Topalov – Kramnik, World Championship 2006 (7)

Posted on October 8, 2006 by Isofarro

A draw with Kramnik having the upperhand through most of the game. Kramnik’s third Black in a row.

Topalov’s move-order sleight (5. Bd3) spins a Semi Slav into a classical Queen’s Gambit Accepted. Using a rare side-line (12. a4) Topalov ends up on the isolated pawn side of a typical Queen’s Gambit structure, and so he builds up his activity. He gains absolutely nothing against Kramnik’s super-solid position. Kramnik plays with finesse, exchanging off his weak minor pieces, pushes White backwards on the queenside (23… Bb4!) and gains some play on the queenside (36… Nb6!). Kramnik builds this to a clear advantage with pressure down the b-file and nets a pawn. Topalov tries to remain cool while backpedalling with his rooks and bishops (41. Bf1!) and has to eject another pawn to keep both his bishops on the board. Eventually Topalov gets a chance to reactivate his pieces (45. Rc7!) and after a struggle he regains the balance of the position and into a draw.

White:
Veselin Topalov (2813)
Black:
Vladimir Kramnik (2743)
Opening
Queen’s Gambit: Accepted
Tournament
World Championship 2006, Elista, Game 7
Date
04/10/2006
ECO Code
D27
Result
1/2-1/2
1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Bd3

With an unusual move order Topalov avoids the main variations of the Semi-Slav

5… dxc4 6. Bxc4 c5

And Kramnik has transposed into a Queen’s Gambit Accepted. Still played at the highest levels, particularly by Anand.

7. O-O a6 8. Bb3 cxd4 9. exd4 Nc6 10. Nc3 Be7 11. Re1 O-O 12. a4

A virtually unplayed sideline. We’ve transposed into the game Gershon – Papatheodorou.

12… Bd7

12… Nb4 13. Ne5 Bd7 14. Bg5 Rc8 15. Qe2 Be8 16. Rad1 Nfd5 17. Nxd5 Nxd5 18. Bxd5 Bxg5 19. Bxb7 Bxa4 20. Bxc8 Bxd1 21. Qxa6 Qxd4 22. Bxe6 Qd2? (22… Bh5 is a better option although White is still in the driving seat. 23. Nxf7 Rxf7 24. Qc8+ +=) 23. Kf1? (23. Bxf7+! Kh8 24. Qf1! +-) 23… Bc2? (23… Bh5 +=) 24. Bc4 +/- Bf6 25. Qb5 h6 26. Qc5 Bxe5 27. Qxe5 Qb4? (27… Bd3+ 28. Bxd3 Qxd3+ 29. Kg1 +/-) 28. Qd4 Kh8 29. Rc1? (Shredder 7: 29. Qc3 Qxc3 30. bxc3 Rc8 31. Rc1 Rxc4 32. Rxc2 Kh7 33. Ke2 Kg6 34. Kd3 Rc8 35. c4 Kf5 36. c5 [1.65/12]) 29… Bb3 30. Rc3 Re8 31. g3 Bxc4+ 32. Rxc4?? (32. Qxc4 +/-) 32… Qb7!! -+ Suddenly the White king finds itself in a mating net. White is utterly lost and can offer no resistance. 33. f4 Qf3+ 34. Qf2 Qh1+ 35. Qg1 Re1+ 36. Kxe1 Qxg1+ 37. Kd2 Qxh2+ 38. Kc3 Qxg3+ 39. Kb4 Qe1+ 40. Ka4 Qe8+ Gershon – Papatheodorou, Korinthos 1998, 0-1 (39)

13. Ne5 Be8 14. Be3 =

A typical isolani-move, conserving the energy of his bishop instead of straight to g5 where Black has the manoeuvre …Nfd5.

14… Rc8 15. Rc1 Nb4 16. Qf3

An active continuation. Topalov is aiming for a direct kingside attack in conjunction with the pawn advance d4-d5.

16… Bc6 17. Qh3 Bd5

Position after 17...Bd5. Swopping off his weakest minor piece. In isolated pawn positions, a knight permanently settled on the square immediately infront of the pawn is the main approach to carving out an advantage.

18. Nxd5 Nbxd5 19. Rcd1 Rc7 20. Bg5 Qc8 21. Qf3 Rd8

Black has an incredibly solid position.

22. h4

The typical plan of loosening the kingside. Dismantling the Black knight on f6 is the first step to weakening Black’s hold on the d5-square. White has a plethora of alternatives at this point, Shredder 7:

  • 22. Bd2 Qb8 23. g4 Bd6 24. g5 Ne8 25. a5 Bxe5 26. Rxe5 Nd6 27. Bxd5 exd5 28. Bf4 b5 29. Qxd5 Nc4 [0.56/15]
  • 22. Qd3 b6 23. Rc1 h6 24. Bd2 Bb4 25. Bc4 Bxd2 26. Qxd2 Qb7 27. b4 Rcc8 28. f3 b5 29. axb5 [0.54/14]
  • 22. Qe2 Bb4 23. Rf1 Be7 24. a5 Nb4 25. Rfe1 Nbd5 26. Bxd5 Rxd5 27. Nxf7 Kxf7 [0.52/14]
  • 22. h3 Qb8 23. Bc4 h6 24. Bd2 Bb4 25. Bxb4 Nxb4 26. Nxf7 Kxf7 27. Bxe6+ Kf8 28. a5 Nc2 [0.46/14]
  • 22. Qh3 b6 23. Qf3 Bb4 24. Rf1 h6 25. Bh4 Be7 26. Bxd5 Rxd5 27. Ng4 Nxg4 [0.45/14]
  • 22. Re2 b6 23. Rde1 Bb4 24. Rf1 Be7 25. Ree1 [0.43/14]
  • 22. Bh4 b6 23. Bg5 Bb4 24. Rf1 h6 25. Bh4 Be7 26. Bxd5 Rxd5 27. Ng4 Nxg4 [0.41/14]
  • 22. a5 Qb8 23. Re2 b5 24. axb6 Qxb6 25. Bc4 Nb4 26. Qf4 h6 27. Bh4 [0.40/14]
  • 22. Ba2 Bb4 23. Rf1 Be7 24. Bb1 Nb4 25. Be4 Nbd5 26. Rfe1 Nxe4 27. Bxe7 Rxe7 28. Qxe4 Rc7 [0.39/14]
  • 22. Kh1 Bb4 23. Rf1 Be7 24. Kg1 Qb8 25. Bc4 Qa7 26. a5 [0.39/14]
22… h6 23. Bc1

Shredder 7: 23. Bd2 Rf8 24. Ng4 Nxg4 25. Qxg4 Kh8 26. Bxd5 exd5 27. Qh5 Qd7 28. Bf4 Rc6 29. Re5 Re6 30. Rxd5 Qxa4 [0.65/14]

23… Bb4! =

Position after 23...Bb4!. Black’s counterplay holds the balance. The White rooks are harried, pushed into less active positions.

24. Rf1 Bd6

24… Nc3!? is a complicated alternative that is perhaps stronger than Kramnik’s choice. Shredder 7:

  • 25. bxc3 Rxc3 26. Be3 Rxb3 27. Rc1 Qa8 28. Rb1 Rxb1 29. Rxb1 Bd6 30. Nc4 Be7 31. Qxb7 Nd5 32. Ne5 Qxb7 33. Rxb7 Nxe3 34. fxe3 Bd6 35. Nxf7 Bg3 [0.12/16]
  • 25. Ng4 Nxg4 26. bxc3 Rxc3 27. Qxg4 Rxb3 28. Bxh6 Bf8 29. h5 Rd7 30. Bg5 Rb4 31. h6 Rxa4 [-0.03/16]
  • 25. Rde1 Nxa4 26. Nxf7 Rxf7 27. Rxe6 Nd5 28. Re8+ Rxe8 29. Bxd5 Qc7 30. Qb3 Be1 31. Bxf7+ Qxf7 32. Qd1 Qd7 33. Rxe1 Rxe1+ 34. Qxe1 Qxd4 [-0.36/16]
  • 25. Bxh6 Nxd1 26. Rxd1 Nd5 27. Qg3 Bf8 28. a5 b5 29. axb6 Nxb6 30. Qg4 Qb7 31. Bxe6 fxe6 32. Qxe6+ [-0.39/15]
  • 25. Bxe6 Qxe6 26. bxc3 Rxc3 27. Be3 Nd5 28. Rc1 Ra3 29. Ra1 Nxe3 30. fxe3 Rxa1 31. Rxa1 Bd6 32. Ng4 b5 33. axb5 axb5 [-0.40/15]
  • 25. Rd3 Nxa4 26. Qd1 b5 27. Rg3 Kf8 28. Bd2 Bxd2 29. Qxd2 Ne4 30. Qb4+ Kg8 31. Re3 Nf6 32. Re2 Qb7 [-0.59/15]
  • 25. Nxf7 Kxf7 26. bxc3 Rxc3 27. Rd3 Rxc1 28. Bxe6+ Kxe6 29. Qe3+ Kf7 30. Rxc1 Qd7 31. Rb1 Qxa4 32. d5 Kf8 33. Qb6 Be7 [-0.78/15]
  • 25. Rd2 Nxa4 26. Rdd1 Nc3 27. Rd3 Ne2+ 28. Qxe2 Rxc1 29. Rdd1 Rxd1 30. Rxd1 Bd6 31. Re1 Bxe5 32. dxe5 Nd5 [-1.04/15]
  • 25. Bg5 hxg5 26. bxc3 Rxc3 27. Rd3 Rxd3 28. Nxd3 Bd2 29. Rd1 g4 30. Qe2 Bc3 31. Ne5 Rxd4 32. Rxd4 Bxd4 33. Nxg4 [-1.70/15]
  • 25. Bf4 Nxd1 26. Rxd1 Nd5 27. Bg3 b6 28. h5 Qa8 29. Ng4 Rcc8 30. Bh4 Rd7 31. Qg3 Bd6 32. Nxh6+ [-1.71/15]
25. g3

25. g4 += is an aggressive way of pursuing the advantage

25… b6 26. Qe2 Ne7! 27. Rfe1 Bxe5 28. dxe5 Rxd1 29. Qxd1 Nfd5

Another alternative is (Shredder 7): 29… Nd7 30. Bd2 Nc5 31. Bc2 Rd7 32. Qe2 Nf5 33. Bc3 Qc7 34. Qf3 Nd4 35. Bxd4 Rxd4 36. b4 Rd2 [-0.07/16]

30. Bd2 Rc5

Stronger alternatives (Shredder 7):

  • 30… Nf5 31. Qg4 Rc5 32. Qe4 b5 33. a5 Qc7 34. h5 Nfe7 35. Rd1 Nc6 36. f4 b4 [0.08/14]
  • 30… Rd7 31. Qe2 Nf5 32. Rc1 Nc7 33. Bc2 Qd8 34. Bc3 Nd4 35. Bxd4 Rxd4 36. Rd1 [0.20/14]
  • 30… Qb7 31. Qg4 Nf5 32. Qe4 b5 [0.22/13]
  • 30… Qa8 31. Qg4 Nf5 32. Bc4 Qc8 33. b3 Rd7 34. Rc1 Nc7 35. Bb4 a5 36. Ba3 Qb7 [0.23/13]
31. Qg4 Nf5

Black’s pieces have all taken up active positions.

32. Qe4 = b5

Threatening to open some queenside lines and exposing White’s weak queenside pawns (particularly the pawn on b2)

33. h5?!

33. a5 = Keeping the position closed.

33… bxa4 34. Qxa4 Rb5

Black has a tiny nagging edge. Slightly better is (Shredder 7): 34… Nb6 35. Qa1 Nd4 36. Bd1 Qb7 37. Bc3 Nb5 38. Bb4 Rc4 39. Qa5 Rc8 40. Be2 Rc2 41. Qa2 [-0.33/14]

35. Rc1 Qb7 36. Bc2 Nb6!

Black is taking control of the queenside.

37. Qg4 Rxb2 =+ 38. Be4 Qd7 39. Be1?

Shredder 7: 39. Bc3 offers a bit more resistance. 39… Ra2 40. Bxf5 exf5 41. Qxg7+ Kxg7 42. e6+ f6 43. exd7 Nxd7 44. Bd4 Rd2 45. Be3 Rd5 46. Kf1 a5 47. Ke2 Ne5 [-0.39/14]

39… Nd5?!

Missing the chance to stamp his authority on the game. Shredder 7 offers two stronger alternatives:

  • 39… Rb5 40. Bc6 Qc7 41. Qf4 Qxe5 42. Bxb5 Qxf4 43. gxf4 axb5 44. Rc5 Nd4 45. Kf1 [-0.76/14]
  • 39… Nd4 40. Kh2 Nd5 41. Qd1 Nc6 42. Kg1 Rb8 43. f4 Rb2 44. Rc2 [-0.70/14]
40. Bd3?!

40. Rd1! Containing Black’s initiative. Shredder 7: 40… Nfe7 41. Bd3 Ra2 42. Qe4 Nf5 43. Qc4 Ra4 44. Qb3 Nfe7 45. Bc2 Rg4 46. Qd3 Qc7 47. Qh7+ Kf8 48. Qh8+ Ng8 [-0.14/13]

40… Nb4!

White is losing ground in the centre too.

41. Bf1!

Position after 41.Bf1! White’s hope for pushing Black back centres around him keeping both bishops on the board.

41… Nd3 42. Qd1 Nxe5 43. Qxd7 Nxd7 44. Rc8+ Kh7 45. Rc7!

Conjuring up as much activity as possible, otherwise the Black a-pawn just dominates the play.

45… Rb1?!

Shredder 7:

  • 45… Nf6 46. Bxa6 Nd6 47. Rc6 Nde8 48. Bc3 Rb3 49. Bd3+ Kg8 50. Be2 Nd5 51. Be5 Nef6 [-0.56/15]
  • 45… Nb6 46. Bxa6 Kg8 47. Bd3 Nd4 48. Rb7 Nf3+ 49. Kf1 Nc4 50. Rd7 Ncd2+ 51. Kg2 [-0.50/15]
46. Rxd7 Rxe1 47. Rxf7

Shredder 7: 47. Kg2! g5 48. Rxf7+ Kg8 49. Ra7 Ra1 50. Rxa6 Rxa6 51. Bxa6 Nd4 52. f4 gxf4 53. gxf4 Kf7 54. Kg3 Kf6 55. Kg4 [-0.26/16]

47… a5 48. Kg2

48. Ra7 Re5 =+ Shredder 7: 49. Bd3 Kg8 50. g4 Nd6 51. f4 Rc5 52. Kf2 Nc8 53. Ra6 Kf7 54. Ke3 [-0.39/16]

48… Kg8 49. Ra7 Re5

Black’s initiative has fizzled, and White’s pieces are activated securing the draw.

50. g4 Nd6 51. Bd3 Kf8 52. Bg6 Rd5 53. f3 e5 54. Kf2 Rd2+ 55. Ke1 Rd5 56. Ke2 Rb5 57. Rd7 Rd5 58. Ra7 Rb5 59. Bd3 Rd5 60. Bg6

Position after 60.Bg6.

1/2 – 1/2

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

Topalov – Kramnik, World Championship 2006 (6)

Posted on October 2, 2006 by Isofarro

Personal note: I publicly acknowledge and commend Vladimir Borisovich Kramnik’s sporting and professional attitude, and strength of character, in playing game 6. I am impressed he stayed in Elista to play this game when many other Grandmasters in his position would have walked away. By sticking through the adversity that’s been thrown at him over the last few days, Kramnik is a superb example of a chess professional. It is yet another example of Kramnik’s commitment to a single unified World Championship title, one the chess world has been wishing for over the last decade – for that I am grateful.

A short draw, with Kramnik playing under protest of the game 5 forfeiture.

We saw Kramnik at his effortless best in steering for equality. Topalov played as if he were expecting Kramnik to just fall apart, but met the famous Berlin Wall resistance. Kramnik unhurriedly unraveled his pieces and whittled away Topalov’s opening advantage. Topalov made no headway, his listless moves proved no problem for Kramnik.

Related Resources

White:
Veselin Topalov (2813)
Black:
Vladimir Kramnik (2743)
Opening
Queens Gambit: Slav
Tournament
World Championship 2006, Elista, Game 6
Date
02/10/2006
ECO Code
D17
Result
1/2-1/2
1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. Ne5

A more active continuation than Topalov’s 6.e3 from game 2. Perhaps an aggressive line chosen to milk the advantage of the tension over the last few days.

6… e6 7. f3

Playing to push Black’s pieces off the board as directly as possible. But this line is well known to Kramnik – he used to play the White side of this line.

6… c5

Kramnik plays a side-line that defuses much of the danger in White’s position.

7… Bb4 is the main line.

8. e4 Bg6 9. Be3 cxd4 10. Qxd4 Qxd4 11. Bxd4 Nfd7

An unusual looking retreat, but helpful in Kramnik’s cause to reduce the pressure on his position. It keeps the option of the queenside knight going to …c6.

12. Nxd7

12. Nxc4 Nc6 13. Be3 Bc5 14. Kf2 Ke7 15. h4 f6 16. h5 Bf7 17. Rd1 Bxe3+ 18. Nxe3 Rhd8 And White is getting nowhere fast. Nielsen – Hracek, Bundesliga 2006, 1/2 (45)

12… Nxd7 13. Bxc4 a6!

Position after 13...a6! Preventing Bb5 which would tie up Black’s position.

13… Rc8 14. Ba2 (14. Bb5!) 14… a6 15. Ke2 Nb8 16. Rhd1 Nc6 17. Bb6 Bb4 18. Rd2 Ke7 19. Rad1 Nb8 And Black has a satisfactory position. Cramling – Smyslov, Veterans vs Ladies 1999, 1/2 (60)

14. Ke2 Rg8

Holding the g7-pawn so that the bishop can develop. Black is slowly unravelling his position, and sapping White of his advantage.

15. Rhd1 Rc8 16. b3 Bc5 17. a5 Ke7

An important chain in Black’s development. The king takes the duty of protecting the e6-pawn, that opens the way for …f6 and bringing his light squared bishop back into play via …f7.

18. Na4 Bb4!

Compelling the White knight to occupy b6, where Black immediately chops it off with his own knight. Kramnik is playing a refined game, exchanging the pieces best suited for him reaching equality.

19. Nb6 Nxb6 20. Bxb6 f6 21. Rd3 Rc6 22. h4 Rgc8 23. g4 Bc5!

Position after 23...Bc5! and Black has equalised – rather comfortably.

24. Rad1 Bxb6 25. Rd7+ Kf8 26. axb6 Rxb6 27. R1d6 Rxd6 28. Rxd6 Rc6

shutters down, and Topalov has nothing.

29. Rxc6 bxc6 30. b4 e5 31. Bxa6 1/2

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

Kramnik – Topalov, World Championship 2006 (5)

Posted on October 2, 2006 by Isofarro

Game 5 was forfeited in Topalov’s favour after Kramnik did not make an appearance in the first hour of play. This was due to FIDE breaching Kramnik’s contract by locking his private toilet. Kramnik waited in his rest area for the toilet to be unlocked and the breach of contract alleviated. This did not happen, and so FIDE allocated game 5 as a win to Topalov.

Kramnik failed to start the fifth game because of a dispute that involved:

  • a breach of Kramnik’s privacy by FIDE giving Danailov video footage of his rest area
  • a breach of contract by FIDE by changing the match conditions without agreeing it with both teams
  • unsportsmanlike behaviour from Topalov – stating in advance that he would not shake Kramnik’s hand before the game, nor attend the after-game press conference
  • Danailov’s implication of Kramnik cheating / gaining outside assistance
  • FIDE match committes favouritism towards Danailov (members were long known to be good friends with Danailov)

The debacle that followed saw the entire FIDE match committee voluntarily resign, their decision to lock the private toilets rescinded. It was clear Kramnik was in the right on all counts. But the forfeit was not rescinded, even though the forfeit was based on a the match committee’s erroneous decision.

Kramnik played game 6 under protest, so the forfeiture of this game is still in dispute. Topalov has threatened to walk out of the match if the point he gained from the forfeiture of this game is rescinded.

Posted in Chess, Kramnik, Topalov, World Championship | Leave a comment

Topalov – Kramnik, World Championship 2006 (4)

Posted on October 1, 2006 by Isofarro

Another hard-fought draw. Kramnik ventured a Semi-Slav, and met with a Topalov home-crafted novelty based on a game Kramnik played against Ivanchuk in the 1994 Intel Rapidplay. Topalov gained time out of the opening, gaining compensation by sacrificing a pawn. Kramnik gave back the pawn and fought hard to prevent White gaining a decisive advantage. Topalov gained an advantage with some active play with his major pieces, but let pass a number of opportunities to increase his advantage. Kramnik finally settled the game by breaking open White’s centre and forcing an equalising series of exchanges.

Related Resources

White:
Veselin Topalov (2813)
Black:
Vladimir Kramnik (2743)
Opening
Queens Gambit: Semi Slav: Meran
Tournament
World Championship 2006, Elista, Game 4
Date
27/09/2006
ECO Code
D47
Result
1/2-1/2
1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 e6

Kramnik switches to the sharper Semi-Slav, either to put Topalov off his stride, or as a consequence of game 2 when he had to defend a passive position, and almost lost.

5. Nf3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 b5

The Meran is a positionally sharp line.

8. Bd3 Bb7 9. a3 b4 10. Ne4 Nxe4 11. Bxe4

One of Black’s problems in c6-based Queen’s Gambit is how to ensure that his light-squared bishop is doing more than being a big pawn. Topalov’s move, White’s strategy is to provoke exactly that consequence.

11… bxa3 12. O-O

Offering a pawn-sacrifice to gain a lead in development. Black is two tempo away from castling, so opening all the files on the queenside is risky.

12… Bd6 13. b3

This guarantees the a-file for White, and pressure on the a7-pawn. Both Black’s weak pawns find themselves on open files, While White’s weak b3-pawn is protected somewhat be Black’s hemmed in light-squared bishop on b7.

13… Nf6

13… Qe7 14. Qc2 O-O sacrificing a pawn back to gain enough tempo to get c6-c5 in. 15. Bxh7+ Kh8 16. Bd3 c5 17. Qe2 cxd4 18. Ne5 Qh4 19. exd4 Kg8 20. f4 Nxe5 21. dxe5 Bc5+ 22. Be3 Be7 23. f5 Be4 24. f6 Bxd3 25. Qxd3 Rfd8 26. Qe2 Bf8 27. fxg7 Bxg7 28. Rxa3 Bxe5 29. g3 Qe4 30. Qf2 Lugovoi – Yevseev, St Petersburg 2003, 1/2 (30)

14. Nd2!?

Position after 14.Nd2!? A Topalov novelty. White offers a pawn sacrifice to gain time to mobilise on the queenside.

14. Bd3 c5 15. dxc5 Bxc5 16. Bb5+ Ke7 17. Bxa3 Bxa3 18. Qxd8+ Rhxd8 19. Rxa3 a6 20. Bc4 Rd6 21. Rfa1 Rb6 22. Nd4 Ne8 23. f3 Nd6 24. Bd3 e5 25. Nf5+ Nxf5 26. Bxf5 Rd8 27. Rc1 g6 28. Bb1 Rd2 29. Ra2 Rxa2 30. Bxa2 Bd5 31. Kf2 Be6 32. Rc7+ Kd6 33. Ra7 Bd5 34. Bb1 Kc5 35. Be4 Bxe4 36. fxe4 Rxb3 37. Rxf7 Kb4 38. Ra7 a5 39. Ke2 Rb2+ Pogorelov – Vera, Andorra Open 2006, 0-1 (39)

14… Qc7

14… Nxe4 15. Nxe4 Bxh2+ 16. Kxh2 Qh4+ 17. Kg1 Qxe4 18. f3 An important zwischenzug – White removes the mate threat down the b7-g2 diagonal with no loss of tempo. 18… Qd5 19. Bxa3 Now Black can’t castle kingside, and queenside looks increasingly risky. White has free development and a much stronger bishop for the sacrificed pawn. The opposite coloured bishops in this case give White increased attacking chances. Shredder 7:

  • 19… h5 20. Qd2 h4 21. Qb4 O-O-O 22. Bb2 Qb5 23. Qxb5 cxb5 24. Rxa7 h3 [0.10/15]
  • 19… f6 20. e4 Qb5 21. Bc5 Kf7 22. b4 Rhd8 23. Ra5 Qc4 24. Qd2 a6 25. Rc1 Qb3 26. Bb6 Rd7 27. Rac5 Rb8 [0.18/15]
  • 19… Qg5 20. f4 Qg6 21. Qd2 a5 22. Bc5 Qe4 23. Rf3 h6 24. Qe1 Rg8 25. Qxa5 [0.24/15]
  • 19… a6 20. Qe1 Qxb3 21. Bc5 Qd5 22. Qg3 g6 23. e4 Qd7 24. Qe5 Rg8 25. Bb4 h6 26. Rfc1 Qd8 27. Kf2 [0.50/15]
  • 19… a5 20. Bc5 f6 21. Qe1 Kf7 22. e4 Qg5 23. f4 Qg4 24. Rxa5 Rhd8 25. Rxa8 Rxa8 26. Qc3 [0.36/14]
  • 19… Qb5 20. Bc5 f6 21. f4 Kf7 22. Qh5+ g6 23. Qh6 Qe2 24. Rf3 Qb2 25. Ra5 Qc3 26. Qg7+ Kxg7 [0.44/14]
  • 19… Ba6 20. e4 Qd8 21. Re1 Bb5 22. Qd2 Qh4 23. Qa5 Qd8 24. Qb4 Rb8 25. Rad1 [0.47/14]
  • 19… Rd8 20. Bc5 a6 21. Qe1 Qg5 22. f4 Qg4 23. e4 Rd7 24. Rc1 f6 25. Qf2 Kf7 26. Bb4 [0.49/14]
  • 19… Rc8 20. Bc5 a6 21. Qe1 Qg5 22. f4 Qg4 23. e4 Rd8 24. f5 e5 25. Qb4 Rd7 [0.53/14]
  • 19… h6 20. Bc5 a6 21. Qe1 Rd8 22. e4 Qg5 23. f4 Qg4 24. Rc1 Rd7 25. f5 e5 [0.55/14]
15. Bf3!? Bxh2+

Black finally decides it’s safe enough to take the proferred pawn sacrifice.

16. Kh1 Bd6 17. Nc4 Be7 18. Bxa3 O-O 19. Bxe7

White swops off his bishop that’s only used one tempo against Black’s bishop that has made 4 – this gains White three tempi.

19… Qxe7 20. Ra5 Rfd8 21. Kg1 c5

Kramnik sees the inevitable problems in defending his position, so he gives a pawn back in an effort to free his position. Shredder 7:

  • 21… Nd5 22. Qc2 a6 23. Ne5 Nb4 24. Qc4 f6 25. Nd3 Nxd3 26. Qxd3 Rac8 27. Rh5 e5 28. Rxh7 [0.23/15]
  • 21… a6 22. Ne5 Nd5 23. Qc2 Nb4 24. Qc4 f6 25. Nd3 Nxd3 26. Qxd3 Rac8 27. Rh5 e5 28. Rxh7 [0.23/15]
  • 21… c5 22. Rxc5 Bd5 23. Ne5 Rac8 24. Qc2 Rxc5 25. Qxc5 Qxc5 26. dxc5 Bxb3 27. Ra1 Nd7 28. Nxd7 [0.33/15]
  • 21… Qc7 22. Qc2 Rd5 23. Rfa1 Rxa5 24. Rxa5 Nd5 25. Rc5 Rc8 26. Be4 Nf6 27. Bxc6 Bxc6 28. Ne5 Qb8 [0.39/15]
  • 21… Re8 22. Qc2 a6 23. Rfa1 Nd5 24. Be4 f5 25. Bf3 Rac8 26. Ne5 Qh4 27. Qc4 Nb6 28. Qc5 Nd5 [0.45/15]
  • 21… Nd7 22. Qa1 Rdb8 23. Rxa7 Qb4 24. Qa4 Qc3 25. Nd6 Rxa7 26. Qxa7 Qxb3 27. Nxb7 [0.48/15]
  • 21… Rf8 22. Qa1 a6 23. Qa3 Qd8 24. Nd6 Qd7 25. Rc1 Nd5 26. e4 Nf4 27. g3 Ng6 [0.51/15]
  • 21… Rdb8 22. Qc2 Nd7 23. Rd1 c5 24. Bxb7 Rxb7 25. dxc5 Nxc5 26. Nd6 Rd8 27. Qxc5 Rdb8 28. Nxb7 a6 [0.54/15]
  • 21… Rdc8 22. Qa1 Nd5 23. Qa3 Qxa3 24. Rxa3 Rd8 25. Rfa1 a6 26. Na5 Rd7 27. Rc1 Rc8 28. Raa1 Rb8 29. Nxb7 Rdxb7 [0.56/15]
  • 21… Qb4 22. Qc2 c5 23. Bxb7 Qxb7 24. Rxc5 Ng4 25. Na5 Qb8 26. Rc7 Rd7 27. Rc1 Rxc7 28. Qxc7 a6 29. Qxb8+ [0.56/15]
22. Rxc5 +=

Shredder 7: 22. Bxb7 Qxb7 23. Rxc5 Ne4 24. Re5 Nd6 25. Qc2 Rac8 26. Ra1 Nf5 27. Rea5 Ra8 [0.23/15]

22… Ne4

One of a number of continuations for Black. All leave White with a tiny advantage.

23. Bxe4 Bxe4 24. Qg4!

From queenside pressure Topalov leaps into a threatened kingside attack – again with tempo.

24… Bd3 25. Ra1 +/-

All of Black’s threats have been met by White moves that activate his pieces to better squares.

25… Rac8 26. Raa5

Shredder 7: 26. Rxc8 Rxc8 27. d5 Rd8 28. dxe6 fxe6 29. Ne5 Bb5 +=

26… Rb8 27. Qd1?!

Shredder 7: 27. Qf4! Threatening to penetrate to the seventh rank on c7 with his rook. 27… Rxb3 28. Rc7 Qf6 29. Qxf6 gxf6 30. Raxa7 Rc3 31. Na5 Ra3 32. Nc6 Rxa7 33. Rxa7 Rd6 34. Nb4 Be2 35. Rb7 Kg7 36. f4 Kg6 37. Kf2 Ba6 38. Rc7 Bb5 [0.53/16]

27… Be4 28. Qa1 Rb7 29. Nd2 Bg6 30. Qc3 +/-

Position after 30.Qc3. As in game 3, Topalov’s coordination of his heavy pieces is extraordinary. Kramnik is battling hard to prevent his seventh rank from being breached.

30… h6 31. Ra6 Kh7

Moving the king off the bankrank limits White’s ability to increase his advantage by tactical means. White’s position is optically good, but it’s very difficult to find a path to a bigger advantage.

32. Nc4

With a side-effect of allowing Black’s light-squared bishop back into the game.

32. f3 Qh4

32… Be4 33. f3 Bd5 34. Nd2?!

White is losing the thread of the position, probably as a result of time trouble

34. Na5! Now the Black rook is torn between its active stance on the b-file or its defensive role on the seventh rank. Shredder 7: 34… Rbd7 35. Nc6 Bxc6 36. Raxc6 Qh4 37. Rc8 Rxc8 38. Rxc8 Qg3 39. b4 Rb7 40. Kf1 Rb5 41. Qd3+ f5 42. Qxb5 Qxg2+ [0.49/13]

34… Rdb8

Kramnik has managed to claw his way back into the game. his pieces are starting to coordinate.

35. Qd3+ f5 36. Rc3?!

Shredder 7: 36. Ra1 The b3-pawn is safe for the moment. 36… Kg8 (36… Bxb3? 37. Rc3 Bd5 38. e4 +- winning the bishop.) 37. Rac1 Rd7 38. g3 Qd6 39. Kg2 Qb6 40. R5c3 Bxb3 41. Rxb3 Kf7 [0.27/14]

36… Qh4 37. Ra1 Qg3

37… Rf7 or 37… Rd7 to prevent e3-e4 breaking open Black’s position.

38. Qc2

Shredder 7: 38. e4 fxe4 39. Nxe4 Qg6 40. Nc5 Qxd3 41. Rxd3 Rf7 42. Kf2 g5 43. Re1 Kg6 44. Nxe6 Rxb3 45. Rxb3 Bxb3 46. Nc5 [0.66/14]

38… Rf7 39. Rf1

Shredder 7: 39. e4 Ba8 40. Nc4 fxe4 41. fxe4 Qh4 42. g3 Qg5 43. Ra5 Qf6 44. e5+ Qg6 [0.41,13]

39… Qg6 = 40. Qd3 Qg3 41. Rfc1 Rfb7 42. Qc2

It’s increasingly clear that for White to obtain an advantage, he needs to play e3-e4. Shredder 7:

  • 42. e4 fxe4 43. fxe4 Qxd3 44. Rxd3 Bxb3 45. Ra1 a5 46. Rxa5 Bd1 47. Kf2 Rf7+ 48. Ke3 Rbf8 49. Nc4 Rf1 50. Ra6 Bg4 [0.56/15]
  • 42. Ra1 Rf7 43. e4 fxe4 44. Nxe4 Qg6 45. Nc5 Rf5 46. Qe2 Rbf8 47. Nd7 Ra8 48. Ne5 Qg3 [0.42/15]
42… Qg5 43. Ra1 Qf6 44. Qd3 Rd7 45. Ra4 Rbd8 46. Rc5 Kg8 47. Nc4 Bxc4?

Black’s bishop has been having the better of it after White’s incautious 34. Nd2?! But this exchange offers White one chance at snatching back a large advantage. Shredder 7:

  • 47… Rb7 48. b4 f4 49. exf4 Qxf4 50. Ne5 Qh4 51. Qc3 [0.39/15]
  • 47… Qh4 48. Qd2 f4 49. Qf2 Qf6 50. e4 Bxc4 51. Rcxc4 Rb7 52. b4 Qe7 53. Rc5 Rdb8 54. Qd2 Qh4 55. Ra6 [0.39/15]
48. Raxc4

Bringing the queen to bear on e6 is better, and brings an advantage.

Shredder 7: 48. Qxc4 Kh7 49. Rc6 Re8 50. Raa6 Rde7 51. Qb5 Kg8 52. Rc1 Rf8 53. Qc5 Ra8 54. Rca1 Qg5 [1.01/14]

48… f4!

Hitting the fulcrum of White’s centre, and seizing the initiative.

49. Rc6

Shredder 7: 49. Qe4 fxe3 50. Re5 Rd5 51. Rxe6 Rxd4 52. Rxf6 Rxe4 53. Rxe4 Rd1+ 54. Kh2 gxf6 55. Rxe3 Rd2 56. Re7 f5 [0.35/15]

49… fxe3 50. Qxe3 Rxd4 51. Rxe6 Qh4 52. Rxd4 Qxd4 53. Re8+ Kh7 54. Qxd4

Position after 54.Qxd4. and there’s nothing more to play for. Draw agreed.

1/2 – 1/2

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

Kramnik – Topalov, World Championship 2006 (3)

Posted on September 27, 2006 by Isofarro

A gem of a game, and the draw a fair result. We saw Kramnik on fire, and Topalov fighting hard not to get burnt to a crisp. Topalov fought back exceptionally well – taking the upper hand in the major pieces endgame and forcing Kramnik to bale out into a perpetual check.

In an Open Catalan, Kramnik came out fighting. Not content to sit back on his two-point lead, both side’s active intentions led to a complicated struggle. Kramnik pulled off a major surprise with 16. Bg5!. Topalov fought stubbornly in defense, but Kramnik maintained his slender advantage and managed to convert it into a heavy pieces endgame. Topalov’s active play in the endgame (26… e5!) forces Kramnik on the back foot, and the explosive 35… f5!! is enough to convince Kramnik to force the draw.

Related Resources

White:
Vladimir Kramnik (2743)
Black:
Veselin Topalov (2813)
Opening
Queens Gambit: Catalan
Tournament
World Championship 2006, Elista, Game 3
Date
26/09/2006
ECO Code
E04
Result
1/2-1/2
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 dxc4

Topalov switches from to Bogo-Catalan into a main stream Open Catalan, perhaps as a means of keeping Kramnik on his toes, the opening certainly didn’t fail him in game 1.

5. Bg2 Nc6 6. Qa4 Bd7 7. Qxc4 Na5 8. Qd3 c5 9. O-O Bc6 10. Nc3 cxd4 11. Nxd4 Bc5

A sharper rarely-seen sideline – typical of Topalov’s active style. He could easily have gone straight for equality with Bxg2. We are following in the footsteps of Tkachiev – Solozhenkin, the only other Grandmaster game with this line.

12. Rd1

12.Nxc6 is a viable alternative

12… Bxg2 13. Qb5+

There wasn’t much to be gained by 13. Kxg2. Kramnik seeks the more active continuation.

12… Nd7

Forced.

13… Bc6?? 14. Nxc6 unleashes a discovered attack on the Black queen. Black has to drop a piece.

Shredder 7: 13… Nc6?? 14. Nxe6 Qb6 15. Nxc5 Bh3 16. Qxb6 axb6 17. Nxb7 O-O 18. Nd6 Nd7 19. Be3 Nc5 20. Nd5 Rab8 [2.96/13]

14. Kxg2 a6 15. Qd3 Rc8

Topalov’s improvement over Solozhenkin’s 15… Be7.

15… Be7 16. Bf4 Rc8 17. Nf3 Nc4 18. Na4 b5 19. b3 Ncb6 20. Nxb6 Nxb6 21. Qxd8+ Bxd8 22. e4 f6 23. Rd6 White’s superior development lands him a strong rook backed with active minor pieces. 23… Ke7 24. Nd4! e5 25. Nf5+ Kf7 26. Be3 g6 27. Nh6+ Kg7 28. Rad1 Tkachiev effortlessly activates all his pieces, constantly harrassing his opponent with threats. 28… Rb8 29. Rd7+! Nxd7 30. Rxd7+ Kf8 31. Nf7 White is thoroughly dominating the position. 31… Rg8? (31… Be7 although better, does not save Black.) 32. Nd6 g5 33. Rf7# Tkachiev – Solozhenkin, France 2000, 1-0 (33)

16. Bg5!

Position after 16.Bg5! Kramnik has come out fighting! The bishop is untouchable.

16… Be7

16… Qxg5 17. Nxe6! and Black has two main variations:

  • 17… Ne5 18. Nxg5 Nxd3 19. Rxd3 +/-
  • 17… Qe7 18. Nxg7+ Hitting the defender of d7 – the Black king. 18… Kd8 (18… Kf8 19. Nf5 +-) Shredder 7: 19. Nd5! Qd6 20. Nf5 Qe6 21. b4 Nc4 22. bxc5 Rxc5 23. Rab1 +-
17. Bxe7

17. Ne4 Nc4 18. Rac1 += Shredder 7 offers the variations:

  • 18… Nde5 19. Qb1 Bxg5 20. Nxe6 fxe6 21. Rxd8+ Bxd8 22. Qa1 Bc7 23. b3 O-O [0.81/13]
  • 18… Nce5 19. Rxc8 Qxc8 20. Qb1 f6 21. Bf4 Kf7 22. Nf3 Ng6 23. Bd6 [0.44/12]
  • 18… Nxb2 19. Qb1 Nxd1 20. Nd6+ Bxd6 21. Bxd8 Ne3+ 22. fxe3 Rxc1 23. Qxc1 Kxd8 24. Qb2 Kc8 25. Nf3 Nf6 26. Qb6 [0.94/12]
  • 18… Ndb6 19. Qf3 Ne5 20. Bxe7 Qxe7 21. Rxc8+ Nxc8 22. Qh5 Nc4 23. b3 N4d6 24. Ng5 g6 [1.06/12]
  • 18… Bxg5 19. Rxc4 Be7 20. Nf3 Rxc4 21. Qxc4 O-O 22. Qa4 Nb6 23. Rxd8 Nxa4 24. Rd7 f5 25. Rxe7 fxe4 26. Ng5 [1.12/12]
  • 18… b5 19. Bxe7 Qxe7 20. b3 f5 21. bxc4 fxe4 22. Qxe4 Nf6 23. Qe5 O-O 24. Qxe6+ Qxe6 25. Nxe6 Rfe8 26. Rd6 bxc4 27. Rxa6 [1.95.11]
17… Qxe7 18. Rac1 += Nc4 19. Na4 b5

Shredder 7: 19… Nde5 20. Qe4 O-O 21. b3 f5 22. Qh4 Qe8 23. e3 Rf6 24. Qf4 Ng4 25. Rxc4 Rxc4 26. bxc4 Qxa4 [0.29/14]

20. b3

The most active continuation

20… O-O

Shredder 7: 20… Nde5 21. Qe4 f5 22. Qb1 Qb7+ 23. Nf3 Ne3+ 24. fxe3 Rxc1 25. Rxc1 bxa4 26. bxa4 Qxb1 [0.41/14]

21. bxc4 bxa4 22. Nc6

Opening the d-file and gaining entry to the seventh rank with tempo.

22… Rxc6 23. Qxd7 +/- Qc5!

The only move that gives Topalov a fighting chance; he avoids going straight into a difficult rook endgame.

24. Rc3 g6 25. Rb1 h5 26. Rb7 e5!

Position after 26...e5! Active defence. Topalov opens the third rank as well as threatening to keep pushing the pawn.

27. e4!?

Considering the passage of play, this move does nothing to prevent Black’s counterplay.

28… Rf6 28. Rc2 Qa3!

And so Topalov whittles White’s initiative and forces a passive retreat.

29. Qd1 Rd6

The mobility and coordination of the black queen and rook is astonishing.

30. Rd2 Rfd8 31. Rd5 Rxd5 32. cxd5 Qxa2 33. Qf3

By sacrificing a pawn, White has regained the initiative.

33… Rf8 34. Qd3 a3 35. Rb3

Now the a-pawn pawn falls.

35… f5!!

Position after 35...f5!! The threat of opening up the f-file is dangerous and pushes the game into Black’s favour. Black’s a-pawn is now untouchable. This forces White to bale out into a perpetual check.

36. Qxa6

36. Rxa3 fxe4 -+

36… Qxb3 37. Qxg6+ Kh8 38. Qh6+ Kg8

A splendid game that does credit for both players. Topalov shows his aggression and creativity are unharmed after a tragic start. He is the moral victor in this battle.

1/2 – 1/2

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

Topalov – Kramnik, World Championship 2006 (2)

Posted on September 24, 2006 by Isofarro

A stormy ferocious struggle where Topalov demonstrates his talent for conjuring up an attack from almost nothing. The game is peppered with queen sacrifices as well as rook and knight sacrifices. Somehow Kramnik defends just enough to delay Topalov’s coup de grace. In the complex position both sides make serious blunders. Topalov’s initiative finally runs out of steam, and Kramnik converts the complicated endgame. Kramnik now leads 2-0.

Out of a classical Czech system of the Queens Gambit Slav, Kramnik plays an antiquated variation, and proceeds to button down the hatches on the kingside with 17… f5. After a surprisingly deep 19. Kh1, Topalov tears into Kramnik’s kingside with 20. g4!, and initiates a fierce struggle. Kramnik avoids tempting Topalov sacrificing a knight on e6 gets some active counterplay on the queenside that forces Topalov to retreat slightly. Just when Kramnik is on the verge of taking control of the game, Topalov plays an elegant and surprising 28. Qc2! followed by a sacrifice of his queen, the kingside threats reignites with elevated ferocity. In the complications that follow Kramnik blunders badly with 31… Bxf8?? gifting Topalov a straightforward path to victory, but Topalov returns the complement with a blunder of his own 32. Qg6+?? that luckily retains him a slight initiative in the complicated position. Topalov has some attacking chances in the dynamic unbalanced endgame. Kramnik, however, is merciless, and extracts the full point in the endgame.

An awesome performance from both players. Topalov’s imagination was the centre piece of this game, but right at the moment he should have collected the full point he stumbles. Although he played energetically throughout the game, Kramnik was remorseless – offering Topalov just one chance in the encounter.

Related Resources

White:
Veselin Topalov (2813)
Black:
Vladimir Kramnik (2743)
Opening
Queens Gambit: Slav
Tournament
World Championship 2006, Elista, Game 2
Date
24/09/2006
ECO Code
D18
Result
0-1
1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. e3 e6 7. Bxc4 Bb4 8. O-O Nbd7 9. Qe2 Bg6 10. e4 O-O

10… Bxc3 11. bxc3 Nxe4 12. Ba3 stops Black castling kingside, so Black tends to castle queenside, where the open lines give White sufficient compensation for the sacrificed pawns.

11. Bd3 Bh5 12. e5 Nd5 13. Nxd5 cxd5 14. Qe3 Bg6

An old, and rarely tried, continuation

  • 14… h6 15. Ne1 (15. Bd2 is innocuous. Iljushin – Kupreichik, IECC 2003, 1/2 (20))
    • 15… Bxe1 16. Rxe1 Bg6 Both retreats 17. Bf1 and 17. Be2 leave both sides with a solid position. Beliavsky – Ribli, Bled 2000, 1/2 (50) and Kramnik – Bareev, ECC Final 1999, 1/2 (26)}
    • 15… Bg6 16. Bxg6 fxg6 17. Nc2 Ba5 18. Qd3 Kh7 19. f4 a6 20. b4 Bb6 21. g4 White is pushing aggressively on all fronts. 21… Qh4 22. Ne3 Rac8 23. Bd2 h5 24. Rae1 a temporary pawn sacrifice, Black can’t hold his extra pawn. 24… hxg4 25. Re2 Rf7 26. Rg2 Nf8 27. Rxg4 Qe7 28. a5 Ba7 29. Rf3 Kg8 30. Rh3 The White rooks are majestic. 30… Qe8 31. Rgh4 +- Rfc7 32. f5! Kf7 33. Rh8 Qb5 34. fxg6+ Ke7 (34… Nxg6 35. Rf3+ And the knight is lost.) 35. Rf3! Rc1+ 36. Kg2 Bacrot – Gustafsson, Bundesliga 2004, 1-0 (36)
    • 15… f5 Trying to drum up counter-play down the f-file to compensate for the weakened kingside. 16. exf6 Qxf6 17. Qg3 (17. Bb5 roughly equal chances. Gelfand – Lautier, Horgen 1994, 1-0 (58)) 17… Rac8 18. Bb5 Nb8 19. Nd3 a6 with a balanced position. van Wely – Pelletier, 49th Spanish Team Ch 2005, 1-0 (84)
  • 14… Be7 is another lid continuation for Black. Beliavsky – Ribli, Slovenian Team Ch 2001, 1-0 (69)
  • 14… Re8 Berkes – Portisch, 53rd Hungarian Ch 2003, 1-0 (47)
15. Ng5

15. Bxg6 fxg6 16. Ng5 Re8 17. Qh3 Nf8 18. Qb3 Petrosian – Smyslov, Bar 1980, 1/2 (18)

15… Re8 16. f4 Bxd3!?

A very committal move. But the solid alternatives 16… Nf8 and 16… Rc8 are both aggressively met with 17. g4.

17. Qxd3 f5

Black needs nerves of steel to defend this sort of position.

18. Be3

18. Qb5 a5 Taking the b-pawn is too risky

18. exf6 Nxf6 += and taking advantage of the weak e6-pawn and e5-square is no easy matter.

18… Nf8 19. Kh1!

Vacating the g1-square for the rook and preparing the way for g4. Its quite possible Rf1-f3 will happen first, followed by a later Rag1.

Shredder 7: 19. Qb5 Be7 20. Qxb7 Qb8 21. Qxb8 Raxb8 22. Ra2 Rb3 23. Bd2 Reb8 24. Bc3 Bxg5 25. fxg5 Kf7 [0.62/14]

19. h3

19… Rc8 20. g4!

Position after 20.g4!

20… Qd7

After long thought. Bolstering protection for the f5-square, as well as hitting the a4-pawn, which hopefully should slow down White’s other rook from entering the fray. Shredder 7:

  • 20… h6 21. Nxe6! Rxe6 22. gxf5 Rec6 (22… Re7 23. Rg1 Kh8 24. Rg3 Nh7 25. f6 gxf6 26. Rag1 Qe8 27. Qf5 Rec7 28. b3 Qc6 [0.59/14]) 23. Rg1 Kh8 24. f6 gxf6 25. f5 h5 26. Qe2 Qc7 27. Qg2 Qf7 [0.59/15]
  • 20… Qd7 21. gxf5 exf5 22. Rac1 g6 23. b3 Ba3 24. Rxc8 Rxc8 25. Bd2 Be7 26. Rg1 Bxg5 27. Rxg5 Kh8 28. Qh3 Rc2 29. Qh6 [0.73/15]
  • 20… fxg4 21. f5 Be7 22. Nxe6 Nxe6 23. fxe6 Qb6 24. Qf5 g3 25. Rac1 Qxb2 26. hxg3 Kh8 27. Rxc8 Rxc8 28. Bg5 g6 29. Bf6+ Kg8 30. Qh3 [1.09/15]
  • 20… g6 21. gxf5 exf5 22. Qb5 a5 23. Qxb7 Be7 24. Nf3 Rb8 25. Qc6 Rxb2 26. Rab1 Re2 [1.41/15]
21. Rg1 Be7 22. Nf3 Rc4

Black has stemmed the tide of White’s kingside attack.

23. Rg2 fxg4 24. Rxg4 Rxa4 25. Rag1 g6 26. h4!

The sting behind this move only becomes apparent two moves later. What looks like desparation to commentators is part of an exceptionally beautiful manoeuvre that breathes fire into White’s attack.

26… Rb4!

With the threat of …Qb5 swopping off White’s perfectly position queen.

27. h5

Grandmaster commentators at this point were noting that Topalov had lost his head, and Kramnik would steamroller to another win.

27… Qb5 28. Qc2!

Position after 28.Qc2! By shifting from the queen exchange, White’s threats on the kingside suddenly flair to life again.

28… Rxb2 29. hxg6!! h5

Only move to avoid the immediate crushing mating attacks. Shredder 7:

  • 29… Nxg6 30. Qxg6+ hxg6 31. Rxg6+ Kh7 32. R6g3 Qf1 33. Rxf1 Rg8 34. Rh3+ Kg7 35. f5 exf5 36. Rg1+ Kf8 37. Bh6+ Kf7 38. e6+ Kxe6 39. Rxg8 a5 40. Rg6+ Kd7 41. Ne5+ Kc7 42. Rc3+ Kb8 43. Rc1 [5.46/14]
  • 29… Rxc2 30. gxh7+ Kxh7 31. Rg7+ Kh8 32. Rg8+ Kh7 33. R1g7+ Kh6 34. f5+ Bg5 35. Rxg5 Qf1+ 36. Ng1! +-
30. g7 hxg4 31. gxf8=Q+ Bxf8??

31… Kxf8 32. Qg6 Qe2 33. Qxg4 +/- Threatening mate on g7 and g8.

32. Qg6+??

32. Rxg4+ Bg7 33. Qc7! +-

32… Bg7 33. f5

33. Ng5 and White has at least a draw by perpetual check

33… Re7

33… exf5 34. Ng5 Qc6 35. e6 +-

34. f6

34. Ng5 is not good enough 34… Qe2 -+

34… Qe2 35. Qxg4 Rf7

Black is walking a tightrope.

36. Rc1

Shredder 7: 36. Qh5 b5 37. Rg3 Qd1+ 38. Bg1 Rc2 39. fxg7 Qxf3+ 40. Rxf3 Rc3 [1.18/13]

36… Rc2

Smothering White’s attack. Now the play switches into a complicated endgame.

37. Rxc2 Qd1+

37… Qxc2 = Perhaps its preferable to keep the White king cut off from his pieces.

38. Kg2!

The king has a big part to play in the resulting endgame. Its amazing Topalov is still retains his composure and will to win even after the previous set-backs he’s faced in this game.

38… Qxc2+ = 39. Kg3 Qe4 40. Bf4 Qf5 41. Qxf5 exf5 42. Bg5

Position after 42.Bg5 Overprotecting the f6-pawn. The perennial threat is the advance of the e6-pawn, and the connected passed pawns can easily outmatch even a rook

42… a5

Black has to divert one of the White minor pieces – and this passed pawn is the key.

43. Kf4 a4 44. Kxf5 a3

Pulling the knight away from behind the White pawn centre.

45. Bc1

Shredder 7: 45. Nd2 Rc7 46. Nb3 Rc3 47. Nc1 b5 48. fxg7 b4 49. e6 Kxg7 50. Na2 Rf3+ 51. Kg4 b3 52. e7 Kf7 [-0.34/17]

45… Bf8! -+

Covering the important dark-squares, and protecting the a-pawn to prevent the White bishop from decisively entering via the queenside.

Shredder 7: 45… a2 46. Bb2 b5 47. Ng5 Ra7 48. fxg7 a1=B 49. Bxa1 Rxa1 50. Kf6 Rf1+ 51. Kg6 Re1 52. Ne6 b4 53. Nf4 [-1.07/18]}

46. e6 Rc7 47. Bxa3

47. e7 Bxe7 48. fxe7 Rxe7 The a-pawn is untouchable because of …Re3!

47… Bxa3 48. Ke5

Topalov’s final throw of the dice is three connected passed pawns versus the rook.

48… Rc1 49. Ng5

49. Kxd5 is slightly better, but Black is still on top. 49… Rf1 50. e7 Bxe7 51. fxe7 Kf7 -+

49… Rf1 50. e7 Re1+ 51. Kxd5 Bxe7 52. fxe7 Rxe7 53. Kd6 Re1 54. d5 Kf8 55. Ne6+ Ke8 56. Nc7+ Kd8 57. Ne6+ Kc8

Now the White king can’t approach the black pawn.

58. Ke7 Rh1 59. Ng5 b5 60. d6 Rd1 61. Ne6 b4 62. Nc5 Re1+ 63. Kf6 Re3!

Position after 63...Re3! The rook is splendidly placed, and White can make no further progress.

0-1

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

Kramnik – Topalov, World Championship 2006 (1)

Posted on September 23, 2006 by Isofarro

A tragedy for Topalov, blundering right before the second time-control in a stubbornly contested game.

Out of a Bogo-Catalan, Topalov plays solidly and equalises. His 21… g5!? was inspired, tieing down the White pieces. After sacrificing a pawn, Topalov gets at least a draw by repetition, but he presses hard for a win in a risk-free type position. But he slowly loses his way, and Kramnik fights his way back into the game. Just when a draw is inevitable, Topalov blunders horribly with 57… f5??, and ever efficient Kramnik cleans up to win the first game.

We saw the strengths of both players in this fascinating encounter. Topalov was awesome in fighting for the initiative – with some inspired ideas. Kramnik, the technical perfectionist demonstrated his ability to neutralise his opponents fearsome queenside threats, and unravels his position. The dominating factor was Topalov’s will to win, which proved his undoing. Blundering horribly in a game he had secured at least a draw.

Related Resources

White:
Vladimir Kramnik (2743)
Black:
Veselin Topalov (2813)
Opening
Queen’s Gambit: Catalan
Tournament
World Championship 2006, Elista, Game 1
Date
23/09/2006
ECO Code
E04
Result
1-0
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 dxc4 5. Bg2 Bb4+

A solid continuation – almost Bogo-Indian like.

6. Bd2

6. Nbd2 b5 7. O-O a5 8. a4 c6 9. Ne5 Nd5 10. e4 Ne7 11. d5? (11. Qg4 =) 11… O-O 12. Nxc6 Nbxc6 13. dxc6 c3! 14. bxc3? (Shredder 7: 14. Nf3 is slightly better, but Black is definitely in the driving seat. 14… Qxd1 15. Rxd1 c2 16. Rf1 bxa4 17. Be3 Ba6 18. Rfc1 Rac8 19. Rxc2 Bd3 20. Rcc1 Nxc6 21. e5 Be4 22. Bf4 Rfd8 23. Rxa4 Rd3 [-0.58/14]) 14… Bxc3 -+ 15. Ra2 b4 16. Nb1 Ba6 17. Nxc3 Bxf1 18. Qxf1 bxc3 19. Ba3 Nxc6 20. Bxf8 Qxf8 21. Rc2 Qc5 22. e5 Rc8 23. Bxc6 Qxc6 24. Qb5 Qe4 25. Qd7 Rb8 26. Rc1 h6 27. Qc7 Rb3 28. h4 Qd3 29. Qd6 Qxd6 30. exd6 Kf8 31. Kf1 Ke8 32. Ke2 Kd7 33. Kd3 Kxd6 34. Kc4 Rb4+ 35. Kxc3 Rxa4 36. Rd1+ Ke7 37. Rb1 Ra2 38. Rb7+ Kf6 Miroshnichenko – Korneev, WCC, Khanty Mansyisk RUS (1.4) 2005, 0-1 (38)

6… a5

Black will find it difficult to develop his queenside quickly, but White has a sacrificed pawn to recover which might give Black time to unravel.

7. Qc2 Bxd2+ 8. Qxd2

8. Nbxd2 is the other alternative b5 9. a4 c6 10. b3 cxb3 11. Nxb3 O-O 12. O-O Ba6 13. Nc5 = Nbd7 14. Rfd1 Qe7 15. Nb3 Qb4 16. Nc5 Nxc5 17. dxc5 Rad8 18. Rdb1 Qe4 19. Qb2 Rd5 20. e3 Rxc5 21. Nd4 Qe5 22. axb5 Bxb5 23. Rxa5 Nd5 Avrukh – Eljanov, 36th Olympiad Spain 2004, 1/2 (23)

8… c6

8… Bd7 9. Ne5 Bc6 10. Nxc6 Nxc6 11. Na3 O-O 12. e3 Nb4?! 13. Nxc4 c5 14. a3 Nbd5 15. O-O (Shredder 7: 15. dxc5 Qe7 16. Qd4 Nd7 17. e4 Nxc5 18. exd5 exd5+ 19. Ne3 Nb3 20. Qd3 Nxa1 21. O-O a4 22. Rxa1 Qxa3 23. bxa3 [1.25/14]) 15… b5 16. Ne5 cxd4 17. Qxd4 Rc8 18. Rfc1 a4 19. Bf1 Qa5 20. e4 Ne7 21. Nd7 Nxd7 22. Qxd7 Rxc1 23. Rxc1 Ng6 24. Qxb5 Qd2 25. Rc4 f5 26. exf5 Rxf5 27. Rc8+ Nf8 28. Qxf5 Delchev – Giorgadze, Spanish Team Ch 2006, 1-0 (28)

9. a4 b5 10. axb5 cxb5 11. Qg5

recouping his pawn and shattering the Black queenside pawn-structure.

11… O-O 12. Qxb5 Ba6

A new move.

12… Na6 13. Qxc4 Nb4 14. Qb3 e5? Grischuk – Moiseenko, 13th Russian Team Championship 2006, 1-0 (102)

13. Qa4

Shredder 7: 13. Qxa5 Qxa5+ 14. Rxa5 Nc6 15. Ra3 Nd5 16. e3 Rfb8 17. Nc3 Rxb2 18. Nxd5 exd5 19. Nd2 c3 20. Rxc3 [0.96/14]

13… Qb6 14. O-O Qxb2 15. Nbd2 Bb5 16. Nxc4

an interesting tactical sequence that forces the queens from the board, leaving a technical position.

16… Bxa4 17. Nxb2 Bb5 18. Ne5 Ra7

Shredder 7: 18… Nd5 19. Rfc1 Bxe2 20. Rc2 Bh5 21. Rc5 Rd8 22. f4 f6 23. Nec4 Ra7 24. Bxd5 exd5 25. Nxa5 Kf8 [0.37/15]

19. Bf3

An improvement over the passive looking 19. Rfe1. At least now the White rook can take up a more active position on the queenside immediately rather than having to keep the e-pawn under guard.

Shredder 7: 19. Nbc4 Nbd7 20. Nxa5 Nxe5 [0.80/14]

19… Nbd7 20. Nec4

After a long think. White has a number of options at this point. Shredder 7:

  • 20. Nxd7 Bxd7 21. Nc4 a4 22. Rfb1 Rc8 23. Nd6 Rd8 24. e3 g5 25. Rb7 Ra6 26. Nc4 g4 27. Bg2 [0.14/16]
  • 20. Nbc4 Nxe5 21. Nxe5 Nd5 22. Rfc1 Rb8 23. e4 Nb4 24. d5 Ra6 25. d6 f6 26. d7 Raa8 27. Nc4 Kf7 28. Nxa5 [0.11/16]
  • 20. Nbd3 Nxe5 21. Nxe5 Nd5 22. Rfc1 Rb8 23. e4 Nb4 24. d5 Ra6 25. d6 f6 26. d7 Raa8 27. Nc4 Kf7 28. Nxa5 [0.11/16]
20… Rb8

Shredder 7: 20… g5 21. Nxa5 g4 22. Bg2 Bxe2 23. Rfe1 Bb5 24. Nbc4 Rb8 25. Nd6 Ra6 26. Nab7 Be2 27. Rac1 [0.36/15]

21. Rfb1

Shredder 7: 21. Nxa5 Bxe2 22. Bxe2 Rxb2 23. Nc6 Rxa1 24. Rxa1 g5 25. Kf1 g4 26. Ne5 Nxe5 27. Ra8+ Kg7 [0.23/15]

21… g5!?

Position after 21...g5!? The White bishop on f3 is slightly overworked, covering both the e2-pawn and the long diagonal. This move puts the question to the White light-squared bishop of whether to stay on the long a8-h1 diagonal, or keep a wary eye on the a4-square with Bd1

22. e3

Kramnik decides its more important for the bishop to make its presence felt on the queenside, so opens up the path for it.

22… g4 23. Bd1

Shredder 7: 23. Bg2 Bxc4 24. Nxc4 Rxb1+ 25. Rxb1 a4 26. Ra1 Nd5 27. Kf1 Kg7 28. Ke2 Rc7 29. Kd3 Nb4+ 30. Kc3 Nd5+ 31. Kd3 Nb4+ 32. Kc3 Nd5+ 33. Kd3 Nb4+ [-0.08/14]

23… Bc6 24. Rc1

The start of an ardous regrouping in an effort to free up the White pieces.

24. Nxa5? Be4! -/+

24… Be4

Shredder 7: 24… Bd5 25. Nd3 Bxc4 26. Rxc4 h5 27. f3 gxf3 28. Bxf3 Rb3 29. Nc1 Rb5 30. h3 Kg7 31. Kf1 Nd5 32. Ke2 [-0.02/14]

25. Na4

Threatening Nc3.

25… Rb4

25… Bd5 =

26. Nd6!

26. Nc5 is interesting

26… Bf3! 27. Bxf3 gxf3

The Black pawn on f3 chokes the White kingside. Although it is difficult to defend this pawn, its just as difficult for White to attack it.

28. Nc8

Shredder 7: 28. Nc5 a4 Black probably can’t afford to give White the advantage of a passed c-pawn. 29. Nd3 Rb3 30. Ne1 And the weakness of Black’s ambitious … g5!? is exposed. The pawn falls, and the only compensation Black has is the passed a-pawn. 30… Kg7 31. Nxf3 Ra6 32. Nc4 Ne4 33. Rc2 Kf6 34. h3 [0.39/15]

28… Ra8 29. Ne7+ Kg7 30. Nc6 = Rb3 31. Nc5 Rb5 32. h3 Nxc5

Heading for a certain draw by repetition – Black exchanges off the protector of the e4-square.

33. Rxc5 Rb2 34. Rg5+ Kh6 35. Rgxa5 Rxa5 36. Nxa5 Ne4 37. Rf1 Nd2 38. Rc1 Ne4 39. Rf1 f6

Position after 39...f6. Although the position is equal, its Black who holds the initiative. White is in a semi-zugzwang, and must be careful about running out of moves. Black can take a draw any time he choses.

40. Nc6 Nd2 41. Rd1 Ne4 42. Rf1 Kg6

If Black can get his king into the White position – to the h3-square for example, then he has the Nxg3 sacrifice opening up the seventh rank, with the followup of …Rg2+ followed by …f2! threatening …Rh1 mate.

43. Nd8

After long thought.

43… Rb6!?

Now the White knight is locked out of play.

43… Kf5 44. g4+ Kg5 45. Nxe6+ Kh4 46. Nf4 this knight saves White’s position.

44. Rc1

A visual move, but White can’t strengthen his position.

44… h5!? 45. Ra1

A sign that White has no prospects of improving his position.

45… h4 46. gxh4 Kh5 47. Ra2

A more active protection of the f2-pawn.

47… Kxh4 48. Kh2 Kh5 49. Rc2 Kh6 50. Ra2 Kg6 51. Rc2 Kf5 52. Ra2 Rb5

Trying to get to the g-file.

53. Nc6 Rb7 54. Ra5+

Shredder 7: 54. d5 e5 55. h4 Nc3 56. Rc2 Nxd5 57. Rc4 Ne7 58. Nxe7+ Rxe7 59. Kg3 e4 60. Rc5+ Ke6 61. Kf4 Kd6 62. Rc4 [0.79/17]

54… Kg6 55. Ra2 Kh5 56. d5

Position after 56. d5. White has managed to extricate himself

56… e5

Only move, otherwise the White knight gets the strong d4-square as an outpost.

56… Rg7 37. dxe6! Rg2+ 58. Kh1 Nxf2 (58… Ng3+ 59. fxg3 Rxa2 60. e7 Ra8 61. Nd8 +-) 59. Rxf2 Rxf2 60. e7 +-

57. Ra4 f5??

57… Nxf2 58. Kg3 e4 59. Kxf2 Rb2+ 60. Kf1 Rb1+ =

58. Nxe5 Rb2 59. Nd3 Rb7

59… Rd2 60. Rd4

60. Rd4 Rb6 61. d6

Giving up the pawn to get his king into play and removing the constricting f3-pawn.

61… Nxd6 62. Kg3 Ne4+ 63. Kxf3 Kg5 64. h4+

Ditching another pawn to simplify the position into a winning rook and pawns ending.

64… Kf6

64… Kxh4 65. Nc5 +-

65. Rd5 Nc3 66. Rd8 Rb1 67. Rf8+ Ke6 68. Nf4+ Ke5 69. Re8+ Kf6 70. Nh5+ Kg6 71. Ng3 Rb2 72. h5+ Kf7 73. Re5 Nd1 74. Ne2 Kf6 75. Rd5

Position after 75. Rd5. Topalov resigns. 75… Rxe2 76. Rd6+! Ke5 77. Kxe2 Nc3+ 78. Kf1! and Black cannot take the
rook because the h-pawn queens.

1-0

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

Ivanchuk – Topalov, Linares 2006

Posted on September 14, 2006 by Isofarro
White:
Vassily Ivanchuk (2729)
Black:
Veselin Topalov (2801)
Opening
Queens Gambit: Slav
Tournament
Linares 2006, Moerlia/Linares, Round 5
Date
24/02/2006
ECO Code
D15
Result
0-1
1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 a6 5. cxd5 cxd5 6. Qb3 Nc6 7. Bg5 e6 8. e3 h6

A new move, forcing White to declare his intentions before developing the dark-squared bishop. The old move was 8… Be7, with the following continuations:

  • 9. Bd3
    • 9… b5 10. O-O Bb7 11. Rfc1 O-O 12. a4 b4 13. Nb1 Nd7 14. Bxe7 Qxe7 15. Nbd2 e5 16. Bf5 e4 17. Ne1 Na5 18. Qd1 Nb6 19. Rc5 Nac4 20. a5 Nxb2 21. Qb3 N6c4 22. Nxc4 Nxc4 23. Qxb4 Rfe8 24. Bh3 g6 25. Nc2 Kg7 26. g3 h5 27. Bf1 Nd6 28. Qb6 h4 29. Rc7 +/- Qe6 30. Ne1 hxg3 31. fxg3 Rab8 32. Rb1 (Shredder 7: 32. Ng2! g5 33. Bxa6 Bxa6 34. Qxa6 Rb2 35. Ne1 Rh8 36. Nc2 Qh3 37. Qe2 Ra8 38. Qf1 [1.63.12]) 32… Bc6 33. Rxc6 Rxb6 34. Rbxb6 Rd8 35. Ng2 Qe7 36. Bxa6 Nf5 37. Rc5 Rh8 38. Rb7 (38. Nf4! +-) 38… Qf6 39. Rb6 Qg5 40. Rxd5 Qh5! 41. h4 Qf3 42. Rxf5 gxf5! 43. Rb5 Qxg3 44. Rxf5 Rxh4 45. Bc8 Rg4 46. Rf2 Rg5 Bareev – Shirov, Tilburg 1993, 0-1 (46)
    • 9… O-O 10. O-O
      • 10… Bd7
        • 11. Rac1 Na5 12. Qd1 b5 13. Ne5 Nc4 14. Bb1 Rc8 15. b3 1/2-1/2 Alvarez,J-Perez,R/Villa Clara 1995/EXT 97 (15)
        • 11. Rfc1 b5 12. Ne5 Na5 13. Qc2 Rc8 14. Qb1 (also good is14. Bxf6! Bxf6 15. Nxd7 Qxd7 16. Bxh7+ +-) 14… h6 15. Bh4 Nc4 16. b3? Nxe5 17. dxe5 Ng4 18. Bg3 Bh4 19. a4 Bxg3 20. hxg3 Qb6 21. Qb2 Nxe3 22. Qe2 d4 23. Ne4 Nf5?! 24. g4 Ne7 25. g5 hxg5? (25… Nf5 +=) 26. Qh5 +- Nf5 (26… Ng6 27. Nf6+! gxf6 28. Bxg6 fxg6 29. Qxg6+ Kh8 30. exf6 +-) 27. g4 +- Rc3 Returning the material to slow down White’s attack 28. Nxc3 dxc3 29. gxf5 exf5 30. Rxc3 Qd4 31. Rc7?? (31. Rac1 +-) 31… Qxa1+ 32. Kg2 Be6 33. Qe2 bxa4 34. bxa4 Qxa4 35. Bxa6 Bd5+ 36. f3 g4 37. Kf2 Bxf3 38. Qd3 Qa2+ 39. Rc2 Qe6 40. Qd6 Re8 41. Rc5 Qa2+ 42. Ke3 Qh2 43. Bd3 f4+ 44. Kd4 Qb2+ 45. Kc4 Rb8 46. Rc7 Be2 47. e6 Qc2+ 48. Kd4 Qxd3+ 49. Ke5 f6+ Colombo – Barlocco, Robecchetto 1997. 0-1 (49)
      • 10… h6 11. Bh4 b5
        • 11… b5 12. Rac1 (12. Rfc1 Bb7 13. Qd1 Rc8 14. h3 Re8 15. Ne2 Ne4 Olzem – Eilers, Germany 2004, 1/2 (15)) 12… Bd7 13. Bb1 Ne8 14. Bg3?! (14. Qc2 +/-) 14… Bd6?! (14… Rc8) 15. Ne5 +/- Na5 16. Qc2 f5! (16… g6 fails to the brutal 17. Nxg6 +-) 17. Nxd7 (Shredder 7: 17. Ng6 Rf6 18. Bh4 Qb8 19. Bxf6 Bxh2+ 20. Kh1 Nxf6 21. Ne2 Bd6 22. Nef4 Nc4 23. Kg1 Be8 24. Qb3 Bxg6 25. Nxg6 [0.81/13]) 17… Qxd7 18. Ne2 Rf7 19. Nf4 Bxf4?! Swopping off his strong bishop 20. Bxf4 Nd6 21. Qc3 Nab7 22. Bxd6? Nxd6 23. Qc6 Ra7 24. Qxd7 Rfxd7 25. Rc6 Kf7 26. Rfc1 Ne8 27. Kf1 Rdc7 28. Ke2 Ke7 29. f3 Kd7 30. R6c5 Rxc5 31. dxc5 Nf6 32. Kd3 e5 33. f4 Ke6 34. a3 a5 35. Ba2 Ne4 36. Bb1 b4 37. Ke2 exf4 38. exf4 Rc7 39. axb4 axb4 40. Bxe4 dxe4 41. Rc4 Kd5 42. Rxb4 Rxc5 43. Kd2 g5 44. Ke3 g4 45. Rd4+ Wild – Taeger, Germany 1996, 1/2 (45)
        • 11… g5 12. Bg3 Nh5 13. Be5 f6 14. Bg3 Nxg3 15. hxg3 f5 16. Rac1 g4 17. Ne5 Nxe5 18. dxe5 b5 19. Ne2 Bd7 20. Nd4 Qb8 21. Bxf5! (21. Nxf5!! +- exf5 22. Qxd5+ Check and an attack on the d7-bishop) 21… Qxe5 22. Bxg4 Rac8 23. Qd3 Qf6 24. Qd2 Bd6 25. Rxc8 Bxc8 26. Rc1 Bd7 27. Nf3 Kg7 28. Bh3 Rc8 29. Rxc8 Bxc8 30. Nd4 Bd7 31. f4 b4 32. Qd3 Bc8 33. Bg4 Bc5 34. Nf3 Bd7 35. Ne5 Bb5 36. Qd2 a5 37. Kf2 Bd6 38. Qd4 Bxe5 39. Qxe5 Qxe5 40. fxe5 Kf7 41. a3 bxa3 42. bxa3 Bd3 43. Bh5+ Ke7 44. Be2 Bc2 45. g4 Bg6 46. Kg3 Kf7 47. Kh4 Be4 48. Bf3 Bd3 49. g5 hxg5+ 50. Kxg5 Bb5 51. Kh6 Bd3 52. Bh5+ Kf8 53. Bg6 Bb5 54. Bh5 Bd3 55. g4 Kg8 56. Bg6 Be2 57. g5 Bg4 58. Bh7+ Avetisyan – Buxade Roca, Mallorca 2004, 1-0 (58)
      • 10… b5 11. Rad1 Bb7 12. Bb1 Na5 13. Qc2 Ne4 14. Bxe7 Qxe7 15. Ne5 Rac8 16. f3 Nf6 17. Qf2 Nd7 18. Nxd7 Qxd7 19. Ne2 b4 20. Nf4 Bc6 21. Nh5 f5 22. Nf4 Bb5 23. Rfe1 Nb7 24. Kh1 a5 25. Rg1 Nd6 26. g4 Qf7 27. gxf5 Nxf5 28. Rg4 Rc7 29. Rdg1 Qe8 30. Qg2 Rff7 31. Qh3 Qc8 +/- 32. Nxd5? (32. Bxf5 exf5 33. Rg5 +/-) 32… exd5 (Shredder 7: 32… exd5 33. Bxf5 Rxf5 34. Qh6 Rff7 35. Rh4 Qf5 36. Rf4 Qc2 37. Qe6 Bc6 38. Rxf7 Qxh2+ 39. Kxh2 [-2.79/13]) 33. Rg5 Rc1 -/+ (33… Bd7! -+) 34. Bxf5 Rxg1+ 35. Kxg1 Qc1+ 36. Kf2 Qd2+ 37. Kg3 Qe1+?! (37… h6!! 38. Qxh6 Qxe3 39. Qh4 Qg1+ 40. Kf4 Qxd4+ -+) 38. Kf4 Bd7?? 39. Qxh7+ Kf8 40. Qh8+ Ke7 41. Rxg7 Bxf5 42. Rxf7+ Kxf7 43. Kxf5 Qxe3 44. Qf6+ Kg8 45. Kg6 Qg1+ 46. Qg5 Deak – Papp, Hungary 2003, 1-0 (46)
  • 9. Rc1 Na5 10. Qc2 b5 11. Bxf6? White seems intent on swapping into a two knights versus two bishops in a semi-open position. 11… Bxf6 12. b4 Nc4 13. Bxc4 dxc4 14. Ne4?! Bb7 15. Nc5?! Bxf3 16. gxf3 O-O 17. Qe4 Qc7 18. f4 a5 19. a3 axb4 20. axb4 Ra2 21. O-O Rfa8 22. Rc2 h6 23. Rb1 Ra1 24. Rcc1 -/+ Rxb1?? 25. Qxa8+ Gerbes – Smeyts, Germany 1998, 1-0 (25)
  • 9. Be2 O-O 10. O-O b5 11. Rac1 Bb7 12. Rfd1 (12. Bxf6 Bxf6 13. Na4? Na5! 14. Qb4 bxa4 15. Rc5 Be7 16. Qxa5 Bxc5 17. Qxc5 -/+ f6 Rausch – Pedersen, Germany 2003, 0-1 (54)) 12… Rc8 13. a4?! Na5 14. Qa2 b4 15. Nb1 b3 16. Qa1 Ne4?! Black’s minute advantage rests in the badly placed White queen, and so keeping his dark-squared bishop on the board at e7 is his way towards cementing that advantage. (16… Qd6 =) 17. Rxc8 Bxc8 18. Bxe7 Qxe7 19. Ne5 Bb7 20. Qa3 Qxa3 21. Nxa3 Rc8 22. f3! Nd6 (22… Nf6 is better) 23. Kf2 f6 24. Nd7 Rc6 25. Nc5 +/- Black’s stranded b3-pawn is now a weakness, and his a5-knight is out on a limb trying to protect it. 25… Bc8 26. Rc1 Rb6 27. Rc3 Rb4 Black is in a semi-zugzwang, he can only hold the queenside against White’s threats. 28. Nxa6 A premature easing of pressure on the queenside. White had an ideal moment to expand on the kingside, and increase pressure on the centre. The flurry of exchanges that follows sees White’s advantage dissapate, forcing him to start from scratch again. (28. g4 +/-) 28… Bxa6 29. Bxa6 Rxa4 30. Ke2!? (30. Rc7!) 30… Ndc4 = Now Black is comfortably holding out on the queenside. 31. Bxc4 dxc4 32. Kd2 Kf7 33. Rc1 Ke7 (33… f5 +=) 34. Kc3 Kd6 35. e4 Kc6 36. Rd1 Kd6 37. f4 Suddenly the advantage swings decisively to White. His centre pawns are irresistable. 37… h6 38. d5! A decisive breakthrough that opens a file for white’s ‘extra’ rook. Black has too many weaknesses to cover. 38… e5 39. fxe5+ fxe5 40. Rf1 Nb7 41. Rf7 Rxa3 42. bxa3 Nc5 43. Kxc4 b2 44. Rf1 Nxe4 45. Kd3 Kxd5 46. Rb1 Nc5+ 47. Kc3 Ke4 48. Kc4 Na4 49. Kb4 Kd3 50. Kxa4 Kc2 51. Rxb2+ Kxb2 52. Kb4 e4 53. Kc4 Kxa3 54. Kd4 Kb4 55. Kxe4 g6 56. Ke5 Kc4 57. Kf6 g5 58. g4 Kd4 59. Kg6 Ke5 60. Kxh6 Kf6 61. h3 Kuhnen – Nitsche, Bad Wiessee 2000, 1-0 (61)
9. Bxf6 Qxf6 10. Bd3 Bd6 11. O-O O-O 12. Rac1 b5 13. Bb1

Clearing the way for the White queen to play a dominating role down the c-file and the b1-h7 diagonal.

13. Nxd5?? exd5 14. Rxc6 Bxh2+ 15. Kxh2 Qxc6 -+

13… Bd7 14. Qc2 g6 15. Qd2 Rac8 16. Rfd1 Rc7 17. Qe1 b4 18. Ne2 a5

White seems a little listless while his opponent is energetically building up some queenside initiative.

19. Qd2 Rfc8 20. Ne1 a4 21. Nd3 Na5 22. Rxc7 Rxc7

22… Bxc7?! 23. Qxb4 Nc4 24. b3 axb3 25. axb3 +=

23. Rc1 Nc4

Closing the c-file. Its clear Black isn’t playing just for a draw.

24. Qe1 Qd8 25. g3

Controls f4

25… Bb5 26. h4?

This allows Black to open lines on the kingside, and with his better placed pieces he can play on both sides of the board.

26… g5 27. hxg5 hxg5

As a result of the pawn exchanges, White has lost the f4-outpost for his knights.

28. Kg2?!

Over ambitious. White doesn’t have the time nor space to take advantage of the h-file.

28… Qc8 29. Ng1 f6 -/+

The pawn envelope constrains the White knights as well as opening the second rank for Black’s more mobile rook. White’s ambitions on the h-file are thwarted.

30. Qd1 Be8

30… Bxg3 isn’t as strong as it looks. 31. Qf3 =+

31. Nf3 Bh5 32. Rc2?

Even though White has the good light-squared bishop, this move allows Black’s light-squared bishop to dominate the White position.

32. b3!? Na3 33. Rxc7 Qxc7 34. Nde1 -/+

32… Bg6 33. Re2 g4

A clever intermezzo. The White knights stumble around.

34. Nh4 Be4+ 35. Kh2 f5

35… a3 36. b3 Nb2 37. Rxb2 axb2 38. Nxb2 Bxb1 39. Qxb1 -+

36. Ne1?

Position after 36.Ne1? Better is 36. Qxa4 Rh7 37. Kg1 -+ (Shredder 7: Be7 38. b3 Na3 39. Nc5 Nxb1 40. Qxb4 Bxh4 41. gxh4 Rxh4 42. Nxe4 fxe4 [-3.20/12])

36… Nxe3!!

A temporary piece sacrifice to force entry down the c-file to c1.

37. Rxe3

Decoy to e3

37. fxe3 Rc1 {Theme: Double Attack}

37… Rc1 38. Qd2 Rxb1

White is tied up.

38… Bxb1?! 39. Rxe6 Qxe6 40. Qxc1 -/+

39. Rxe4

39. Re2 the only chance to get some counterplay Kf7 40. Qg5 -+

39… dxe4 40. Qg5+ Kf7

And Black can avoid the barrage of checks by escaping to the queenside, after which the White king can no longer resist Black’s attack.

40… Kf7 41. Qg6+ Ke7 -+

0-1

Posted in Analysis, Chess, Ivanchuk, Morelia/Linares, Queens Gambit, Slav, Topalov | Leave a comment

Topalov – Radjabov, Linares 2006

Posted on September 11, 2006 by Isofarro
White:
Veselin Topalov (2801)
Black:
Teimour Radjabov (2700)
Opening
Kings Indian
Tournament
Linares 2006, Moerlia, Round 4
Date
23/02/2006
ECO Code
E70
Result
0-1
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Bd3

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

5… O-O 6. Nge2 c5 7. d5 e6 8. h3

The position has taken on Benoni-like characteristics.

8… exd5 9. exd5

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)
9… Nfd7

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)

10. f4 f5

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

11. O-O Na6 12. Be3 Nc7

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.

13. Qd2 Re8 14. Bf2

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

14… Nf6 15. a3 a5 16. Bh4 Bd7 17. Kh1

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

17… Qe7 18. Rae1 Qf7

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

19. a4

Black’s been waiting for this opening.

19… Na6 20. g4!?

Position after 20.g4!? With Black’s pieces massed on the kingside, this opening battering ram is perhaps too risky.

20… Nb4

The knight dominates

21. Bb1 fxg4 22. f5!

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

22… Bxf5 23. Bxf5 gxf5 24. Rxf5 Qg6

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

25. Ref1 Rf8 26. Ng3 Nh5!?

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 +-

27. Nce4 Nxg3+ 28. Nxg3 gxh3 29. b3 Rae8

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.

30. Kh2 Rxf5 31. Rxf5 Re5

31… h6!? -/+

32. Qg5 Qxg5 33. Bxg5 Nc2 34. Bd8?

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

34… Nd4 35. Rf4??

shortens the misery for White

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

35… Re3

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

36. Rg4 Kf7 37. Re4

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

37… Rxb3

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

0-1

Posted in Analysis, Chess, Kings Indian, Morelia/Linares, Openings, Radjabov, Topalov | Leave a comment

Mtel Masters 2006, Round 10 – Topalov demolishes Bacrot to take first place

Posted on June 10, 2006 by Isofarro

Kamsky takes the short draw, while Topalov siezes the opportunity to win the tournament outright by demolishing Bacrot in an exciting game. Ponomariov and Anand fight an intense battle through to an exhausted standstill.

Svidler – Kamsky

More Anti-Marshall Ruy’s with both sides saddling themselves with doubled d-pawns after an initial exchange of knights. The rooks are soon to follow as the game heads into an early bishops and queen ending. A quick repetition of moves secures a comfortable draw.

Topalov – Bacrot

Bacrot tries the same Slav variation that Kamsky failed to hold against Topalov earlier in the tournament. Topalov acquires the bishop pair after a lengthy knight manoeuvre, and manages to restrict the Black king in the centre. After opening the e-file, with a pawn sacrifice, Topalov presses home his attack on the now vulnerable Black king. Bacrot manages to exchange of queens but it doesn’t defuse Topalov’s initiative. Topalov’s two rooks dominate the position after a superb pseudo pawn sacrifice that open’s up Black’s queenside. Bacrot’s pieces are tangled up and so he fights hard for counterplay, but in vain as Topalov’s rooks retains control. Two pawns down and still facing mating threats, Bacrot throws in the towel.

Ponomariov – Anand

Ponomariov battles to retain a tiny edge against Anand’s super-solid Queen’s Indian. But a pawn sacrifice sees Ponomario detonate Black’s kingside pawn structure. Anand defends actively and tenaciously and slowly makes the extra pawn count. In an intense battle all over the board it is Anand that emerges with an advantage, the minor pieces and queens endgame sees Anand two pawns up. Its Ponomariov’s turn to defend tenaciously, and he battles into an opposite coloured bishops ending. A fascinating and exciting encounter.

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Posted in Anand, Bacrot, Chess, Kamsky, Mtel Masters, Ponomariov, Svidler, Topalov | Leave a comment