I am very impressed with Topalov. He has proven to the world that San Luis was not a fluke. At the Corus Super Tournament, he continues to play dynamic, energetic, gutsy and powerful chess. Below is an incredible game he won today against Aronian:
Topalov – Aronian (Corus – Round 10)
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3Ba6 5. b3 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Be7 7. Bg2 c6 8. Bc3 d5 9. Ne5 Nfd7 10. Nxd7 Nxd7 11. Nd2O-O 12. O-O Nf6 13. e4 b5 14. exd5 exd5 15. Re1 Rb8 16. c5 Bc8 17. Nf3 Ne4 18.Rxe4! A devastating move psychologically for Aronian! This is a move that 99.99% of all chess players would not make. White is counting that his initiatives would more than compensate for the exchange. He is right. dxe4 19. Ne5 Qd5 20. Qe1 Bf5 (20… f5 21. f3 Bb7 22. fxe4 fxe4 23. Qxe4 +=) 21. g4 (21. f3 Bxc5 22. dxc5 Qxc5+ 23. Kh1 +=) 21… Bg6 22. f3 b4 23.fxe4 Qe6 24. Bb2 += Bf6 (24… Rfe8 25. Qg3 Rbd8 26. Rf1 +=) 25. Nxc6 Qxc6 26. e5 Qa6 27. exf6 Rfe8 28. Qf1 Qe2 29. Qf2 Qxg4 30. h3 Qg5 31. Bc1Qh5 (31… Qxf6 32. Qxf6 gxf6 33. Bf4 +=) 32. Bf4 Rbd8 33. c6 Be4 34. c7 Rc835. Re1 Qg6 (35… Qf5 36. Bg3 Qxf2+ 37. Kxf2 Bxg2 38. Rxe8+ Rxe8 39. Kxg2 +-) (35… Bf5 36. Kh2 gxf6 37. d5 +-) 36. Rxe4 Rxe4 37. d5 +- Rce8 38. d6 Black’s position is completely hopeless. There is no way to stop those connected pawns. Re1+ 39. Kh2 Qf5 40. Qg3 g6 41. Qg5 Forcing Black to trade Queens. Otherwise, White will play Qh6. Qxg5 42. Bxg5Rd1 43. Bc6 Re2+ 44. Kg3 1-0 
This game will be analysed in many anthologies to come. I’ve gone over it a few times since this morning, and it still gives me “goosebumps.”
The interesting part is how many people still think that Topolov is not the “real deal.”
I’m sorry but in his current state of affairs, Kramnik cannot hold a candle. Remember, I did say current state.
Yes. An exciting game, with 18Rxe4 a terrific TN leading to exciting play. It seems to be confirmed by your many +- evals (and my humble experiements) that Black was rather hopeless after that. Thus, won on home prep. Had to be good to catch the still improving Aronian
In the last two rounds, Anand and Topalov played the same openings, on different sides. Anand’s game vs. van Wely had a nice exchange sac that he played quickly, also a benefit of hard work at home.
The lesson seems to be this : Home prep, and plenty of it, pays off. Kamsky’s performance confirms : Talent alone is not enough.
IMHO, Anand’s idea looks like one a computer might develop. Topalov’s? Perhaps not. Even though both are exchange sacs. Any other opionions?
A sobering thought: Are human chess players becoming servants of the silicon monsters?
Anonymous HAL
Watching this game over the internet as it was being played was a great experience. What a powerful display of chess dynamics!!! Yes, Topalov is the real deal.
unfortunately I was watching Kamsky take another pounding and missed this game. frustrates me. Not easy to change allegiance from Kamsky to someone else. I want Kamsky to get his act together.
My feeling is that Kamsky faces the choice of dropping out of chess forever or getting to work.
I’m impressed by all of the players at Corus for generally playing fighting chess. There have been very few short draws, and most draws have been intersting games. Topolov went to the end against Gelfand to try to squeeze out a win in that generally equal endgame! Even the games with the Petroff Defense have been relatively interesting…
Maybe Topolov’s play is “infecting” everyone with a fighting spirit!
good comment. I agree there is a lot of fighting chess.
I also think Kamsky has been fighting to win. and that of course causes some losses.
What I would love to see is Kamsky come out with an innovative move like 18 Rxe4 as played by Topalov. That would be super. Unfortunately, I dont think he has had enough recent time on his openings to know where to innovate. and I suspect that the computer revolution has forced those at the top to play very precise openings.
I suspect that Kamsky is just not ready today with the super precise openings that seem to be needed at the top.
I think some people felt that Judit Polgar at San Luis was having a similar problem with the openings. the other people seemed prepared for her. and she did not seem to have the innovations to pull on her opponents.
I am a low level player. I dont really know what it takes at the top. but it obviously takes the total human dedication to win. after all the opponent is doing everything possible to win. therefore I need to do everything possible to beat him. I have to use all my resources to their ultimate.
I was watching this game live on playchess.com and almost dumped my laptop computer when I saw this move. Wow! Very exciting chess.
Mike D.
Kamsky just won friday’s game against van wely.