1.e4
At the press conference held before the start of the match, Topalov stated that his duel with Nisipeanu was important for him because he had practically no experience as a match player. Although a 4-game confrontation is rather short and does not allow one to display his whole arsenal, we can distinguish some basic features of Topalov's match strategy. First of all, he made use of the width of his repertoire by constantly changing the openings, thus giving the match a multi-facet character. In doing so, he seems to have aimed to increase the dynamic of play day by day. In the first two games he chose basically solid openings (1...e5 and 1.d4) while in the second half he adopted the much sharper 1...c5 and 1.e4. This could have been caused either by the necessity of getting a more clear image of Nisipeanu, whom he described as "probably the strongest player I have not played yet" (obviously, the game played between them 15 years ago is hardly relevant) or simply by a good knowledge about the general evolution of his own sportive form along competitions.
1...c5
Although Nisipeanu made his first noticeable steps in the national chess as a Sicilian player, he emerged as a first class international fighter with more solid openings such as the Caro Kann and later, the Philidor. By returning to his "first love" specially for this match, the European Champion obviously intended to surprise his mighty opponent, but we shall see soon that he will be hit by the effect of the boomerang.
2.Nf3
d6
3.d4
cxd4
4.Nxd4
Nf6
5.Nc3
Nc6
In youth competitions, Nisipeanu usually played the Najdorf or the Scheweningen. In recent years, he has occasionally employed this move order, but mainly with the rather unusual idea of transposing after White's most aggressive continuations 6.Bc4 and 6.Bg5 to a... Dragon.
6.Bg5
[Here is an example from last year: 6.Bc4
Bd7
7.Bb3
g6
8.Nxc6
Bxc6
9.Nd5
Bg7
10.0-0
0-0
11.Nxf6+
Bxf6
(This whole series of exchanges have only helped Black complete his development in very comfortable way.) 12.Re1
a5
13.a4
e6
14.c3
Be5
15.Bc4
Qc7
16.g3
Kg7
17.Bb5
Rae8
18.Be3
f5
with some initiative for Black, Hamdouchi-Nisipeanu, Castelldefels 2005.]
6...e6
[Only this was meant to be the real surprise for Topalov. This position occurred in Nisipeanu's games as Black only once, 8 years ago and in the company of a lower-rated player. The European Champion's recent adoption of the four knights Sicilian was mainly based on the discovery that the move doomed by theory 6...g6
is in fact entirely playable, as can be seen from the following game: 7.Bb5
Bd7
8.Bxf6
exf6
9.Nde2
Be6
10.Nf4
Bg7
11.Qd3
0-0
12.Nxe6
fxe6
13.Rd1
f5
14.Bxc6
bxc6
15.Qxd6
Qb6
16.0-0
Qxb2
and White faced difficult problems because of the lack of stability of his knight, Nataf-Nisipeanu, Germany 2004.]
7.Qd2
Be7
8.0-0-0
0-0
9.f4
Nxd4
10.Qxd4
Qa5
11.h4!?
This very rare move was played for the first time by none other than... Nisipeanu himself, in a youth championship 11 years ago! I doubt that Topalov chose it for this game as a psychological weapon, aimed to place his opponent in the uncomfortable position of playing "against himself", since he could hardly have expected the Rauzer Attack for this game. I believe it is more of a coincidence that the World Champion had chosen this line when preparing against the Rauzer time ago. The obvious aim of the advance of the h-pawn is to inhibit the thematic ...h6, which would create no real threat, since ...hxg5 would always lead to the dangerous opening of the h-file. Besides, the bishop is over-defended in view of the desirable break in the centre based on e5.
11...e5
[This counter-blow in the centre looks like the most logical answer. Nisipeanu's game continued with 11...Rd8
12.Qe3
h6
13.Be2
Bd7
and now, instead of rushing in with 14.e5 as in Nisipeanu-Tyomkin, Holon 1995, White should have first played 14.Qg3
threatening Bxh6 and forcing the enemy king to occupy an unfavourable square with 14...Kf8
and only now play 15.e5
, which would discard the capture on g5 followed by ...Nh7 as happened in the game.]
12.Qe3
exf4
[During his first matches against Karpov, where the Sicilian was frequently played, Kasparov generally refrained from this capture for as long as possible (although in some cases he overstepped the limit of admissible risk). This is probably the correct approach, but here the normal developing move 12...Be6
leads to rather unclear consequences after 13.f5
Bxa2
. It is understandable that, confronted with such an opening surprise Nisipeanu refrained from embarking in a theoretical dispute in such kind of position. Besides, after the exchange on f4 it is not entirely clear which could be White's benefit from having spent a tempo and weakened the g4-square by the advance of his h-pawn.]
13.Bxf4
Be6
[This pawn sacrifice is more or less forced, because in case of the over-cautious 13...Rd8
White would obtain a wonderful development with 14.Bc4
]
14.Bxd6
Bxd6
15.Rxd6
Rac8
[Apart from Topalov's rapid rhythm of moving, the first technical sign that his opening play had the coherence of a home-prepared analysis consists of the fact that after 15...Bxa2
16.Rxf6!
gxf6
the move h4 proves of essential usefulness by enabling the activation of White's remaining rook with 17.Rh3!
when Black cannot parry the simple mating threats and keep his bishop defended at the same time. With his last move, Black puts some pressure on White's queen side, specifically, on the c3- and a2-squares.]
16.a3
Optically speaking, Black has ample compensation for the pawn. He has the comfortable e5-square at his disposal for his knight, while White's king side structure is weak. The queen side pressure looks threatening, especially that White is slightly behind in development. However, things are by far less clear if examined more concretely. First of all, White's position is much better from strategic point of view than it might look at first sight. His outpost on d5 is of higher significance than Black's e5-square, because it is situated on an open file. In case of a capture on d5, White would obtain a strong passed pawn. Although he still needs two whole tempi (Be2 and Rhd1) to obtain an optimal development, all other white pieces are placed on active squares. Even the weakness of the king side pawns is relative. In certain cases, he can simply start an attack against the enemy king by means of g4-g5, h5 and g6, although for the moment it is a bit early to think about that.
16...Rc6!?
[This completely unexpected move was played after a long thought. In the press centre, we considered 16...Rc5
to be the best way of developing the initiative. Initially, our debates took such a course: 17.Kb1?!
(Removing the king from the exposed c1-square in order to threaten the fork with b4) 17...Rfc8!
18.b4
Qxa3
19.Qxc5!
(Forced, since 19.bxc5?
would lose to 19...Ba2+!
20.Ka1
Nxe4!
as found by IM Andrei Murariu) 19...h6
(For reasons that will become clear later we first tried to secure the back rank with 19...g6
but then IM Nemeth discovered that 20.Qd4
Rxc3
21.Rxe6!
fxe6
22.Qxf6
would win for White.) 20.Qxc8+
(Now, 20.Qd4
Rxc3
21.Rxe6
fxe6
is inoffensive for Black.) 20...Bxc8
21.Rd8+
Kh7
22.Rxc8
Qxb4+
23.Kc1
Nxe4
(With the king on g7 in the similar line starting with 19...g6 instead of 19...h6, this would lead to a draw by perpetual after 24.Nxe4 Qe1+, but here White has an additional possibility). 24.Bd3!
f5
and in spite of the small material deficit, Black can hope to survive because of the safer position of his king.; However, after 16...Rc5
White has a more natural and in fact stronger possibility. Instead of the prophylactic king move, planning the weakening of his own position, he should simply develop with 17.Be2!
Rfc8
18.Rhd1
when the planned 18...Rxc3 is refuted by 19.Qxc3! based on the weakness of the back rank, while 18...h6
allows simplifications with 19.Rd8+!
reducing Black's pressure along the c-file.; The immediate sacrifice 16...Rxc3
is also not entirely satisfactory for Black after 17.Qxc3
(Only not 17.bxc3?
because of 17...Qxa3+
winning the d6-rook.) 17...Qxc3
18.bxc3
Nxe4
19.Rd4
(The only safe square for the rook, avoiding the possible fork on f2) 19...Nxc3
20.g4
followed by Rh3 and Kb2. If Black could transfer his knight to c5 and centralise his king to e7 he would be out of the danger of losing, but the knight does not seem to be on the right path. Maybe the immediate 19...Nc5 followed by ...Rc8 and ...Kf8-e7 would be a better practical chance, but in that case Black would not even have a pawn for the sacrificed exchange.]
17.Rxc6
bxc6
We can evaluate now the consequences of Black's previous move. Obviously, by exchanging one pair of rooks he has given up any attacking ambitions, but has obtained certain strategic compensation. First of all, he has deprived the enemy knight from the important d5-square, while maintaining the stable control of the e5-square. This should allow Black to resist for a long time in a passive but rather solid position, inviting White to take some risks in order to make further progress.
18.Be2
Nd7
19.Rd1
Qc7
20.g3!?
The first move on which Topalov spent considerable amount of time provokes a big surprise in the press centre. We were mainly worried by the massive advance of the king side pawns in view of a direct mating attack. The World Champion might have considered this to be a rather double-edged issue and preferred to consolidate his king side instead, preventing among others the enemy queen's incursion to h2.
20...Rb8
21.Qd4!?
[This was definitely the most shocking move of the entire match. After I convinced myself that there was no mistake in the electronic transmission of moves and that this was the move effectively played by Topalov, I unwillingly remembered a recent comment by Kasparov about Karpov's style of play. The 13th World Champion stated that his predecessor had a considerable practical strength and a deep chess understanding, but it was practically impossible to learn from his games. personally, I have some doubts about that, but I feel that this comment would apply perfectly to Topalov. For instance, how could I explain to my 7-years old son the fact that right after consolidating his king side White completely abandons it? The teaching process would have been much simpler if White had played 21.Rd4
slowly increasing the pressure and aiming to gradually suffocate Black. In fact, I have the feeling that I would have attached to 21.Qd4 an "?!" if it had been played by anybody else, but since Topalov seems to handle such abrupt changes of plans rather well, being able to control the ensuing complications, I cannot really criticise his decision. I would rather confess my limited understanding of chess.]
21...Qxg3
With not so much time left on his clock, Nisipeanu had no reasons to refrain from this capture.
22.Qxa7
Nf6
The situation has become quite sharp. I suppose that Topalov was seduced by the idea of creating an outside passed pawn and by the temporarily hanging position of the enemy rook. However, the former aspect will be compensated by Black's similar achievement on the king side, while the latter only has temporary character.
23.Kb1
[Actually, White could have tried to justify his concept with 23.Qb6
, aiming to eliminate the main defender of the d5-square, the last remaining black queen side pawn. For instance 23...Nd5
(Or if 23...Bd5
then 24.Qd4
) 24.Qxc6
and it is not easy to find a way for Black to take advantage of the tensioned situation.]
23...h5
Securing the back rank and preparing a dangerous candidate for promotion.
24.a4
[Since the fight will soon consist of a race between the passed pawns on opposite wings, White hurries to advance his a-pawn. On the other hand, his last move has the significant drawback of weakening the b4-square, a detail Black will fail to take advantage of. In a mor peaceflu position, such a move like 24.Qc5
, preventing the centralisation of the black queen would deserve serious attention, but here it would lead to unclear consequences after 24...Qxh4
(possible because the b8-rook is not attacked any more) 25.Qxc6
Qg3
followed by the advance of the h- and (in case of the exchange of queens) of the g-pawn. In such cases, the material balance is completely irrelevant, the decisive factor being the speed of the advancing pawns.]
24...Bg4?
[This is a significant mistake already. By exchanging his bishop, Black will lose stability in the centre, leaving the e6-, d5- and f7-squares insufficiently defended. The best practical chance consisted of the centralisation of the quen with 24...Qe5
, creating the threat ...Rb4, when the c3-knight would have started feeling insecure. 25.Qd4
could be answered with 25...Qa5
followed by the transfer of the knight to e5 or, eventually, ...Kh7 and ...Rb4. In this case, White would have faced serious problems breaking Black's blockade on dark squares, while the weakness of the b4-square would have made itself felt. The attempt to take advantage of the similar weakness of the g5-square with 26.Rg1
is easily parried with 26...Ng4
. We can notice here the qualitative difference between the e4- and c6-pawns from the point of view of the key-squares.]
25.Bxg4
hxg4
26.Qd4!
By returning with the queen to the centre, White clears the way to his a-pawn and questions Black's stability in the centre and on the queen side in view of the threat e5-e6.
26...Qxh4?!
[Simplifying White's task. Black should have taken the e-file under control with 26...Re8
]
27.e5
Now, there is little hope left for Black.
27...Nd5
28.Nxd5
cxd5
29.Rg1
[Topalov decides to eliminate the only source of black counterplay, the g4-pawn. In case of 29.Qxd5
Black could have put up some resistance with 29...Re8
, preventing e6, although it is likely that the connected white queen side pawns would have decided the game to White's favour.]
29...Qh2
30.Rxg4
Rc8
Apparently, Black maintains some counterplay based on the threats ...Qxc2+ and ...Rc4. However, Topalov had foreseen a tactical remedy to this problem.
31.Rxg7+!
The decisive blow. White eliminates another candidate to promotion and opens the position of the enemy king.
31...Kh8?!
[Still hoping to trick White. If Black had understood in this moment that the exchange of rooks is inevitable anyway, he would have probably played 31...Kxg7
32.Qg4+
Kh7
33.Qxc8
Qxe5
with better practical chances to muddy the waters by advancing the f-pawn than in the game. Since the immediate 34.a5
would lose the pawn to 34...Qe1+
, White would have had to lose an additional tempo to take the a5-square under control.]
32.Rg4!
[Topalov took his time to calculate the consequences of this accurate move. The tempting 32.e6
would have led to complete equality after 32...Qxc2+
33.Ka2
Rc4
34.Rg2+
Rxd4
35.Rxc2
Rxa4+
36.Kb3
Ra7
]
32...Rc4
[White's main trick consists of the fact that after 32...Qxc2+
33.Ka2
Rc4
34.Rh4+
Kg8
he disposes over the unexpected but decisive queen retreat with check 35.Qg1+
when the only way to avoid mate would be 35...Qg6
when White could transpose to an easily winning pawn ending.]
33.Qd1
Rxg4
34.Qxg4
Qxe5
Compared to the queen ending that could have been obtained by the immediate capture on g7, Black is in a worse situation here, because of the unfortunate position of his king. Concretely, White wins an essential tempo with
35.c3!
, threatening Qd4 and covering the e1-a5 diagonal at the same time, thus ensuring the further advance of the a-pawn.
35...Kh7
36.Qd4
Qe6
37.a5
f5
Black not only is a pawn down, but his only candidate to promotion is less advanced than White's.
38.b4
[White maintains the centralised position of the queen, keeping the f-pawn under observation and threatens to simply advance his connected pawns. Another simple win was suggested by IM Valentin Stoica: 38.Qa7+
Kg8
(The sixth rank is denied to the black king because of Qb6, exchanging queens) 39.Qb8+
Kg7
40.Qb7+
Kg8
41.a6
when the further advance of the a-pawn is ensured, while Black has no perpetual check, for instance 41...Qe4+
42.Kc1
Qe1+
43.Kc2
Qe2+
44.Kb3
Qc4+
45.Ka3
Qc5+
46.Ka4
Qc4+
47.b4
with an easy win.]
38...Qe2
39.Qxd5
By this moment, I unwillingly remembered the final part of the game Topalov-Anand from San Luis 2005. In that game, White had three connected king side pawns against Black's far advanced b-pawn and eventually missed a win. However, in our game the situation is completely hopeless for Black, because his f-pawn does not present any danger.
39...Kg6
40.Qd6+
Kg5
41.a6
f4
42.Qc5+
Kg4
43.a7
[After 43.a7
Qe4+
44.Kb2
the threat Qc8+ followed by a8=Q would force Black place his queen on a passive square with 44...Qb7
when after 45.Qa5
Qa8
46.Qc7
followed by Qc8 the f-pawn would be two tempi too slow to generate adequate counterplay. Therefore, Black resigned.] 1-0