White to move. What is the best continuation for White?
Topalov – Karpov (1999)
8/1p5p/5Q2/p3N2k/P2r4/6Pp/5P1K/5q2 w – – 0 1
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
Susan Polgar
April 17, 2010
Chess Improvement, Chess Puzzles, General News, Major Tournaments
11 Comments
g4 looks like it wins:
1. g4 Rg4 (only move)
2. Qf5 Rg5
3. Qh7# a pretty mate on the edge of the board
2. ….Kh4
3. Qg4# not as pretty
2. ….Kh6
3. Ng4 Kg7
4. Qf6 Kg8
5. Nh6 also a pretty mating motif.
But mate is mate.
1, g4+ Rg4
2. Qf5+ Rg5
3. Qh7+
1. g4+ Rxg4
2. Qf5+ Kh6 (2… Rg5 3. Qxh7#)
3. Nxg4+ Kg7
4. Qf6+ Kg8
5. Nh6#
g4 Rg4
Qf5 Rg5 (if Kh6 then Ng4)
Qh3
g4# followed by QF3 seems to work.
1.g4+ Rxg4
2.Qf5+ (Rg5 3.Qxh7#, Kh4 3.Qxh7#)
.. Kh6
3.Nxg4+ Kg7
4.Qf6+ Kg8
5.Nh6+ Kh8
6.Qf8#
Ther are 2 winning moves:
1. g4 + leads to mate in 5.
But, 1. Qf7 + leads to mate in 4.
What was the choice of Topalov?
I think if I were sitting opposite Karpov, and if I actually maneuvered my way to this position, I’d play 1. Qf3+ and hope for a perpetual after 1. … Kg5 2. Nf7+ Kg6 3. Nh8+, etc., and completely overlook the winning 1. g4+ Rxg4 2. Qf5+ Kh6 (2. … Rg5 3. Qxh7#) 3. Nxg4+ Kg7 4. Qf6+ Kg8 5. Nh6#.
g4+ leads to mate
It is easy..
1, g4+ Rxg4
2, Qf5+ Kh6 – only, If Bg5 Qxh7#
3, Nxg4+ Kg7
4, Qf6+ Kg8
5, Nh6#
welcome from Hungary
1.g4+ Rxg4 2.Qf5+ Rg5 3.Qxh7#
2…Kh4 3.Nf3#
2…Kh6 3.Nxg4+ Kg7 4.Qf6+ Kg8 5.Nh6#