Category Archives: Tournaments

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 … Continue reading →

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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 … Continue reading →

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 … Continue reading →

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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. … Continue reading →

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 … Continue reading →

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 … Continue reading →

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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 … Continue reading →

Posted in Analysis, Catalan, Chess, Kramnik, Queens Gambit, Topalov, World Championship | 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 … Continue reading →

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

Mtel Masters 2006, Round 9 – Topalov downs leader Kamsky

Posted on May 21, 2006 by Isofarro

Topalov blasts tournament leader Kamsky. Kamsky – Topalov Kamsky declines to take Topalov on in the poisoned pawn Sicilian Najdorf. Topalov’s rapier-like queenside thrust pushes Kamsky on the backfoot. Kamsky’s knights get into a tangle, and Topalov is efficient at … Continue reading →

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

Mtel Masters 2006, Round 8 – Topalov wins a creative game against Ponomariov

Posted on May 21, 2006 by Isofarro

Topalov dismantles Ponomariov’s game in creative style. Other games drawn. Topalov – Ponomariov Yet another ant-Marshall Ruy Lopez and Topalov’s bishop development right through Black’s centre is a prelude to a kingside attack. Topalov sacrifices an exchange – which becomes … Continue reading →

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