Topalov vs Kramnik ... 1-0

[M ANSARI]

Today was a very interesting day for chess ... I think we finally see how computers dramatically influence opening game theory even when it involves the world's top players. Humans are simply weak tactically in comparison to strong chess engines on fast hardware ... even the Super GM's are no match ... not even close!

Topalov is playing white against his nemesis Kramnik. A clash of true heavyweights with totally different styles. Topalov is an attacking risk taker who has no problem with speculative play, while in contrast Kramnik is the classical solid positional chess player which impeccable technique.

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 dxc4 7. e4 g5 8. Bg3 b5
9. Be2 Bb7 10. O-O Nbd7 11. Ne5 Bg7

[d] r2qk2r/pb1n1pb1/2p1pn1p/1p2N1p1/2pPP3/2N3B1/PP2BPPP/R2Q1RK1 w kq - 0 12

We start of with a Queen's Gambit Declined Semi Slav opening ... this is nothing new and is a well known position that is played regularly by all the top players including Kramnik and Topalov as well as Kasparov, Anand, Radjabov, Karjakin, Aronian,Shirov etc... While several moves are playable, by far the most common continuation is Nxd7 Nxd7 with white then playing Bd6. Although this looks very strong black can at some stage play Bf8 and castle queenside with good play. Anand is especially good on the black side and has two very nice wins against Radjabov using this exact strategy.

12.Nfx7!

[d] r2qk2r/pb1n1Nb1/2p1pn1p/1p4p1/2pPP3/2N3B1/PP2BPPP/R2Q1RK1 b kq - 0 12

I would give anything to see the look on Kramnik's face when this was played. Black has absolutely no choice but to take the Knight ... and psychologically Kramnik prefers to play positional struggles where long term planning where miniscule advantages are slowly accumulated by superior technique. Now he is forced to go into a slugfest with a prepared slugger where one wrong tactical oversight can mean an instant KO. I have absolutely no doubt that the real person behind Nf7! is Topalov's very gifted second GM Cheparinov. And I also have no doubt that Cheparinov was using Rybka on very strong hardware for his preparation of this novelty.

...Kxf7 13.e5

[d] r2q3r/pb1n1kb1/2p1pn1p/1p2P1p1/2pP4/2N3B1/PP2BPPP/R2Q1RK1 b - - 0 13

The moment of truth! Here Kramnik has to wonder if he should call Topalov's bluff or cash out and fight for a draw. He has many tough choices and if you run Rybka here you probably could find 10 or 15 plausible moves. The ones that Kramnik was looking at if he wanted to cash out would be probably Ne8 or Rf8. Personally I think Rf8 would have been the easiest for a human to play since it would eliminate a lot of the chaos (13... Rf8 14.exf6 Nxf6 15.Qc2 Kg8 16.Rad1 Qe7 17.Rfe1 Rad8=). If the animosity between Topalov and Kramnik did not exist, Kramnik probably would have cashed out ... but the possibility of punishing Topalov's lack of respect is too much to resist.

Nd5

[d] r2q3r/pb1n1kb1/2p1p2p/1p1nP1p1/2pP4/2N3B1/PP2BPPP/R2Q1RK1 w - - 0 14

Instead Kramnik goes for Rybka's preferred move and keeps the material, calling Topalov's bluff. This means that the King will stay in the center instead of hiding in the flanks. Obviously that is risky and against Topalov that is really asking for trouble.

14.Ne4 Ke7 15.Nd6 Qb6 16.Bg4 Raf8 17.Qc2 ...

[d] 5r1r/pb1nk1b1/1qpNp2p/1p1nP1p1/2pP2B1/6B1/PPQ2PPP/R4RK1 b - - 0 17

Amazingly both Kramnik and Topalov are playing Rybka's top moves. Topalov obviously is playing the moves by rote but I am not so sure Kramnik has prepared for this. If not then Kramnik must be given a lot of credit for playing the best moves in a very very complicated and sharp position.

Qxd4

[d] 5r1r/pb1nk1b1/2pNp2p/1p1nP1p1/2pq2B1/6B1/PPQ2PPP/R4RK1 w - - 0 18

This looks really dangerous and Rybka's evaluation tumbles with this move. Kramnik believes the danger is gone and that he has a chance to counter attack. Kramnik now attacks the g4 bishop and seems very close to removing the e5 pawn. If that goes the entire white position will collapse.

18.Qg6!

[d] 5r1r/pb1nk1b1/2pNp1Qp/1p1nP1p1/2pq2B1/6B1/PP3PPP/R4RK1 b - - 0 18

Topalov goes on the attack himself and again Rybka's favourite move. I think that Kramnik must have been prepared for this move and the forced exchanges that will push his King all the way on the other flank. This seems dangerous against someone like Topalov but I think that Kramnik is still not lost here.

18... Qxg4 19.Qxg7+ Kd8 20.Nxb7+ Kc8 21.a4!

[d] 2k2r1r/pN1n2Q1/2p1p2p/1p1nP1p1/P1p3q1/6B1/1P3PPP/R4RK1 b - a3 0 21

Topalov tries to open lines against black King. Also the white Knight is immune because the black Knight on d7 is hanging.

21...b4 22.Rac1 c3!

[d] 2k2r1r/pN1n2Q1/2p1p2p/3nP1p1/Pp4q1/2p3B1/1P3PPP/2R2RK1 w - - 0 23

Fantastic play by Kramnik. He is hoping that a passed pawn will be his saviour. Hard to believe but it is not so easy to exploit black's King because white's queen needs a few tempi to get involved in the attack on the black King. It might seem that Topalov should have played 22.Nd6+ since this Knight tempo seems to be able to easily handle the passed pawn. (eg. 22.Nd6+ Kc7 23. Rad1 Rhg8 24. Qh7 Rh8 25.Qc2 b3 26.Qd2 N7b6 27.h3 Qh5 28.Qa5 Ra8 29.Nx4+ winning). As it is the passed pawn gives black some counterplay.

23.bxc3 b3 24.c4 Rfg8 24.Nd6+ Kc7 24.Qf7 Rf8

[d] 5r1r/p1kn1Q2/2pNp2p/3nP1p1/P1P3q1/1p4B1/5PPP/2R2RK1 w - - 0 27

Topalov is playing aggessive chess and even with remarkable play by Kramnik has Kramnik where he wants him but here I think he falters and plays right into Kramnik's hands. Kramnik's only hope is his passed b pawn and here Topalov underestimates some of the tactics involved in the passed pawn. As Rybka quickly shows, h3! is the best move otherwise white leaves an opening that allows black a possibility of escaping with a draw.

..... 27.cxd5 Rxf7 28.Rxc6+ Kb8 29.Nxf7

[d] 1k2r3/p2n1N2/2R1p2p/3PP1p1/P5q1/1p4B1/5PPP/5RK1 w - - 0 30

Kramnik finally has his chance to draw and the key move is Qe2! which is quickly discovered by Rybka. The Rook on h8 is not important because the b pawn becomes very strong (eg. Qe2! 30.Rc3 b2 32.Rc3+ Kb6 33.Rb3+ and black has at least a draw).

...Re8 30.Nd6 Rh8 31.Rc4 Qe2 32.dxe6 Nb6 33.Rb4

[d] 1k5r/p7/1n1NP2p/4P1p1/PR6/1p4B1/4qPPP/5RK1 b - - 0 33

Topalov has a overwhelming position but Kramnik grinds on

...Ka8 34.e7 Nd5 35.Rxb3 Nxe7 36.Rfb1

[d] k6r/p3n3/3N3p/4P1p1/P7/1R4B1/4qPPP/1R4K1 b - - 0 36

With bishop eyeing b8 and rooks also looking there things look hopeless for Kramnik. Kramnik however plays on till the bitter end. I am sure this must have been a very dissappointing loss for him and especially against Topalov. Kramnik doesn't lose many games but here he got caught up in all the drama of this game. The game ended

... Nd5 37.h3 h5 38.Nf7 Rc8 39.e6 a6 40.Nxg5 h4 41.Bd6 Rg8 42.R3b2 Qd3 43.e7 Nf6 44.Be5 Nd7 45.Ne6 1-0

[d] k5r1/3nP3/p3N3/4B3/P6p/3q3P/1R3PP1/1R4K1 b - - 0 45

There is no reasonable way to stop mate!.


Here is the game in pgn


[Event "Corus Chess 2008"]
[Event "Corus Chess 2008"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2008.01.22"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D43"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2799"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2008.01.22"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 dxc4 7. e4 g5 8. Bg3 b5
9. Be2 Bb7 10. O-O Nbd7 11. Ne5 Bg7 12. Nxf7 Kxf7 13. e5 Nd5 14. Ne4 Ke7 15.
Nd6 Qb6 16. Bg4 Raf8 17. Qc2 Qxd4 18. Qg6 Qxg4 19. Qxg7+ Kd8 20. Nxb7+ Kc8
21. a4 b4 22. Rac1 c3 23. bxc3 b3 24. c4 Rfg8 25. Nd6+ Kc7 26. Qf7 Rf8 27. cxd5
Rxf7 28. Rxc6+ Kb8 29. Nxf7 Re8 30. Nd6 Rh8 31. Rc4 Qe2 32. dxe6 Nb6 33. Rb4
Ka8 34. e7 Nd5 35. Rxb3 Nxe7 36. Rfb1 Nd5 37. h3 h5 38. Nf7 Rc8 39. e6 a6 40.
Nxg5 h4 41. Bd6 Rg8 42. R3b2 Qd3 43. e7 Nf6 44. Be5 Nd7 45. Ne6 1-0

[Terry McCracken]

Today was a very interesting day for chess ... I think we finally see how computers dramatically influence opening game theory even when it involves the world's top players. Humans are simply weak tactically in comparison to strong chess engines on fast hardware ... even the Super GM's are no match ... not even close!

I disagree. You must think Computers are God

Topalov is playing white against his nemesis Kramnik. A clash of true heavyweights with totally different styles. Topalov is an attacking risk taker who has no problem with speculative play, while in contrast Kramnik is the classical solid positional chess player which impeccable technique.

Qxd4 is a blunder. Should have drawn though.

[d]5r1r/pb1nk1b1/2pNp2p/1p1nP1p1/2pq2B1/6B1/PPQ2PPP/R4RK1 w - - 0 18

b3 is losing.

[d]2k2r1r/pN1n2Q1/2p1p2p/3nP1p1/P5q1/1pP3B1/5PPP/2R2RK1 w - - 0 24


1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 dxc4 7. e4 g5 8. Bg3 b5
9. Be2 Bb7 10. O-O Nbd7 11. Ne5 Bg7

[d] r2qk2r/pb1n1pb1/2p1pn1p/1p2N1p1/2pPP3/2N3B1/PP2BPPP/R2Q1RK1 w kq - 0 12

We start of with a Queen's Gambit Declined Semi Slav opening ... this is nothing new and is a well known position that is played regularly by all the top players including Kramnik and Topalov as well as Kasparov, Anand, Radjabov, Karjakin, Aronian,Shirov etc... While several moves are playable, by far the most common continuation is Nxd7 Nxd7 with white then playing Bd6. Although this looks very strong black can at some stage play Bf8 and castle queenside with good play. Anand is especially good on the black side and has two very nice wins against Radjabov using this exact strategy.

12.Nfx7!

[d] r2qk2r/pb1n1Nb1/2p1pn1p/1p4p1/2pPP3/2N3B1/PP2BPPP/R2Q1RK1 b kq - 0 12

I would give anything to see the look on Kramnik's face when this was played. Black has absolutely no choice but to take the Knight ... and psychologically Kramnik prefers to play positional struggles where long term planning where miniscule advantages are slowly accumulated by superior technique. Now he is forced to go into a slugfest with a prepared slugger where one wrong tactical oversight can mean an instant KO. I have absolutely no doubt that the real person behind Nf7! is Topalov's very gifted second GM Cheparinov. And I also have no doubt that Cheparinov was using Rybka on very strong hardware for his preparation of this novelty.

...Kxf7 13.e5

[d] r2q3r/pb1n1kb1/2p1pn1p/1p2P1p1/2pP4/2N3B1/PP2BPPP/R2Q1RK1 b - - 0 13

The moment of truth! Here Kramnik has to wonder if he should call Topalov's bluff or cash out and fight for a draw. He has many tough choices and if you run Rybka here you probably could find 10 or 15 plausible moves. The ones that Kramnik was looking at if he wanted to cash out would be probably Ne8 or Rf8. Personally I think Rf8 would have been the easiest for a human to play since it would eliminate a lot of the chaos (13... Rf8 14.exf6 Nxf6 15.Qc2 Kg8 16.Rad1 Qe7 17.Rfe1 Rad8=). If the animosity between Topalov and Kramnik did not exist, Kramnik probably would have cashed out ... but the possibility of punishing Topalov's lack of respect is too much to resist.

Nd5

[d] r2q3r/pb1n1kb1/2p1p2p/1p1nP1p1/2pP4/2N3B1/PP2BPPP/R2Q1RK1 w - - 0 14

Instead Kramnik goes for Rybka's preferred move and keeps the material, calling Topalov's bluff. This means that the King will stay in the center instead of hiding in the flanks. Obviously that is risky and against Topalov that is really asking for trouble.

14.Ne4 Ke7 15.Nd6 Qb6 16.Bg4 Raf8 17.Qc2 ...

[d] 5r1r/pb1nk1b1/1qpNp2p/1p1nP1p1/2pP2B1/6B1/PPQ2PPP/R4RK1 b - - 0 17

Amazingly both Kramnik and Topalov are playing Rybka's top moves. Topalov obviously is playing the moves by rote but I am not so sure Kramnik has prepared for this. If not then Kramnik must be given a lot of credit for playing the best moves in a very very complicated and sharp position.

Qxd4

[d] 5r1r/pb1nk1b1/2pNp2p/1p1nP1p1/2pq2B1/6B1/PPQ2PPP/R4RK1 w - - 0 18

This looks really dangerous and Rybka's evaluation tumbles with this move. Kramnik believes the danger is gone and that he has a chance to counter attack. Kramnik now attacks the g4 bishop and seems very close to removing the e5 pawn. If that goes the entire white position will collapse.

18.Qg6!

[d] 5r1r/pb1nk1b1/2pNp1Qp/1p1nP1p1/2pq2B1/6B1/PP3PPP/R4RK1 b - - 0 18

Topalov goes on the attack himself and again Rybka's favourite move. I think that Kramnik must have been prepared for this move and the forced exchanges that will push his King all the way on the other flank. This seems dangerous against someone like Topalov but I think that Kramnik is still not lost here.

18... Qxg4 19.Qxg7+ Kd8 20.Nxb7+ Kc8 21.a4!

[d] 2k2r1r/pN1n2Q1/2p1p2p/1p1nP1p1/P1p3q1/6B1/1P3PPP/R4RK1 b - a3 0 21

Topalov tries to open lines against black King. Also the white Knight is immune because the black Knight on d7 is hanging.

21...b4 22.Rac1 c3!

[d] 2k2r1r/pN1n2Q1/2p1p2p/3nP1p1/Pp4q1/2p3B1/1P3PPP/2R2RK1 w - - 0 23

Fantastic play by Kramnik. He is hoping that a passed pawn will be his saviour. Hard to believe but it is not so easy to exploit black's King because white's queen needs a few tempi to get involved in the attack on the black King. It might seem that Topalov should have played 22.Nd6+ since this Knight tempo seems to be able to easily handle the passed pawn. (eg. 22.Nd6+ Kc7 23. Rad1 Rhg8 24. Qh7 Rh8 25.Qc2 b3 26.Qd2 N7b6 27.h3 Qh5 28.Qa5 Ra8 29.Nx4+ winning). As it is the passed pawn gives black some counterplay.

23.bxc3 b3 24.c4 Rfg8 24.Nd6+ Kc7 24.Qf7 Rf8

[d] 5r1r/p1kn1Q2/2pNp2p/3nP1p1/P1P3q1/1p4B1/5PPP/2R2RK1 w - - 0 27

Topalov is playing aggessive chess and even with remarkable play by Kramnik has Kramnik where he wants him but here I think he falters and plays right into Kramnik's hands. Kramnik's only hope is his passed b pawn and here Topalov underestimates some of the tactics involved in the passed pawn. As Rybka quickly shows, h3! is the best move otherwise white leaves an opening that allows black a possibility of escaping with a draw.

..... 27.cxd5 Rxf7 28.Rxc6+ Kb8 29.Nxf7

[d] 1k2r3/p2n1N2/2R1p2p/3PP1p1/P5q1/1p4B1/5PPP/5RK1 w - - 0 30

Kramnik finally has his chance to draw and the key move is Qe2! which is quickly discovered by Rybka. The Rook on h8 is not important because the b pawn becomes very strong (eg. Qe2! 30.Rc3 b2 32.Rc3+ Kb6 33.Rb3+ and black has at least a draw).

...Re8 30.Nd6 Rh8 31.Rc4 Qe2 32.dxe6 Nb6 33.Rb4

[d] 1k5r/p7/1n1NP2p/4P1p1/PR6/1p4B1/4qPPP/5RK1 b - - 0 33

Topalov has a overwhelming position but Kramnik grinds on

...Ka8 34.e7 Nd5 35.Rxb3 Nxe7 36.Rfb1

[d] k6r/p3n3/3N3p/4P1p1/P7/1R4B1/4qPPP/1R4K1 b - - 0 36

With bishop eyeing b8 and rooks also looking there things look hopeless for Kramnik. Kramnik however plays on till the bitter end. I am sure this must have been a very dissappointing loss for him and especially against Topalov. Kramnik doesn't lose many games but here he got caught up in all the drama of this game. The game ended

... Nd5 37.h3 h5 38.Nf7 Rc8 39.e6 a6 40.Nxg5 h4 41.Bd6 Rg8 42.R3b2 Qd3 43.e7 Nf6 44.Be5 Nd7 45.Ne6 1-0

[d] k5r1/3nP3/p3N3/4B3/P6p/3q3P/1R3PP1/1R4K1 b - - 0 45

There is no reasonable way to stop mate!.


Here is the game in pgn


[Event "Corus Chess 2008"]
[Event "Corus Chess 2008"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2008.01.22"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D43"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2799"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2008.01.22"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 dxc4 7. e4 g5 8. Bg3 b5
9. Be2 Bb7 10. O-O Nbd7 11. Ne5 Bg7 12. Nxf7 Kxf7 13. e5 Nd5 14. Ne4 Ke7 15.
Nd6 Qb6 16. Bg4 Raf8 17. Qc2 Qxd4 18. Qg6 Qxg4 19. Qxg7+ Kd8 20. Nxb7+ Kc8
21. a4 b4 22. Rac1 c3 23. bxc3 b3 24. c4 Rfg8 25. Nd6+ Kc7 26. Qf7 Rf8 27. cxd5
Rxf7 28. Rxc6+ Kb8 29. Nxf7 Re8 30. Nd6 Rh8 31. Rc4 Qe2 32. dxe6 Nb6 33. Rb4
Ka8 34. e7 Nd5 35. Rxb3 Nxe7 36. Rfb1 Nd5 37. h3 h5 38. Nf7 Rc8 39. e6 a6 40.
Nxg5 h4 41. Bd6 Rg8 42. R3b2 Qd3 43. e7 Nf6 44. Be5 Nd7 45. Ne6 1-0

12. Nxf7?! is dubious but interesting, but a computer would never play it.

[smirobth]

b3 is losing.

[d]2k2r1r/pN1n2Q1/2p1p2p/3nP1p1/P5q1/1pP3B1/5PPP/2R2RK1 w - - 0 24

Are you sure other moves don't also lose? I think Black might have problems defending here no mater what is played instead.

[George Tsavdaris]

12.Nfx7!

I don't agree that this move deserves theoretically a "!" since i think it should lose.....
Just Kramnik didn't play the best move(s).

And I also have no doubt that Cheparinov was using Rybka on very strong hardware for his preparation of this novelty.

How do you know? Why not Fritz 11 or another engine?

14.Ne4 Ke7 15.Nd6 Qb6 16.Bg4 Raf8 17.Qc2 ...

Amazingly both Kramnik and Topalov are playing Rybka's top moves.

14...Ke7 is indeed the best move but there is another one that gives white a lot of troubles and he has to find the correct move to win.
14...Bf8? 15.Bh5+ Kg8 and now what?
[d]r2q1bkr/pb1n4/2p1p2p/1p1nP1pB/2pPN3/6B1/PP3PPP/R2Q1RK1 w - - 0 16
16.f4! wins. Long and countless variations exists but black is doomed with a Knight more! Can Rybka find this or it will play 16.Qg4 that seems to hold for black?

17...Qxd4

A mistake. 17...Rhg8 would be much better and probably win.

18.Qg6!

Topalov goes on the attack himself and again Rybka's favourite move.

This would be the favourite move of every single program. It's the only choice.....

Kramnik finally has his chance to draw and the key move is Qe2! which is quickly discovered by Rybka. The Rook on h8 is not important because the b pawn becomes very strong (eg. Qe2! 30.Rc3 b2 32.Rc3+ Kb6 33.Rb3+ and black has at least a draw).

Yep position was draw. Kramnik blundered....

So is 12.Nxf7 worth to be played in the opening or does black wins with 17...Rhg8 ? Does white have any refute on 17...Rhg8?

[smirobth]

[Event "Corus Chess 2008"]
[Event "Corus Chess 2008"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2008.01.22"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D43"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2799"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2008.01.22"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 dxc4 7. e4 g5 8. Bg3 b5
9. Be2 Bb7 10. O-O Nbd7 11. Ne5 Bg7 12. Nxf7 Kxf7 13. e5 Nd5 14. Ne4 Ke7 15.
Nd6 Qb6 16. Bg4 Raf8 17. Qc2 Qxd4 18. Qg6 Qxg4 19. Qxg7+ Kd8 20. Nxb7+ Kc8
21. a4 b4 22. Rac1 c3 23. bxc3 b3 24. c4 Rfg8 25. Nd6+ Kc7 26. Qf7 Rf8 27. cxd5
Rxf7 28. Rxc6+ Kb8 29. Nxf7 Re8 30. Nd6 Rh8 31. Rc4 Qe2 32. dxe6 Nb6 33. Rb4
Ka8 34. e7 Nd5 35. Rxb3 Nxe7 36. Rfb1 Nd5 37. h3 h5 38. Nf7 Rc8 39. e6 a6 40.
Nxg5 h4 41. Bd6 Rg8 42. R3b2 Qd3 43. e7 Nf6 44. Be5 Nd7 45. Ne6 1-0

What a wonderful game. Thanks for sharing it. Computers don't care for Nxf7!?, but the evals don't drop all that much and show a huge amount of compensation for the full piece White is down. That Topalov undoubtedly entered the position prepared proved to be more than enough additional compensation for him. A very pragmatic approach. There is little doubt you are correct that computers were used to check out this novelty ahead of time.

[smirobth]

So is 12.Nxf7 worth to be played in the opening or does black wins with 17...Rhg8 ? Does white have any refute on 17...Rhg8?

I doubt there is a refutation to 17...Rhg8 that allows White to win, but I suspect he should still be able to draw without difficulty; all programs I have tried start off seeing a modest Black advantage of a pawn or so, but the evals all shrink over time. Rybka does not take too long to show a 0.00 eval starting with 18.Qg6 Nc7 19.Qe4 and Fritz also gives the same initial pv and only shows a 0.21 advantage for Black after a deep search. I seriously doubt that Black has a win in this line. I think 12.Nxf7 is probably a !? move, but on an unprepared opponent its effect would be more like a !

[M ANSARI]

There is a great video with Topalov discussing the game on this site

http://www.chessvibes.com/videos/corus- ... e-topalov/

It seems that Topalov thinks that the critical mistake was Qxd4 by Kramnik. As for the move b3 by Kramnik ... I think it was the best chance for counterplay since everything else looks passive and is just a wait for the inevitable. Remember these are 2 humans playing without computer assistance and the more complications the more chances for the human to err. If it wasn't for b3 Kramnik might not have had the move Qe2 which would have drawn (although it seems Topalov disagrees I need to check it again). As it was Qe2 would seem like a difficult move to calculate because it would mean sacrificing a rook ... but a player of Kramnik's caliber would consider this an elementary blunder.

I have to say that Topalov comes out very positive and humble in this video. He gives 100% credit to Cheparinov for this game and actually seems to feel bad that he will get the glory for Cheparinov's hard work. There is no doubt that black could have improved on his play ... but equally I think chess amongs humans is susceptible to psychological factors, and taking into consideration the drama between Kramnik and Topalov Nxf7 was a perfect novelty to spring on Kramnik ... and the score 1 - 0 proves it.

[M ANSARI]

I just analyzed Qe2 deeply and it is a draw. So Kramnik had the right idea but faltered when it came to actually using the tactics of the passed b pawn. The best line I came up with is

[d] 1k5r/p2n1N2/2R1p2p/3PP1p1/P7/1p4B1/4qPPP/5RK1 w - - 0 30

29...Qe2! 30.Rc3 b2! 31.Rb3+ Kc7 32.Rc3+ Kb6 33.Rb3+ Ka5 34.Nxh8 Nc5 35.Rb5+ Kxa4 36.Rxc5 Qxf1+ 37.Kxf1 b1Q+ 38.Ke2 Qe4+

[d] 7N/p7/4p2p/2RPP1p1/k3q3/6B1/4KPPP/8 w - - 0 39

Now Kf1 is forced because any move towards the d file loses the rook and the game. Kramnik would have had to calculate this very accurately and sac an entire rook ... but again for him this would be trivial.

[Rolf]

There is a great video with Topalov discussing the game on this site

http://www.chessvibes.com/videos/corus- ... e-topalov/

It seems that Topalov thinks that the critical mistake was Qxd4 by Kramnik. As for the move b3 by Kramnik ... I think it was the best chance for counterplay since everything else looks passive and is just a wait for the inevitable. Remember these are 2 humans playing without computer assistance and the more complications the more chances for the human to err. If it wasn't for b3 Kramnik might not have had the move Qe2 which would have drawn (although it seems Topalov disagrees I need to check it again). As it was Qe2 would seem like a difficult move to calculate because it would mean sacrificing a rook ... but a player of Kramnik's caliber would consider this an elementary blunder.

I have to say that Topalov comes out very positive and humble in this video. He gives 100% credit to Cheparinov for this game and actually seems to feel bad that he will get the glory for Cheparinov's hard work. There is no doubt that black could have improved on his play ... but equally I think chess amongs humans is susceptible to psychological factors, and taking into consideration the drama between Kramnik and Topalov Nxf7 was a perfect novelty to spring on Kramnik ... and the score 1 - 0 proves it.

At face value this may all be correct what you say, if you take everything what these people say in a literal sense. But how could you do that? Have you forgotten what these same people of the trio have *said* almost two years ago? And now suddenly they are trustable in your eyes? And come over very positive? Also with the new handshake scandal and the declarations by their manager Danailov? --- No way.

However there is still hope. Nobody is outsorted for ever. But the re-integration isnt possible by what you are doing that now suddenly they are sober. Sober these guys could only become again if they would at first apologize for the nonsense they had created in Elista. Which was intented as a bad soap opera to confuse Kramnik.

That having done they could then start a new life into a happy future. But not without such corrections. Without - I dont trust this trio anymore. Everything what they say could also mean something else. This is trivial life experience.

P.S.

My personal belief is that the whole variation comes from Kasparov and nobody else. Of course that had to be carefully hidden by a 3-year-story around Cheparinov... Kasparov has many more such variations tht he couldnt play any more himself.

P.P.S.

Did you ever try to add something in the blogs at chessvibes? I did in several cases and was not printed. Either I have a technical problem or they censor unwanted opinions. E.g. I wrote a critic against Kasparov after the two chapters about his interview in Belgium. I repeated the entry. The message came that I had already entered it before, but they didnt print it. What are your experiences?

[Eelco de Groot]

You can watch some of the psychological and emotional content of this game in the short video of the first moves. No handshakes, no eye contact between Toppy and Kramnik. I had much fun seeing it, and some images of Kortchnoi doing a little dance in front of stoic Ivanchuk earlier on, I wonder what that was about. Short in a better mood also after his game with Cheparinov, also with an incident about a handshake. At the back of the stage you see Jan Timman and Victor Korchnoi play their game in the honorary group, and both have more eye for how Topolov - Kramnik starts than their own game. Jan Timman with a slightly increased waistline these days, and what is he doing in his nose