GM Topalov (2796) – GM Kamsky (2725) [D87]
Sofia Match (1), 17.02.2009
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Bc4 c5 8.Ne2 Nc6 9.Be3 0–0 10.0–0 Na5 11.Bd3 b6 12.Qd2 e5 13.Bh6 cxd4 14.Bxg7 Kxg7 15.cxd4 exd4 16.f4 f6 17.e5 Bd7 18.exf6+ Qxf6 19.Ng3 Kh8 20.f5 gxf5 21.Bxf5 Bxf5 22.Rxf5 Qd6 = White does have compensation for the pawn.
23.Raf1 Nc6 24.Ne4 Qe7 An interesting try here would be 25.Qh6. It does not win with correct defense by Black but it may be the best try.
25.Qh6 Rxf5 26.Rxf5 The only move here is 26…Ne5. Everything else loses to 27.Ng5.
26…Ne5 27.h3 Ng6 28.Rh5 Rg8 The following continuation would lead to a draw 29.Nf6 Rg7 30.Nxh7 Rxh7 31.Qxg6=
29.Nf6 Rg7 30.Nxh7 Rxh7 31.Qxg6 Qe3+ 32.Kh2 Qc1+ 33. Kf2 Qd2+ 34. Kg3 Qe3+ 35. Kh2 Qf4+ 36. Kg1 Qc1+ 1/2-1/2
This is an excellent start for Gata, drawing with the Black pieces. Click here to replay the game.
I think White can draw.
A draw here is very positive for Kamsky psychologically. Playing with black, in his oponent’s homeland, he managed to fend of what was clearly a home-prepared novelty by Topalov, and without consuming too much time, he defended correctly. First game, such a successful defense by the ‘underdog’ (in terms of ELO) should have an effect on Topalov’s nerves.
yep ,draw . strange Gata looked better almost all the time
He always looks better 😉
okay
Tomorrow Gata will lose with White. You’ll see
Not sure what Topalov had in mind when he sacrificed the d-pawn. It seems that black has no problems defending whatsoever as simply too many pieces are exchanged for white to conjure a serious attack. Anyway, bold decision by Kamsky to deploy the Grunfeld defence against Topalov. Kudos!
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Anonymous said…
Tomorrow Gata will lose with White. You’ll see
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LOL, you don’t even have enough faith in your prediction to use a name. If you don’t believe yourself, why should I?
Maybe it’s the fact that I like playing the white side of the Grünfeld, but I liked Topalov’s position all along.
And I don’t think that “such a succesful defense should have an effect on Topalov’s nerves”. You try a small novelty at move seventeen, you know pretty well that it doesn’t disturb the equilibrium a whole lot, but it’s new and it gives you play. So you play it and see how your opponent responds. Nothing dramatic about it.
I think that you’re rooting for Gata and this influences your take on the situation…
Bruno
The time has come that somebody really shows that Topalov amy be a very strong playwer but not a champ.
Both, Anand as Kamsky were victims of the russian superpower Kasparov/Karpov, and now their time has come – fifteen years later.
And after them there is a new generation rising…
okay
Kamsky starts well- but it is only one game. If Topalov holds the draw with black the second game they are level pegging again so it is hardly very positive for Kamsky just yet.
Although then they would already have passed the halfway point of the first half so short this match is!
“He always looks better.”
“And after them there is a new generation rising…”
Also for people posting comments.
ogay
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The time has come that somebody really shows that Topalov amy be a very strong playwer but not a champ.
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Kramnik already did that. Anand may do it too. But Kamsky probably won’t. I’d like to be proven wrong.
KAMSKY IS GOD!
Pretty amazing how many stupid comments are posted here…
I’d love to see Kamsky throw Topalov for a loop by playing as White 1.f4! Let’s see Topalov try defending as black against the Bird’s Opening!
I’m telling you if Kamsky does this he would win psychologically because Topalov wouldn’t dare risk a novelty in the Fromm Gambit if he responds with 1…e5.
Pretty amazing how many stupid comments are posted here…
I was thinking the same thing. About even more of them than you were, no doubt.
Don’t feel bad, yours isn’t the worst.
A strong start and great defence from Kamsky.
We’re gonna see an excellent fighting match, but you wouldn’t expect anything less from Topalov. Can’t wait for game 2!
Susan, so will you doing live commentary for these games of the World Champ Challenger? I came here at the start of the game 1 like always, but didn’t see you, so had to resort to Dimitri & Nigel, who are good but not the best.
For all those Topalov bashers: See, he has a nice heart after all. He gave a draw to Kamsky on game one so he doesn’t feel too bad for whats coming to him from now on. Topa will win 4.5-.5
Why should I be wrong?
okay
Interesting game, though the transcript seems to have a small error 32. Kh2 … should be 32. Kf1 … for the following move 32. … Qc1+ to make sense.