Great test position for Humans - Topalov vs. Aronian

[Robert Flesher]

Topalov should have seen this move. Kasparov or Tal would have never missed this shot. It can be played almost on principal. Look at ALL captures and ALL checks. I saw it, but didn't think it won outright so clearly. It's quite easy to see you can get the piece back due to the mate threat. However, back has two defences, both of which leave him lost badly. That clarity is something Topalov should and would normally always spot. Very strange! I imagine some would miss this and think the g6 pawn could be captured by the king, missing the pin.

Actually I am not so sure Kasparov or many other players would have seen it. It simply did not look like a tactically "loaded" position. I mean of course if you put this position to someone and tell them "white to play and win" it will be easy. I think it was easy to see the check and that white King cannot take the pawn due to a bishop queen pin. But to play the cool and quiet Qc7 while leaving the Queen to run amock is a pretty scary proposition and has to be calculated to an absolute end. Still an interesting position and I think that we will see it many times in various tactical quizzes.

Most if not all strong players have a precise method in which they calculate. Tal once explained that he looked for a piece to sacrifice and when there was none, he looked for a normal move. On each move a good player should be aware of all captures and all checks. Topalov broke this simple rule, to error is human. I am sure he is looking at it right now and shake his head is disbelief.

[Kurt Utzinger]

[d]3r4/pp4k1/1n4Pp/Q2Pq3/B3pp2/8/PP3PP1/4R1K1 w - - 0 34

Can you see the win without using an engine. Topalov missed it even after a long think and it looks like a totally drawn endgame. Engines don't seem to have a problem here, but it is very difficult for a human to see.

Could you post the PGN?

Yeah this is a clever position. Easy to miss.

Here is the PGN
Kurt

[Event "XXVII SuperGM"]
[Site "Linares ESP"]
[Date "2010.02.21"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Topalov, V."]
[Black "Aronian, L."]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2781"]
[ECO "D43"]
[EventDate "2010.02.13"]
[PlyCount "89"]

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 d5 4.d4 e6 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bxf6 Qxf6 7.e3 Nd7 8.Bd3
dxc4 9.Bxc4 g6 10.O-O Bg7 11.e4 e5 12.d5 Nb6 13.Bb3 O-O 14.Rc1 Rd8 15.h3 Bd7 16.Qe2 Be8 17.Rfd1 Bf8 18.dxc6 Bxc6 19.Nd5 Bxd5 20.exd5 Bd6 21.Nd2 Qe7 22.Ne4 Kg7 23.Re1 Re8 24.h4 Rad8 25.h5 f5 26.Nxd6 Rxd6 27.Rc5 e4 28.hxg6 f4 29.Qd2 Qe5 30.Rc7+ Rd7 31.Rxd7+ Nxd7 32.Ba4 Rd8 33.Qa5 Nb6 34.Bb3 e3 35.fxe3 fxe3 36.Qb4 Rd6 37.Re2 Rxg6 38.Qc3 Qxc3 39.bxc3 Rg5 40.Rxe3 Nxd5 41.Bxd5 Rxd5 42.Re7+ Kf6 43.Rxb7 Ra5 44.Rb2 Ke5 45.Kf2 1/2-1/2

[Terry McCracken]

Thanks Kurt.

[Cubeman]

Ive seen easier missed wins before from GM's.This one should not go down as a big blunder and perhaps just an inaccuracy.