Topałow

GM Topalov (2777) - GM Ivanchuk (2781) [D47]

13.09.2008, Bilbao Grand Slam Final

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 c6 5.e3 Nbd7 6.Bd3 dxc4 7.Bxc4 b5 8.Bd3 Bb7 9.a3 Bd6 10.0–0 0–0 11.Qc2 h6 12.e4 e5 13.dxe5 Nxe5 14.Nxe5 Bxe5 15.h3 = a6 16.Be3 c5 17.Bxc5 Re8 += Even though Black is down a pawn, he has excellent compensation. White's advantage is minimal. White cannot defend the e4 pawn with f3 because of Black's Nh5. Then White has many weaknesses on the Kingside.18.Rad1 Qc7 19.Nd5 White is trying to make an issue in the center. Black can take the Knight with either the Bishop or Knight.19...Nxd5 20.exd5 Bxb2 21.d6 Qc3 22.f3 += Even though Black got the pawn back, he has to be very careful. The d6 pawn is becoming quite dangerous.22...Rec8 23. Bh7+ Kh8 24. Be4 Qxc5+ 25. Qxc5 Rxc5 26. Bxb7 += White still maintains a small advantage. But with correct play, Black should be able to hold this.26... Rd8 27. Rfe1 Be5 28. d7 a5 29. f4 Bc7 30. Bd5 Kh7 31. Bxf7 Rf5 32. Ba2 Rxf4 33. Bb1+ Kg8 34.Bg6 Bb6+ 35. Kh1 Bc5 36. Rc1 Bf8 37. Red1 Bxa3 38. Rc8 Rff8 39. Be8 Be7 40. Re1 Bg5 41. g3 a4 42. h4 Bf6 43. Re6 {White wins} 1-0