Leko,2749 – Topalov,2783 [B90]
Linares, 04.03.2007
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be3 e5 7.Nf3 (Just as Anand, Leko decided to play the more conservative Nf3) 7…Qc7 8.a4 Be7 9.a5 0–0 10.Be2 Be6 11.0–0 Rc8 (White can make some play on the f file, the d6 weak pawn and the b6 square. Black controls the c file and White’s pawns on a5 and e4 can be both an asset and liability. Slight advantage for White.) 12.Nd5 (If 12…Bxd5 13. exd5 Qxc2 14. Rc1 +-) 12…Nxd5 13.exd5 Bg4 14.c4 += Nd7 15.Nd2 Bxe2 16. Qxe2 f5 (This is now getting exciting. Topalov will attempt to open up the Kingside. Black’s position is fine. The next 5-10 moves will be very exciting.) 17.f3 Nf6 (17…Bf6 is also fine. Just a matter of taste.) 18.b4 Qd7 19.Rfd1 (It is interesting that White is trying to create play on the Queenside and Black is doing it on the Kingside, which is opposite from the normal Sicilian plans.) 19…Qe8 20.Qd3 Qh5 (Leko is trying to make this a strategical game while Topalov is trying to open things up for brut force. Which one will succeed?) 21.c5 (Leko finally shows his plan. This is a very difficult aspect of chess. When should you break? When should you make your move?) 21…Rd8 22.Nc4 (22.c6 would be interesting here.) Rc8 23.Rc1
** In the Anand – Carlsen game, Anand attempted to sacrifice a Knight on move 26. It was not really a sacrifice because Carlsen would lose almost immediately if he takes on it. He played the correct defense Kh7 and the position is still better for Anand.
Back to the Leko – Topalov game, 23…e4 24.fxe4 fxe4 25.Qb3 (White is still very very slightly better.) 25…Ng4
** In the Anand – Carlsen game, Anand still pushes on and has a decent advantage. Carlsen is hanging in there for now but may not be for long.
Black to the Leko – Topalov game, 26.h3 Nxe3 27.Nxe3 (Topalov has basically equalized.) 27…Bg5 28.c6?! Rf8 (I actually like Topalov’s position more here.) 29.Re1 Qh4 30.Qa2 (Black is clearly better here. The plan is to take advantage of the weak dark squares. A good start would be Qg3. I am not sure if Leko can hold this.) 30…Bf4 (I prefer Qg3 first.) 31.Qe2 Qg3 32.Nf1 (Black has to play Qg5 now.) 32…Qd3 33.Qxd3 exd3 34.Rc4 bxc6 35.dxc6 d5 36.Rd4 (I don’t like this plan of Topalov. I see very little chance for him to score.) 36…Rcx4 37.Rxd3 (This will now most likely heading for a draw.) 37…Rc4 =+ 38.b5 axb5 39.Rxd5 (Draw will happen soon.) 39…b4 40.a6 Rc6 41.Rb5 Bd6 42.Ra1 Ra8 (Topalov is making Leko earn the draw. This show will go on for a while longer.) 43.a7 Rb6 44.Rxb6 Bc5+ (Leko, who is known for his endgame technique, is not playing this very well. Topalov may have a chance to pull to an even score.) 45.Kh1 Bb6 46.Ra4 Bc5 47.Ra5 Bxa7 48.Nd2 Rd8 49.Rxa7 Rxd2 50.Rb7 (Leko will suffer for a while.) 50…Rd4 (I prefer Rb2.) 51.Kg1 Rf4 52.Kh2 h5 53.Kg3 Rc4 54.Kf3 Kh7 55.Rb6 g5 56.Rb7+ Kg6 57.Rb6+ Kf7 58.g4 Rf4+ 59.Kg3 h4+60.Kg2 (It is getting hotter for Leko.) 60…Rc4 61.Kf3 Ke7 62.Ke3 Kd7 63.Kd2 Kc7 64.Rb5 Kc6 65.Rxg5 b3 (Leko is doing one heck of a job to hang on. But there are still some works to be done.) 66.Rg8 Rc2+ 67.Kd1 Kc7 68.Rg7+ (Still having to work hard to earn 1/2 point.) 68…Kb6 69.Rg8 Ka7 70.Rg7+ Ka6 71.Rg8 Kb7 72.Rg7+ Kc673.Rg8 Rh2 74.Kc1 Rxh3 75.g5 Kd7 76.Rf8 h3 79.Kb2 Kf7 80.Ka3 Kg7 81.Kb2 Kg8 82.Ka3 Kf7 83.Kb2 Kg7 84.Kc1 1/2
Click here to replay the game.
can u tell me where can i listen to the live commentary? any info will be appreciated.
You can listen to the LIVE commentary on PlayChess or ICC. Both require memberships.
My show on Chess.fm on March 10 will be FREE for all. That would be the final round of Linares.
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
http://www.PolgarChess.com
Susan i didnt understand what leko was trying to do with move nd5? Can u provide some info on that move?
Why is Topalov being blogged when Anand-Carlsen are playing and are co-leaders?
I think anand is in superb form and making carlsen play some tough defense. Susan who you prefer right now in that game?
Every night before the game, bloggers send me messages on the games they wish me to blog. So far, Topalov is leading the requests by a mile on every round, often 3-4 times more than other players. I go with the majority as it makes no difference to me who I comment on.
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
http://www.PolgarChess.com
Anand is slightly better but Carlsen is doing well hanging on with counter chances.
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
http://www.PolgarChess.com
That speaks millions about what’s needed to make chess tournaments more exciting and the chess in general more scholarship-friendly, sponsor-attractive – Topalov style play and Sofia rules. You ROCK, Susan!I’ll be listening on 10th, to hear if the Hungarian accent is as sexy as the Australian 🙂
Susan whats is your view on playing kraminik for the world title or world chamionship. Do you prefer topalov more then anand for it.
see you on the 10th march, do u know what day it will be?
i wouldnt miss it for a chance
At this point, I just want to see an exciting match without any whining, complaining, accusations or ridiculous open letters.
In addition, we need consistency. We cannot have a new format every few years.
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
http://www.PolgarChess.com
Susan you really rocks and thanks for provding the live analysis and we really appreciate this. Does judith has ches blog too.
No, Judit does not blog. And the 10th will be next Saturday. I will be doing a LIVE FREE commentary show with Mig on ICC Chess.FM. I asked the ICC management to open it and make it FREE for everyone and they graciously agreed.
Thanks ICC!
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
http://www.PolgarChess.com
Susan who usually win between two of you? can we have a special tournament for two of you? Where we all can see the best of the both.
Judit is stronger than me now. She has been for quite a while. But I have an edge in head to head score. Organizers have asked to stage this possible match. It will take at least a million dollars to even have a “remote” chance for it to happen.
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
http://www.PolgarChess.com
Wow it will be an interesting match, though I think your younger sister will beat you easily! She is such an attacking player but it will be interesting!
I put my money on Susan in a match and Judit in a tourney.
Susan can an outsider provide million dollars for this match to happen? I can think some crazy chess lovers will love to do that.
Saurabh, I did not say it will happen 🙂 I said that it would be the minimum to start a dialog. I believe that this would be one of the most intriguing matches in history and I believe it will bring an incredible amount of media coverage worldwide. Nothing like this has ever happened in chess. But it is a big “IF” if we can both agree to it.
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
http://www.PolgarChess.com
What is the picture above the live blog today? is it Srilankan symbol?
I believe it is the symbol for Linares. At least that is what I was told 🙂
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
http://www.PolgarChess.com
Susan if i have million dollars will sponsor this in a min. I am a die hard chess fan and would love to see this match ever happen between two of you.
Susan,
Why do you think both Anand and Leko chose the conservative line of the Najdorf against Topalov. Do they fear him?
Who wouldn’t fear Topalov’s attacking ability? They are taking away his strength while maximizing theirs. Good choice!
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
http://www.PolgarChess.com
Its not about fear its more about agressive style of topa that makes everybody try to play safer. Leko lost his last match and doesnt want to take more risks and anand is just happy to maintain his lead and fee more comfortable taking more risks against weak players. Plus top players always think of there rankings and points.
Thanks for your live blogging Susan. That is also exciting about your upcoming March 10 free appearance on chess.fm. I just noticed that there is a free replay of your Linares-07 R6 chess.fm audio analysis
here
I am listening to it now and enjoyed your’s and Mig’s humor about 1969…Susan mentioned strong GM’s born in 1969 (including herself)…and Mig mentioned he was also born in 1969 but that he somehow missed out on the great chess strength of Susan and other 1969-ers.
Susan Please comment on anand game.Is this a novelity that anand played here. he is great an di dont know where he comes from thsese kind of moves.
Susan …Susan…Susan,
Anand is sacrificing a knight….please please comment on that….
The Linares website is WORKING on the live games
Incredible move by Anand 27. Ne6!!
Carlsen just made a massive blunder!
+3.55 according to Rybka
The Anand-Carlsen game is at a very interesting stage. Anand has played a very interesting move, appears to be a novelty…..!
Its ANAND ANAND ANAND in this tournament!! He is clear leader now. Will be difficult for even Top to catch him. Great game!!
+9.08 for Anand
Anand missed a winning move!!!
OK, suddenly a different game. Chessbase had the moves screwed up. Anand lead only 1.02!
How do you guys come up with that +9.08 for anand? I dont think carlssen has a much worse position
9.08 was a score for the wrong position, chessbase got the moves wrong
Anand is winning here but surely a good move on 27th isn’ called a ‘novelty’.
Ne6 was a great move bye the way.
Anand – Carlsen (and the other games) can be followed here:
http://www.chesspro.ru/chessonline/onlines/index_314.html
Move 33. +2 for Anand:
2r1b3/q1n4k/p2pNp1p/1p1PpP2/1P6/1B5P/P2Q2PK/2R5 b – – 3 7
The Fat lady is about to sing on the Anand game!
Susan, it was 26.h3, not h4.
Holy cow, Anand totally mopped up the floor with the kid
Annad wins. Cannot believe Rc8 was the loosing move…seemed perfectly natural!
Ne6 was one of those moves which is more psychologically devastating than on the board. It is hard to defend against something like that. Of course it was a good move. But Carlsen collapsed.
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
http://www.PolgarChess.com
Wow that Anand Carlsen game was spectacular ! Anand shows he can win at will ! Incredible !
That Knight sacrifice was more like a Mikhail Tal move – designed to psychologically destroy the opposition. It had a special effect in that Anand beat Carlsen in thier previous encounter. I hope Carlsen can recover from this for the rest of the tournament.
I don’t think Calsen “collapsed”. What he could have done? I don’t see way out after N move..
Svidler wins the prize…for being the most boring player in this tournament
I think Ne6 must have been the result of home prep. It’s just too good a move to come up with over the board.
I predicted the moves from 32 to 37 in leko topa!! :)) lol
As soon as I saw it, I thought …h6 was terrible.
Since Carlsen didn’t take the e6 N right away, it almost looked like the move before Magnus thought it had to retreat.
Black pawn on b4 can be defended, but not the white pawn on a6. I think Topa can still fight it out
Does Topalov win after 43…Rb6?
Topa can win
OK OK is a draw
Here’s a question for Susan. Let’s say Polgar – Polgar game IS taking place. What flag would be on your side, the US or the Hungarian?
I do not have a choice. I am registered under the USA with FIDE 🙂
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
http://www.PolgarChess.com
The Chess flag because she is a professional.
American flag on the table, but the Hungarian flag in her heart 🙂 Right Susan?
Susan: ICC FM and most kibitzer think this is a draw? Are you sure this is a win for Topalov and if so how?
Good for you that you don’t have to make this choice
Susan,
I am a user without any chess software. Could you give the possibility to replay the game while blogging it?
NSP
Replay games here:
http://www.chesspro.ru/chessonline
lol the last two games of topalov are just insane
Anybody say something on the “weak” endgames play of Topalov?
I think Leko is good enough to draw it.
I think that if Leko is good enough, should admit his defeat 😉
Leko has a strong endgame, and while Topy is a 2700+ and therefore can usually handle endgames, it’s one of his “weaker” areas. So even if Leko thinks he’s just barely lost, it would be crazy for him to resign without making Topy “prove” it. In the past year we’ve seen Topy miss a mate in 3, and resign in a drawn position. So even a fish would do well to make him prove it. 🙂
As the Russian saying goes, if you have a stone, throw it.
Leko is low on stones, but not out yet, and not quite out of throwing distance.
I will not be surprised when Leko pulls out the draw.
I think that if Leko is good enough, should admit his defeat 😉
At this point, why should he?
Gabor
I think that if Leko is good enough, should admit his defeat 😉
Hey my Topalov fan. Rybka sucks in these endgames. You better invest in some tablebases from Chessbase. 😉
And he didn’t have to admit defeat, it is a draw!!!
Congratulations Leko.
Thanks Susan for the live blog. It is such a great help for us amateurs.
Gabor
Draw!!
It looks like 77 Rf4 also draws. Comment?
Anonymous Frank
I disagree i think carlsen should have taken the knight. i didnt see an immediate mate. black can play solid defense and come out a piece ahead. if susan knows how white can immediatly win in this position id like to know how this is possible.
wolverine
I am analyzing the game now, so far it looks like Carlsen’s best bet was to take the Knight.
I don’t have a powerful brain chess engine but I do have a powerful Rybka chess engine (stronger that any Polgar or any other human) and using it, it looks like Carlsen’s best bet was to take the knight. If he did then his death would have been slower.
Taking the knight was a no brainer if you don’t see any mates. The option was take the Knight to force White to make its point or resign as leaving the N on e6 is plain crushing.
Sometimes it pays to be a patzer.
i think anands knight move was a bluff and carlsen thought anand had a better hand than he acutally did. anand put some fear into the kid and he caved in. understandable and as this youngster gains experience he’ll probaly be less intimidated by these moves. ponomariov did a similar kind of sacrafice at corus and carlsen had the same fear of taking the piece and ponomariov just layed a beating on him.
wolverine
From what I could tell from computer analysis the knight move was not a bluff but a really good move.
i dont beleive bobby is paranoid or has anxiety. hes very down to earth with quite a sense of humor. i laughed through most of his interviews. hes one of the funniest people to listen to. hes actually a very fair and honest person. in one of his interviews he even says hes a trusting person and people have taken advantage of him. most of the rule changes he demanded are now applauded and used by all the top chess tournaments. at the time fischer made these match condtion demands people thought he was crazy. now theyre lauded as quite brilliant and necessary for fair playing condtions. even his views on match fixing have been supported by karpov and other russian grandmasters. so if theyre admitting to it how much more validity do you need. hes abolutly correct when he says the us land is really the american indians land. how can you dispute this. its completly a fact. even when he made some of his new ideas on the chess board alot of top grandmasters thought he was foolish and making not sound moves until they finally saw his moves for what they were and by that time they were mated. the guy knows what hes talking about. people should start addressing the issues he raises instead of standing behind cheap shots by calling him insane and paranoid. this is just a smoke screen so the issues he raises never really get addressed. this is typical of lowlifes. nothing changes there. the part where hes over board is claiming his belongings were worth hundreds of millions this is obviously an exageration but most things he says are very factual.
wolverine
Wolverine,
Of course Fischer has his moments of lucidity.
But he is unable to stick to a topic for long without bringing up the jews, just as your Fischer ranting is not related to the topic at hand.
obviously this was meant for the saturday open forum. i had this open while i was posting comments on anands game with carleson and posted it here without checking. has his moments? why dont you address the issues. you probaly havnt even listened to what he says other than that short one minute outburst they have on video. listen to hours of what hes saying to get a real perspective. just about every issue he talks about is factual. my ranting because im bringing up facts about fischer. what a compelete joke of a comment that is. i dont agree on his views of blaming everything on jewish and seeing a jewish connection to everything but there is some truth to it. althought ive stated its overboard and exaggerated. his issues with the US such as to there want of world domination, hypocrisy with nuclear power, there breaking of international laws and ther own laws is right on. having the US ransack his trademark name, book profits, properties , passport, bekins belonginsand the russian match fixing. these are all absolutly true. listen to what he says and address the issues he talks about instead of saying hes crazy.
wolverine
Wolverine,
I apologize as you just made an honest mistake posting in the wrong forum.
Fischer is obviously a smart man but I don’t need to be a psychologist to see that he needs help.
Even if he states something that is factual, it all becomes lost to the audience as the facts are not delivered in the proper context. This is called being rational. You can now see how his past experience of feeling cheated by the Soviet is now magnified ten fold when he asserts that all the Karpov vs Kasparov matches were fixed. You can indulge somebody that is on the verge psychologically for so long. I am not saying that Fischer is completely mad but he could use some professional help.
everybody has flaws and prejudices. most people have dark secrets they dont talk about. the difference between fischer and someone else is that hes a famous person so his views are obviously magnified plus he speaks exactly whats on his mind. people are going to go over everything he says in minute detail. hes had alot of unscrupulous people take advantage of him. this is a complete fact. so when a group of people do harmful things to you it probaly stains your view of those people. the irony with fischer is hes half jewish and alot of his friends are jewish. which is kind of strange. nevertheless when you take away his jewish extremism most of the other things he says are very accurate. two things that strike me about fischer. one is his complete honesty and two his absolute insistence on fairness. this is a guy who threw away a world chamionship match because on his insistence of fair playing conditions. you see fairness to fischer is more important than money which testifies to the kind of character he has.
wolverine