Svidler, Peter – Topalov, Veselin [B90]
Corus 2007, 26.01.2007
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be3 e5 7.Nb3 Be6 8.Qd2 Nbd7 9.0–0–0 Be7 10.f3 h5 11.Kb1 (Topalov is an expert in this line. However, I am not sure if it is a good idea not to deviate to surprise Svidler in such a crucial round.) 11…Qc7 (Two more popular lines are 11…Rc8 and 11…b5) 12.Bd3 (This seems to be a new or very rare move. 12.g3, 12.h3 and 12.Qf2 are the more known lines. It doesn’t seem to be too ambitious.) 12…b5 (Here comes the attack by Topalov. As usual, Black has to attack the Queenside as fast as possible.) 13.Bg5 (New idea by Svidler. White’s attack does not seem to be to worrisome.) 13…Nb6 (White must start to launch his own attack on the Kingside now with 13.f4. He cannot afford to sit back and wait.) 14.f4 Rb8 (This is a very surprising move to me. I expected 14…Nc4.) 15.Rhe1 (A curious move. I would have played Rhf1 instead.) 15…Nc4 (A good choice. I believe White has to capture the Knight as he cannot allow the Knight to sit there.) 16.Bxc4 (Svidler took a long time for this move but made the right decision to capture the Knight. Now Topalov has to take back with the pawn.) 16…bcx4 17.Nc1 (In my opinion, Black is a lot better now. He launched the Queenside attack first and has a more potent position.) 17…Qb7 18.b3 (This is the kind of position that Topalov wants to have. White does not have time to attack on the Kingside as he has to focus on defending the attack by Black on the Queenside.) 18…exf4 19.Bxf4 (19.Qxf4 is also fine and actually may even be a little better.) 19…O-O 20.Bxd6 Bxd6 (20… Rfd8 21. e5 Bxd6 22. exd6 Rbc8 -/+) 21.Qxd6 Rfc8 =+ 22.Nd5 Nxd5 23.exd5 Bf5 24.Rd2 Bg6 25.Re7 Qb5 26.Rc7 (I like Black’s position very much. I think 26…cxb3 is borderline winning.) 26…Qa5 (26…cxb3 27. Nxb3 a5 -+) 27.Rxc8+ Rxc8 28.Re2? (This is a losing move. 28.Qf4 may be the only shot to have a chance to hold on. Even with this, Black is still much better.) cxb3 29.axb3 Qc3 30.Qg3 Bxc2+ 31.Ka2 -+ Bb1+?! (31…Qc5 is much stronger!) 32. Kxb1 Qxc1+ 33. Ka2 Rc5? (33…Rc2+ -+) 34. Qb8+ Kh7 35.Qb4 f5?? (Topalov went from a completely winning position to a much worse position, probably even losing. 35…Rb5 would still give Black some advantage.) 36.Qd2 (Svidler found the right move. Now Black would have to be lucky to draw this game. This is a stunning turn of event!) 36…Qxd2 37.Rxd2 Kg6? (38.d6 and game over!) 38.b4 (I just calculated again and 38.b4 is not as bad as first looked. 38.d6 seems stronger at first glance.) 38…Rc8 39.Kb3 Kf7 40.Ra2 Ra8 (White is still better but not easy to convert. However, White needs to play 41.h4 now to stop Black from getting g5 in.) 41.h4 (This is the best shot for White. If White wants to win, he has to keep the Black Kingside pawns in check.) 41…f4 (I am not sure if this is the best move. Perhaps Topalov still thinks that he is winning and he is going for it. I am also not sure if his personal relationship with Svidler who openly supported Kramnik during Elista had anything to do with his decision making.) 42.Re2 += Kf6 43.Kc4 Rc8+ 44.Kd4 Rb8 (I think White has a very strong position after 45.d6. I am not sure if Black can even hold this with best play.) 45.d6! Rxb4+ 46.Kc5 Rb1 47.Rd2 +- (This is a resignable position for Black. White is completely winning! What a painful loss!)
Click here to replay the game.
The same line of the Karjakin Topalof of round 2!
It is good not to deviate. Topalov needs a draw here. Infected by Kramnik.
You’ve got to think Svidler has an idea here. Let’s see it.
Infected by Kramnik?
The contrast of Topalov’s attitude and openings with Kramnik’s could not be more marked. If Topalov was after a draw, he would have played the Berlin.
In view of his tournament position, I would have thought this would have been the wise thing to do in this case.
In going down the line of his near disaster of round 2, I hope Topalov knows what he is doing.
Svidler is very strong against the Berlin; he creamed Topalov in it the last time they played. As a rule he’s less good at computer preparation – he lost to Topa in San Luis in a Najdorf line where Topa had a computer bomb ready.
One of Topalov’s strengths is playing the opposition; I’m not surprised he hasn’t made the same Berlin mistake again. Although by the looks Svidler does have a new plan. We’ll see if it’s any good.
I sense that svidler starts to wave goodbye to his chances for top 3 in corus 🙂
Sounds fair enough anonymous 8:30:36 AM. Good stuff.
Though Topa would have had time to repair the Berlin; presumably he still believes in it as he played 1…e5 versus Tiviakov earlier, but maybe just for weaker players!?
At any rate, Topalov’s games with black are a hell of a lot more interesting than Kramnik’s with black!
Tiviakov never takes on the Berlin in the endgame; he always goes either 4 d3 or 4 Qe2. Although why Topalov preferred facing those to the c3 Sicilian I’m not sure. But I agree; I don’t suppose Topa’s necessarily given up the Berlin on the right day. Curious – you really wouldn’t think it would suit his style.
Anyway, either Svidler’s been thinking for half an hour in a position he must have had at home and where Susan thinks Bxc4 is the only move, or Susan’s gone for a cup of tea. Wonder which it is?
GM Konstantin Landa in an online comment suggested the folowing line as good for White:
16.Bxc4 bxc4
17.Bxf6 Bxf6
18.Nc1 Qa5
18.f5 Bd7
19.Nd5 Qb7
20.Nxf6 gxf6
21.Qxd6 cxb3
22.axb3 –
evaluated as “advantage for White”
Svid-topa is a nice game in the good old attacking style. The choice of an open, combinative variation is to a large extent thanks to topa. Compare with Kramnik’s games and you’ll see the difference even if you are blind.
Svidler – Topalov
Fritz 9: (-5.29)!!!
Obviously a easy win…
Kudos to Susan for commenting on the games worth commenting.
Kramnik’s position looks interesting enough. Besides, there are some quite dull approaches for White in this line – you saw Carlsen-Anand?
Anyway, I guess everyone who cares has by now understood that Kramnik’s been playing the Petroff in this tournament, that White can make this opening pretty dull, that a number of Whites have taken that option and that therefore Kramnik’s a pathetic weenie who has no right to be world champion instead of the wonderful exciting sporting figure that is Veselin Topalov, so if you’all could stop posting to that effect it’d save us all a lot of time.
Percy
“Fritz 9: (-5.29)!!!”
Deep Shredder 10 (-0.91) solid advantage for Topalov, but far from easy yet.
All the games may be seen live at:
http://www.coruschess.com/livegames.php
This is for those who may be wondering whether Susan is taking a coffee break or not…
“Deep Shredder 10 (-0.91) solid advantage for Topalov, but far from easy yet.”
I`m a newbie and don`t understand much of tactical positioning etc
That`s what Fritz says…:)
You don’t mean 000, Susan.
“That`s what Fritz says…:)”
Engines sometimes say funny things. But, Svidler would have to be down at least a minor piece with a poor position to be -5.0
i may only be a humble patzer and the only one to feel this way but… i don’t have the impression that topalov is doing all that well in this game
I doubt even Fritz could be that far off. You must have messed up the position somehow.
Anon 9:49:49
Topalov is a pawn down and White has a dangerous passed pawn on d5. But I think that Topalov’s attacking chances are a little better. Could go either way.
What’s the world coming to? Shirov drawed a la Kramnik against Anand?
It is tough to win again the Petroff, but Anand, at least in my mind, didn’t press for any advantage. He had more than an hour on the clock and Shirov less than 20 min when they agreed to a draw.
Perhaps some comment on Kramkin Radjabov?
>> Perhaps some comment on Kramkin Radjabov?
1/2-1/2 now. Dull draw as expected.
29…Qc3 – I think that Topalov will overpower Svidler now.
~TK
Well after 30…Bxc2+ 31. Ka2 Black can either get a good endgame with 31…Qxg3 or a continuing attack with 31…Bb1+. Svidler looks like toast right now.
Yifan has just got a free 1 point.
With 31: Bb1+, looks like Toppy blundered away a win.
What do you mean “free”? She did not play?
Looks like Topalov has made the game much harder than he needed to. 33…Qxc5+ and …Qxd5 is winning slowly but surely, while 33…Rc5 goes immediately for the kill in his own time pressure. I don’t like 35…f5, a better way to defend the b1-h7 diagonal is probably 35…g6. White has some threats with Qg5 if Black doesn’t exchange queens.
This looks like a typical Topalov game, why did Svidler go for an opposite side castling line in the Sicilian, it’s all Topalov is really good at. But Svidler learned from watching Kramnik; Topalov cannot maintain an attacking position if the best moves involve simplification. Topalov is slowly but surely misplaying his game trying for a middlegame crunch. He will blow his advantage I am certain and only draw. But time pressure is coming and anything could happen.
31. … Qxg3 32. hxg3 Bd1 33. Rd2 Rxc1 34. Kb2 Rc2+ 35. Rxc2 Bxc2 36. Kxc2 Kf8 and black has a won endgame.
Why 31. … Bb1? And 35. … f5?
win for svidler surely. Just push that pawn!!
35…f5 is horrible, just being aggressive because that is how he plays regardless of the position.
Topalov needs to wake up fast he is now WORSE in the R+p endgame but he can hold with careful play of the kingside pawns.
Excellent recovery by Svidler, mixing up attack and defense and simplification at a very high level.
31… Qc5
32. Qe1 Bg6
33. Re8+ Rxe8
34. Qxe8+ Kh7
35. Qc6 Qa5+
36. Kb2 Be4
37. Na2 Qd2+
38. Ka3 Bxd5
39. Qxa6 Bxg2
Is better
what Topalov is doing?? I hoped he will win this and now I hope he can hold this position 🙁 he had chance to win this tournament with this game 🙁 🙁
38 d6 Rc8 and how white wins??
Not sure if 38.b4 is really winning …
Correction : Not sure if 38.d6 is really winning … 38.b4 seems better
Toppy now needs to play very well to be able to get the 1/2 point.
GM Shipov and GM Landa like Svidler’s 38.b4. See chesspro.ru and crestbook.com (both in Russian).
Svidler played b4, and it’s a good move.
I would like some expansion on 38. d6 as well please.
“Toppy now needs to play very well to be able to get the 1/2 point.”
Looks to be an easy draw, unless Svidler is allowed to freeze the kingside pawns (41.h4 looks like a good start).
Everyone who decided to accept computer evaluations earlier should see that all programs give White a 1.00 or better plus, even though I do not think the endgame can be won without mistakes by Black.
Now that time control is here Topalov should take a long walk, realize that a draw is still a good result and come back to the table and hold this.
If he decides Black can try to win by advancing kingside pawns or driving the king forward he may get in a lot of trouble.
I think 38. d6 is drawish.
topalov was winning with 31…Qg3.32.hg3,Bd1! with a easy endgame.
maybe topa should go to the toilet for a while 🙂
Fritz evaluates 38. d6 at about +3 and b4 at about +.8
41.h4 Rd8 42.Kc4 Rd6 43.Kc5 Ke7 44.g3 Rg6 45.Ra3 Rd6 46.b5 axb5 47.Ra7+ Rd7 48.Rxd7+ Kxd7 49.Kxb5 Kd6 50.Kc4 wins for White
“Fritz evaluates 38. d6 at about +3 and b4 at about +.8”
Deep shredder has both moves at +1.0. Personally I can’t see any reason why d6 would be much (if at all) stronger.
I think both 38. d6 or 38. b4 should be a draw.
At a depth of 20 ply, Rybka 2.2 has
38. b4 +0.30
38. Ka3 +0.28
38. d6 +0.25
Now Topa will switch to a percision mode and still win. GO TOPA!!!
If this draw were so easy then why is Toppy taking so long to make this move? Is he in the toilet crying?
“h4 is met by …g5 at the critical moment” – YES, that’s a good point! .. these endgames are really instructive!
Now 42.Rf2 Kf6 43.Rxf4+ Ke5 44.Rf7 g6 45.Rg7 Kxd5 46.Rxg6 seems like a good chance for White
Susan hasn’t said anything for too long
SVIDLER’S 42.Te2 is weak according to GM Landa, now Black has 42…Rd8 43.Kc4 Rc8+ 44.Kd4 Rb8 and White should try
8.d6 Rxb4+ 9.Kd5
Hey Susan! b5 was winning already.
I think already it is harder to win this with White than to draw it having Black… three moves ago it was the other way round…
Apparently anailovs pocket ritz wasn’t working today.
Hopefully Cheatalov is going down.
Topalov probably thought he had a forced win after 31… Bb1+ and 33… Rc5 and just missed the only defence of Qg3-b8-b4. Somehow these long queen moves seem to be a blind spot occasionally, remember Kramnik vs Fritz? I don’t understand the point of 35… f5 at all though.
Some engines prefer 43… Rc8 here, but most people are for 43.. g5. Any suggestions?
After 44…Rb8 this game should be lost for Toppy!
This time, d6 win 😉
Carlsen – van Wely has been tablebase drawn for at least 8 moves.
45. d6 – The last nail in the coffin!
Nice endgame from Svidler!
D.K.
Time to resign, Topalov!
Why is he still playing?
With this loss, Topalov will still be in the lead…
shame he couldn’t convert his massive advantage.
Today Topalov decided to make the tournament interesting.
Let’s see if Kramnik will push tomorrow to see if Topalov makes again a blunder.
A typical Topalov loss (when he gets around to resigning this dead loss).
Many small positional mistakes, most of which look like he tried too hard to avoid exchanges or refusing to make the correct, solid move instead of being aggressive. They then add up to losing a game he was once better in. Clearly…f5 was bad, but …f4 stunk. As usual in this tournament there seems to be no sense to Topalov’s wins or losses, both revolve around blunders and misplays instead of high-class chess.
Black needed to hold the kingside at f5-g6-h5 and play defense to keep the tournament under control.
Amzing game. Topalov dominated the game till 36th move, a slight inaccuracy, and he lost, (not even drew)!
Interesting after round 11 the firts three will all have suffered a loss! only one not to loose a single game until now is Aronian … and Kramnik.
*So it is true that higher risks bring higher rewards.
D.K.
Clearly…f5 was not so bad, Topalov was in time trouble and wanted to prevent Qe4. And 36…Qxd2 was not so obligatory, a move like 36… Qf1 could have been tried…
Well he might still be leading the tournament but he has probably the most difficult two final games… if he had won today, he would be 1 and a half point up, needing only to draw either of the games to secure the win, now things look quite different. Radjabov Svidler and Aronian are just half a point behind, Anand and Kramnik just one.
Maybe it is good he lost.
Now he will have to push hard against Kramnik.
And that’s what we all want to see isn’t ?
well said, gk!
BTW,I will got in the stitches watching how Carlsen tries to save game vs Wely.
Come on Wely,plug the comp in and win that rock+bishop vs. rock endgame…
MASSIVE CHOKENIK BY TOPA. World Champ pretender!!!! $2M already left bank. No Rematch!!!!!!
Krammik vs. Radja for WC!!!
Rybka said after move 80 Carlson game is a draw.
This is tablebase, it’s been theoretically drawn for 30 moves.
Oh dear, knew Topa should have gone for a draw today, even if he was winning.
Oh well, all the more incentive to try and beat Kramnik tomorrow. I bet this will be the most watched game of the tournament!
Ha-ha. Kramniks fans are glowing from happiness. They are forgeting their champ is on -2, and need to win both of his own games. He has a “marvelous” result of 2 wins and 9 draws. WTF? This you call a true champ? Kasparov or Fischer would have never fallen so low, ever. He only won that “attacking” game against Anand, right? There were “thunders” in that game. And he won against Shirov, but who didnt? Misery if you ask me. He better not come to Sofia and in Mexico he will lose the title anyway, you cant win a tourney on +2 this days. The world sees he is no champ.Maybe his only chance is to pull back, and try to persuade the world that we have 2 champions once more. Pathetic.
krammik unbeatable
topa – not so much
German article (probably sponspored by teh evil chessbase) about Topalov’s cheats:
Ressort: Sport
URL: /sport/bundesliga/artikel/555/99456/article.html
Datum und Zeit: 26.01.2007 – 20:18
Denksport
Wird beim Schach falsch gespielt?
Beobachtungen um den Weltranglisten-Ersten Wesselin Topalow: Es zeigte sich, dass alle Züge, die Topalow in der entscheidenden Phase ausgeführt hatte, auch die Favoritenzüge von üblichen Computerprogrammen sind.
Von Martin Breutigam
Wird beim Schach falsch gespielt?
Foto: dpa
Seit über einem Jahr halten sich Gerüchte, der Bulgare Wesselin Topalow sei bei der WM 2005 in San Luis/Argentinien womöglich mit unerlaubten Mitteln Schachweltmeister geworden. Sein Manager Silvio Danailow könnte ihm mit heimlicher Zeichengabe computergeprüfte Züge übermittelt haben, lautet der unter anderem von WM-Teilnehmern, die nicht zitiert werden wollten, geäußerte Verdacht. Bloß eine Verschwörungstheorie von schlechten Verlierern? Oder erhält der 31-jährige, inzwischen wieder entthronte Weltmeister während mancher Partien tatsächlich unbemerkt Tipps? Und falls ja, wie?
Beim an diesem Sonntag zu Ende gehenden Turnier in Wijk aan Zee/Niederlande haben Topalow und Danailow in den vergangenen beiden Wochen mit ihrem Verhalten neue Spekulationen genährt: Wer die beiden während der Runden zwei und drei beobachtete, konnte durchaus den Eindruck bekommen, dass eine nonverbale Kommunikation zwischen ihnen stattfand – nur von jenen bemerkt, die genauer hinschauten in der mit vielen hundert Menschen gefüllten ,,De Moriaan‘‘-Halle, wo Weltklasse- und Hobbyspieler in verschiedenen Turnieren unter einem Dach spielten.
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In der zweiten Runde beispielsweise führte Topalow gegen den sechsmaligen niederländischen Meister Loek van Wely die weißen Steine. Er rochierte lang, van Wely kurz. Bis zur Mittelspielphase verlief die Partie ohne Besonderheiten. Dies änderte sich, als Manager Danailow die Halle betrat. In der folgenden Stunde wiederholte sich ein seltsames Ritual: Sobald van Wely einen Zug ausführte, eilte Danailow aus der Halle und holte sein Handy aus dem Jackett. Wollte er vielleicht bloß Geburtstagsgrüße loswerden? Er könnte aber auch alle paar Minuten mit jemandem telefoniert haben, der die Partie irgendwo auf der Welt live übers Internet verfolgte.
Wie dem auch sei, Danailow betrat nach kurzer Zeit wieder die Halle, strebte immer in dieselbe Ecke des Zuschauerbereichs und zog sich – obwohl bislang nicht als Brillenträger in Erscheinung getreten – eine Brille auf. Topalow saß links aus Sicht der Zuschauer, Danailow stand rechts hinter einer Absperrung in der Anonymität der Masse, etwa 15 Meter von Topalow entfernt. Zwar sah er von dort nichts vom Spiel, auch nicht den Monitor, der die Figurenstellung zeigte; allerdings ließ sich von der Ecke aus ein direkter Blickkontakt herstellen, ohne dass Topalow seinen Kopf drehen musste. Der schaute auch auf, wenn er am Zug war; und sobald er Danailow in der Ecke erkannte, stellte er zumeist seine Ellenbogen auf den Tisch und faltete die Hände vor der Stirn. In dieser Denkerpose sah es so aus, als habe er seine Augen aufs Brett gerichtet, doch er hätte zwischen den Fingern hindurch auch zu Danailow blinzeln können, der mitunter seltsame Bewegungen vollführte.
Im 26.Zug beispielsweise biss er auf seinen Daumen und wackelte damit am rechten Mundwinkel hin und her; anschließend schlug Topalow mit seinem Läufer einen Springer auf dem Feld c5. Meistens nahm Danailow die Brille gleich wieder ab und verschwand aus der Ecke. Das Ritual wiederholte sich, sobald van Wely gezogen hatte: Danailow eilte hinaus, telefonierte, kam meistens schon nach ein bis drei Minuten wieder herein, ging in besagte Ecke, setzte die Brille auf. Und während Topalow die Denkerpose einnahm, kratzte sich sein Manager drei- bis sechsmal hinter dem Ohr, tippte mit dem Zeigefinger an die Brille oder vollführte andere merkwürdig anmutende Bewegungen.
Im 31. Zug steckte wieder der Daumen im Mund – und Topalow schlug mit dem Turm einen Bauern auf d3. Nach 35 Zügen gab van Wely in hoffnungsloser Lage auf. Später zeigte sich, dass alle Züge, die Topalow in der entscheidenden Phase ausgeführt hatte, auch die Favoritenzüge von üblichen Computerprogrammen sind. ,,Während der Partie hatte ich überhaupt nicht das Gefühl, dass irgendetwas faul ist, aber es wurde mir auch gesagt, dass sich der Danailow sehr verdächtig benimmt‘‘, sagte van Wely. Auch der Oberschiedsrichter hatte nichts Verdächtiges bemerkt, kündigte aber an, im nächsten Spiel von Topalow auf auffälliges Verhalten zu achten.
Am nächsten Tag – in der Partie gegen den Russen Sergej Karjakin – saß Topalow weiter rechts im Spielerareal. Ab dem 20. Zug war es wieder soweit: Danailow marschierte. Bloß diesmal ging er in die gegenüberliegende, linke Ecke. Von hier aus konnte er wiederum nicht das Spiel verfolgen, aber zu Topalow Blickkontakt aufnehmen. Dessen Stellung sah zu diesem Zeitpunkt bereits bedenklich aus; Karjakin besaß Vorteil.
Im 23. Zug, als Danailow mit Brille dastand, stellte sich plötzlich der Schiedsrichter direkt ins Blickfeld und schaute den Manager prüfend an. Auch im 26. Zug wurde das Ritual für einen Moment unterbrochen, als jemand Danailow um ein spontanes Fernseh-Interview bat. Beide verließen die Halle. Als Danailow wiederkam, hatte Topalow schon zwei Züge ausgeführt. Danach folgte wieder das bekannte Spiel: Danailow lief raus, kam wieder, ging in die Ecke, Brille auf, Brille ab und so weiter. Bei fast jedem Zug, insgesamt über zwanzig Mal. Schließlich erreichte Topalow nach einer Serie genauer Züge noch ein Remis. Kurz vor der Zeitkontrolle (jeder Spieler hat bis zum 40. Zug zwei Stunden Bedenkzeit) war es hektisch geworden. ,,Ich konnte es nicht glauben, Danailow ist im Sturmschritt hereinmarschiert, an den Ort, wo er Topalow sehen konnte, und hat die Leute an der Stelle fast weggeschubst. Es ging auch um Geschwindigkeit‘‘, sagte einer der Zuschauer, die das Treiben über zwei Stunden lang beobachtet hatten.
Weder Danailow noch Topalow waren in der vergangenen Woche trotz wiederholter Anfrage für eine Stellungnahme zu erreichen. War es nur ein Zufall, wenn der Daumen im Mund wackelte, oder Teil einer heimlichen Kommunikation? Die wäre in der folgenden Runde durch die Sitzordnung erschwert gewesen, denn in der vierten Partie saß Topalow nahe an der Hallenwand, mit Blickrichtung zur selbigen: Und er gewann gegen Großmeister Alexej Schirow. Danailow ließ sich an diesem Tag kaum in der Halle blicken. Auch an den folgenden Tagen wiederholte sich das Ritual der Runden zwei und drei nicht.
Die Organisatoren erwägen nun, 2008 erstmals gründliche Kontrollen einzuführen, unter anderem mit Metall-Detektoren. Hintergrund: In der jüngsten Vergangenheit waren in Indien und den USA schwächere Spieler bei Betrügereien mittels Funksignalen erwischt worden. Die Empfänger waren am Körper oder unter einem Käppi versteckt. Diesmal sei in Wijk aan Zee für die Anschaffung zuverlässiger Detektoren zu wenig Zeit gewesen, hieß es.
(SZ vom 27.1.2007)
To me the posiion looked even the whole game contrary to what some have said about it. I feel topalov wasted a move 24.Bg6. the f5 move by topalov was obviously horrible but i think that topalov may have apeared to have had an advantage it was just an illusion because of svidlers powerful c1 knight. when topalov made the horrible f5 move which hes prone to do because I recall him making a similiar digusting move against kramnik and lost in the world title match he lost the game. i think topalov waited to long to trade his c4 pawn and create chances. it was a draw if topalov doesnt make that f5 move.
wolverine.
Siron: that is surprising news. Could it be true ? If so, it really argues against a world championship in Bulgaria.
That is why Topalov is not World Champion. Kramnik is World Champion. He does not choke like Topalov and he hardly ever loses unlike Topalov does. I do agree Topalov is a lot more exciting to watch in tournaments but he will always be number 2 and not World Champ as long as Kramnik is around.
siron said…
this is crazy you know 🙂
much more crazy than having support in an unobserved toilet!!!
This is in tomorrows edition of the german SZ: more than 400,000 readers. The author of this article is IM.