World Chess Championship Reunification Match
Topalov - Kramnik, Elista 2006
Click here for GM Polgar's
analysis and comments on games 1-4
Game 5
Kramnik,V (2743) - Topalov,V (2813)
World Chess Championship Elista, RUS (5), 29.09.2006
0-1 (F)
When you have
children, you always teach your children to look at both sides of the street
before crossing the intersection. It is the same in chess. You should always
look at both the opponent’s plan as well as your own plan. Otherwise, you
cannot get the whole picture.
I will explain my opinion about this mess one last time and then I will move
on. Please do not put words in my mouth and please do not assume. You are
more than welcome to agree or disagree with me. That is what that makes
things exciting and that is why I allow people to blog freely. But there is
no room for rude and detestable comments toward me or any other blogger. If
this continues, I will have no choice but to start deleting obnoxious posts.
We have kids following this blog and there is no room for this.
As I emphatically stated many times before, I have no favorite. I am not
rooting for either player. I have no stake in this match at all. I just want
to see good fighting chess and I would like to see the World Championship
title unified after 13 long years. Enough damages have been done to chess
and this title for too long already!
My goal is to promote the game I love in a professional and dignified
manner. That is why I devote many hours every day to bring you the news,
commentaries, puzzles, reports, advices, etc. for free. I even refuse to
have commercial links on this blog because I want it to be purely about this
great game.
Now let’s talk about what happened. I know people from both Kramnik and
Topalov’s camp. I know many good friends of both Kramnik and Topalov. In
fact, I have known both of them for a long time. The stories I heard from
both sides are 180 degrees from each other. Both sides really believe in
their positions. So who is lying? Who is telling the truth?
I looked at the actions from both sides. This is what I see. It didn’t start
here. I see the mess starting out right after San Luis. Somebody made wild
accusations of Topalov. Danailov would not sit still and allow his client to
be unfairly attacked. So he fired back and as we all know, Danailov can
really fire back!
Then came the issue of which title is more legitimate? FIDE World Champion
or Classical World Champion? Why? Because it means that a great deal of
money is one the line. Both titles have flaws. Some do not recognize one
because it was a hand picked match with no qualifying system. Some do not
recognize the other one because it was a tournament and not a match. Again,
more division!
There was a lot of posturing going on between the two camps as well as FIDE.
That did not help. Many things were said and they were obviously not
forgotten. So the bad blood grew deeper. Offers were made and rejected.
Things went up and down like the tides. And finally came the World
Championship match in Elista! Everything is at stake! Both sides wanted to
gain every possible little advantage!
As history has shown us, there were often “incidents” and “tactics” to gain
that edge during World Championship matches. It could be trying to annoy
your opponent to trying to psych yourself up. Some players need to be angry
to play the best chess (the perfect example would be John McEnroe or Jimmy
Connors in tennis). Some need to be totally calmed and relaxed to play good
chess.
I am not in Elista. I do not know each and every little detail. I know what
my sources are telling me and they are so contrasting.
That is why I cannot and will not pass judgment or take sides unless I know
the full facts. Below are some of the points that I believe contributed to
the whole fiasco:
1. It was a blunder for Topalov to accept to play the match in Elista, a bad
move. It used to be that World Championship Matches are supposed to be
played in neutral countries.
2. I think it was a blunder for Kramnik to sign this contract as it was
written. I do not know why he would sign a contract with the following
provisions if he feels that FIDE is on Topalov's side and he would not get
fair justice, especially when Topalov is the FIDE World Champion.
3. 17. 1 The written decision of the Appeals Committee arising from any
dispute in respect of these regulations shall be final.
3. 23. 1 At any time in the course of the application of these regulations,
any grounds that are not covered or any unforeseen event shall be referred
to the Presidential Board or the President of FIDE, for final decision.
3. It was wrong for the appeals committee to accept the protest if it was
filed late (according to Kramnik).
4. It was wrong for the appeals committee to make a decision without
consulting Kramnik (according to Kramnik).
5. The tone and language of Danailov's letters went too far. It was totally
unprofessional. The most outrageous point was about the refusal to shake
hands.
6. Kramnik could have immediately offered to have the other team inspect his
restroom to avoid any possible doubt. A better explanation could have been
given.
7. Carsten Hensel should not have demanded for an apology from Danailov and
left the issue of no handshake alone. There was no need to get into this war
of words while Kramnik was leading 3-1. He should have let the world make
judgment on Danailov. There was no need to insist on this.
8. Topalov should have salvaged the mess by insisting on continuing the
match with the 3-1 score after the bathroom issue was resolved. This would
have been the honorable and right thing to do.
The professional chess community is very small. Many of us know each other
very well. I have been in chess for over 30 years. I have quite a few good
friends. Sometimes we work with one person and this person may later work
with our future opponents. It happens.
I looked at the information provided to me by some of these people. These
were not things I read somewhere else. How would I know who is right or who
is wrong? In this case, it was he said, he said. Both sides believe they
were right. I do not want to contribute to this mess. But when I read the
information, I personally believe that if all sides would have had mutual
respect for each other and everyone would have remained calm and cool, this
mess would not have escalated this far. It is very unfortunate that things
have gone so badly.
For those of you who want me to hunt for Topalov or Kramnik’s head, I cannot
do that. The sport I love has suffered too much already for too many years.
I do not believe in these unprofessional open letters pointing fingers at
each other. I believe in professionals sitting down and discussing, debating
and resolving issues in a professional manner.
I have been called every name in the book because I choose to be above it. I
have been insulted countless times because I do not believe in the “gotcha”
method. If you do not like what I stand for then you have choice not to read
what I have to say.
I spend hours and hours every day communicating with the fans because I
believe this is sorely needed in this sport. I do not get pay for this. Can
you name another chess professional who make this kind of commitment every
single day without getting paid a penny for it? But because there is such a
gap between the professionals and the fans, I want to close that gap. As the
saying in the movie “Field of Dreams” goes: “"If you build it, he will
come!”
I cannot make all my colleagues to what I do. But if I believe in what I do,
I will take the lead and I can only hope that others will follow. Since I
started this blog, many other titled players have started their own blogs.
That is what I want to see. I want to see professionals doing things to help
chess. Without the fans, there would be no professional players. And
therefore don’t complain about no money in chess if you are not willing to
do things to help popularize this game.
The chess world waited 13 years to unify the title. Let people root for
which ever player they want! I want to see the best player win. I will sit
back and enjoy the next six games. I hope you will too.
And by the way, if you want to see the TV clip of the beginning of game 6
courtesy of Dutch TV, click
here.
Game 6
Topalov, Veselin (2813)
- Kramnik, Vladimir (2743) [D17]
WCC Match 2006 - Game 6, 10-02-2006
1.d4 d5
2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.Ne5 e6 7.f3 c5 [Kramnik
avoids the sharp complications which start with 7...Bb4 8.e4 Bxe4 9.fxe4
Nxe4 10.Bd2 Qxd4]
8.e4 Bg6 Again, Kramnik wisely chose the more solid option.
[8...cxd4 9.exf5 Nc6 (9...dxc3? 10.Qxd8+ Kxd8 11.Nxf7++-) 10.Nxc6 bxc6
11.fxe6 fxe6 12.Bxc4 dxc3 13.Qe2 favors White.]
9.Be3 [9.d5 worked well in the following recent game:
9...exd5 10.Nxg6 hxg6 11.e5 Nh5 12.Nxd5 Na6 13.Be3 Ng3 14.Bxc4 Be7
(14...Nxh1?? 15.Bb5++-) 15.Qb3 Nxh1 16.0-0-0 Rxh2 17.Qxb7 Rb8 18.Nf6+ gxf6
19.Rxd8+ Kxd8 20.Qd5+ Kc7 21.Qxf7 1-0 Kacheishvili - Rogic / Kusadasi, TUR
2006. However, Black could have improved with 12...Nd7.]
9...cxd4 10.Qxd4 [Keeping the Queens on the board with
10.Bxd4 Bb4 11.Bxc4 0-0 12.0-0 maintains more "life" in the game but the
position would be around equal anyway.]
10...Qxd4 11.Bxd4 Nfd7 Black just tries trading off White's
active pieces.
12.Nxd7 [12.Nxc4 Nc6 13.Be3 Bc5 14.Kf2 Ke7 15.h4 f6 16.h5
Bf7 17.Rd1 Bxe3+ 18.Nxe3 Rhd8 19.h6 g5 20.Bb5 Nde5 21.Nc4 Nxc4 22.Bxc4 Rxd1
23.Rxd1 Rd8 24.Rxd8 Nxd8 25.e5 f5 26.Nb5 Nc6 27.Be2 Be8 28.b3 Nxe5 29.Nxa7
Nf7 30.a5 Nxh6 31.b4 Nf7 32.Nc8+ Kd8 33.Nb6 Nd6 34.Nc4 Nxc4 35.Bxc4 Bd7
36.Bd3 e5 37.g4 fxg4 38.Bxh7 gxf3 39.Kxf3 Kc7 40.Bd3 Kd6 41.b5 Kc5 42.a6
bxa6 43.bxa6 Kd4 44.Bf1 e4+ 45.Kg3 1/2-1/2 Nielsen - Hracek, Hamburg, 2006]
12...Nxd7 13.Bxc4 a6 Preventing any Nb5 or Bb5. [13...Rc8
14.Ba2 a6 15.Ke2 Nb8 16.Rhd1 Nc6 17.Bb6 Bb4 18.Rd2 Ke7 19.Rad1 Nb8 20.Bf2 f6
21.Bg3 Be8 22.Rd4 a5 23.Bd6+ Bxd6 24.Rxd6 Bd7 25.Ke3 Rc6 26.R6d4 Rhc8
27.R1d2 Be8 28.Nb5 Bf7 29.Na7 e5 30.Nxc6+ bxc6 31.R4d3 Bxa2 32.b3 Na6
33.Rd7+ Ke8 34.Ra7 Nb4 35.Rxa5 Bxb3 36.Rb2 Nc2+ 37.Kd2 Nd4 38.Ra7 c5 39.Rxg7
Ra8 40.Kc3 Rxa4 41.Rxb3 Nxb3 42.Kxb3 Rb4+ 43.Kc3 h5 44.Rh7 Ra4 45.Rxh5 Ra2
46.Rf5 Ke7 47.g4 Rxh2 48.g5 fxg5 49.Rxe5+ Kf6 50.Rxc5 Rh3 51.Rf5+ Ke6 52.Kc4
Rg3 53.Kd4 Rh3 54.Re5+ Kf6 55.Rf5+ Ke6 56.Rxg5 Rxf3 57.Rg6+ Kf7 58.Ra6 Rf1
59.Ke5 Rb1 60.Kf5 Rf1+ 1/2-1/2 Pia Cramling - Smyslov, Marbella, 1999]
14.Ke2 In endgames or Queenless middlegames, castling is
usually not so important.
14...Rg8 To protect the g7 Pawn so the Bishop on f8 can
develop.
15.Rhd1 Rc8 16.b3 Bc5= 17.a5 Ke7 [17...Bxd4 18.Rxd4 Ne5
19.Na4 Nxc4 20.bxc4 gives white some hope.]
18.Na4 Bb4 19.Nb6 [19.Nb2 Bd6 20.h4 Be5=; 19.Bb2 Rgd8
(19...Bxa5?! 20.Ba3+ Ke8 21.Rac1 Bc7 (21...b5? 22.Bxb5+-) 22.Bxa6 bxa6
23.Rc6+/-) 20.Bxg7 Bxa5=]
19...Nxb6 20.Bxb6 f6 Finally, Black is ready to solve the
problem of the awkward positioned bishop on g6. [20...Bc5 was also OK.
21.Bxc5+ Rxc5 22.Ra4 (22.h4 f6) 22...Rgc8=]
21.Rd3 Rc6 [21...Bc5 22.Rad1 Be8 23.Rd8 with a clear
advantage for White]
22.h4 [22.Rad1 Rd6 23.Rxd6 Bxd6=]
22...Rgc8 23.g4 Bc5 24.Rad1 Bxb6 25.Rd7+ Kf8 26.axb6 Rxb6 27.R1d6
[27.g5 would be over pushing. 27...Be8 28.R7d6 Rxd6 29.Rxd6 fxg5 30.hxg5 e5]
27...Rxd6 28.Rxd6 Rc6 [28...e5 is also fine]
29.Rxc6 bxc6 30.b4 e5 31.Bxa6 1/2 - 1/2
Game 7
Topalov - Kramnik [D27]
WCC Match 2006 (game 7) 10-04-2006
1.d4 d5
2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Bd3 dxc4 6.Bxc4 c5 After starting out
as a Meran, now the game has transposed into a Queen's Gambit Accepted.
7.0-0 a6 Black is preparing b7-b5. In this position, for
many years 8.a4 or 8.Qe2 used to be considered as th main choices. In the
last two decades 8.Bd3 and th game move became popular.
8.Bb3 Getting ready to meet 8...b5 with 9.a4.
8...cxd4 9.exd4 Nc6 An important move, putting pressure on
the d4 Pawn and preventing the ideal setup of White with Qe2 and Rd1.
10.Nc3 Be7 11.Re1 0-0 Here White has two main plans, often
trying to combine them: the d4-d5 push at the right moments and/or a King
side attack against th Black King with moves like Nf3-e5, Bc1-g5, Qd1-f3-g3
or h3 etc. Black is hoping to hold off White's attack and then one day in
the endgame have a clear target in the weak isolated d4 Pawn.
12.a4 [12.a3 is the main move]
12...Bd7 13.Ne5 Be8 14.Be3 Rc8 15.Rc1 Nb4 16.Qf3 Bc6 17.Qh3 Bd5
18.Nxd5 Nbxd5 19.Rcd1 Rc7?! [19...Qb6]
20.Bg5 Qc8 21.Qf3 Rd8 [White was kind of threatening
22.Bxf6 Nxf6 23.Nxf7 Rxf7 24.Bxe6]
22.h4 [22.Bxf6 Nxf6 23.Nxf7 Kxf7 24.Bxe6+ 24...Qxe6 25.Rxe6
Kxe6 is not a big deal]
22...h6 [22...b5 23.axb5 axb5 24.h5 Bb4 25.Bxd5 Rxd5
26.Bxf6 Bxe1 27.Qg3 Qf8 28.h6+-]
23.Bc1 [I prefer 23.Bd2]
23...Bb4 24.Rf1 Bd6?! [Here Black missed an interesting
opportunity with 24...Nc3 25.bxc3 Rxc3 26.Be3 Rxb3 27.g4 Bd6 28.g5 hxg5
29.hxg5 Bxe5 30.dxe5 Nd5; 25.Rd3 Nxa4. White's best response would be the
exchange sacrifice with 25.Bxh6 Nxd1 26.Rxd1 (26.Qg3? Nh5) with a very
complicated middlegame position]
25.g3?! [After 25.a5 Nc3; But I much prefer 25.g4 Bxe5
(25...b5 26.axb5 (26.g5 hxg5 27.hxg5 bxa4 28.Bxa4 Bxe5 29.dxe5 Nd7)
26...axb5 27.g5 hxg5 28.hxg5 Bxe5 29.dxe5 Nh7) 26.dxe5 Nd7 27.g5 (27.Bxd5
Nxe5 28.Qg3 Rxd5 29.Rxd5 exd5 30.Qxe5 Rxc1-/+) 27...Nxe5 28.Qg3 Ng6 29.h5]
25...b6 26.Qe2 Another unusual move. I still like 26.g4
Bxe5 27.dxe5 Nd7 28.g5 hxg5 29.Bxg5 Nxe5 30.Qg3 f6 31.Bxf6 Nxf6 32.Qxe5 Nd5
(32...Kf7? 33.Bxe6+!) 33.Rfe1 Rc6 34.h5+/= better.
26...Ne7 27.Rfe1 [27.Bf4 Nfd5]
27...Bxe5 28.dxe5 Rxd1 29.Qxd1 Nfd5 [29...Nd7]
30.Bd2 Rc5 31.Qg4 Nf5 32.Qe4 b5 33.h5 [33.a5 would have
been better]
33...bxa4 34.Qxa4 Rb5 35.Rc1 [35.Bc4? Nb6-+; 35.Ra1 Nb6
36.Qa3 Qb7=/+]
35...Qb7 36.Bc2 [36.Bxd5 Qxd5 37.Qxa6? Nd4!-/+ (37...Qxd2?
38.Rc8++-) ]
36...Nb6 [36...Rxb2? 37.Bxf5 exf5 38.Qe8+ Kh7 39.Rc8 Rb1+
40.Bc1 (40.Kh2? Rh1+! 41.Kxh1 Nc7+-+) ]
37.Qg4 [37.Qa3 Nc4-/+; 37.Qa2 Nd4-/+]
37...Rxb2 [37...Rxe5? 38.Bc3 Rc5 39.Bxf5+-]
38.Be4 [38.Bxf5 exf5 39.Qd4 Nd5=/+; 38.Ba5 Nd5 39.Bxf5 Ne3!
40.Qe4 Nxf5=/+; 38.Bc3 Rb5 39.Bxf5 exf5 40.Qxf5 Nd7]
38...Qd7 [38...Nd5 39.Bxf5 exf5 40.Qxf5 Ne7 (40...Rxd2??
41.Rc8+) 41.Qd3+/=]
39.Be1 [39.Bc3 Rb3 40.Rd1 Qc7 41.Ba1 a5 42.Bxf5 exf5
43.Qxf5 Rb5 stopping e5-e6. 44.Qe4 Rb4=]
39...Nd5 [Avoiding complications with 39...Nd4 40.Kh2
(40.Kg2 Nd5) 40...Nd5 41.Bd3 Nb3 when 42.Qa4! gives White hopes: 42...Nxc1
43.Qxd7 Nxd3 44.Qd8+ Kh7 45.Qh4 Nxe1! (45...Nxf2 46.Kg1 Nd1 47.Qd4 N5e3
48.Bd2 Nf5 49.Qd3+-) 46.Qe4+ Kg8 47.Qxe1 a5 and Black is OK.]
40.Bd3 Nb4 [40...a5 41.Qe4 a4 42.g4 Nfe7 43.Qh7+ Kf8 44.g5
Ng8 and Black is OK. (44...hxg5? 45.h6 gxh6 46.Qxh6+ Ke8 47.Qh8++-) ]
41.Bf1 [I would have preferred 41.Be4 Nd3 (41...Nd5 would
repeat moves; 41...a5 42.Rd1 Qc8 43.Qf3 a4? 44.Qa3 Rb3 45.Qxa4+-) 42.Qd1
(42.Rd1 Nxe5 43.Rxd7 Nxg4-/+) 42...Nxe5 43.Qxd7 Nxd7 44.Rc8+ Nf8 (44...Kh7
45.Bc3 (45.g4? Re2-+) 45...Ra2 46.Rc7) 45.Bc3 Rb5 (45...Nd6 46.Rc6 Rb3
47.Bc2+/-) 46.Bxf5 exf5 47.Bd4 f4 48.Bc5 fxg3 49.fxg3 Kh7 50.Bxf8 Rxh5+/=;
41.Bb1 Nd3 42.Qd1 Nxe5 43.Qxd7 Nxd7 44.Rc8+ Kh7=/+]
41...Nd3 42.Qd1 [42.Rd1 Nxe5 43.Rxd7 Nxg4 44.Bxa6 Nf6=/+]
42...Nxe5 43.Qxd7 [43.Bc3 Qxd1 44.Rxd1 Nf3+ 45.Kg2 Rc2=/+]
43...Nxd7=/+ 44.Rc8+ Kh7 [44...Nf8 45.Bxa6=/+]
45.Rc7 [45.g4 Rb1 (45...Nd4 46.Bd3+ f5 47.gxf5 Nxf5 48.Rc7
Nb6 49.Bc3 Rb3 50.Rxg7+ Kh8 51.Rc7+ Kg8=) 46.Bc3 Nd6 47.Rd8 Ne4 48.Rxd7 Nxc3
49.Kg2 Rb8 50.Rxf7 a5=/+]
45...Rb1 [45...Nf6 46.Rxf7 Rb1 47.Bc3 Ne4 (47...Nxh5 48.g4
Nd6 49.Re7 Ne4 50.Be5 Nhf6 51.f3 Nd2 52.Bxf6 Rxf1+ 53.Kg2 Rxf3 54.Rxg7+ Kh8
55.Rg6+ Kh7 56.Rg7+=) 48.Rc7 Rc1 (48...Nxc3 49.Rxc3 Ra1 50.Rc6=) 49.Be5 Rxc7
50.Bxc7 Nc5 51.Bb6 Nd7 52.Ba5 Nb8 53.Bc7=]
46.Rxd7 [46.Bc3 Rd1 (46...Rc1 47.Rxd7 Rxc3 48.Bd3 g6
(48...Kg8? 49.g4+/-) 49.hxg6+ Kxg6 50.g4+/-) 47.Kg2]
46...Rxe1 47.Rxf7 [47.Kg2 Kg8 (47...f6 48.Bd3 Kg8 49.g4
Nh4+ 50.Kg3 Rh1 51.Re7+/=) 48.Rd8+ Kh7 49.Rd7=]
47...a5 48.Kg2 The best move to free up the Bishop from the
pin. [48.Rf8 a4 49.Kg2 g5=/+; 48.Ra7 Ra1 49.Kg2]
48...Kg8 49.Ra7 Re5 50.g4 Nd6 51.Bd3 This is the correct
plan to position the Bishop on g6 next.
51...Rd5 52.Bg6 Threatening with back rank checkmate.
52...Kf8 A must move to avoid trouble. Now neither side can
make progress.
53.f3 [53.f4]
53...e5 54.Kf2 Rd2+ 55.Ke1 Rd5 56.Ke2 Rb5 57.Rd7 Rd5
[57...Rb6 58.Ra7]
58.Ra7 Rb5 59.Bd3 Rd5 60.Bg6 1/2-1/2
Game 8
Kramnik - Topalov [D47]
WCC Match 2006 (8) 05.10.2006
1.d4 d5
2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.e3 Nbd7 6.Bd3 dxc4 7.Bxc4 b5 8.Be2 A
relatively rare line, which used to like and played successfully in many
games. In Game 4 of this match Topalov as White played 8.Bd3 Bb7 9.a3.
8...Bb7 9.0-0 This is one of my own favorite games in this
opening! 9.e4 b4 10.e5 bxc3 11.exf6 cxb2 12.fxg7 bxa1Q 13.gxh8Q Qb1 14.0-0
Qf6 15.Qxf6 Nxf6 16.Ne5 Qxa2 17.Bc4 Qa5 18.Qf3 Be7 19.Bg5 Qd8 20.Bxe6 fxe6
21.Bxf6 Qxd4 22.Qh5+ 1-0 Susan Polgar- V. Dimitrov, Bulgaria 1984.
9...b4 9...Be7 was the other main choice here.
10.Na4 Now the main issue is if Black will be able to open
up the a8-h1 diagonal with c6-c5, without getting in trouble.
10...c5 My opponents usually chose 10...Be7 or 10...Bd6
here instead of 10...c5.
11.dxc5 Nxc5 12.Bb5+ White could have stripped Black from
the right of castling with 12.Nxc5 Bxc5 13.Qa4+ Ke7 otherwise (13...Qd7??
14.Bb5+-; 13...Nd7 14.Rd1 and the pins are devastating for Black.)
12...Ncd7 13.Ne5 Qc7 The best move to clear space for the
Rook on d8. Black would get in trouble after 13...Be7 14.Qd4 as the pin over
the Knight on d7 is too dangerous.
14.Qd4 The most logical move trying to take advantage of
White's advantage in development. 14.Nxd7 Nxd7 or; 14.f4
Rd8 is not dangerous for Black.
14...Rd8 Much better than 14...Bd6 15.Nxd7 Nxd7 16.Rd1+/-
Avdeenko - Novikov, Rostov on Don 1980.
15.Bd2 After 15.Rd1 a6 16.Bxd7+ Nxd7 17.Nxd7 Rxd7 18.Qxd7+
Qxd7 19.Rxd7 Kxd7 Black thanks to the pair of Bishops has a slightly better
endgame.
15...Qa5 The new move. White was much better in the
following game: 15...a6 16.Rfc1 Qa5 17.Bc6 Bxc6 18.Nxc6 Qxa4 19.Nxd8 Kxd8
20.a3 Qb5 21.axb4 Nd5 22.Ra5 Qb6 23.Qc4 Nc7 24.Bc3 f6 25.Bd4 Qb7 26.b5 Nxb5
27.Qxe6 Nxd4 28.exd4 Bb4 29.Rxa6+/- Cvetkovic - Bagirov, Vrnjacka Banja
1974.
16.Bc6 A must. The following sample variation shows the
dangers White has to face after other moves: 16.Qd3 a6 17.Bc6 Qxe5 18.Bxb7
Qb5 19.Qxb5 axb5 and White's Knight is trapped!
16...Be7! A fine move. Better than 16...Bxc6 17.Nxc6 Qxa4
18.Nxd8 Kxd8 19.a3 with a dangerous position for Black as the King is shaky
on d8.
17.Rfc1 After 17.Bxb7 Nxe5 Black wins a piece.
17...Bxc6 The solid 17...0-0 18.Nc4 Qc7 19.Bxb7 Nc5 20.Qe5
Qxe5 21.Nxe5 Nxb7 22.Be1 would give Kramnik the comfortable small endgame
advantage he is looking for.
18.Nxc6 Qxa4 19.Nxd8 More ambitious seemed keeping the
Queens on the board with 19.b3 Qb5 20.Nxd8 Bxd8 21.Bxb4 although also here
Black is fine after for example 21... 21...Qb6
19...Bxd8 20.Qxb4 With the King being stock on e8, I would
feel relieved as Black trading Queens. White could have tried 20.b3 Qa6
21.Bxb4 but again Black is OK after 21...Nd5 or 21...Qb6.
20...Qxb4 21.Bxb4 I felt all through out this endgame that
it should be a draw, but I would rather play it as Black. Many GMs disagreed
with me online about it. I still don't think that Black is actually better,
but I do believe they are not worse at all either.
21...Nd5 A beautiful centralized position for the Knight!
22.Bd6 f5 A dual-purpose move: prevents White's e3-e4 move,
which would chase away Black's Knight from d5 and clears the way for Black's
King to f7.
23.Rc8 This move looks scarier than it actually is.
23...N5b6 This forces White's Rook to leave.
24.Rc6 Be7 Black offers to trade White's best positioned
piece.
25.Rd1 After 25.b4 Bxd6 26.Rxd6 Ke7 27.Rad1 Rc8=/+
25...Kf7 26.Rc7 26.f3 Bxd6 27.Rdxd6 (27.Rcxd6 Ne5) 27...Ne5
28.Rc7+ Kf6 29.Rxa7 Nbc4 30.Rd4 Nxe3=/+; 26.Bxe7 Kxe7 27.Rc7 (27.Rdd6 Nb8
28.Rxe6+ Kf7 29.Rcd6 (29.Rxb6 axb6 30.Rxb6 Nd7=/+) 29...Nc4-/+) 27...Ra8
leads to similar positions as in the game.
26...Ra8 The computer programs suggest to trade Rooks with
26...Rc8 but I think that would favor White.
27.Rb7 I think here Kramnik still thought he is the one
playing for a win (just a many commentators during the game) and started
"over pushing" just like Topalov did in Game 1.
27...Ke8 Provoking White to trade Bishops. If White does
not trade soon, the Rook on b7 can get trapped for example after 28.Kf1 Bxd6
29.Rxd6 Kd8 30.Rxe6? Kc8.
28.Bxe7 Kxe7 29.Rc1 a5 I think White should try to trade
Rooks or some Pawns if they can. It is quite amazing that somebody of
Kramnik's caliber without any obvious blunder loses this game in about a
dozen moves!
30.Rc6 30.Rcc7 Kd6 31.Kf1 a4=/+
30...Nd5 31.h4 31.Kf1 g5 32.Ke2 h5 33.h3 h4=/+
31...h6 31...Nb4 32.Rcc7 does not help Black.
32.a4?! A positional mistake! Better was simply 32.Kf1 g5
33.hxg5 hxg5 34.Ke2
32...g5 33.hxg5 hxg5 34.Kf1 Another GM suggested
sacrificing a Pawn with 34.g4 fxg4 35.Kg2 which maybe better for White, than
what we saw happen.
34...g4 35.Ke2 N5f6 The beginning of an interesting Knight
maneuver.
36.b3 In hindsight, this is a mistake as soon the Rook on
b7 gets almost trapped.
36...Ne8! 37.f3 g3! Now we can see already the shadows of
serious danger for White: Black's Rook may get around soon with Ra8-h8-h2
attacking the Pawn on g2 and with the help of the Knights a mating attack
may develop. If, 37...Nd6 38.Rbc7 gxf3+ 39.gxf3 Rb8? 40.Ra6 and the table is
turned. Now White is better.
38.Rc1 38.b4? Nd6 39.Rbc7 axb4-+
38...Nef6 39.f4 This weakens the e4 square. White hoped to
get Black's g3 Pawn, but will lose too much in return.
39...Kd6 40.Kf3 40.b4 axb4 41.Rxb4 Nd5 42.Rbc4 N7b6 43.Rc6+
Ke7 and the a4 Pawn is lost.
40...Nd5 41.Kxg3? This makes things worse for White. 41.Rb5
Ra7! threatening to trap the Rook with Nc7. 42.Rd1 (42.e4 Nc7 43.e5+ Ke7
44.Rxc7 Rxc7 45.Rxa5 Rc3+-+) 42...Nc5 with also good chances for Black.
(Instead 42...Ke7 43.Rdxd5 exd5 44.Rxd5 Ke6 45.Rb5 with most likely a draw
result. White will be able to reach in worst case a R vs. R+N theoretical
draw endgame.)
41...Nc5 The strongest move. Now the two Black Knights
dominate the game. 41...Nxe3 was not bad either, but not as good as the game
move.
42.Rg7 42.Rb5 Ne4+ 43.Kf3 Rg8 44.Rxa5 Rg3+ 45.Ke2 Rxe3+
46.Kf1 Rxb3-+
42...Rb8 The rest is matter of technique as they say.
42...Nxe3 was also good.
43.Ra7 Rg8+ 43...Rxb3 44.Rxa5 Rxe3+ 45.Kh4 Nd3-+
44.Kf3 The White King gets in trouble also after 44.Kh2
Nxe3 45.Rg1 Ne4 46.Rh7 Ng4+ 47.Kh3 (47.Kh1 Ng3#) 47...Nef2+ 48.Kh4 Nf6
49.Ra7 Rg4#.
44...Ne4-+ 45.Ra6+ 45.Rxa5 Rg3+ 46.Ke2 Rxe3+ 47.Kd1 Nxf4-+
45...Ke7 46.Rxa5 Rg3+ 47.Ke2 Rxe3+ 48.Kf1 48.Kd1 Nxf4-+
48...Rxb3 48...Nxf4-+
49.Ra7+ 49.Rb5 Ra3 50.a5 Nxf4-+
49...Kf6 50.Ra8 Nxf4 51.Ra1 If, 51.a5 Rb2 52.a6 Ng3+ 53.Ke1
(53.Kg1 Rxg2#) 53...Nxg2+ 54.Kd1 Ne3+ 55.Ke1 Re2#.
51...Rb2 52.a5 Rf2+ White resigned as the checkmate is
unavoidable. 53.Kg1 [53.Ke1 Nd3+ 54.Kd1 Nc3#] 53...Rxg2+ 54.Kf1 [54.Kh1
Nf2#] 54...Rf2+ 55.Kg1 [55.Ke1 Nd3+ 56.Kd1 Rd2#] 55...Nh3+ 56.Kh1 Ng3#
Game 9
This is a LIVE commentary.
In addition, I also include some feedbacks and opinions from other top
Grandmasters. Enjoy!
1.d4
(Again, no 1.e4)
1...d5
2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 (This is something new for this match.
Topalov is trying to surprise Kramnik.)
4...Bf5
5.Nc3 e6 6.Nh4 (Typical move in this position,
trading Knight for Bishop.)
6...Bg6
7.Nxg6 hxg6 8.a3 (This seems to be a new move at first glance. I
can't remember of anyone playing this line before.)
8...Nbd7
9.g3 Be7 10.f4 (Kramnik is taking a lot of time for his 10th move.
Black's position is fine. Unless Topalov has this line all prepared at home,
I do not see any advantage for White even with the space advantage and a
Bishop pair. However, his pawn structure is not so hot. This will be a long
strategical battle.)
10...dxc4
11.Bxc4 O-O (It is obvious that Topalov is full of confidence after
a win in the last game. He is gunning for Kramnik with his opening choice
this game. 12.e4 would be the most aggressive move. However, the danger of
that move is the d4 pawn becomes weak. White also has no safe place for
castling. So far Topalov has used less than 5 minutes and Kramnik has used
around 35 minutes.)
12.e4
(Well, Topalov is playing enterprising chess again. This certainly will not
be a boring game. If Black plays 12...c5 White will respond with 13.e5.)
12...b5
(A somewhat surprising move. Other options include 12...Nb6 or 12...Rc8.)
13.Be2
(Now Black has a few plans: a5 then b4 or c5. White's plan is to play e5
then h4.)
13...b4
14.axb4 Bxb4 15.Bf3 Qb6 (Now I would O-O as White, followed by Be3.
Some of you asked why Topalov is playing so fast in the last few games. One
of the theories is to stop Kramnik from leaving for the restroom because
that would burn his time. The other explanation is it is a psychological
game. Seeing an opponent cranking out moves with that speed is quite
unnerving. It shows that your opponent is well prepared and he knows what
he's doing.)
16.O-O
(As I expected. White's position is turning positive. One of the choices for
Kramnik is 16...Rad8 or Rfd8. Another choice could be 16...e5 but this is a
little more dangerous.)
16...e5
(Now, I expect Topalov to play 17.Be3 and White is more than fine. In fact,
White has quite a good position.)
17.Be3
(The strongest move. Black has a few choices such as 17...exd4 or Rfd8. The
key is after 17...exd4 White would play Na4 because he does not want to
allow Bc5.)
17...Rad8
(Now 18.Na4 would be the strongest reply. White has an excellent advantage.
Black will have weak a and c pawns and White has a pair of Bishop.)
18.Na4
(Once again, Topalov is playing the strongest move. Strategically speaking,
White is in great shape. I think Kramnik under evaluated White's position.
He is in trouble. Other GMs also agree. GM Seirawan said: "Wow!
Powerguru GM Josef Dorfman thinks Kramnik is "dead". Wow! For example
18...Qb5 19.Qc2, White has the two Bishops, nice development, center...."
Kramnik seems to be struggling right now. He is spending a lot of time
on this move as he knows that it is another critical position. I wonder how
this would affect him later on down the line with time pressure.)
18...Qb8
(This is somewhat surprising. Most observers were expecting Qb7 or Qb5. I
believe Kramnik took something around 20 minutes for this move. 19.Qc2 looks
good to me here.)
19.Qc2
(Topalov again played quickly and he chose another strongest move. By
playing with this lightning speed, he is putting an incredible amount of
pressure on Kramnik. He has less than 45 minutes while Topalov still has
almost 95 minutes!)
19...exf4
(This is not a good move. He had to take the d pawn, not the f pawn. I would
definitely take back with the Bishop.)
20.Bxf4
(Another best move. Black is having a hard time coming up with a plan now.)
20...Qb7
(Now, the question is how to proceed as White. This is a critical position
for White. Will it be Rad1 or will it be Bg5? The logical choice is to
center the Rook.)
21.Rad1
(The question now is how does Black continue? What is the plan for Black?
Nigel Short suggested: "Rfe8 followed by Nf8-e6 I cannot see anything
else.")
21...Rfe8
(The difference between an amateur and a professional is how to proceed in a
position like this. It is also the difference between a world class player
versus an average grandmaster. It is one thing to have a good position. It
is another thing to come up with the proper plan to continue. Anyone can sit
at home with Fritz screaming out White is better. It is another thing to sit
on the board coming up with a concrete plan. One of the choices may be
22.Bg5 to stop Nigel Short's plan of Nf8 then e6.)
22.Bg5
(Nigel Short made a good observation: "One minute ago there was near
unanimity that Kramnik was lost: now people cannot find plans or ideas for
White and say that his King is draughty!" That is a real problem at
times in chess: How to find the best plan in a good position?)
22...Be7
(Garry Kasparov chimed in: "Do i hear you saying white can't find good
plan? Agree, black isn't lost yet". Nigel added: "It is quite
similar to this f3 and e4 line, that you kept shafting people (like me)
with, Garry." Dima Tyomkin said: "Looks like Topalovs advantage is
smaller than few moves ago.")
23.Kh1
(Nigel Short asked Kasparov: " So Garry, do you agree with Svidler and
Bareev that Makropoulos and Azmai should be dismissed and have electrodes
attached to their sensitive organs?" Kasparov replied: "I feel that
bareev and svidler are mixing validity of the decision with ethic and morale."
23...Nh7
24.Be3 (White does not want to trade Bishop. The rule of chess is
do not trade when you try to attack and trade if your position has little
space.)
24...Bg5
(Again, I think White has to move the Bishop away, perhaps 25.Bg1. White
cannot afford to trade pieces.)
25.Bg1
Nhf8 26.h4 (You are again seeing the World's Best Attacker versus
the World's Best Defender! It is obvious that Topalov is full of confidence
and he is pushing straight forward! 26...Be7 is the best move here. 26...Bh6
is not accurate.)
26...Be7
27.e5 (Topalov made this move immediately! White has an
overwhelming space advantage. The downfall is if he does not succeed with
his attack, his position will have many holes. That's what an attacker has
to be willing to accept.)
27...Nb8
28.Nc3 (Again, Topalov played this move almost instantly! The idea
is to bring more pieces to the center and the Kingside. A possible threat is
to push d5.)
28...Bb4
(Black is trying to hold off the d5 threat. This is an extremely
uncomfortable position for Kramnik. It seems to me that Topalov is playing
back to his form. He is playing fast and with confidence and precision.
Yasser Seirawan said: " Hmm. Vladimir's position is slip sliding away...
The idea is quite clear. White is reading the push d4-d5, the old central
breakthough.")
29.Qg2
(An unexpected move! I think it is a good move psychologically. It
puts pressure on the c6 pawn and aiming for d5 at one point. Yasser said:
"Note the clock times. Vladimir in serious trouble now."
29...Qc8
(Kramnik does not feel comfortable with the pin so he moved his Queen out of
the way.)
30.Rc1
(Again, Topalov played this move immediately. It is obvious that Topalov is
playing FAST to stop Kramnik from visiting the restroom. I cannot find any
other explanation for his speed. Kramnik is now down to 14 minutes to make
11 moves! That's serious trouble for a position this complicated!)
30...Bxc3
31.bxc3 (Another instant move! And the best choice for recapture.)
31...Ne6
(I very much like 32.Be3 now. White's advantage has increased in the past
few moves and Kramnik is extremely low on time. Black has problem with the f
file, the a and c pawn and White also has h5 at some point. IM Ken Regan
notes: "Kramnik must have felt the heat on the c-pawn, but his play the
last two moves has upped Fritz's eval from 1.50 to 2.50-70. White has a
dream position." Thanks for the spelling correction everyone :) Hard to
analyze, type and chat with the fans on ICC and PlayChess.)
32.Bg4 Qc7
33.Rcd1 Nd7 (A number of you asked about the possibility of both
players using computer help during the game. In my opinion, it is a
ridiculous and unprofessional accusation, especially if coming from fellow
Grandmasters. These 2 guys are the best in the world. They work their tails
off to reach this level. I think it's nonsense about computer use during the
match. Until someone can demonstrate precise proof, I do not believe it.)
34.Qa2
(The problem for Topalov now is what plan to choose between so many good
ones. I have no problem with this move even though the computers do not like
it so much. The advantage is still overwhelming though for White.)
34...Nb6
35.Rf3 (This does not seem to be a very precise move. I would have
preferred 35.Ra1.)
35...Nf8
(This is a mistake! 35.c5 may not look so great but it would give a stronger
defense.)
36.Rdf1
(The attack is coming! It is very hard to defend this position as Black.)
36...Re7
37.Be3 (This is over. There is no way to defend this kind of
attack. It is overwhelming for White!)
37...Nh7
38.Rxf7 Nd5 (It is looking real bad! Resignation coming soon!)
39.R7f3
(More precise would have been 39.Be6 but it is winning also. Black is down a
pawn, a busted Kingside, incredibly weak pawns - isolated and double - and
White has his pieces all coordinated. He could have certainly played on but
the position is quite hopeless at this level.) and Black resigned!
(IM Ken Regan added: " The move 35...c5 (which is just counter to how you
play against Bishops, opening the game) involves a spectacular forcing line,
don't know if it's best: 35...c5 36 d5 Nf8 37 d6 Qb7 38 Rdf1 Rxe5 39 Qxf7+
Qxf7 40 Rxf7 Nd5 41 Bxc5 Nf6 (attack on both Bs) 42 Bd4 Nxg4 43 Re7, still
+1.2 to White but quite a mess!)
This is certainly
an impressive game for Topalov. He played very fast and with pretty good
accuracies. His strategy in the last few games has been cranking out moves
at lightning speed. I am not sure if this has bothered Kramnik or not but
his defense seems to have suffered. As I said before, you are witnessing a
premier attacker versus a premier defender in action. To throw in the
computer cheating accusations is totally nonsense.
Topalov seems to
be in a groove right now. Kramnik needs to neutralize this groove
immediately or the match will be over as we all know that Topalov is capable
of pulling off consecutive wins. We finally have each side winning 2 games.
Kramnik won 2 with his defensive skills and his ability to take advantage of
his opponent's errors. Topalov won 2 games with pure attacking skills.
This match has
certainly become a lot more exciting in many ways!
Many of you asked
do I use Fritz to come up with my suggestions. Once in a while but most of
my suggestions came from my head looking at the screen. It is extremely hard
to update the blog LIVE, type all the analysis, make sure there is no typo,
talk to the chess fans on ICC and playchess, talk to fellow GMs, and running
Fritz in the background :) That is why I only go to Fritz once in a while
when I have time to double check what I suggested earlier. I just have to
rely on my instinct, good or bad :) It is a good question though.)
Boy, how things
have changed in the 72 hours. Just a few days ago, people were saying
Kramnik will draw the rest of his games and Topalov will not make a dent.
Now, people are
saying that Topalov will roll on and Kramnik has no chance to survive. This
is the same pattern as pro-Kramnik or pro-Topalov during the pottygate
situation.
As I said from the
beginning, just sit back and enjoy the games and be thankful that we have
decisive results and exciting play. We are witnessing the best attacker
versus the best defender. This match is FAR FROM OVER!
At this moment,
the momentum seems to temporarily swing to Topalov's side. But it could
easily change direction in the next game. Don't be so hasty in making
judgment. That is why I do NOT take sides. I still do not know who will win.
Didn't Kramnik win the last game against Leko to retain his title? So do NOT
count Kramnik out yet.
I gave them equal
chances before the match when I was asked. The score is still 2 wins for
each player on the board plus game 5. Kramnik won back to back game (1 and
2) and Topalov also won back to back game (8 and 9). It means that both are
capable of winning or losing consecutive games. Kramnik will have White in 2
of the last 3 games including game 12. The best is yet to come! Enjoy!
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