1.e4
e5
2.Nf3
Nc6
3.Bb5
a6
4.Ba4
Nf6
5.0-0
Be7
6.Re1
b5
7.Bb3
0-0
8.h3
Bb7
9.d3
Re8
10.c3
h6
11.Nbd2
Bf8
12.a3
d6
13.Ba2
Nb8
14.b4
c5
15.Nb3
Nc6
16.Rb1
Bc8
17.Be3
Be6
18.Qc2
Rc8
19.Qb2
White has placed some of his pieces on rather unnatural squares, while Black has regrouped in a harmonious way.
19...c4
20.dxc4
Bxc4
21.Nbd2
Bxa2
22.Qxa2
d5
This thematical central break ensures Black at least equal play.
23.Rbd1
d4
24.cxd4
exd4
25.Nb3?!
[Still fighting for an advantage, something not surprising in Topalov's games. 25.Nxd4
would have been safer.]
25...Nxe4
26.Bxd4
Nxd4
27.Rxd4
27...Ng5!!
A fantastic move, overlooked by Topalov. All of a sudden, White is in trouble.
28.Ne5
[Accepting the "sacrifice" with 28.Rxd8
would have led to equally unpleasant consequences after 28...Nxf3+
29.gxf3
Rxe1+
(This intermediate move is possible only because the back rank is defended by the bishop.) 30.Kg2
Rxd8
with a small material advantage and the safer king's position for Black.]
28...Nxh3+!
29.gxh3
Qg5+
30.Kh2
[In case of 30.Rg4
Black had an "echo-line" at his disposal: 30...Rxe5!
31.Rxg5
Rxe1+
followed by 32...hxg5.]
30...Qf5!
[Avoiding unnecesary complications after 30...Rxe5
31.f4!?
]
31.Rde4
Rxe5
32.Rxe5
Bd6
33.Nc5
Bxe5+
34.Kg2
Rc6
35.Qb3
Rg6+
36.Kf1
Bg3
Just like in Morelia 2006 and Sofia 2005, Topalov seems to have problems of warming up. From this point of view, the World Championship from San Luis 2005 is an obvious exception: from the first 7 rounds, he only "lost" half a point! 0-1