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[d]2r2b1r/1p1k1ppp/p3p1b1/8/P2BP3/2N2P2/1P4PP/R3K2R w KQ - 0 16

[d]2r1kb1r/1p4pp/p3ppb1/8/P2BP3/2N2P2/1P2K1PP/R2R4 w - - 0 18

[d]2r1k2r/1p2b1pp/pB2ppb1/P7/4P3/2N2P2/1P2K1PP/R2R4 b - - 0 19

[d]2r1kr2/1p2b1pp/pB2ppb1/P7/4P3/2N2P2/1P2K1PP/R2R4 w - - 0 20

I think black may be better in this variation since white no longer has his white squared bishop. He just needs to complete his development. Blacks Rf8 could be a good plan to do so.

[d]2r1kr2/1p2b1pp/pB2ppb1/P7/4P3/2N2P2/1P2K1PP/2RR4 b - - 0 20

@Ted
I see more Rf8 as a move to prepare Rf7 and Bf8, as black must counter the doubling of white rooks on the d file and the invasion in d7 that would most probably win a pawn and the game.

JuLieN wrote:@Ted
I see more Rf8 as a move to prepare Rf7 and Bf8, as black must counter the doubling of white rooks on the d file and the invasion in d7 that would most probably win a pawn and the game.

That is possible, That is a line that stockfish sees on my system. I don't really care for this line at all. But in Match play I guess you also have to play the man as well as the board. Truth be told I am surprised that Topalov keeps allowing it.

AdminX wrote:I think black may be better in this variation since white no longer has his white squared bishop. He just needs to complete his development. Blacks Rf8 could be a good plan to do so.

Not sure, currently the black bishops lack scope. White has a lead in development and the white knight is at least as good as any of the black bishops. So I'd give a small plus to white.

Can't use my SF right now : it's busy analyzing yesterday's game at depth 28 (with a variation at move #42 : Qb1). It takes up to 15/20mn per move on my Core i5 iMac...