1.d4
d5
2.c4
c6
3.Nf3
Nf6
4.e3
Bf5
5.Nc3
e6
6.Nh4
Bg6
7.Nxg6
hxg6
From the point of view of general match strategy, a courageous decision. Kramnik has nothing against repeating the opening variation that had led him to a rather convincing defeat in the 9th game.
8.Rb1!?N
[Another opening surprise prepared by Topalov. The idea behind his last move is similar to that of 8.a3
, as played in the 9th game, namely to prepare c4-c5.]
8...Nbd7
9.c5
[This might look a bit too straightforward to offer White an advantage, but is not without poison. The pair of bishops and the considerable advantage of space on the queen side offer White interesting possibilities. If compared with the previous game where this variation was played, White cannot prevent the central break ...e5 by playing f4 before c5 because Black would take over the control of the e4-square by means of ...Bb4 (even if with loss of time after 9.g3 Be7 10.f4). From this point of view, 9.a3
deserves some attention and if 9...a5
then 10.f4
but apparently Topalov intended to give the game an independent course in order to avoid the opponent's preparation.]
9...a5!
[A well timed move. Before starting his counterplay in the centre, Black makes sure the a-file will be open for his rook. In case of 9...e5
10.b4
it would be too late for 10...a5
already, because of 11.b5
with a promising queen side position for White.]
10.a3
Practically forced in view of the threat ...b6.
10...e5
11.b4
axb4
12.axb4
Qc7
13.f4
Probably still following the plan prepared at home. White prevents Black's counterplay from taking threatening forms and forces him take a decision at once.
13...exf4
[In case of 13...e4
White could gradually start active operations on both wings. The advance of the b7-pawn to b5 is not a reliable solution against White's intended queen side attack because of the permanent danger of a piece sacrifice for two pawns on b5.]
14.exf4
Be7
[Topalov probably relied on the fact that the weakness of the e4-square is not so easy to take advantage of. If 14...Ne4
(now or on the next few moves), then simply 15.Nxe4
dxe4
16.d5
with initiative in the centre. However, Kramnik's accurate regrouping will eventually enable the generally desirable knight jump.]
15.Be2
Nf8
16.0-0
Ne6
17.g3
[White has to be careful. He has no time for 17.Qd3
because of 17...g5
, solving all Black's problems.]
17...Qd7
18.Qd3
Ne4
It's now or never. White threatened to consolidate his advantage of space by means of Be3 and Bf3, when Black would have been reduced to passivity.
19.Nxe4
dxe4
20.Qxe4
Qxd4+
21.Qxd4
Nxd4
22.Bc4
In spite of simplifications, White retained his advantage of space and the pair of bishops. However, the rook's activity along the a-file and his lack of weaknesses offer Black reasonable counter-chances.
22...0-0
23.Kg2
Ra4
24.Rd1
Rd8
25.Be3
Bf6
26.g4
[A questionable move. By weakening the f4-square without previous preparation, White practically commits himself to the further advance of pawns, which will offer Black stable squares for his minor pieces and excellent prospects for counterplay. A more restrained alternative was 26.h4
, leaving Black with long-term problems regarding the defence of the f7- or (if ...f6 is played) the g6-pawn.]
26...Kf8
27.Bf2
Enabling the threat g5, which would have led nowhere if played right away because of the intermediate ...Nf5.
27...Ne6
28.Rxd8+
Under certain circumstances, g5 would have consolidated White's advantage of space. This would be impossible here because of ...Nxf4 and ...Bxg5, which reveals one of the positive aspects of the recommended 26.h4.
28...Bxd8
29.f5
[With so many pawns placed on dark squares, White's advantage after 29.Bxe6
fxe6
would probably have a purely symbolic character.]
29...gxf5
30.gxf5
Nf4+
31.Kf3
Nh5
32.Rb3
Bc7
33.h4
Nf6
Black has regrouped in optimal way. The f5-pawn is safely blocked, preventing an eventual attack of the b7-pawn by means of Bc8, while the white king's activity is restricted by a barrier along the fourth rank. We can also notice that the advantage of space has a relative character already. Since the white pieces cannot easily sustain the pawn's offensive, the whole space left behind can be used mainly by Black for counterplay.
34.Bd3
The pressure against the f7-square did not promise White much and Topalov decides to remove the bishop from the active but slightly exposed position in order to enable b5.
34...Nd7
35.Be4
[But this looks over-ambitious already. The immediate 35.Bb1
, preventing the enemy rook's activation aong the second rank, looks like a safer decision.]
35...Ne5+
36.Kg2
Ra2
37.Bb1
Rd2
38.Kf1
Ng4
39.Bg1
The white pieces have been pushed even further back from the own pawns, which leaves the whole king side in some danger.
39...Bh2
Intending the elimination of the main defender of the dark squares.
40.Ke1
Rd5
41.Bf2
Ke7
42.h5
Nxf2
43.Kxf2
Kf6
44.Kf3
Rd4
45.b5
Finally, White has managed to carry out this thematic advance, undermining the c6-square and opening new perspectives for his bishop. In spite of the inevitable loss of the h5-pawn, this will more or less guarantee a draw.
45...Rc4
46.bxc6
bxc6
47.Rb6
Rxc5
48.Be4
Kg5
49.Rxc6
Ra5
50.Rb6
Ra3+
51.Kg2
Bc7
52.Rb7
Rc3
53.Kf2
Kxh5
54.Bd5
f6
55.Ke2
Kg4
56.Be4
Black has managed to maintain his minimal material advantage and avoid the exchange of rooks at the same time. However, his extra-pawn is hardly relevant and his last remaining chance consists of creating some threats against the enemy king, possibly combined with the relative lack of stability of the enemy bishop along the b1-e4 diagonal. We can see that White's advantage of space finally does him a good service. If we lift the whole king side structure with, say, 2 ranks, Black would get reasonable winning chances already, one of the possible ideas being the exchange sacrifice in order to remove White's last pawn.
56...Kf4
57.Bd3
Rc5
58.Rb4+
Kg3
59.Rc4
Re5+
60.Re4
Ra5
61.Re3+
Kg2
62.Be4+
Kh2
63.Rb3
Ra2+
64.Kd3
In order to avoid Black's playing on in the conditions of limited time, the white king has to attack the g7-pawn, when a draw would become obvious. However, the shorter path could prove dangerous here. Once the king would reach h5, there would be such a mating construction available: ...Rg5+ Kh4 Bg3 (or e1) mate.
64...Bf4
65.Kc4
Re2
66.Kd5
1/2-1/2