Today, I. Sokolov has White against Judit while Topalov has White against Mamedyarov. Can Sokolov and Topalov bounce back? Can Judit and Mamedyarov continue their winning ways?
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Topalov, Veselin – Mamedyarov, Shakhryar
Essent chess tournament, Hoogeveen, 2006
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.c3 0-0 9.h3 Nb8 10.d4 Nbd7 11.Nbd2 Bb7 12.Bc2 Re8 13.a4 Bf8 14.Bd3 c6 15.Rb1 Qc7 16.Qc2 g6 17.axb5 axb5 18.dxe5 dxe5 19.Nb3 Reb8 20.c4 bxc4 21.Bxc4 Ba6 22.Nbd2 Nc5 23.Bxa6 Rxa6 24.Nc4 Nfd7 25.Rd1 Ne6 26.Be3 Raa8 27.Qd2 Rd8 28.Qc3 c5 29.Nfxe5 Bg7 30.f4 g5 31.g3 gxf4 32.gxf4 Nxe5 33.Nxe5 Bxe5 34.fxe5 Kh8 35.Bf2 Qe7 36.Qf3 Rg8+ 37.Kh1 Rg6 38.Rd5 (I think both sides have chances. Black is down a pawn but his King is safer.) 38…Rag8 39.Rg1 Rxg1+ 40.Bxg1 Rg6 41.Kh2 Kg7 42.Be3 (This is a toss up position but this is Topalov’s strength. Mamedyarov has to be very careful.) 42…c4 43.Rd6 Qc7 44.h4 Qa5 45.Rd5 Qe1 46.Kh3 Kf8?? (Now 47.Rd7 and Topalov should notch his first victory in this tournament.) 47.Rd7 Rg3+ (There is nothing here. This game is about to be over.) 48.Qxg3 Qh1+ (I am filming this morning for National Geographic. This will be a big chess movie with lots of special effects and modern technology. That is why no live blogging analysis.) 49.Kg4 Qxe4+ 50.Kh5 (Black will run out of checks and the game will soon end.) Black resigns. This is how Topalov should play all the time. This was how he won San Luis. It is one thing to play for the win. It is another thing to take unnecessary chances.
Sokolov, Ivan – Polgar, Judit
Essent chess tournament, Hoogeveen, 2006
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 0-0 5.Bd3 d5 6.a3 Bxc3+ 7.bxc3 dxc4 8.Bxc4 c5 9.Ne2 Qc7 10.Ba2 b6 11.0-0 Ba6 12.Re1 Nc6 13.Ng3 Rad8 14.Bb2 e5 15.Qc2 Rd7 16.Rad1 Rfd8 17.h3 c4 18.a4 Re8 19.Ba3 e4 20.Bb1 Rd5 21.Ne2 Rg5 22.Nf4 Bc8 23.Qe2 Qd7 24.Qxc4 Na5 25.Qb4 Nd5 26.Nxd5 Qxd5 27.h4 Rg4 (I think White is slightly better but Black has compensation. This is the kind of position where Judit excels in and Sokolov has problems with. It will be interesting to see if he can defend a position like this.)
28.Qb5 Qd8 29.g3 a6 30.Qb4 (I think 30.Qf1 is a lot safer.) Qxh4 31.Bxe4 Rxg3+ 32.fxg3 Qxe4 33.Rd2 Qf3 34.Kh2 Qh5+ 35.Kg1 Qf3 36.Kh2 Bf5 37.e4 Bxe4 38.Rxe4 Qxe4 39.d5 Nc4 0-1 A brilliant game by Judit!
I guess Topa has something up his sleeve with e4. I really want him to beat the crap of mamedyarov today.
Looks like Black has about equalised in Topalov game (move 22) but lots of play left.
Judit’s game still very early days.
The Topalov-Mamedyarov game looks really fascinating. Veselin’s not playing with his usual zest today; I think Shakh’s got some winning chances here.
In Sokolov Polgar game the pressure on d4 is so tremendous that I wonder how this fragile glass pawn hasn’t burst into pieces yet :)))
In Polgar game white still better as Black’s Ba6 is less good than white’s bishop pair. Also Nf3 has f5 to hop into.
Edge for white…very much in familiar territory for both players.
Topalov – 22. Bxf7 — is there anything wrong with this move to pick up the hanging knight on c5 — at work and can’t pull up the screen much or analyze 😉
never mind – missed the B on f8 – switching screens fast 😉
In Topalov game now 24..Nfd7 and Nc5 goes to e6. Black perfectly OK here.
Equal game
Now 26…c5 and its quite hard for white to get Nd5 but Black can go …Nd4. Black’s Bf8 may not be better than a white K so =
Another crushing vistory of Cheparinov. This time it is against Ian Rogers. After round 7 Cheparinov is a coleader. Very well done.
Cheparinov – Rogers was a very good game in my opinion. By the style you can tell Cheparinov works with Topa
Yeah it was cool and pretty fast game 😛
Sokolov – Polgar
any comments available regarding the following suggestion:
17. …b5!?
e.g.:
18. dxc5 Na5
19.Rxd7 Rxd7
20.Ne4 Nxe4
21.Qxe4 Qxc5
22.Qa8+ Qf8
23.Qe4 …
e.g.
23…. Bb7
24.Qb4 Qxb4
25. cxb4 Nc6
26.Kf1
?!
The python smiles slightly as she slowly crushes her prey…
I think I quite like black here for Polgar.
Susan must be busy for her not to comment on Judit’s game. It’s move 21 and in my opinion white has a cramped positon. Judit should be playing on the queen side, as that is where her space is…but we all know she isn’t into static concerns. Tactics, Tactics, Tactics is Judit’s game. I see her as having a very slight edge here.
why has susan stopped posting the moves?
I don’t see any way for Judit to crash whites defences (white on the other hand has posibilities for attack), tactics do not work at the moment … I think Sokolov has the better position.
D.K.
Time will tell. I think Judit has more chances than Sokolov. What is the time control here 40/120 ?
Crafty again saying something supid about Mamedyarovs position (I think it is drawn, my evalutation wuld be += white has an edge because blacks quen is cut off but crafty think it is more like +/- 1,7 ?! must instal Rybka back!)
D.K.
Topalov will definetly draw now:
35.Bf2 Rxd1+ 36.Rxd1 Qb7 37.Re1 Rb8 38.Bxc5 Rg8+ 39.Kh1 Nxc5 40.Qxc5 Qxb2 41.Rg1 Rxg1+ 42.Kxg1 Kg7 43.h4 Qb1+ 44.Kh2 Qxe4 45.Qg1+ Qg6
I think this line is rather forced … so 1/2 -1/2
D.K.
Where are you Susan? I really miss you insights and commentary especially with her little sister playing today? Here’s hoping that you’ll be here later with some of your usually fine notes. They really make these kind of games more enjoyable and even if you aren’t able to do this today I want you to know that I have greatly appreciated them previously!
Judith beeing a tactical “monster” (those are Seirawans words) has a forced draw here I think …
26.Nxd5 Rxg2+ 27.Kxg2 Qxh3+ 28.Kg1 Qg4+ 29.Kf1 Ba6+ 30.Bd3 Bxd3+ 31.Rxd3 Qh3+ 32.Kg1 Qg4+ 33.Kf1 Qh3+ 34.Kg1 [34.Ke2 Qh5+ 35.f3 exd3+ 36.Kxd3 Qxd5] 34…Qg4+ 35.Kf1 1/2
But I must look at whar happens if 27. K goes somewhere else …
D.K.
Jep she has a forced drw here because if King doesn’t take on g2 then:
26.Nxd5 Rxg2+ 27.Kf1 Qxh3 28.Nf4 Ba6+ 29.Bd3 Bxd3+ 30.Rxd3 Qh1+ 31.Ke2 exd3+ 32.Nxd3 Qh5+ 33.Kd2 0-1
Ok it is not 0-1 but black has a huge advantage that will become 0-1 …
D.K.
NO! I think she just blundered!?
D.K.
Judit 29…Bd7 wins
If Sokolov doen’t blunder in time truble then Judit is lost 10 moves in 10 minutes … she still has a chance!
D.K.
jep, she blundered twice
29. … Bd7 looses by force:
29.g3 Bd7 [29…a6] 30.Qb4 Qxh4 31.Bxe4 Bxa4 [31…Rgxe4 32.gxh4;
31…Rexe4 32.Qf8#] 32.Qxa4 Rexe4 33.Kg2 h6 34.Qd7 Rg5 35.Rh1 Qg4 36.Qxg4 Rexg4 [36…Rgxg4 37.f3 Rxg3+ 38.Kxg3] 37.d5 Ra4 38.Bb4 1-0
D.K.
Wow, what a slugfest…… (after 32.)
Gabor
Judit should be busted but lots of tricks
WOW noy my engine gives the advantage to Judith (I don’t see it but if the compy says so then she must be better!)
D.K.
WOW Judith g in for the kill 34. Qh5+ to reach time contoll!
D.K.
QM1 Todd R. Forbes (Ret) said…
Anonymous said…
jep, she blundered twice
well, with a 2,5(3) lead I would have
taken the draw with Rxg2 (first time)
then I did not play Qxh4 (twice)
If she does win that game, this is because white eventually blundered later …
It’s sort of like Susan’s latest puzzle with the colors reversed, the attacker is down on material but the queen chases down the opponent’s king!
Judit WON!!!! What a great game!
Judith played a great game today!!! An attacking genious!
D.K.
Sokolov-Polgar: 0-1 at move 39. That was an exciting finish. 🙂
Hooray for Judit
What an exciting WIN!
Well played Judit, fine game!
She is certainly playing some great chess. Her style of play is quite exciting to watch…and learn from.
Bravo Judit.
Susan is filming a documentary today for National Geographic
David said…
29. … Bd7 looses by force:
29.g3 Bd7 [29…a6] 30.Qb4 Qxh4 31.Bxe4 Bxa4 [31…Rgxe4 32.gxh4;
31…Rexe4 32.Qf8#] 32.Qxa4 Rexe4 33.Kg2 h6 34.Qd7 Rg5 35.Rh1 Qg4 36.Qxg4 Rexg4 [36…Rgxg4 37.f3 Rxg3+ 38.Kxg3] 37.d5 Ra4 38.Bb4 1-0
D.K.
David, give me a few minutes to check this…I saw the whites Queen retreat as losing. I’ll be with you in about 20 minutes.
Good that Judit won. Position looked to turn against white but maybe Black always OK?
Hard to work out Topalov’s game. hard to get Bishop to f6. Alos although can attack c5 3 times it allows counterplay.
I suspect white a bit better but Black looks easier to play. Hope Black wins.
I think that Mamedyrovs 35. … Qe7 will cost him the game!
D.K.
Looks like 42..c4!? may be attempt to play for the win as white king a bit exposed.
If Topalov’s grading already dropping c.26 points after Elisa and now here so far.
A loss here and 1/2 to follow will put Anand back at #1 rating.
congratulations to judit!!!
Can someone explain the last five or so moves of Solokov-Polgar? My head is starting to hurt…
Weldone to Judit. Sincere congratulations. Looks like Mamedyarov is not doing so well against Topalov and Judit may become the sole leader.
Brava, Judit! You made my day. My daughter’s too.
Topalov would like to switch to gothic chess now, so he can get his B to f6 via g4! 🙂
43. … Qc7? and not Qb7 … The b pawn might do harm Mamedyrov?! (he might have lost a tempo now!?)
D.K.
Woohoo Judit!
Crush them all! I want 5.5/6!
“Topalov would like to switch to gothic chess now, so he can get his B to f6 via g4! :-“
?
He better to switch to computer chess as Kramnik will do soon :-
If Toply blunders higly unlikely Mamedyrov might still make it:
44.h4 Qe7 45.h5 Qh4+ 46.Qh3 Rg4 47.Qxh4 Rxh4+ 48.Kg3 Rxh5 49.Rc6 Rxe5 50.Rxc4 h5 51.b4 Kg6 52.Kf3 h4 53.Kg4 Rh5 54.Kh3 f6 55.Bd2
D.K.
Topa deserves to win.
He is such a brilliant player in a mindhole (considering first 2 games)
Go Topa Go
Veselin cracks his knuckles, rolls up his sleeves, and dons the butcher’s apron. Did Mamedyarov see the freshly sharpened axe sitting in the corner?
QM1 Todd R. Forbes (Ret) said…
David said…
29. … Bd7 looses by force:
29.g3 Bd7 [29…a6] 30.Qb4 Qxh4 31.Bxe4 Bxa4 [31…Rgxe4 32.gxh4;
31…Rexe4 32.Qf8#] 32.Qxa4 Rexe4 33.Kg2 h6 34.Qd7 Rg5 35.Rh1 Qg4 36.Qxg4 Rexg4 [36…Rgxg4 37.f3 Rxg3+ 38.Kxg3] 37.d5 Ra4 38.Bb4 1-0
D.K.
David, give me a few minutes to check this…I saw the whites Queen retreat as losing. I’ll be with you in about 20 minutes.
Okay, it was about twenty minutes and I didn’t use any computer software so I may have a mistake. 29…Be7 forces whites Queen into a position where it is out of play unless it retreat along the f1-a6 diagonal. It’s not a forced win for white. If white Queen retreat as you suggest, black wins with 30…Qh4! following your line 31. be4 now Black’s move is 31…Rg3+ 32. fg3 Qe4 33. Rdd2 Qf3 and Judit wins as in the game.
Rd7 looks deadly to me now.
46…Kf8!?
3 results still possible.
Give me a moment to check things out (I didn’t use an engine so I might have got the wrong attack for black …)
D.K.
Congrats to Judit and Topa with the victories!! Very well done
Black missed 50…Ng7+ 51.Qg7+ Kg7 52.Bh6+ mate in 1 when played 46…Kf8?? but such a nice line.
Looks like had to go 46…h5 (idea ..RG4) 47.Rd1 Qb4 which is still double edged
To: QM1 Todd R. Forbes:
You are right didn’t see that line!
But however in retrovision there is a draw:
29…Bd7 30.Qb4 Qxh4 31.Re2 Rxg3+ 32.fxg3 Qxg3+ 33.Rg2 Qxe3+ 34.Rf2 1/2 -1/2
Have you got an improvement on this line too? (I’m a bit tired but I think white can hold)
D.K.
50..Ng7+ 51.Qxg7!! and Bh6, Rd8 mate!
David said…
To: QM1 Todd R. Forbes:
You are right didn’t see that line!
But however in retrovision there is a draw:
29…Bd7 30.Qb4 Qxh4 31.Re2 Rxg3+ 32.fxg3 Qxg3+ 33.Rg2 Qxe3+ 34.Rf2 1/2 -1/2
Have you got an improvement on this line too? (I’m a bit tired but I think white can hold)
David, I tend to agree that this is a draw, but I checking for an improvement. White’s King position is exposed to say the least. Check back later, say in about 30 minutes.
Amazing victory by Topalov!
Of course, Susan was perfectly right that the position is of those he likes better.
It clearly showed how deep his chess understanding can be when he manages to
stay focused. Keep in mind that there were no blunders. The whole idea of
transferring Black’s queen to e1 was wrong and Topalov helped us see it.
Here is a winning line (by Shredder) in case of more stubborn reply from Black.
(46… Kh8 47. Rb5 Rg8 48. Bg5 Rc8 49. Rb7 Qg1 50. Be3 Qg6
51. Rxf7 Rb8 52. h5 Qg5 53. Rf8+ Rxf8 54. Qxf8+ Nxf8 55. Bxg5)
To me Ian Roger’s position looked quite sound until he played
22…O-O?
Which I think wasted a vital tempo and allowed white to break into his position and completely gave away the initiative.
22…cxb4!?
seems a much better move to me even if it allows 23.Nb6
Goloshchapov-Brodsky was absolutely hilarious/terrible/embarrassing to watch. I first looked at it after each player had spent a quarter of an hour on the clock – they were up to move 6! another hour later and it was a 13 move grandmaster draw of the worst kind, with a position looking like it came out of a game played a full century ago.
Smeets-Gurevich was okay to watch, black seemed to be playing more accurately but both players played some fairly suprising moves.
Judit’s play was great the way she overcame her disadvantages in the centre and queenside by creating a mixture of threats and attacks against white’s kingside. She really is quite gutsy when it comes to sacrificing material and Sokolov probably thought he was safe right up until the end. Very well played. It is very exciting to see Judit in the lead with 3.5/4 a full point ahead. It looks like she is set for first at Essent. It will also be good to see her go back up the charts after the disappointment at San Luis.
The way Topalov handled the Ruy Lopez in his game he really did have all the right ideas. Another well deserved win.
Hmm.. Judit’s moves match 84% with Fritz9. Perhaps she is cheating in her bathroom. ;p
David said…
To: QM1 Todd R. Forbes:
You are right didn’t see that line!
But however in retrovision there is a draw:
29…Bd7 30.Qb4 Qxh4 31.Re2 Rxg3+ 32.fxg3 Qxg3+ 33.Rg2 Qxe3+ 34.Rf2 1/2 -1/2
Have you got an improvement on this line too? (I’m a bit tired but I think white can hold)
David, I tend to agree that this is a draw, but I checking for an improvement. White’s King position is exposed to say the least. Check back later, say in about 30 minutes.
Okay, it’s over a half hour and boy did I have fun. First off, white has other options to 30. Qb4. 30. Qd5 comes to mind, but that still gives Judit a big edge. Now on to the position in question. 32. fg3 is a must! If 32. Kf1 Qh1#. So 32. fg3 Qg3 is a draw. The only improvements would be a black Queen retreat along the g file, such as 32…Qg4 or 32…Qg5. Of those two, I prefer 32…Qg4 as it attacks the rook on e2, but the draw is sure.
Judith’s rook lift to the g file is the chess equivalent poker’s all in, betting all one’s chips on a single hand. She took a chance, won and provided us all with an entertaining game that will spark much analysis. I hope she gets lots of invitations. Promoters should note the fans want to see exciting chess like Judith plays.
I wonder following comments will be used when Topalov plays with Judit. 🙂
“This is how Topalov should play all the time. This was how he won San Luis. It is one thing to play for the win. It is another thing to take unnecessary chances.”
I make the same comment about Judit 🙂
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
http://www.PolgarChess.com
Okay for the fellow who was feeling confused in the last few moves in Sokolov – J. Polgar
Black plays 30…Qxh4 and the party starts (if she played Qxh4 on move 26 she would only have a perpetual at best after 27.g3).
31.Bxe4 white wants the bishop there to help watch all the weak light coloured squares around his king. 31…Rxg3+ suprising rook sac totally opens up white’s king, again Judit could have a perpetual if she wanted. 32.fxg3 Qxe4 but she chooses to continue the attack 33.Rd2 Sokolov’s rook says ‘keep off the second rank’ to Judit’s queen 33…Qf3 with Qxg3+ threatened, the bishop on c8 coming to and aiming at h3 (Qg2# and Bh3# with king on f1, queen on g3) has been an important theme throughout this attack. 34.Kh2 guarding g3 and h3 34…Qh5+ this move suprised me, it is very good, chasing the king back to g1, since (35.Kg2 Qh3+ 36.Kg1 Qxg3+ or 36.Kf3) are obviously bad 35.Kg1 Qf3 36.Kh2 this position looks familiar… 36…Bf5 now the bishop can go to e4 controling the long diagonal, at which point Qh5+ Kg1 Qh1+ Kf2 Qg2# is threatened 37.e4 Bxe4 38.Rxe4 Qxe4 white cannot allow the mate threat, black now has material equality again. Compare the positions of the kings however… 39.d5 white wants to swap queens and push his passed d-pawn 39…Nd4 black has other ideas, using her knight to simultaneously guard her hanging b-pawn as well as attacking white’s bishop and rook. White is down either a rook or king.
If he saves the rook:
40.Rd4 Qe2+ and there is a big king hunt involving queen, rook and kingside pawns. White will get mated this way.
most other lines result in either losing the d-pawn, the rook getting forked off the board or plain lost or at best losing the exchange.
So when Sokolov sees 39…Nd4 he realises he’s completely out of counter-play with no way to attack black’s position and resigns.
I hope this was helpful.
Disclaimer: I’ve only been playing 13 months so there may be some inaccuracies or downright mistakes in my explanations. If so please let me know.
I think Judit Polgar has reached a new high level in chess strength. Susan, do you agree? I do not think I have ever seen her play with such brilliance and power like in this tournament! If she is still improving my dream of having a Woman being World Champion will occur sooner than we think! She has so many fans it would be a huge boost for chess in the whole world and we need it in USA!
I LOVE JUDIT!!!!!!!!!!!
Congratulations to Judit, the best ever female player !
Yahoo Yahoo Yahoo Topy Won
Well done Judith
To QM1 Todd R. Forbes:
I found the continuation myself …
29.g3 Bd7 30.Qb4 Qxh4 31.Re2 Rxg3+ 32.fxg3 Qxg3+ 33.Rg2 Qxe3+ 34.Rf2 Bh3 35.Qd6 Qg5+ 36.Kh2 Qh5 37.Re1 Nc4 0-1
I guess 29. … Bd7 does win, but I still am not shure, I must check the lines with Rybka later to see if I missed something!
D.K.
David said…
To QM1 Todd R. Forbes:
I found the continuation myself …
29.g3 Bd7 30.Qb4 Qxh4 31.Re2 Rxg3+ 32.fxg3 Qxg3+ 33.Rg2 Qxe3+ 34.Rf2 Bh3 35.Qd6 Qg5+ 36.Kh2 Qh5 37.Re1 Nc4 0-1
I guess 29. … Bd7 does win, but I still am not shure, I must check the lines with Rybka later to see if I missed something!
David, I analysed that position for hours…it’s a draw if the Black Queen takes the pawn, as in 32…Qg3. The only hope for a slight chance is for the Queen to retreat as I purposed with 32…Qg4 or 32…Qg5, but one would have to be accurate to get the point. I believe the win is there. Let me know what your chess software says. I would be most interested. You can send it to me at: qm1forbes48@aol.com
I tried ti figure out something but, it is late (4 am late) I will post my findings tomorow! (It is a great opsition to analyse!)
D.K.
In the Topalov-Mamedyarov game:
43. … Qc7???? This move loses the game for Mamedyarov!
Instead
43. … Qb7 and he still has good drawing chances