1.d4
Nf6
2.c4
e6
3.Nc3
Bb4
4.Nf3
b6
The text move leads to a strategically very complicated position with mutual chances. [4...c5
is played a bit more often on the top level, but after a few games, starting with Kramnik-Anand from Bonn, it's considered to be not so easy for Black.]
5.Bg5
h6
[5...Bb7
is played more often. 6.Nd2
was what Bacrot chose recently against A.Sokolov. (6.e3
) ]
6.Bh4
g5
7.Bg3
Ne4
8.Qc2
Bb7
now we are transposed into some line from 5...Bb7.
9.e3
Bxc3+
10.bxc3
d6
11.Bd3
f5
12.d5
Na6
The critical position of this line. White has an extremely poor pawn structure, but it's balanced by his two bishops and in a way better development. The question is only if it's balanced or more than balanced.
13.Nd4
[13.Bxe4
fxe4
14.Qxe4
Qf6
is known to win a pawn, but to draw the game.]
13...Nac5
14.0-0
14...Qe7!
Novelty! I was very much afraid that I would not be able to find the deep point of the move, but in fact it turned out to be simple. [after the main move 14...Qf6
White usually goes 15.f3
and now Black has to take on g3, since taking on d3 is bad – which is not the case with queen on e7! 15...Nxg3
(15...Nxd3?
16.fxe4
Nc5
17.e5!
and Black will be crushed.) 16.hxg3
]
15.f3
Nxd3
16.Qxd3
[16.fxe4
Nc5
still looks a bit dangerous for Black, but I will trust my engine and that of Topalov, which say that it's fine.]
16...Nc5
17.Qc2
0-0
18.dxe6
18...Qh7!
Beautiful defensive move. Now it's clear that the e6 pawn is in danger, and that means that White is in strategical danger as well.
19.e4!?
f4!
Black doesn't need to enter any complications yet. [19...fxe4
20.f4!
is very double edged and probably around equal.]
20.Bf2
Rae8
21.a4
White's problem is that he doesn't really have a clear plan.
21...g4!?
Good move, in Topalov style. He doesn't want to play it slow, he just goes for it! [I am curious what would have been played by Bacrot after the automatic 21...a5!?
for example 22.Qa2
Qg6
with advantage for Black]
22.fxg4
A mistake, but white is already under big pressure. [22.a5!?
would be a nice way to show how fearless you are, but I can imagine that there in China, playing Topalov, you have some other ideas than that. And well, even objectively it's dangerous- 22...gxf3
23.gxf3
Nxe4!
and even though white doesn't have to take the knight, still he is in danger.; 22.Nf5
is also not helping much- 22...Nxe6
23.fxg4
Ng5!
with attack.]
22...Bxe4
23.Qd2
Qg6
24.h3
h5
25.Bh4
25...Nxe6?
I suppose Topalov was intending to play the winning line, but then he saw some ghosts there and he decided to play it safe. [25...hxg4!
is of course natural and must have been Topalov's initial thought. I can imagine that with the pawn on e7 you may see some ghosts there, but the computer tells me that objectively the position is just winning for Black. 26.e7
Rf7
27.Rxf4
Rxf4
28.Qxf4
gxh3
29.g4
(29.Qg5
is best 29...Qxg5
30.Bxg5
Bxg2
and the endgame should be won for Black.) 29...Nd3
30.Qg3
Ne5!
31.Qxh3
c5
with a crushing attack.]
26.Nxe6
Qxe6
27.Rxf4
[27.gxh5!?
would be more ambitious, but I can imagine that Etienne was already happy with a draw.]
27...Rxf4
28.Qxf4
hxg4
29.Re1!?
Qg6
[29...gxh3!?
30.Re3
looks a bit dangerous for Black, but again, with computer play he is easily holding. 30...Kg7!
]
30.hxg4
Bc6
31.Rxe8+
Bxe8
32.Bd8!
Now it's clear that Black is unable to keep his pawns, and so the draw is inevitable.
32...Qb1+
33.Qf1
Qxf1+
34.Kxf1
Bxa4
35.Bxc7
Bb3
36.Bxd6
Bxc4+
1/2-1/2