(1) Polgar, Judit – Sokolov, Ivan
Essent chess tournament
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0–0 Nxe4 6.d4 b5 7.Bb3 d5 8.dxe5 Be6 9.Nbd2 Be7 10.c3 0–0 11.Bc2 f5 12.Nb3 Qd7 13.Nfd4 Nxd4 14.Nxd4 c5 15.Nxe6 Qxe6 16.f3 Ng5 17.a4 Rad8 18.axb5 axb5 19.Ra7 Rd7 20.Rxd7 Qxd7 21.Kh1 f4 22.b4 c4 23.Qd2 Ne6 24.Rd1 Nc7 25.Qf2 Qe6 26.Qd4 Qc6 27.Kg1 g6 28.Kf1 Bg5 29.Bb2 Ra8 30.Qd2 Ne6 31.Bb1 Rd8 32.Qe1 Qc7 33.h4 Be7 34.Bc1 Qc6 35.Qf2 Rf8 36.Bc2 Bd8 37.Qd2 Bxh4 38.Qxd5 Qb6 39.Qd2 Bg3 40.Qe2 Qa7 41.Be4 Kh8 42.Bd5 Ng7 43.e6 Qe7 [43…Rf5] 44.Qe5 Qh4 45.Ke2 h5?? 46.Be4 Rg8 47.Rd7 Qh1 48.Bd2 1–0
Judit played a nice game. She is a figher and she kept on pushing and pushing. Eventually, Sokolov’s defense cracked and he blundered under pressure.
(2) Mamedyarov, Shakhryar – Topalov, Veselin
Essent chess tournament
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Nf3 Nbd7 6.Bd3 dxc4 7.Bxc4 b5 8.Bd3 Bb7 9.e4 b4 10.Na4 c5 11.e5 Nd5 12.Nxc5 Nxc5 13.dxc5 Bxc5 14.0–0 h6 15.Nd2 0–0 16.Ne4 Bd4 17.Nd6 Bc6 18.Bh7+ Kxh7 19.Qxd4 f6 20.Bd2 Qd7 21.Rac1 a5 22.Qd3+ f5 23.Rc5 Ne7 24.Rfc1 Ra7 25.Be3 Rfa8 26.Qe2 Ra6 27.h4 Qd8 28.Bg5 hxg5 29.Qh5+ Kg8 30.Qf7+ Kh7 31.Qh5+ Kg8 32.Qf7+ Kh7 33.hxg5 Ng6 34.Rxc6 Qxg5 35.Rc8 Nf4 36.g3 Rxc8 37.Rxc8 Qg4 38.Qg8+ Kg6 39.Qe8+ Kh7 40.Qh8+ Kg6 41.Rc7 Qd1+ 42.Kh2 Qh5+ 43.Qxh5+ Nxh5 44.Re7 Rc6 45.Rxe6+ Kh7 46.Nf7 Rxe6 47.Ng5+ 1–0
Topalov needs to have a new repertoire. No matter how good any player is, if he / she keeps playing the similar things over and over again, others will find a way to beat it. Mamedyarov shows today that he is the real thing.
Thank you so much Susan for being so nice with us the chess-aholic.
Anyway.. i wonder why didnt Sokolov play 45…Qh2?
And congrats for your sister.!!
I do hope she wins this tournaments though..
Judit will have the white pieces against Topalov next. And I am rooting for her!
Congrats to Judit on her victory !
Susan .. doesnt 43 .. Rf5 lose to 44. e7
I am so glad Judit won and the Crybaby Sore Loser Topalov lost! Come on Judit, make us proud and smash Topalov next round!
Tomorrow it’s Judit vs. Topalov, with Judit playing White. I know who I’m rooting for — the Lioness of Hungary. 🙂
Perfect Day.
If Judit plays 1. e4 we might get to see some of Topalov’s preparation from the match. Seems a bit risky. I better be there to make sure she crushes him real good.
LOL
A Good Day.
How about some of your famous analysis on the games.
Typical Topalov, he start every tournament with lost. And sometime he win the tounament.
The post said, “Topalov needs to have a new repertoire. No matter how good any player is, if he / she keeps playing the similar things over and over again, others will find a way to beat it. Mamedyarov shows today that he is the real thing.”
I agree. d4 isn’t getting him where a GM at his level needs to be. He is barely playing at the IM level.
I suspect he is under a lot of pressure as one cannot be shielded from the opinions of so many…at least, in the 21st century.
He must be experiencing “hurt feelings.” he is only 31 which, arguably, he has not reached maturity yet.
His OTB play does not show a 2800+ rating.. Then again, you are a much better judge of what “2800” means than I do.
I think that Topalov is simply going through a “slump” and will arise agaain. However, I don’t think he is the best chess player in the world.
He isn’t playing even at the top 20 level. GM Kamsky…will you please defeat this joker of an “ex world champ” and send him back to Bulgaria crying??
In fact, once his games are analyzed, I would not hesitate to say that there are several strong International Masters (not GM’s) that could either:
1. Hold him to a draw ad infinitum or…
2. win most games. This shouldn’t happen if one is a true GM at chess and not an IM.
He is not playing at the level of Polgar, Kamsky, ot Anand.
He will not regain the world title. I wish it were different but I think he is, well, soon to be a name in the index of a future history of chess book.
My advice: Take the money and run, Topalov! It will dry up soon and you might have to actually do physical labor…ney, I doubt that!
I know some Bulgarians and (whom are M.D’s and not
“stupid”) they either don’t know who you are or, of the two that do, think you’re a joke.
Take the money, invest it, buy a nice home, and get an education. You’ll go further in today’s world with an education than a “GM” title that doesn’t get you a job and means little outside of our narrow little pathetic world of chess.
Reality is often a brutish smack in the face. Nevertheless…it is reality. You will never be a Kasparov, a Morphy, nor a Polgar.
But…you can always go to law school, as GM kamsky did, and argue for yourself! Geez, that would be “evolution in action!”
Polgar vs. Sokolov looked drawish. After the time control Sok made a present to Judith and lost.
I hope he is doing better the next games.
“You will never be a Kasparov, a Morphy, nor a Polgar. “
I’m confused by your inclusion of Polgar here. While I like the Polgar sisters and think they have done a lot for chess, none of them have been world champion nor have they had ratings as high as Topalov. In those terms, were Morphy and Kasparov stand out, Topalov has already suprassed the Polgar sisters and it seems unlikely that this will every change (as Judit’s play and rating has been dropping over the past couple years. It seems unlikely she will suddenly rise to #1 at this point)
I’m confused by your inclusion of Polgar here.>>
Anonymous, I do think that heading was made a little tongue in cheek, don’t be so serious!
I will be rooting for Judit to win tomorrow. I usually want her to win, the only exception is when she plays Morozevich, in which case I don’t mind either way, but plan on getting popcorn and watching.
“Topalov needs to have a new repertoire.”
may be he needs a new wristwatch ?
Wayne from Alberta says:
Here is some analysis of the Polgar-Sokolov game from round 1:
GM Polgar,Judit(HUN) (2710) – GM Sokolov,Ivan(NED) (2670) [C83]
Essent Chess Tournament Hoogeveen (1), 22.10.2006
[Analyzed by Wayne from Alberta,Hiarcs 8, Shredder 8]
Opening:Ruy Lopez:Open Defense ECO:C83 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 The Ruy Lopez opening. 3…a6 Morphy’s idea forcing Judit to make a decision about the future of her bishop. 4.Ba4 Nf6 He begins to develop his kingside minor pieces and in the process he creates an attack against her undefended e-pawn. 5.0-0 The main continuation for White in this position. 5…Nxe4 This move defines the variation of the Ruy Lopez being played, it is known as the “open” defense. Sokolov will try to make use of the time Polgar will take to regain the pawn to gain a foothold in the centre. Play usually continues 6.d4 b5I The open variation was former world champion Mikhail Tal’s preferred variation when he played the black side of the Ruy Lopez. 6.d4 The main continuation for White she threatens to immediately regain the pawn by playing dxe5 or Nxe5. This move also reates the threat of d4-d5 in order to attack the c6 knight and cramp Black’s game in the center. 6…b5 A move usually played by Black in this position, driving her bishop back. 7.Bb3 d5 Invariably played by Black at this time, giving support to his knight. This pawn advance also blocks off the white bishop’s diagonal. 8.dxe5 The most often played move for White at this stage of the game, regaining her pawn and by capturing his e-pawn she creates a discovered double-attack against his d-pawn (winning a tempo). 8…Be6 The lost tempo, however he did use the tempo to develop another minor piece. 9.Nbd2 Developing another minor piece and creating an attack against his knight. [The main line is: 9.c3 Bc5 10.Nbd2 0-0 11.Bc2 Nxf2 12.Rxf2 f6 13.exf6 Bxf2+ 14.Kxf2 Qxf6 15.Nf1 Ne5 16.Be3 Rae8] 9…Be7 He simply develops his last minor piece and prepares to castle on the kingside. [Analysis:The main line is: 9…Nc5 10.c3 Be7 (10…d4 11.Ng5!? introduced by Karpov against Korchnoi in the 1978 Karpov-Korchnoi World Chess Championship match.) 11.Bc2 Bg4 12.Re1 Qd7 13.Nf1 Rd8 14.Ne3 Bh5 15.b4 Ne6 16.g4 Bg6 17.Nf5 0-0 18.a4 Rfe8 19.axb5 axb5 20.Bd3 Rb8 21.Qe2 Ncd8] 10.c3 The most often played move for White in this position. This move firstly gives her bishop an escape square on c2 (in case he plays …Na5) and secondly it supports the advance of her d-pawn to d4. 10…0-0 [Analysis:The most popular continuation for Black is: 10…Nc5 and play usually continues: 11.Bc2 Bg4 12.Re1 Qd7 13.Nf1 Rd8 14.Ne3 Bh5 15.b4 Ne6 16.g4 Bg6 17.Nf5 0-0 18.a4 Rfe8 19.axb5 axb5 20.Bd3 Rb8 21.Qe2 Ncd8] 11.Bc2 She creates a double-attack against his knight. Now he must decide whether to move his knight (to c5), capture her knight on d2 (…Nxd2), or guard the knight by playing….f5 or …..Bf5. 11…f5 The main continuation in this position. 12.Nb3 The main continuation for White in this position, she intends to use this knight to support the other one when it moves to d4). [Analysis:If she were to capture the pawn on f6 play would have probably continued: 12.exf6 Nxf6 13.Nb3 Bg4 14.Qd3 Ne4 15.Nbd4 Nxd4 16.Nxd4 Bd6] 12…Qd7 The only move Black plays in this position in my database (39 games) connecting his rooks and overprotecting his f-pawn. 13.Nfd4 The most popular move for this position offering to exchange knights. 13…Nxd4 This capture is almost always played by Black in this position in my database. 14.Nxd4 [Analysis:Rarely played in my database is 14.cxd4 ] 14…c5 The only move Black plays in my database in this position (27 games) offering to exchange Polgar’s knight for his bishop. 15.Nxe6 A move almost always played by White in this position, gaining the two bishops. 15…Qxe6 16.f3 The main continuation in this position for White,chasing his bishop. 16…Ng5 The only safe square the bishop can move to. 17.a4 The most popular continuation for White,threatening to win a pawn by 18.axb5. 17…Rad8 [Analysis:The most popular continuation for Black is 17…g6 ] 18.axb5 The only move White plays in this position in my database (5 games). 18…axb5 19.Ra7 First played in the correspondence game Akesson-Hultquist, Polgar ties down Sokolov’s queen to defend the Black bishop on e7. 19…Rd7N This move app ears to be a theoretical novelty.He offers to exchange rooks on d7. [Analysis:(a): 19…c4 was played in a correspondence game between Akesson and Hultquist.; (b)Shredder 8: 19…b4 20.cxb4 cxb4 21.Be3!? Qxe5 22.Re1 Qd6 23.Bb3 f4 24.Bf2 Bf6 25.Ra5 Kh8 And white has sufficient compensation for the pawn.] 20.Rxd7 Qxd7 21.Kh1 Judit spends a tempo to take her king off the dark-squared diagonal. [Analysis(a):Hiarcs 8: 21.Bxg5 Bxg5 22.Qd3 Qe6 23.f4 c4 24.Qf3 Bd8 25.Rd1 Bb6+ 26.Kh1 Rd8 27.Ra1 Qd7 28.h3 g6 29.Ra6 Rb8=; (b)Shredder 8: 21.Be3 Nf7 22.f4 Nh6 23.h3 Qe6 24.Qf3 Rd8 25.Rd1 Qc6 26.Bf2 Qa8+/-] 21…f4 He spends a tempo to isolate Judit’s e-pawn from her f-pawn which weakens it. [Analysis:Hiarcs 8 and Shredder 8: 21…Ne6 22.Be3 (Shredder 8: 22.f4 d4 23.cxd4 Nxd4 24.Be3 Rd8 25.Bxd4 Qxd4 26.Qxd4 cxd4 27.Bxf5 d3 and Black has insufficient compensation for the pawn.) 22…g6 23.Qd2 f4 24.Bf2 Rd8 25.Bb3 Kf7 26.Ra1 Qc7 27.Re1 Qd7+/=] 22.b4!? She offers a pawn sacrifice. [Analysis: (a)Hiarcs 8: 22.b4 cxb4 23.cxb4 Ne6 (23…Bxb4 24.Bb3 Rd8 25.Qd4 Qe7 26.Rd1 Ne6 27.Bxd5 Kh8) 24.Qd3 g6 25.Bb3 Rd8+/-; (b)Shredder 8: 22.Qd2 Ne6 23.b4 cxb4 24.cxb4 Rd8 25.Bb2 d4 26.Rd1 Kh8+/-] 22…c4 Sokolov declines the pawn and closes down the queenside pawn structure.Now however his d-pawn is on the open d-file and could be subject to a future attack by Judit. [Analysis:Shredder 8: 22…cxb4 23.cxb4 Bxb4 24.Qd3 Qe6 25.Bb2 Qc6 26.Bb3 Rd8 27.Rd1 Kh8 28.Bxd5 Qb6+/-] 23.Qd2 Double-attacking Sokolov’s f-pawn which ties down his rook to defend this pawn.Shredder 8 evaluates this position as +/- 23…Ne6 Sokolov decides to spend a tempo to overprotect his weak f-pawn. 24.Rd1 She creates a double-attack against his d-pawn winning a tempo. 24…Nc7 The lost tempo, however now both is b- and d-pawns are protected. 25.Qf2 She intends to blockade his d-pawn by playing her queen to d4. [Analysis:Shredder 8: 25.Be4 Kh8 26.Qd4 Bg5 27.Bc2 Rd8 28.Bd2 Kg8+/-] 25…Qe6 Blockading her passed pawn. [Analysis:Shredder 8: 25…Qc6 26.Bb2 Ne6 27.Bb1 g6 28.Bc2 Rd8 29.Qa7 Rd7 30.Qb8+ Rd8 31.Qa7 Bf8=] 26.Qd4 Creating a double-attack against his f-pawn threatening to win the pawn by Bxf4. [Analysis:Shredder 8: 26.Qd4 g5 27.Rg1 Bd8 28.g3 Qd7 29.gxf4 Ne6 30.Qd1 Nxf4 31.Bxf4 Rxf4 32.Be4 Kg7+/-] 26…Qc6 Overprotecting both his b- and d-pawns at the cost of leaving his f-pawn enprise. [Shredder 8: 26…Qc6 27.Kg1 Rf7 28.Ba3 Rf8 29.Bb2 Bg5 30.Bc1 Be7 31.Bb2 (Worse is: 31.Bxf4?! Ne6 32.Qa7 Bxb4!? 33.cxb4 Nxf4 34.Re1 Qh6-/+) 31…Qh6+/-] 27.Kg1 Apparently a waiting move, however this idea is not without danger, due to the fact that her queen and king are on the same diagonal and he has a dark-squared bishop. This gives him the possibility of a knight sacrifice on b4 then after his bishop recaptures on b4 he would threaten ….Bc4 winning her queen for his bishop. 27…g6 Rather than protect his enprise f-pawn with his g-pawn he simply advances his g-pawn giving his king luft. [Analysis:Shredder 8: 27…Qb7 28.Kh1 Qc6 29.Bb2 Bg5 30.Ba3 Be7 31.Bc1 Bg5+/=] 28.Kf1 Judit spends a tempo to take her king off the same diagonal as her queen. [Analysis:(a)Inferior is: 28.Bxf4 Ne6 29.Qxd5 Qxd5 30.Rxd5 Nxf4-+] 28…Bg5 He spends a tempo to overprotect his f-pawn which saves it from being lost by Bxf4.Shredder 8 evaluates this position as equal. 29.Bb2 Ending her double-attack against his f-pawn, this could simply be a waiting move to see what Sokolov is planning to play before reacting. [Analysis:Shredder 8: 29.Qc5 Qxc5 30.bxc5 Kf7 31.g3 Ke6 32.Ke2 Kxe5 33.h4 Bh6 34.Re1 Ne6-/+ And White has insufficient compensation for the pawn.] 29…Ra8 Sokalov take s the opportunity to grab the open a-file and now creates the threat of …. Ra2 winning a piece. 30.Qd2 Now if he plays ….Ra2 she can simply move her attacked bishop and be okay. [Analysis:Shredder 8: 30.Qf2 Bh6 31.Qh4 Bg7 32.Qxf4 Ra2 33.Qc1 Bxe5 34.Bb1 Ra8 35.g3 Re8=/+] 30…Ne6 He once again blockades her passed e-pawn and overprotects his weak f-pawn.This comes at the cost of leaving his d-pawn enprise. [Analysis:Shredder 8: 30…Qe6 31.Re1 Qb6 32.Re2 Rd8 33.Qe1 Ra8 34.Rd2 Qe3 35.Re2 Qb6 36.Qd2 Rd8=] 31.Bb1 She spends a tempo to prevent Sokolov from playing …Ra2. 31…Rd8 Now that is attack on the a-file has been thwarted he returns the rook to the d-file where it overprotects his d-pawn preventing her from winning a pawn by Qxd5. 32.Qe1 Now that she can no longer win a pawn on the d-file she returns the queen to the e-file where it protects her weak e-pawn. 32…Qc7 He ties down her queen to the defense of her e-pawn. [Analysis:Shredder 8: 32…Qc7 33.Kg1 Qb6+ 34.Qf2 Qxf2+ 35.Kxf2 Bh6 36.h4 Bg7 37.Re1 d4 38.cxd4 Nxd4 39.Bc3 Nc6 40.h5!? gxh5 41.Bf5 h4 42.Re2 Rd1 43.Be6+ Kf8 44.Bf5 Nd4 45.Bxd4 Rxd4=/+] 33.h4 Attacking his bishop winning a tempo. [Analysis:Hiarcs 8: 33.Bc2 Bh6 34.Ra1 d4 35.cxd4 Nxd4 36.Bxd4 Rxd4 37.e6 Bf8 38.Ra8 Qe7=] 33…Be7 The lost tempo. [Analysis:Hiarcs 8: 33…Bh6 34.h5!? gxh5 35.Qh4 Qf7 36.Qh3 Bg5 37.Qf5 Qe7 38.Rd2 Nc7 39.Re2 h4=] 34.Bc1 She ties down his knight to defend his weak f-pawn. [Analysis:Shredder 8: 34.h5!? gxh5 35.Bf5 Qb6 36.Bc1 Bg5 37.Qe2 Ng7 38.Bh3 Qg6=] 34…Qc6 Overprotecting his d-pawn. [Analysis:Shredder 8: 34…Qb6 35.h5 g5 36.g3 fxg3 37.Be3 g2+ 38.Kxg2 Nf4+ 39.Bxf4 gxf4=] 35.Qf2 She gives her queen more mobility by placing it on the open diagonal. [Analysis:Hiarcs 8: 35.h5 g5 36.g3 fxg3 37.Qxg3 h6 38.Qg4 d4 39.Qf5 d3 40.Qg6+ Kf8 41.Kf2 Qd5 42.Qxh6+ Ng7 43.Bxg5 Qxe5 44.Bxe7+ Qxe7=/+] 35…Rf8 Overprotecting his f-pawn. [Analysis:(a)Shredder 8: 35…Qc7 36.h5 gxh5 37.Bxf4 Nxf4 38.Qg3+ Ng6 39.Bxg6 hxg6 40.Qxg6+ Kf8 41.Qh6+ Kg8 42.Qg6+ Kf8 43.Qxh5 d4 44.Qh8+ Kf7 45.Qh7++/-; (b)Hiarcs 8: 35…d4 36.cxd4 Bxb4 37.h5 g5 38.Qc2 Nf8 39.Kf2 Qb6 40.Bb2 Qh6 41.Ba1 Be7 42.Rh1 Qe6=] 36.Bc2 This seems to be a waiting move, she simply is content with her position and she allows him to move before committing to any plan.By placing the bishop here she does prevent him from moving his knight to a4 in the future by the manuevre …Nc7-a8-b6-a4 (which would attack her weak c-pawn and probably force her to play …Bxa4 (giving him a passed a-pawn). [Analysis:Shredder 8: 36.h5 g5 37.Qa7 Rf7 38.Qf2 Bf8 39.Re1 Bg7 40.Kg1 Re7=/+] 36…Bd8 Possibly intending to win a tempo by playing the bishop to b6 attacking her queen. 37.Qd2? She offers to exchange her h-pawn for his d-pawn.The Shredder 8 evaluation program labelled this move as a mistake. [Analysis:Shredder 8 and Hiarcs 8:Better is >=37.h5!? g5 38.Qd2 Nc7 39.Qd4 Qh6 40.g4 fxg3 41.Qg4 Qe6 42.Qxe6+ Nxe6 43.Kg2 Nf4+ 44.Bxf4 gxf4 45.Rxd5 Be7=] 37…Bxh4 38.Qxd5 She regains material equality.Now Sokolov must decide whether or not to exchange queens. 38…Qb6 He avoids the exchange of queens and he avoids the loss of tempo by creating the game ending threat of 39…Qf2 checkmate. [Analysis:Shredder 8: 38…Qb6 39.Qd2 Rd8 40.Qe2 Rxd1+ 41.Bxd1 Bg3 42.Bc2 Bh2 43.Ke1 Bg3+ 44.Kf1 Bh2 45.Ke1 Qg1+ 46.Kd2 Qe3+ 47.Qxe3 fxe3+ 48.Ke2 Bxe5 49.Bxe3 Bxc3 50.Be4 Bxb4 51.Bc6 Kg7 52.Bxb5 c3 53.Kd3 Kf6 54.Bc4 h5-/+] 39.Qd2 Judit is forced to spend a tempo to deal with the game ending threat. 39…Bg3 Sokolov overprotects his f-pawn. [Analysis:Shredder 8: 39…Rd8 40.Qe2 Rxd1+ 41.Bxd1 Bg3 42.Bc2 Bh2 43.Ke1 Bg3+ 44.Kd1 Qg1+ 45.Kd2 Bf2 46.Bd1 h5 47.Kc2 Qxg2 48.Qd2 Ng7-/+] 40.Qe2 She intends to move her queen to d5. This move however allows Sokolov (if he wants to) to play the move 40…..Bh2 which would threaten the game ending 40…Qf1 checkmate. [Analysis:Shredder 8: 40.Qe2 Qc7 41.Bd2 Qg7 42.Be1 Qh6 43.Bf2 Qh1+ 44.Bg1 the only move 44…Bh2 45.Qf2 the only move 45…Ng7=/+] 40…Qa7 He intends to transfer his queen to the kingside (h4) via the e7 square. [Analysis:Shredder 8: 40…Rd8!? 41.Rd2 Rxd2 42.Qxd2 Bh2 43.Ke2 Qg1 44.Qd5 Qxg2+ 45.Kd1 Qf1+ 46.Kd2 Qf2+ 47.Kd1 Qg1+ 48.Ke2 Qg2+ 49.Kd1 Qg1+=] 41.Be4= She gives her bishop more mobility and prevents Sokolov from moving his rook to a8. This move also prevents him from moving his queen to the h1-a8 diagonal and threatens the move 42.Bd5 pinning his knight (and if he were to move the knight on his next move then her bishop on d5 would support the advance of her passed e-pawn to e6).Shredder 8 evaluates this position as equal. 41…Kh8 He spends a tempo to prevent the pin of his knight. [Analysis:Hiarcs 8: 41…Qe7 42.Bd5 Kg7 43.Bxe6 Qxe6 44.Qe4 Rf5 45.Rd5 Rh5 46.Bd2 Rh1+ 47.Ke2 the only move 47…Rg1 48.Rxb5 Rxg2+ 49.Kd1 Bh4+/-] 42.Bd5 Attacking his unguarded knight winning a tempo (unless he plays …Nc7). [Analysis:Shredder 8: 42.Rd6 Qe7 43.Qd2 Nc7 44.Qd4 Ne6 45.Qd2 Nc7 46.Qd4 Ne6 47.Qb6 Ng5 48.Bc6 Qxe5 49.Qd4 Rf5 50.Rd8+ Kg7 51.Rb8 Qxd4 52.cxd4 c3+/- And White has compensation for the pawn.] 42…Ng7 The lost tempo. [Analysis:Shredder 8:Better is >=42…Rd8 43.Rd2 Qa1 44.Qd1 Qa7 45.Qe2 Qa1 46.Qd1 Qa7 47.Qe2 Qa1=] 43.e6 Advancing her passed pawn up the board. 43…Qe7 He uses his queen as a blockader of her passed pawn.This move also creates the game ending threat of ….Qh4-h1 checkmate. 44.Qe5 Pinning his knight and creating a double-attack against his f-pawn. 44…Qh4 He decides to force her to spend a tempo to defend against the checkmate threat on h1. 45.Ke2 The lost tempo. 45…h5?? GM Susan Polgar on her chess blog gave this move the ?? [Analysis:Shredder 8:Better (however not saving the game) is: 45…Qh2 46.Rd4 Qxg2+ 47.Kd1 Qh1+ 48.Kc2 Qh2+ 49.Bd2 Qh5 50.Qxh5 Nxh5 51.Bc6 Bh4 52.Bxb5 Ng7 53.Bd7 Bg5 54.Rxc4+-] 46.Be4 She threatens to capture his g-pawn. 46…Rg8 47.Rd7 Double-attacking his pinned knight which ties down his rook and king to defend this piece. 47…Qh1?? He creates the game ending threat of 48… Qe1 checkmate however this move is a blunder. [Analysis:Better (however not saving the game) is: >=47…Kh7 48.Rf7 (48.Bd2 Kh6 49.Rf7 Qg5 50.Qxg5+ Kxg5 51.e7 Ne6 52.Bc6 Nc7 53.Rf8 Rg7 54.e8Q Nxe8 55.Rxe8+-) 48…Qh1 49.Bd2 Qxg2+ 50.Kd1 Kh6 51.e7 Qg1+ 52.Kc2 Qb6 53.Rxg7 Re8 54.Rf7 h4 55.Bxf4+ Bxf4 56.Qxf4+ Kh5 57.Rh7#] 48.Bd2 1-0 Sokolov resigned. One continuation which ends in Black being checkmated is: 48.. Qxg2+ 49. Kd1 Qf1+ 50. Kc2 Qd3+ 51. Bxd3 cxd3+ 52. Kxd3 Kh7 53. Rf7 Bh4 54. Kc2 Bg5 55. Qxg5 Rd8 56. Bxf4 Kg8 57. Qxg6 Rd2+ 58. Bxd2 h4 59. Qxg7#. 1-0
Wayne from Alberta says:
Here is some analysis of the Polgar-Sokolov game from round 1:
sorry fell asleep..what was that again
I was glad to see Topalov lose. Payback for Elista.
Although he is undoubtedly a 2730-50 class player it is difficult to imagine him winning a fair match against Kramnik, Anand or Leko….he just loses too many games.
He makes a large number of blunders suggesting that his calculations are far less accurate than a Karpov, Kasparov or Kramnik.
This problem suggests that if he does not gain a well studied, attacking position from the opening then he falls to 2700 level- at best.
His work ethic and fighting spirit should be admired but he will retain his No.1 slot for long.