Position after 21…b4
GM Topalov (2780) – GM Kramnik (2799) [D43]
22.01.2008
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 10.0–0 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 White has a small edge but the position is extremely complicated! 26…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!! This move gives White an almost decisive advantage. It is still a way to go but Topalov is in good shape. 41…Rg8 42.R3b2 +- Qd3 43.e7 Nf6 44.Be5 Nd7 45.Ne6 1–0
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If Topalov played his TNs against all his opponents, rather than, as he seems to do, saving them all for Kramnik, he might do better.
My old sport Fritz gives me an nice clarifying line:
22. … Rfg8 23. Nd6+ Kc7 24. Qf7 Rf8 25. Qg7 Rfg8 ad infinitum
Anybody know which move was the novelty?
Topalov is threatening 22. Rxc4. Pawn is hanging (because white could fork black K and Q)
Novelty:
12. Nxf7
Sorry. 23. Rxc4
Is calling Danailov a lowlife not barred by the rules on this site? How is that civil and respectful? Danailov has done a lot for chess. I am American.
While I felt more sympathy for Kramnik during “toilet-gate”, I’m rooting for white in this game, since I love a good Theoretical Novelty- especially one that involves a wild sac. In other words, I’m more interesting in fun chess than a certain personality winning.
(That said, Kramnik is in contention, and I’d sure like to see Carlsen take the top spot.)
Brad Hoehne
Topa refused repetition and gave up his Queen!!
He is CRAZY!!!(go Topa)
I think Carlsen is about to loose against Leko too….what is this world coming too!!!!
Dear all,
after the start of Topa-Kramnik today, I understand Short’s remark from Sunday about arbiters a little bit better now.
Why the arbiter did not force them to do the hand-shake according to the (own) appeals committee’s decision?!
Remember, Kramnik is a member and he did NOT resign here!
The correct procedure would have been:
No handshake, game suspended or even not started by arbiter,
both players are asked to do the handshake and in case they refued, both players get a NILL by forfeit.
Any other opinion, please respond.
Why does 41.Bd6 get “!!”?
According to your, and my, computer programs, it is obviously the best move by far.
VK seriously lost after 43…Nf6 if not before.
topalov beat kramnik like a rented mule
Insane – a positional queen sac!
Topa is insane!
That was clearly in BOBBY’s MEMORY!!!!! Thank you Vesselin!
Kasparov never got blown out in 75 minutes like this. I miss the 90’s and his domination without question. Now we have a group at the top. It is not the same.
no toilet, no chance for Kramnik 😀
wonderful game by Topalov. It must be tough to swallow for Kramnik who was 1/2 point behind the leader.
Great that Kramnik lost and hope now that Carlsen loses to so Anand can catch up! These new developments have thrown the tournament wide open and the final rounds will be exciting!
Kramnik lose, maybe there is no toilet in Corus?!?
Kramnik! Hurry back to me to discuss Tactics!
this is a pre-studied win only nothing else. That is not topalov’s style that is a product of long studies made by helpers of topalov (i.e, prior computer analysis just only to beat Kramnik)
for me that is a brilliant game of computers thanks Rybka and Fritz analysis!
This was a beautiful game that will be studied for years to come!!! Thanks Topalov!!
the last post is the most ridiculous, funny, stupid, dumb comment i have ever read in my life.
By just looking at the game can you guess who the KGB agent is.
Hint: The other guy has much deeper understanding of chess.
“Danailov has done a lot for chess. I am American.”
What has Danailov done for chess except bring it embarrassment? Seriously. WHAT has he done?
“It must be tough to swallow for Kramnik who was 1/2 point behind the leader.”
Unfortunately, the leader lost too.
Fantastic game by Topalov!!
somebody ask what has Danailov done for Chess … well on top of being the manager of two players in top 20, one ex World Champion and ex Number one for some time (which is already sth, isnt it?), why dont you google Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood and you might get a hint – bringing money and interest; bringing down the monopoly of one country, system (style in terms of music)?
Hi,
nice game by Topalov. in his style.
He over taken Kramnik preparation.
Brilliant game reminding Tal games.
Rgds
Pony
˝this is a pre-studied win only nothing else. That is not topalov’s style that is a product of long studies made by helpers of topalov (i.e, prior computer analysis just only to beat Kramnik)
for me that is a brilliant game of computers thanks Rybka and Fritz analysis!˝
——————————–
Man,don’t be idiot…
Quite likely ,only the novelity in move 12 ,and corresponding lines up to several moves latter,are the product of computer analysis and home preparation.
All the rest were done by Topalov over the board ,and yes,quite in Topalov’s style!
Game lasted over 40 moves.
Where can I get a complete analysis of this game? Where did Kramnik went so wrong….or should I say: where in the game did Topalov got so brilliant?
What an excellent game by two former world champions!
Kramnik invincible? Hah!
He only seems that way because he plays boring draw openings that you can hardly lose from.
Get him into something complicated and he is very ordinary.
Bravo, Topa.
Such a pity you didn’t finish off Game two of your match the same.
Never mind the game. Did they shake hands first?
They did not. So what? Why should have Cheparinov shaken hand with Short, for that matter, after Short so bluntly labeled the Bulgarian team dumbheads without ever meeting Cheparinov before that?
Firstly, Short called the Bulgarians “dundeheads”. Not dumbheads.
Secondly, the bickering about “How come they got away without shaking hands today” doesn’t make sense – the point was that Cheparinov REFUSED to shake WHEN OFFERED. Neither Kramnik nor Topalov offered their hands, so no punishment can be incurred.
Why does Short get away with calling people dunderheads…. he should be banned
I am a fan of Kramnik. I don’t like Topalov and Danailov. I have to admit that Topalov played a brilliant Tal style game today. He gambled and won. Congratulations…
What the heck was 29…Re8? 29…Qe2 was much more tenacious. 30. Nh8? Qf1+.
Just a thought…
Go Topalov!!!
Topalov’s dad and grand-dad were famous gamblers. I guess it runs in the family. ;0)
Can anybody explain this: if they don’t shake hands, if they don’t look at each other, if they don’t talk to each other…..how did Kramnik surrendered in this game? Did he sent a smoke signal?
I think Kramnik and Topa have an agreement that when one of them wants to quit the game, he will start dancing La Macarena (without music of course). No seriously, how do they let the other know they are quitting?
“Anonymous said…
I think Kramnik and Topa have an agreement that when one of them wants to quit the game, he will start dancing La Macarena (without music of course). No seriously, how do they let the other know they are quitting?”
Kramnik sent out a load gaseous signal from his posterior. The odor aroused Topalov to accept Kramniks capitualtions. Kramnik assumed the losing position and Topalov mounted in victory.
The rest is history.