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(4) Grischuk,A (2736) - Topalov,V (2805) [E15]
XXVII SuperGM Linares ESP (9), 23.02.2010
1.d4
Nf6
2.c4
e6
3.Nf3
b6
4.g3
Ba6
5.b3
Bb4+
6.Bd2
Be7
7.Nc3
0-0
8.Rc1
Ba3
9.Rc2
Nc6
10.Bg5
h6
11.Bxf6
Qxf6
12.Bg2
d5
13.0-0
The new move. 13...dxc4
14.bxc4
Rad8
15.Rd2
Bb4
16.Qb3
Bxc3
17.Qxc3
Na5
# 18.c5
Nc4
19.Rc2
bxc5
20.Qb3
cxd4
21.Rxc4
Rb8
22.Qc2
Bxc4
23.Qxc4
e5
#Topalov is pinning his hopes on the connected pawns in the middle. 24.Qxc7
Rfe8
25.Qxa7
Rb2
26.Re1
g6
27.a4
Rd8
28.Qa5
e4
29.Nd2
e3
30.fxe3
#Grischuk has less than ten minutes for ten moves, and Topalov is trying to blitz him. 30...d3?!
[ Objectively 30...dxe3
is probably the "best" move here as all the top engines will tell you. However in a practical sense, Topalov's 30...d3 has to be viewed as superior, as it offers him his best chances for a swindle. Clearing the seventh for both rooks opens a whole new can of worms for Grischuk to deal with, and increases the chances for a reversal. The knot of pieces around his king suggested White has his work cut out for him.] 31.Ne4
Qe7
32.exd3
Rxd3
33.Qa8+
Kg7
# 34.Qc6?!
[ GM Yasser Seirawan discussed this position vigorously on the server and, with the help of the kibitzers, came up with 34.Bf1!
which appears to be better than the text move, e.g. (to mention just one line) 34...Rd8
35.Qc6
threat 36.Qc3+ 35...Qe5
36.a5!
Qxa5
37.Qf6+
Kg8
38.Nd6
Rxd6
39.Qxb2
Qxe1
40.Qb8+
Kg7
41.Qxd6
Qxe3+
42.Kg2
Qe4+
43.Kf2
Qf5+
44.Kg1
and White should be able to win.] 34...f5
35.Nf2
Rdd2
36.Qc3+
Kh7
37.Rf1
Rbc2
38.Qb3
Rb2
39.Qc3
Rbc2
40.Qb3
Rb2
#The repetitions make it look like Grischuk had resigned himself to a draw, but he was only doing it to reach the time control safely. 41.Qc4
h5
[ 41...Qxe3
42.Qf7+
Kh8
43.Qf8+
Kh7
44.Bd5
is winning for White.] 42.Qf4
Re2
43.Bf3
Rec2
44.Nd3
Ra2
45.Nb4
Rxa4
46.Nxc2
Rxf4
47.gxf4
#Grischuk has held his nerve, made it to the time control with his winning edge still intact and, with everyone watching the game with "Ohs" and "Ahs", simplified the position unexpectedly into one where he held no less than three pieces for Topalov's queen. Many felt that this might make the win more complicated, but Grischuk showed that he knew exactly how he was going to bring home the bacon. After 47...Kh6
48.Rb1
Qe6
49.Re1
Qa2
50.Nd4
h4
51.Be2!
#it was clear there would be no miracle perpetual checks, or other surprises, and left to his own devices, White would simply pick off the h-pawn with his king in utter safety. Five moves later, Topalov threw in the towel, setting up a huge showdown for the last round. 51...g5
52.fxg5+
Kxg5
53.Rf1
Kg6
54.Rxf5
Qb1+
55.Rf1
Qe4
56.Kf2
1-0
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