Topalov – Ivanchuk (Round 9 – Linares)
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5. Bd3 Bc5 6.Nb3 Ba7 7.Qe2 d6 8.Be3 Nc6 9.f4 Ne7 10.O-O O-O 11.c3 (White is slightly better due to space advantage and better development. I am not sure how effective the LIVE blogging is since Linares is having a bigger broadcasting problem than Morelia. I will do the best I can.) 11…b5 12.N1d2 Bxe3+ 13.Qxe3 Rb8 14.Kh1 Qb6 (The rule of thumb is when you have less space, trade pieces. As White, you would not want to trade.) 15.Qe2 a5 16.a3 Bd7 17.Rf3 (An interesting line here is 17.e5 to open up the diagonal.) 17…Ng6 18.g3 (White is taking his time building up pressure on the Kingside.) 18…Rfd8 19.Rd1 Nce7 20.h4 h6 21.Kh2 (White seems to be in good shape with a potential strong attack on the Kingside. But it is harder than it looks.) 21…Be8 22.Rg1 (I would play 22…b4 to create some counter attack on the Queenside.) 22…Nc6 23.h5 Nf8 24.g4 e5 25.g5 hxg5 (Now White is clearly better.) 26.fxg5 Rb7 27.Qf1 (I prefer 27.Qh2 here.) Ne6 28.h6 g6 29.Nc1 Qc7 30.Qf2 Qe7 31.Qh4b4 32.Nc4 bxc3 33.bxc3 d5 34.exd5 Rxd5 (White is better but the position is wild. Mistakes can happen at any time, especially in time pressure.) 35.Re3 Qc5 36.Rf1 Rb2+ 37.Rf2Rxf2+ 38.Qxf2 Qe7 39.Be4 Rd1 (I think Topalov has misplayed the position. Black is fine and perhaps even slightly better now. The White King is too vulnerable.) 40.Qc7 Rd8 41.Nd3 Nxg5 42.Bxc6 Bxc6 43.Ndxe5 Qf6 44.Nxc6 Qxc6 45.Qe2 Qc7+ 46.Ne5 Rd5 (Black is clearly better now. But the question is can Ivanchuk capitalize on this when he is very low on time.) 47.Kg2 (47…Qd6 now would be decisive for Black.) 47…Ne6?! (Clearly not as effective.) 48.Qc4 (Black must keep the Queen on the board to have any chance to win. Trading Queens = draw.) 48…Qe7 49.Kg3 Qg5+50.Ng4 Rc5 51.Qe4 Rf5 52.Rf3 Kh7 53.c4 a4 54.Qe3 Qe7 55.Qc3 Qc7+ 56.Kf2 (Both sides are in severe time pressure so moves are flying. Black is still better but not so easy to close it out.) 56…Rxf3+ 57.Qxf3 Qc5+ 58.Ne3 f5 59.Qb7+ Kxh6 60.Qd5 Qe7 61.Qe5 (Black is better but White is hanging tough. Still not so easy to close it out due to the weak King.) 61…Qh4+ 62.Kf1 Ng5 63. Qh8+ Nh7 64. Qe5 Nf6 65.Ke2 Kg5 66.c5 Qh5+ 67.Kd3 (Ke1 is more accurate and gives White a better chance to hold.) 67…Qf3 68. Kc4 Qb7 (White has to play 69.Qg3+) 69.Qc3? (Now 69…Ne4 and Black should be able to wrap up the game.) 69…Ne4 70.Qb4 (Black should not trade Queens.) 70…Qa6+ 71.Kd4 Qf6+ 72.Kd5 Kf4 73.Qd4 Qf7+ 74.Kc6 Qe8+ 75.Kb6 Qb8+ 76.Ka6 Qa8+ 77.Kb6 Qb8+ 1/2 and Topalov escaped with a draw. For those of you who sits at home arming yourself with Fritz, it is not as easy to win a won position as you think 🙂
Good Morning Susan and thanks for the coerage!!
tic tac tic toe, hi susan that tone rings a bell to my ears but im not sure from where, any ideas?
do u think today will be a very special day at linare, i hope so.
good morning by the wsay.
linares is supposed to have better internet connection 🙁
Topalov – Ivanchuk 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5. Bd3 Bc5 6.Nb3 Ba7 7.Qe2 d6 8.Be3 Nc6 9.f4 Ne7 10.O-O O-O 11.c3
How do you know its Topa game
crestbook gives
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.g3 Ba6 5.Qb3 Be7 6.Nc3 O-O 7.e4 Нет
To anonymous about internet connection. There has been some speculation that the internet coverage is on delay to reduce the possibility of computer assistance being used.
Not sure if it is true though.
I don’t know if its live or delay, but I am getting the feed from PlayChess and it looks pretty good to me.
L8R
Raths
why talk “english” all the time – is there any reason for us-americans not to talk spanish, or italian, or french or even german…?
slightly confused
PS: hungarian is, besides the fin language, the only exception … ^^
Topalov 1:44:00 – Ivanchuk 0:44:43
Meanwhile Svidler is destroying Anand!
No actually the position is equal between Anand and Svidler…infact Anand is slightly better.
@ vohaul: i am the guy who made the comment about the linares-homepage being in spanish and i am actually not american ( the ‘us-americans’ part of your comment seemed to imply that ). I am german and i certainly dont expect people to be able to speak my language, however i do expect them to have some basic knowledge in english if they are to host an international event. English is de facto the only language that provides means for international communication whereas spanish,italian,french or german for that matter are more of a local phenomenon; which actually answers your question about the reasons why americans are not trying to ‘talk’ in other languages other than their own.
So far the only tournament with proffessionaly made site M-Tel Masters, Sofia. http://www.mtelmasters.com
They even had a “guess the move game” for the online viewers with nice prizes.
@anononym 12.24 – talk to the french… ^^
Linares si usually the strongest chess event of the year. Whovever wins maybe is number one in the world?
In Topalov-Ivanchuk, after 25…hxg5 black is a little (very little) better according with some chess programs.
@vohaul: that comment really made my day, lol =P
Anyone know what is happening with the other matches ?? who is winning / losing ..etc ?? what happ to Anand – Svidler ??
Carlsen – Aronian 1/2-1/2
Morozevic – Leko (tiny advantage for Leko who has rook x bishop)
I think Topalov has not much (move 31). Yet, he can hope for Chuckys time trouble?
Svidler – Anand equal material, Svidler with advantage> R,R,K,5pawns vs R,R,B,5pawns but Svidler is more active.
Svidler-Anand is actually a draw
Svidler mistake in 41 move. Instead of 41.Re3, played 41.f3 (pasive) and now Anand has the chance for activate his rook.
Morozevic is crushing Leko.
Yes the iceman is winning. But I don’t understand why Leko didn’t play 39…Rxe6
(after 41.Nd3) Susan, is it really only =+. Isn’t black almost winning? g5 and h6 seem to be dead.
Is Morozevich really winning? What about 42…Rxe6 43.de Rf3+ 44.Bg3 Qh6+ 45.Kg2 Re3
With 39…Rxe6 we have a final> Q,B,P vs R,R,B with white advantage (for position of black king and white pawn).
Instead of Leko’s 40…Kh8? ->40…Qh7 and is not possible 41.Rxg7
Yes, Moro is winning. After 45..Re3 46.Rg6+ Rxe5 47.Bxe5 Kh7 48. Rxh6+ Kxh6 etc
Leko’s torture is finishing.
Topalov just played 46. Ne5.
What is prognosis on this?
Chuky answered 46…..Rd5.
47. Kg2 by Topalov.
47…….Ne6 by Chuky.
Is 48. Nxg6 playable?
Topy is ready for intensive care.
Come on Chucky! Whats wrong with u? If u need a manager gimme a call, OK?
No, 47.Kxg6 Rg5+ and 48.Rxg6
Sorry, keyboard problems -> 48.Nxg6 Rg5+ and 49.Rxg6 🙂
was 61. Qxf5 possible ?
no 61. ..Qh4+
RE: Linares being the strongest:
There are notable players missing
Kamsky, Polgar nad of course the World Champion too
Kamsky,Polgar…??
You must be yoking ?!
Oh yes, also Kasparov, Karpov, Fischer… 🙂
topalov lucky chucky unlucky the summarise of this game
No Fritzs here, theres is other(s) much better. But im sure u know that ;).
Susan, why do you think that we analyse with Fritz? I am sure lots of those guys using Rybka which gives always better analysis 🙂 I think no need for Fritz if you have Rybka uci engine
Susan, thax for your live commentary! I have Rybka, Fritz, Hiarcs but prefer to work out things in my head by myself and use your commentary as a guide what to look for. The only use I have for the computer programs/engines is to check my games for tactical oversites and to practice against as a tool to make me a better chess player OVER THE BOARD! The Chess Database I have which I keep current is to study openings and tactics/endgames. I also like to go over top players games to see how they handle similar openings or positions I encounter but nothing tops having a strong player such as yourself when I view your DVD’s on Fischer’s games and Karpov’s DVD’s on Fischer’s games. Presently I am also studying Spassky’s games with aid of new book Boris Spassky Master of Initiative by Alexander Raetsy and Maxim Chetverik. By your help in your blog spot problems I have learned to discipline and think for myself and thanx to you I have won my local club championship something many masters have not been able to do, so Susan, keep up the great work here it is appreciated.
On 27.Qf1 you commented “(I prefer 27.Qh2 here.)”
However, that is not possible since on move 21 the king moved to h2.
Topalov”s games have been the most interesting of this tournment, in my opinion.
Hello chess lovers,
its late night all over europe already. Round is done.
I really enjoy your comments.
Really great. Emotions etc.
Wow. Just cool.
I sit here with my Whiskey and have big fun just by reading these line.
Thanks to all!
have fun
K. from Dortmund
(wich is in german speaking zone of old europe)
Topalov Le Magnifique!