Fritz 8: 54. Ke2 Kg5 55. Kd2 Ba5 56. Ra7 Ra3+ 57. Kc2 Kf4 58. Bd3 Rc3+ 59. Kd2 Rc5+ 60. Kd1 Bc7 61. Ke2 [-0.22/16]

54… f6

Black’s extra pawn is immaterial.

54… Kg5 55. Bxf7 Kxf5 56. Rb5+ Be5 =+

55. Ke2 Kg4

55… g5 56. fxg6 Kxg6 =+

56. Be4 Kf4 57. Bd3 Rc5 58. Rb4+ Kg3 59. Rc4 Re5+ 60. Re4?!

60. Kd1 =

60… Ra5

Fritz 8: 60… Bb6! 61. Rxe5 fxe5 62. Bb5 Kf4 63. Bd7 e4 64. Be6 Bd4 65. Bd7 Ke5 66. Bc8 Bg1 67. Bd7 Bb6 [-0.59/18]

61. Re3+ Kg2

Fritz 8: 61… Kg4 62. Re4+ Bf4 63. Rc4 Re5+ (63… Rd5 64. Rb4 Rxd3!? 65. Kxd3 Kxf5 =+ And Black has two passed pawns for the exchange, but the endgame is not straightforward.) 64. Kf2 Rd5 65. Be4 Rd2+ 66. Ke1 Kg5 67. Rc2 Rd4 68. Rg2+ Bg3+ 69. Rxg3+ Kf4 70. Rxg7 Rxe4+ 71. Kf2 [-0.38/19]

62. Be4+ Kh2 63. Rb3 Ra2+ 64. Kd3 Bf4 65. Kc4 Re2 66. Kd5

Draw agreed

Posted in Analysis, Chess, Kramnik, Queens Gambit, Slav, Topalov, World Championship | Leave a comment

Kramnik – Topalov, World Championship 2006 (10)

Posted on January 16, 2007 by Isofarro

Kramnik bounces back with a solid win after Topalov stumbles in a difficult position. Topalov’s queenside expansion (11… b5?!) is ambitious, and Kramnik seizes the initiative by opening the centre (13. e4), forcing Topalov to play some awkward moves to hold his position together (16… Rb6). Kramnik annexes a pawn, and Topalov back-pedals (22… Qe8 and 23… Bd8). Topalov blunders his position while seeking counterplay with 24… f6? and Kramnik’s knights seize the opportunity to grab another pawn. Topalov is quick to regain the pawn, but this plays into Kramnik’s favour, and Topalov is forced to ditch an exchange. Kramnik smoothly heads into an endgame where his extra material decides the game.

White:
Vladimir Kramnik (2743)
Black:
Veselin Topalov (2813)
Opening
Queens Gambit: Catalan
Tournament
World Championship 2006, Elista, Game 10
Date
08/10/2006
ECO Code
E08
Result
1-0
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Bb4+

In games 1 and 3 Topalov chose the Open Catalan variation with 4… dxc4

5. Bd2 Be7 6. Bg2 O-O 7. O-O c6 8. Bf4 Nbd7 9. Qc2 a5

9… Nh5 10. Bc1 Nhf6 11. Nbd2 b6 12. e4 += dxc4 13. Nxc4 Bb7 14. Bf4 A typical open Catalan structure. The Black queenside comes under pressure from the two White bishops and from the Queen down the c-file. (14. e5 +=) 14… c5! = Black needs to get this move in if he is to free his position. 15. Rfe1 cxd4 16. Nd6! The knight dominates the position, but Black can’t afford to lose time exchanging it off for his dark-squared bishop 16… d3! Using tactics to win a tempo. The other alternatives just grant White an advantage. Shredder offers the following variations:

  • 16… Bxd6 17. Bxd6 Rc8 18. Qa4 e5 19. Bxf8 Kxf8 20. Bh3 a5 21. Bf5 Kg8 22. Qb5 Qc7 23. Rad1 Qd6 24. Ng5 [0.61/15]
  • 16… Qb8 17. Nxb7 Qxb7 18. e5 Rac8 19. Nxd4 Nd5 20. Qd2 a5 21. Rec1 Bc5 22. Nf5 Bb4 23. Qd1 Bc5 24. Nd6 [0.64/15]
  • 16… e5 17. Nxb7 Qb8 18. Rad1 Bb4 19. Nxe5 Nxe5 20. Rf1 Rc8 21. Qa4 Bc5 22. Nxc5 bxc5 23. b4 cxb4 [0.65/15]
  • 16… Nc5 17. Nxb7 Nxb7 18. Rad1 Rc8 19. Qb1 Qe8 20. Nxd4 Bb4 21. e5 Nd5 22. Bd2 Bxd2 23. Rxd2 Nc5 24. Nf5 exf5 [0.80/15]

17. Qxd3 Nc5 18. Qd4 Nh5?! (Shredder 7: 18… Ba6 19. Rad1 Nh5 20. e5 Nxf4 21. gxf4 Bxd6 22. exd6 Bb7 23. b4 Nd7 24. a3 Qf6 25. Ne5 Bxg2 26. Nxd7 Qxd4 27. Nf6+ [0.65/15]) 19. Nxb7! +/- Nxb7 20. Bd2 Both of Black’s knights are awkwardy placed. White’s development is harmonious and he doesn’t fear the exchange of queens because that, after 21. Nxd4 opens up the long diagonal for White’s light-squared bishop. 20… Nf6 21. Rad1 Qe8 Slightly passive allowing White, with a forcing manoeuvre to win a pawn. (Shredder 7: 21… Bc5 22. Qa4 Qe8 23. Qxe8 Rfxe8 24. b4 Be7 25. e5 Nd5 26. a3 a6 27. Nd4 Rec8 28. Rc1 Nd8 29. h3 Rxc1 [1.08/15]) 22. e5 Nd5 (22… Rd8 is unexpectedly met with 23. exf6 Rxd4 24. fxe7 and both rooks are en prise 24… Rd6 25. exf8=Q+ Qxf8 26. Bf4 +-) (22… Nd7 23. Qg4 Threatening Bh6; 23… Kh8 24. Nd4 +- Now the knight on b7 is under fire from the White light-squared bishop, which cannot be adequately protected as 24… Ndc5 (24… Rb8 25. Nc6 +-) 25. b4! Hits the only defender of the b7-knight) 23. Ng5 The d5-knight comes under fire. 23… h6 24. Bxd5 exd5 25. Qxd5 Bxg5 26. Bxg5 Nc5 The black knight is fractionally more useful than the White dark-squared bishop, and it has a useful outpost on e6. But Black’s lack of major piece development counts against him. 27. Be3 Ne6 28. Qe4 (Shredder 7: 28. Qd7 Rc8 29. Qxe8 Rfxe8 30. Re2 Rcd8 31. Rxd8 Rxd8 32. Rc2 Rd1+ 33. Kg2 a6 34. Bxb6 Kh7 [1.95/16]) 28… Qb5 29. b3 Rad8 30. Rd6 Rfe8 31. Red1 Qe2 32. R1d2 Qe1+ 33. Kg2 Rc8 34. Qg4 Threatening Bxh6 as well as overprotecting d1 34… Rc1 35. Rd1 Rxd1 36. Rxd1 Qa5 37. Bxh6 (37. Qa4 Qxa4 38. bxa4 Nc5 39. f4 +-) 37… Qxa2 (Better is 37… Qxe5 +/- 38. Be3) 38. Rd6 Attacking the defender of the g7-mating square 38… Re7 (38… Qa6!? is enterprising, meeting 39. Rxd7 with 39… Qb7+ and taking the rook since the queen then guards the g7-mating square.) 39. Bxg7 Forcing a longer mating attack. Gelfand – Adams, Corus, Wijk aan Zee 2006, 1-0 (39). (39. Rd8+ is the shorter route to mate, with 39… Kh7 40. Qf5+! g6 (40… Kxh6 41. Rh8#) 41. Qf6 threatening the unstoppable Rh8#.) A fine game by Gelfand.

10. Rd1 Nh5 11. Bc1

The Black knight isn’t well placed on h5, so the loss of tempo of retreating the bishop isn’t risky.

11… b5?!

A Topalov novelty, but not without risk.

11… Nhf6 12. Nbd2 b5 13. c5 Qe8 14. e4 Nxe4 15. Nxe4 dxe4 16. Qxe4 Nf6 17. Qc2 Nd5 18. Re1 += Marin – Pogorelov, Barcelona 1993, 1-0 (60)}

12. cxd5

12. c5 justifies Black’s idea. 12… f5 13. Nc3 g5 14. a3 Bf6 15. Qd2 h6 16. h4 g4 17. Qxh6 gxf3 18. Qxh5 fxg2 19. Qg6+ Kh8 20. Qh6+ Kg8 21. Qg6+ Rahman – Ghaem Maghami, ch-Asia 2003, 1/2 (21)

12… cxd5

White has the open c-file, and Black’s queenside looks a little vulnerable.

13. e4

White’s pressure on the a8-g2 light-squared diagonal is uncomfortable for Black. He will be forced to lose a tempo to regroup.

13… dxe4 14. Qxe4 +=

Sowing some confusion in the Black queenside.

14… Rb8 15. Qe2!

Position after 15.Qe2! From e2 the White queen creates threats on both wings and in the centre. The main threat is Nf3-e5-c6. The b5-pawn is coming under some fire, the Black knight out on a limb on …h5 is indirectly threatened.

15… Nhf6 16. Bf4!?

Black’s queenside comes under fire, and now he is forced into an awkward placement of his rook. Although White has two stronger alternatives (Shredder 7):

  • 16. Ne5 Nxe5 17. dxe5 Nd5 18. Be3 Qc7 19. Bxd5 exd5 20. Nc3 Qc4 21. Rxd5 Qxe2 22. Nxe2 Be6 23. Rd2 Rbd8 24. f4 [0.30/14]
  • 16. Bg5 Bb7 17. Bf4 Rc8 18. Qxb5 Bc6 19. Qb3 Bd5 20. Qd3 Qb6 21. Nc3 Qxb2 22. Nxd5 Nxd5 [0.27/14]
16… Rb6 17. Ne5

Threatening Ne5-c6 throwing the Black position into disarray.

17… Nd5
  • 17… Bb7 18. Bxb7 Rxb7 19. Nc6 +/- And the queen, overloaded in protecting the bishop on e7 and the pawn on a5, finds itself deflected.
  • 17… Nb8 Covering the c6 square 18. Nc3 Ba6 Bringing the bishop to defend the …b6 pawn, which then frees the rook to switch to the …d6 square pressurising the White d4-pawn. 19. Qd2 += preparing d4-d5.
  • 17… Nxe5 18. dxe5 Nd5 19. Be3! Gaining a tempo by hitting the vulnerable black rook. 19… Rb8 +=
18. Bxd5

The only move to play for an advantage.

18… exd5

18… Nxe5 19. dxe5 exd5 20. Nc3 += The exchange of knights reduces Black’s chances of putting up resistance.

19. Nc3

And now Black has to lose a pawn. However, Black has partial compensation for the pawn, for example his rook on …b6 is quite active.

19… Nf6

Shredder 7:

  • 19… Bb7 20. Nxb5 Ba6 21. a4 Re8 22. Qd3 Re6 23. Qf3 Nxe5 24. dxe5 g5 25. Rxd5 Qb8 26. Qg4 h5 [0.34/18]
  • 19… Nb8 20. Nxb5 f6 21. Nf3 Bd7 22. a4 Na6 23. Rac1 Bb4 24. Qd3 Re6 25. Qb3 Bc6 26. Nc3 Rfe8 27. Re1 [0.39/18]
  • 19… Nxe5 20. dxe5 Be6 21. Qd3 d4 22. Qxd4 Qxd4 23. Rxd4 Rbb8 24. Ne4 h6 25. Rc1 Rfc8 26. b3 Rxc1+ 27. Bxc1 Rc8 28. Bb2 [0.57/18]
20. Nxb5 Ba6 21. a4 Ne4 22. Rdc1

Renews the threat of Ne5-c6.

22… Qe8

Topalov defuses the threat of Ne5-c6, but at the cost of leaving his c7-square unprotected.

23. Rc7!

Ambitious. Shredder 7 offers:

  • 23. Qd3 Nd6 24. Bd2 Nxb5 25. axb5 Qxb5 26. Qxb5 Bxb5 27. Rxa5 Rb7 28. Re1 f6 29. Nf3 [0.65/15]
  • 23. f3 Ng5 24. Bd2 Bf6 25. Bxa5 Bxb5 26. axb5 Qxb5 27. Qxb5 Rxb5 28. f4 Ne4 29. b4 [0.64/15]
  • 23. Rc2 Bd8 24. Rac1 Bxb5 25. axb5 Rxb5 26. f3 Nd6 27. Qd3 a4 28. Re2 Rb3 29. Qd1 [0.59/15]
23… Bd8 24. Ra7 +/-

Position after 24.Ra7.

24… f6?

In a difficult position Topalov lashes out. Analysis by Shredder:

  • 24… Bxb5 25. axb5 Qxb5 26. Qxb5 Rxb5 27. Nd7 Re8 28. Re1 g5 29. Bc1 g4 30. Ra8 Kg7 31. h3 h5 32. hxg4 hxg4 33. Bg5 [0.80/18]
  • 24… g5 25. Bd2 Re6 26. Be3 f6 27. Nd3 Bxb5 28. axb5 Bb6 29. Ra6 Qxb5 30. R1xa5 Qd7 31. Ra4 Rfe8 32. Qh5 [0.83/18]
  • 24… Re6 25. Be3 f6 26. Qg4 Re7 27. Rxe7 Qxe7 28. Nc6 Qf7 29. f3 Bxb5 30. axb5 Nd6 31. b4 axb4 32. Ra7 Bc7 33. b6 [1.29/18]
  • 24… Nf6 25. Rxa6 Rxa6 26. Nc7 Bxc7 27. Qxa6 Nh5 28. Bd2 Bxe5 29. dxe5 Qxe5 30. Bc3 Qg5 31. Qxa5 Nf4 32. Kf1 [1.44/18]
25. Nd7 Rf7 26. Nxb6 Rxa7 27. Nxd5 Rd7 28. Ndc3
  • 28. Ndc7 Bxc7 29. Bxc7 Rxd4 30. Bxa5 Qa8 31. Nc7 Bxe2 32. Nxa8 Rd1+ 33. Rxd1 Bxd1 34. Nb6 Nc5 35. b4 Nxa4 36. Nc4 [2.39/15]
  • 28. Re1 Rxd5 29. Qxe4 Qxe4 30. Rxe4 Bxb5 31. axb5 Kf7 32. Bd2 f5 33. Re5 Rxd4 34. Bc3 Rd1+ 35. Kg2 g6 36. Rc5 Ke6 37. Rc6+ Rd6 38. b4 axb4 39. Rxd6+ Kxd6 40. Bxb4+ Ke5 [1.69/15]
  • 28. Qc4 Qf7 29. Ne3 g5 30. Bb8 Nd2 31. Qxf7+ Kxf7 32. Nd6+ Kg6 33. d5 Bb6 34. Rd1 Nf3+ 35. Kg2 Be2 36. Rc1 Ne5 37. Kg1 Nf3+ 38. Kh1 Ne5 39. Nec4 Bxc4 [1.58/15]
28… Rxd4?

Creating complications, but if White keeps a cool head he should be fine.

  • 28… Re7 29. Qc4+ Kh8 30. Nd5 Re6 31. Ndc7 Bxc7 32. Qxc7 Nxf2 33. Kxf2 g5 34. Bd6 Re2+ 35. Kf1 [2.98/18]
  • 28… f5 29. Re1 Re7 30. Qc4+ Kh8 31. Nd5 Qg8 32. b3 Rf7 33. f3 Nf6 34. Nxf6 Bxf6 35. Bd2 [3.26/18]
  • 28… Nd6 29. Bxd6 Qxe2 30. Nxe2 Bxb5 31. axb5 Rxd6 32. Ra4 Kf7 33. f4 Rd5 34. Nc3 Rd7 35. d5 f5 36. b4 axb4 37. Rxb4 Ba5 [3.27/18]
  • 28… Bxb5 29. axb5 Nd6 30. Qxe8+ Nxe8 31. d5 Kf7 32. Be3 Nd6 33. Bc5 f5 34. Kg2 g5 35. h3 h5 36. f3 Nb7 37. Be3 [3.41/18]
29. Re1

Rather than exploiting the pinned knight immediately, Kramnik prefers to increase the pressure and bring all his pieces into play. Its a safer alternative to the complications after 29. f3.

  • 29. f3 Bb6 30. Kg2! Kh8 31. fxe4 Rb4 32. Bd6 Rd4 33. Bc7 Bxc7 34. Nxc7 Qd8 35. Qxa6 Rd2+ [4.44/16]
  • 29… Bxb5 30. Nxb5 Rb4 31. Nc3 Bb6+ 32. Kg2 Bd4 33. Qxe4 Rxb2+ 34. Kh1 Qxe4 35. Nxe4 Rb3 36. Ra2 Rxf3 37. Rd2 Bb6 38. Rb2 Bd4 [4.21/17]
  • 29… Rb4 30. Nxe4 Bxb5 31. axb5 Qxb5 32. Qxb5 Rxb5 33. Bc1 f5 34. Nc3 Rb8 35. Kf2 Kf7 36. Ra4 Ke6 37. Ne2 Bb6+ 38. Nd4+ [4.89/17]
  • 29. Qe3 Rb4 30. Rd1 Bb7 31. f3 Be7 32. Nxe4 Bxe4 33. fxe4 Rxe4 34. Qb3+ Kh8 35. Qc2 Bf8 36. Rd8 [4.19/16]
29… f5 30. Qc2

This increases the discomfort of the Black queen. 30. f3 is still good, but not as strong as before. Shredder 7: 30. f3 Rxa4 31. fxe4 Rb4 32. Nc7 Bxe2 33. Nxe8 Bb6+ 34. Kg2 Bh5 35. exf5 Rxb2+ [2.94/14]

30… Rb4 31. Nd5

Position after 31.Nd5.31. f3 Bb6+ Shredder 7:

  • 32. Kh1 Bf2 33. Rd1 Bb7 34. Nxe4 fxe4 35. Qxf2 exf3 36. Kg1 Rxa4 37. Nc3 Rc4 38. Bg5 Rc8 39. Qb6 [3.64/17]
  • 32. Kg2 Qc6 33. fxe4 fxe4 34. Be3 Bxe3 35. Rxe3 Bb7 36. Qd2 Qb6 37. Qd7 Rxb2+ 38. Re2 e3+ 39. Kg1 h6 40. Qe8+ Kh7 [3.57/17]
31… Rxb5

Shredder 7: 31… Bxb5 32. Nxb4 Bxa4 33. Qc4+ Qf7 34. Nd5 Bd7 35. f3 Nf6 36. Nxf6+ Bxf6 37. Qxf7+ Kxf7 38. Be5 Bd8 39. h4 [2.99/15]

32. axb5

Shredder 7: 32. Nc7 Bxc7 33. axb5 Qxb5 34. Qxc7 Qxb2 35. Qd8+ Kf7 36. Qd7+ Kg6 37. Qe8+ Kf6 38. Rxe4 fxe4 39. Qc6+ Kf7 40. Qxa6 Qd4 41. Qxa5 Qd1+ [3.68/16]

32… Qxb5 33. Nc7

Kramnik parries the threats with threats of his own. He is in control of the thread of tactics.

33… Qc4

33… Bxc7 34. Qxc7 starts dragging the Black king into the firing line.

34. Qd1

Black can now no longer prevent the entry of the White queen.

34… Bxc7 35. Qd7

Regaining the piece because of the threat of Qe8#.

35… h6 36. Qxc7 Qb4

Allowing White to force the exchange of queens.

37. Qb8+ Qxb8 38. Bxb8 Nd2 39. Ra1 g5 40. f4

Ensuring the king can get out of his shelter, otherwise Black’s threats on the light-squares are annoying.

40… Nb3 41. Ra3 Bc4 42. Bc7 g4 43. Bxa5
1-0

Posted in Analysis, Catalan, Chess, Kramnik, Queens Gambit, Topalov, World Championship | Leave a comment

Topalov – Kramnik, World Championship 2006 (9)

Posted on October 28, 2006 by Isofarro

Topalov’s opening novelty subdues Kramnik, and he finishes Kramnik off in typical Topalov fashion.

Another variation of the Slav Defence sees Topalov taking an unusual sideline – a virtually unplayed 8. a3. He follows this up with a bold and original idea, invented by Vallejo, one of his seconds. After a series of pawn moves Topalov erects a powerful White centre. Kramnik is subdued and his search for an active continuation (12… b5?) shatters his queenside leaving himself with a passive position. The opening phase concludes in Topalov’s favour as he winds his way through Black’s temporary activity, and he uses it to methodically improve his position and activate his pieces. Kramnik can only stand by and watch, his position allows him no active countermeasures. Topalov piles pressure on Kramnik’s queenside, particularly the c6 pawn (27. e5). A quick switch to the kingside by Topalov, and Kramni cracks under the pressure (35. Nf8?), allowing Topalov to crown his win with a flourish with 38. Rxf7!.

Although both players have now won 2 games, the forfeit of game 5 is now more important than ever. Kramnik is in serious trouble after now losing two games in a row.

White:
Veselin Topalov (2813)
Black:
Vladimir Kramnik (2743)
Opening
Queen’s Gambit: Slav
Tournament
World Championship 2006, Elista, Game 9
Date
07/10/2006
ECO Code
D12
Result
1-0
1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 Bf5 5. Nc3 e6 6. Nh4 Bg6 7. Nxg6 hxg6 8. a3

A virtually untried move in this position. 8. Qb3 is the popular continuation. It stops the natural development of Black’s dark-squared bishop to b4.

8… Nbd7 9. g3

Another unusual pawn move in the early stages. White is holding back on developing his bishops, but Black isn’t in a position to take advantage of it.

9… Be7 10. f4 =

Yet another pawn move – this time trying to bind the centre and prevent Black’s freeing …e5. After the game, Topalov credited this opening idea to Vallejo.

10… dxc4

Shredder 7: 10… Nb6!? with the idea of rerouting the knight Nb6-c6-d6-e4, taking advantage of White’s weak e4-pawn.:

  • 11. c5 This gives Black a target to play against, particularly the …b6 break, opening up the queenside files. 11… Nc8 12. Bg2 b6 13. Qa4 Qd7 14. cxb6 Nxb6 15. Qd1 Rc8 16. g4 c5 17. dxc5 Nc4 18. b3 Qd6 [-0.34/15]
  • 11. b3 Nc8 12. c5 b6 13. Ba6 Qc7 14. b4 Bd8 15. g4 Nd7 16. g5 Ne7 17. Bb2 Nf5 [-0.54/15]
11. Bxc4 O-O?!

Kramnik allows Topalov a free hand to finish setting up his powerful pawn center. Topalov doesn’t need to be asked twice.

11… Qc7 12. e4 =

Shredder 7: 11… Nb6 12. Be2 Nbd5 13. O-O Qa5 14. Bd2 Nxc3 15. bxc3 Rd8 16. c4 Qf5 17. g4 Qe4 18. Qb3 a6 [-0.23/15]

12. e4

Position after 12.e4. White has a long term advantage in his pawn centre.

12… b5?

Kramnik lashes out, but this pushes the White light-squared bishop to a better position, heading for f3, where it exposes this last move as a serious weakening of Black’s queenside. Black needed to stay solid, but he has no positive plan of action at his disposal.

13. Be2 b4?!

Allowing White to open the a-file. Black’s queenside is effectively demolished, but there’s no easy way to halt the slide toward a substantial White advantage.

14. axb4 Bxb4 15. Bf3 Qb6

Shredder 7: 15… c5 is more stubborn, immediately harassing the White centre. 16. Be3 Qe7 17. O-O cxd4 18. Bxd4 e5 19. fxe5 Nxe5 20. Nd5 Nxf3+ 21. Qxf3 Nxd5 22. exd5 Bc5 23. Qf2 Bxd4 24. Qxd4 Qe2 25. Rxa7 Qe3+ 26. Qxe3 [0.33/15]

16. O-O!

White has effectively caught up in development, and thanks to his centre he has a rather sizable advantage.

16… e5

An enterprising option, taking advantage of the pin down the b6-f1 diagonal.

17. Be3! Rad8

In the press conference after the game, Kramnik admitted that the game was basically already decided at this point. 17… exd4 18. Na4 an important zwigenzug that dismantles Black’s pressure down the b6-f1 diagonal.

18. Na4 +/- Qb8?!

The queen has no real prospects here.

19. Qc2

Moving out of the pin on the d-file, now the pawn on …e5 is forced to declare its intentions. White has a very strong position.

19… exf4 20. Bxf4 Qb7 21. Rad1 Rfe8 22. Bg5

Threatening to exploit the pinned knight with e4-e5.

22… Be7 23. Kh1

Stepping out of the firing line – a typical Topalov prelude to an attack on the Black king.

23… Nh7

23… Qb5 24. Be3 +/-

24. Be3

Preserving the two bishops, another common theme to Topalov’s games. Black is making no headway against the White centre, and his pieces are falling further and further back up the board.

24. Bxe7 Rxe7 25. e5 Rc8 +-

24… Bg5 25. Bg1!

Like a spring tightly coiled, White is building up the energy in his position. The f-file is slowly opening up.

25… Nhf8 26. h4 Be7 27. e5

Position after 27.e5. Advanced at the moment Black can’t react by putting a knight on d5, and so the c6-pawn is now under fire which provokes another Black retreat. White has a space advantage and threats on both sides of the board, not to mention he has the further advance of his centre as potential threats.

27… Nb8 +- 28. Nc3

Or 28. Qc4 Bb4 29. d5 with a co-ordination of attacks on the c6-pawn, the f7-square and threatening to overrun Black’s position with his centre pawns.}

Also there’s 28. h5 Bb4 29. hxg6 Nxg6 30. Be4 with co-ordinated attacks against the c6-pawn, down the f-file and against Black’s king. If the g6-knight moves away, White has the manoeuvre Qc2-h2 at his disposal which hits the Black king down the h-file.

28… Bb4 29. Qg2

Not the most direct of moves, but it still keeps the pressure on. Black is in no position to launch any counterplay. 29. Ne4

29… Qc8

unpinning the c-pawn, and opening up the possibility of …c5.

30. Rc1

Setting up another potential pin against the c6-pawn. 30. Ne4 was still playable as a precursor to an increase in kingside activities after h4-h5.

30… Bxc3

30… Qb7 31. Be3 +/-

31. bxc3 +-

31. Rxc3 wins the c6 pawn outright.

31… Ne6

31… c5 32. Be3 +-

32. Bg4

Topalov switches his focus to the e6-square, and now starts building some pressure on the f-file.

32… Qc7 33. Rcd1 Nd7 34. Qa2

The pressure on th e6/f7 complex of light squares brings the Black king into the target range.

34… Nb6 35. Rf3 Nf8?

This exposes Black’s kingside to the White queen’s pressure down the a2-f7 diagonal. Better is 35… Qd7 +- but Black still has a difficult position to defend.

36. Rdf1 Re7 37. Be3

With the threat of Bg5 winning the exchange.

37… Nh7

37… Rde8 38. Bg5 Qb7 39. Bxe7 Rxe7 +-

38. Rxf7!

Position after 38.Rxf7! Demolishes the pawn shield around the Black king.

38… Nd5

38… Rxf7 39. Rxf7 and the rook is untouchable because of Bg4-e6 exploiting the pin.

39. R7f3

A smooth victory for Topalov, finished with a Topalov flourish: 39. R7f3 c5 40. Bc1 cxd4 41. cxd4 +-

Better is 39. Be6 which secures the win, the Black rook on e7 has its hands full as the pinned piece along the seventh rank to his queen, and thus the e6-square is undefended. The idea behind this move is to win the f7-square as an entry point for the other White rook – by pushing the Black king away from the defence of the square. 39… Kh8 and now the f7-square is safeguarded, White can now exploit the seventh rank pin by 40. Bg5 +-

1-0

Posted in Analysis, Chess, Kramnik, Queens Gambit, Slav, Topalov, World Championship | 2 Comments

Kramnik – Topalov, World Championship 2006 (8)

Posted on October 27, 2006 by Isofarro

Topalov outfoxes Kramnik to score his first over-the-board win.

In another Semi-Slav Meran, Kramnik unleashes a complicated struggle with 12. Bb5+, but Topalov threads his way to equality with an unexpected 15… Qa5! creating a multitude of threats. Kramnik is forced to exchange two minor pieces for a rook, and he emerges with active rooks against a Black king stranded in the center. Optically Kramnik looks to have a great position, but Topalov turns the screws on the position with his two knights totally dominating the position. Kramnik hastens the end immediately after time control with 41.Kxg3? which allows the Black pieces to decisively infiltrate White’s kingside.

White:
Vladimir Kramnik (2743)
Black:
Veselin Topalov (2813)
Opening
Queens Gambit: Semi Slav
Tournament
World Championship 2006, Elista, Game 8
Date
05/10/2006
ECO Code
D47
Result
0-1
1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 b5 8. Be2

8. Bd3 is Topalov’s choice from game 4, where his two pawn sacrifice wasn’t enough to overwhelm Kramnik.

8… Bb7 9. O-O b4 10. Na4 c5 11. dxc5 Nxc5 12. Bb5+

A natural looking move, but the resulting position is better suited to Topalov’s style.

12… Ncd7 13. Ne5 Qc7!?

Aiming for complications.

14. Qd4?! =

Shredder 7:

  • 14. Nxd7 Nxd7 15. Bd2 Rd8 16. Rc1 Qe5 17. Qe2 Bd6 18. f4 Qf5 19. Rfd1 O-O 20. Bxd7 Rxd7 21. Bxb4 Rfd8 22. Nc5 Bxc5 23. Rxd7 [0.46/13]
  • 14. f4 Rd8 15. Bd2 Be7 16. Rc1 Qb8 17. Nc5 Bxc5 18. Nxd7 Bxe3+ 19. Bxe3 Ke7 20. Nxb8 [0.42/13]
14… Rd8 15. Bd2 Qa5! =

Position after 15...Qa5! Seizing the initiative, and forcing White on the backfoot in to coming tactical sequence. 15… a6 Cvetkovic – Bagirov, Vrnjacka Banja 1974, 1/2 (42)

16. Bc6

The only move to avoid definite material loss.

16… Be7

Shredder 7: 16… Bxc6 17. Nxc6 Qxa4 18. Nxd8 Kxd8 19. Rfd1 Qa6 20. Bxb4 Qb6 21. Bxf8 Qxd4 22. Rxd4 Rxf8 23. Ra4 Kc7 24. Rxa7+ Kb6 25. Ra4 [-0.34/14]

17. Rfc1

17. b3!? is better 17… O-O 18. Bxd7 (18. Bxb7?? Nxe5 (18… Qxe5?! 19. Qxa7 Nb8 20. Rad1 =) 19. Bxb4 Bxb4 -+) 18… Nxd7 19. Nxd7 =+

17… Bxc6 =+ 18. Nxc6 Qxa4 19. Nxd8 Bxd8

Worse is 19… Kxd8 20. a3 Qb5 21. axb4 +/-

20. Qxb4

Shredder 7: 20. b3 Qa6 21. Bxb4 Nd5 22. Rc2 Nxb4 23. Qxb4 Qa5 24. a3 Bc7 25. Rac1 Qxb4 26. axb4 a5 27. Rxc7 [-0.49/15]

20… Qxb4 21. Bxb4 =+

White has a rook and a pawn against two knights, plus the Black king is stuck in the centre, keeing his rook out of play, and a queenside pawn majority. In any normal position, White would be on top, but not here. Black has ample compensation because of the two extra minor pieces.

21… Nd5 22. Bd6 f5 23. Rc8

White is struggling to keep Black contained. If Black can untangle himself, then he will be in a strong position.

23… N5b6!

The only move to hold the advantage. Black now covers his queenside squares quite efficiently with the three minor pieces.

24. Rc6 Be7 25. Rd1 Kf7 26. Rc7

Shredder 7: 26. Bxe7 Kxe7 27. Rdd6 Nb8 28. Rxe6+ Kf7 29. Rxb6 Rc8 30. Kf1 axb6 31. Rxb6 Nd7 32. Rd6 Ke7 33. Rd2 g6 34. a3 Rc1+ [-0.54,16]

26… Ra8

Shredder 7: 26… Rc8! 27. Rxc8 Nxc8 28. Bxe7 Kxe7 29. Rc1 Kd8 30. Kf1 Ndb6 31. Ke2 Nd5 32. Kd3 Kd7 33. a3 Nd6 34. f3 e5 35. b4 [-0.83,17]

27. Rb7 Ke8 28. Bxe7 Kxe7 29. Rc1 a5 30. Rc6 Nd5 31. h4 h6 32. a4 g5 33. hxg5 hxg5 34. Kf1

Only move. White has to get his king into play as quickly as possible, otherwise its four Black pieces against two White.

34… g4 35. Ke2 N5f6 36. b3

36. Rcc7 =+ Ties up the two Black knights and the king, leaving only the rook to cause trouble

36… Ne8 37. f3 g3 38. Rc1 Nef6 -/+ 39. f4 Kd6

Black’s king and knight combine splendidly to hold the centre against the two White rooks.

40. Kf3 Nd5 41. Kxg3?

Allows the Black knights to dominate the White position. Kramnik’s position now falls apart due to Black’s activity and initiative in the centre.

41. Rb5 -/+ is better. Shredder 7: Rb8 42. Ra1 Rc8 43. Rxa5 Rc3 44. Re1 Nc5 45. Rb5 Nxb3 46. Kxg3 Nxe3 47. Kf2 Nd5 48. a5 Rf3+ 49. Kxf3 [-0.99/16]

41… Nc5! -+

Position after 41...Nc5!

42. Rg7

42. Rb5 Ne4+ 43. Kh2 Nxe3 44. Rb6+ Kd5 -+

42… Rb8

Now that the Black knights are dominant, the rook now springs into play.

43. Ra7 Rg8+

43… Nxe3 might be the shorter path 44. Rxc5 Kxc5 45. Rxa5+ Kd4 46. Re5 -+

44. Kf3

44. Kh2 Nxe3 (44… Nxb3?! is no comparison 45. Ra6+ Ke7 46. Rcc6 =) 45. Re1 Rxg2+ 46. Kh3 Nd3 -+

44… Ne4

44… Nxb3?! 45. Ra6+ Ke7 46. Rc2 -/+

45. Ra6+ Ke7 46. Rxa5

46. Ra7+ Kf6 47. Ke2 Rg3 -+

46… Rg3+

Two knights against a rook leaves Black effectively with an extra piece. He uses that advantage to force a decisive entry into White’s kingside. White’s position now collapses.

47. Ke2 Rxe3+ 48. Kf1 Rxb3 49. Ra7+ Kf6 50. Ra8

50. Kg1 {doesn’t do any good} Rb2 51. Rc8 Nxf4 -+

50… Nxf4 51. Ra1

51. Rf8+ {there is nothing else anyway} Ke7 52. Rg8 -+

51… Rb2

Catching the White king in a mating net.

52. a5

52. Rg8 Kf7 53. Rd8 Rf2+ 54. Ke1 Nxg2+ 55. Kd1 Ne3+ 56. Ke1 Nc2+ 57. Kd1 Nc3+ 58. Kc1 Nxa1 59. Rd7+ Kf6 60. Rd2 Nb3+ 61. Kc2 Rxd2+ 62. Kxb3 -+

52… Rf2+

Position after 52...Rf2+ A superlative performance from Topalov. Kramnik played natural moves but found himself in a dodgy position.

52… Rf2+ 53. Kg1 Rxg2+ 54. Kf1 Rf2+ 55. Ke1 Nd3+ 56. Kd1 Rd2#

0-1

Posted in Analysis, Chess, Kramnik, Queens Gambit, Semi Slav, Topalov, World Championship | Leave a comment