Kramnik, Vladimir (2743) – Topalov, Veselin (2813)
WCC Match 2006 – Game 3, 09-26-2006

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 dxc4 5.Bg2 (Typical setup from Kramnik, very solid.)

5…Nc6 (He varied from game 1 where he played 5.Bb4+)

6.Qa4 Bd7 7.Qxc4 Na5 8.Qd3 c5 9.O-O Bc6 10.Nc3 cxd4 11.Nxd4 Bc5 (Topalov is willing to give Kramnik a Bishop pair in exchange for some play. Otherwise, it is very hard to go for the win with a symmetrical pawn structure.)

12.Rd1 (Kramnik would want nothing more than exchanging Queens and head to endgame. White has a slight edge. I expect Topalov to try to do something but I do not expect much.)

12…Bxg2 (allowing Qb5+)

13.Qb5+ Nd7 14.Kxg2 a6 (White still maintains a small edge due to more space advantage and piece development.)

15.Qd3 (I don’t see anything here for Black that can make Kramnik sweat. Most logical or “normal” would be Nf6 or Be7. 15..0-0 is bad due to Nc2 +-)

15…Rc8 (I am nervous about this move because it allows 16.Ne4 or 16.Bg5. I like White’s position. I don’t like the Black King in the middle of the board.)

16.Bg5 (Topalov allowed it and Kramnik played it. If 16…Qxg5 17.Nxe6 Ne5 18.Nxg5 Nxd3 and White has a solid advantage. 16…Be7 is the most logical response but you never know with Topalov.)

16…Be7 (Finally Topalov played a move I expect. But now White has 17.Ne4 and White still maintains a solid advantage, a position that is hard for Kramnik to lose. I very much like 17.Ne4 now. I am just not sure how much complication does Kramnik want to get into. Kramnik is wise to take his time now, about 30 minutes. This is the critical moment on how he wants the game to proceed.)

17.Bxe7 Qxe7 18.Rac1 (So this is typical Kramnik! He wants to avoid any complication and secure a safe position. After the trade of Bishops and symmetrical pawn structure, Kramnik is happy to draw this game and he plays like it. Some may not like his style but it works for him and that is all that matters.)

18…Nc4 (this is a very sound move. If 18…0-0 White then has 19.Nf5 with an edge)

19.Na4 (A good response by White, probably the most solid response. Now, I would play 19…b5 if I was Topalov.)

19…b5 (This is Garry Kasparov’s LIVE analysis 19…b5 20.b3 Nde5 21.Qe4 f5 22.Qh4 (22.Qxe5 Qb7+) bxa4 23.bxc4 Qxh4 24.gxh4 Ke7 (24…Nxc4 25.Nxe6 Ke7) 25.c5 Rhd8 26.f4 Ng4 27.Kg3 Rd5 28.c6 Nf6)

20.b3 0-0 21.bxc4 bxa4 22.Nc6 Rxc6 23.Qxd7 (Kramnik is playing as safe as possible. Can anyone blame him? It is clearly his match strategy.)

23…Qc5 (Topalov is desperate not to trade Queen. I cannot possibly fathom Kramnik losing here as he is one of the best endgame players in chess.)

24.Rc3 g6 25.Rb1 (White has a very comfortable position here. In fact, White is slightly better. I think Black can play something like 25…a3 but not much for Black. It is easier to play White here.)

25…h5 (A logical and sensible move! However, again, Topalov needs to be careful. White has an advantage in this position with little or no risk to lose.)

26.Rb7 (As I just stated above, White has an advantage and Topalov better take Kramnik’s position seriously! He cannot afford to go down 0-3. I expect him to play 26…e5 now. He needs some counter chances.)

26…e5 27.e4 Rf6 28.Rc2 Qa3 29.Qd1 (Even though Black seems to have some counter play, White still has a solid advantage. Kramnik is not worried at all. I am sure he likes his position.)

29…Rd6 (White still has nothing to worry about with this move. 30.Rd2 is obvious and maintains the advantage.)

30.Rd2 (If Black goes back to Rf6, White would play 31.Rc7 and push the c pawn. I would definitely take White here. But you have to give it to Topalov for trying hard!)

30…Rfd8 31.Rd5 (Now White is CLEARLY better. I am very concerned for Topalov here. Kramnik is awesome in endgames.)

31…Rxd5 (Kramnik is willing to sacrifice the a pawn for the connected passed pawns. This position is so much better for White! Topalov will have a difficult time holding this unless Kramnik plays passively. The best shot is 32…e4 but not much will be achieved.)

32.cxd5?! (Wow! Kramnik took with the c pawn! I am completely shocked! He clearly wants to avoid the more complicated but stronger exd5 line. I can’t say I blame him with a 2-0 lead. However, I am sure the fans would have loved to see the fireworks with 32.exd5)

32…Qxa2 33.Qf3 Rf8 34.Qd3 (Leave it to Kramnik to avoid complications! That is why he chose to take back with the c pawn. Black has more life because of this. Kramnik still has an advantage but smaller now.)

34…a3 (I still believe this game would be a draw unless Topalov is pulling a Topalov in the first 2 games. White’s small advantage should not be enough to win here.)

35.Rb3 (I can’t believe Kramnik played this. It seems that he is trying to draw this game in the safest possible fashion. This shows me that Kramnik still worries about Topalov even up 2-0. Actually, it may not be a bad thing to have a 2 point lead with 9 games to go.)

35…f5 (Now, Black is safe but still not winning. At least he is not worst now.)

36.Qxa6 (Again, typical Kramnik, choosing the safest possible line to guarantee a draw. This is why Kramnik is so hard to beat in a match. He is almost unbeatable. The good news for Topalov is he will have White tomorrow. The bad news is there are only 9 games left and his opponent is the rock solid Kramnik.)

36…Qxb3 37.Qxg6+Kh8 38.Qh6+Kg8 1/2 (I think this draw is good for both sides. It helps Kramnik because it is one more game out of the way. It also helps Topalov because I think he can calm down now. I expect an all out assault by Topalov tomorrow.)
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