After holding comforably with 3 consecutive games with Black, Kramnik will have White today. Will he be able to take advantage of this?
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Kramnik will aim for a draw although if gets Topalov in a too aggressive mode, may score…
For sure Kramnik should have an easier task as white if his intent is to continue looking for the draw and not playing agressively at all – which I would bet it is.
Game 8 will very likely be one more draw.
Playing for a draw is not sportsmanship at all. I hope that Topalov will be his old self in the next game and play for a win aggressively.
Will he be able to take advantage of this?
Oh no, please… Kramnik play so boring chess and everything is easy to predict – DRAW
Draw or win…lets hope for 1.e4 or 1.Nc3
Kramnik will not want to risk a loss, so I assume we will see a Catalan again. Topalov has not been in good form recently (in chess as in life) so I think he would be sensible to leave his winning ambitions for his white games. Or alas more likely, the Appeals Committee.
1.b3
and Topalov is dead meat
Kramnik plays whatever moves the position requires. It’s up to Topalov to lose.
Kramnik will not overpush, and Topalov is afraid of Kramnik.
What else than a DRAW?
I think we’ll see the a game like Game1 and Game2. Victory for Topalov today
I hope not! If topalov wins, the chess world will be doomed for ever. He is a coward and a weak human being! I don’t like kramanik style of play, I love Topalov’s style of play but I think Topalov has lost all his credibility by accepting a “charity” win…I would love to see Kramanik play and win or atleast DRAW!
“I think Topalov has lost all his credibility by accepting a “charity” win…”
If he refused “charity”, he would have been punished by FIDE, as it would be against the official decision. How can he refuse? All is well.
“How can he refuse..” Didn’t Kirsan appeal for one of the players to back-down to resolve the game 5 issue (to bcome a hero of Kalmykia)?
I think it is not topalov. he plays just chess.
but he should sacrifice a danailov-pawn today! for better position.
– kacza
Great photo: http://chesspro.ru/match/images/photo/vas_89.jpg
(Kirsan pronounces that forfeit is to stay, take a look at the man on the left…).
I go along with World Champion GARRY Kasparov..after all that’s happened may the Match be won by the BEST AND FAIREST and on the last game…and let’s hope we see some realy great chess
Topolov must win the next 3 games..any draws or loses and Kramink will be the new CHESS KING like it or not…so predict fireworks tonight..it’s do or die
this will be the most important CHESS GAME both players have to play in their lives
I think a much better format for the unification of The WCC Match would be the 1st player to 6 wins draws not counting, and make Kramnik play chess, because drawing isnt winning it simply isnt losing for either side.
i dont get these “kramnik will play for draw” comments. if you aim to draw and slip, you are dead. nobody plays to draw, unless theres the draw on the board.
i just hope nobody files any more nonsense 15 minutes before the game…
I am dying to know whether Kramnik still goes to the bathroom every thirty seconds. Do we not have a spy in Elista? Someone? Please? Anyone?
Kramnik is a great chess player in and out of the board. He wins outside board game, he got the credibility from many chess player who chose TOPALOV before. God will bless him because he accepted the 3:2. MAY THE BLESSED PLAYER be the winner.
He makes me continue to teach chess to my student and children.
Radjabov: If Kramnik wins against Topalov, and he agrees to play a match with me, ofcourse, I want to play! Also I hope to win this match for a Title of the world champion both against Kramnik and Topalov.
Interview on World Chess Network
Kramnik will be looking to get 2 1/2 points out of the next 4 games so as to make game 12 redundant. He won’t want to risk the chance of things going to a tiebreaker which most likely he wouldn’t play in as that would validate the forfeit.
Is catalan that strong? Hmm… Now I put Slav and Semi Slav and Catalan as my opening repertoir.
Thank you Kramnik.
[Event “WCC Match 2006”]
[Date “2006.09.27”]
[Round “8”]
[White “Kramnik, Vladimir”]
[Black “Topalov, Veselin”]
[Result “0-1”]
1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 b5 8. Be2
{This is the Meran, a switch from the Catalan. This is actually one of my
favorite viariations and I won some nice games with this line.} Bb7 9. O-O {
One of the ideas is as Yasser said: “The idea is that in numerous variations,
White can play for Nf3-e5 and Be2-f3, when the Bishop is more useful on f3
than on d3.” If Black does not play b4 then e4 is the plan.} b4 10. Na4 c5 {
Be7 is another line here.} 11. dxc5 Nxc5 {This is the kind of position that is
perfect for Kramnik with little chances to lose. I am very surprised of
Topalov’s opening choice today and actually in this match.} 12. Bb5+ ({
Another choice is} 12. Nxc5 Bxc5 13. Qa4+ {and White has a good position.})
12… Ncd7 13. Ne5 Qc7 14. Qd4 {Kramnik is spending a lot of time for this
move. A common question is doesn’t Kramnik know this opening line? Yes, of
course. However, this is the type of position where he needs to decide to
continue in a more aggressive manner or more positional. This is why sometimes
you see a GM spend significant time in the opening. In fact, the same player
sometimes would choose a different continuation depending on who his / her
opponent is.} Rd8 {Topalov instantly responded with this move.} 15. Bd2 {
A questionable choice by Kramnik.} (15. Nxd7 {
would be another choice, perhaps a better choice.}) ({
If White takes the pawn with} 15. Qxa7 {Black can play} Bd6 {and has compensati
on for the pawn. I can’t imagine Kramnik playing a sharp line like this.})
15… Qa5 {Topalov once again responded instantly. This seems to be a new move.
} (15… a6 {has been played by Cvetkovic – Bagirov.}) 16. Bc6 {The amazing
thing is other lines would give Black a very good position. 16.Bc6 is the
strongest continuation. Here 16…Be7 is the strongest reply and White would
have to continue with 17. b3 O-O. Black is OK with this position.} Be7 {
It seems to me that Topalov has this line all prepared at home. This is
dangerous territory for Kramnik as he has to find the best lines on the board.
But he seems to do find so far in this match.} 17. Rfc1 {Kramnik spent quite a
bit of time for this move. Black has a few decent options: O-O or Bxc6. We may
actually have an exciting and imbalance game today.} Bxc6 18. Nxc6 Qxa4 {
So basically we will see a Rook for 2 minor pieces – 2 knights type of game
once Vladimir captures the Rook on d8. In my opinion, this is the most
exciting game to date. The position will be sharp and we will see if Kramnik
can play tactical chess or not. Some people tend to have the wrong impression
that Vladimir is not good with this style. He is! He just prefers to play more
positionally.} 19. Nxd8 Bxd8 20. Qxb4 {This is the safest way to continue with
Queens off the board. Vladimir is comfortable with Rook+Pawn for 2 Knights. 20.
..Qxb4 21.Bxb4 Nb6 to stop Rc8. Black is fine with this endgame.} Qxb4 21. Bxb4
Nd5 22. Bd6 f5 {Yasser Seirawan says: “I’m not sure what Vladimir thought was
‘attractive’ about this ending. With Kf7 and Bb6 in the offing… Black looks
very good.” I agree with Yasser. I like Black too but I would not say Black’s
position is very good. I think Black is slightly better. However, this is
exactly what Topalov is hoping for, a chance to win with Black, even if it is
a small chance.} 23. Rc8 {
Now I am expecting Black to play 23…N5b6 to stop Ra8.} N5b6 24. Rc6 Be7 {
Around half of the viewers like Black’s position. The other half like White’s
position. This is why this game will be exciting. Unbalanced positions are
very hard to play. If I need a win, I would take Black. If I need a draw, I
would take White. What does that mean? It means that even though Black may not
be better but Black has chances. What it also means is Black’s position is
more difficult to play and White’s position is easier to play. Therefore, if
you want a draw, you would want to choose the easier side to play which is
White.} 25. Rd1 Kf7 {Both of these moves are expected.} 26. Rc7 {It does not
matter which side you like better, the bottom line is we will see an exciting
endgame.} Ra8 {Fritz suggested trading Rooks for Black but I think Topalov
made the right decision by keeping his Rook on the board if he wants chances
to win.} 27. Rb7 {I like a5 here as Black.} Ke8 {I do not like this move very
much. It just wastes a tempo if White captures the Bishop. White has a few
options now play 28.f3, 28.Bxe7 or just retreating the Bishop to g3.} ({I like
} 27… a5 {here.}) 28. Bxe7 Kxe7 {
Black just wasted a tempo with Ke8 last move. That is why I prefer 27…a5.}
29. Rc1 a5 {Finally! Who is actually playing for the win here? Topalov is
definitely not going for the draw but I do not think Kramnik minds his
position either.} 30. Rc6 Nd5 {
This pair of Knights is giving Kramnik a nightmare. Hard to break them up.} 31.
h4 {The big debate on all servers is which side is better. GM Boris Avrukh
said: “Zagrebelnyi is commenting on 64.ru writes: I am sure he is Topalov is
playing for a win here, I think he is wrong, I would prefer White here.”
Karjakin likes White. Radjabov likes Black. John Fedorowicz likes White, I
like Black…and the debate continues…} h6 32. a4 g5 33. hxg5 hxg5 {
The players cranked out these moves very fast. Now GM Nataf joins the list who
likes Black but it is still a 50-50 split.} 34. Kf1 g4 {This is the kind of
position that you cannot rely on computers to evaluate. As you can see, many
of the GMs like White and many like Black. It is a matter of preference. Some
play minor pieces better, some play Rooks better, some like balanced endgames
and some like unbalanced positions. If you want to get better, this is the
kind of position you have to learn to play out on your own.} 35. Ke2 N5f6 36.
b3 {I am sure Kramnik is confident of his position right now. It’s quite solid.
I also think that Topalov does not mind his position.} Ne8 37. f3 {White wants
to trade. The less pieces on the board, the closer to a draw. So Topalov needs
to decide on 37…g3 or gxf3.} g3 38. Rc1 Nef6 39. f4 {Gata Kamsky said: “Once
black setups rook somewhere on d2 and Nd7, Nf6, Black is better.”} Kd6 {
All of a sudden, many observers started to shift their opinion to liking Black
better. As I said earlier, Black has chances to win and it is the side you
would want to have if you need to go for the win. This kind of endgames is
hard to evaluate, even for GMs.} 40. Kf3 Nd5 {Kramnik has to be very careful
now. His position requires extra care. I wish I can see Kramnik’s face now in
this position. Or better yet, I wish we can scan his brain to see his pattern
of thinking in such position. He is one of the most solid players in history.}
41. Kxg3 $2 {This is a horrible move and it may cost Kramnik this game. As I
said many moves ago, Black had chances. You just have to have a feel for this
kind of position. You only the feel for it by playing out positions like this
hundreds / thousands of times. That was part of my training when I was younger.
} Nc5 {The best move. White now has an extremely difficult position. Even if
White did not blunder with 41.Kg3, he would have had a very bad position. The
funny thing is only about 7-8 moves ago, some were questioning my sanity when
I said I would pick Black if I need to go for the win. Now, everyone seems to
change their minds. If White plays 42.Rb5 then Ne4+ then Rg8 and White’s
position collapses.} 42. Rg7 Rb8 (42… Nxe3 {would have been better.}) 43. Ra7
{If Kramnik loses this game, I am afraid this match will become an even bigger
circus. Topalov is usually a slow starter. What if Topalov can bounce back
with a couple of wins? Will the match be called off due to the game 5 fiasco?
What a mess!} Rg8+ 44. Kf3 {Not the best response but everything loses.} Ne4
45. Ra6+ Ke7 {All the White pawns are about to fall. The position is looking
extremely bad for Kramnik now. Unless there is a complete collapse by Topalov
like in the first 2 games, Topalov should score his first on the board victory
today.} 46. Rxa5 {Now 46…Rg3+ 47.Ke2 Rxe3+ 48.Kd1 Nxf4 -+} Rg3+ 47. Ke2 Rxe3+
48. Kf1 Rxb3 {Black is completely winning here. All he has to do is pick up
all the pawns and there is not much White can do about it.} 49. Ra7+ Kf6 50.
Ra8 Nxf4 {
White has no defensive plan here. He can only hope for Black to blunder.} 51.
Ra1 Rb2 {mate threats are coming.} 52. a5 {
Here comes a checkmate for Black starting with Rf2+ 53.Ke1 Nd3+ 54.Kd1 Nc3#}
Rf2+ {and White resigns giving Topalov the first win on the board. This sets
up for a very interesting scenario. Can Topalov pull off a string of wins now
that the momentum has switched? Will this now be just a legal battle? We shall
see!} 0-1