Autoplay:
Autoplay:
The duel between the provisional leaders is of great interest. Topalov is regaining his form and up to now is quite convincing with his play. Yet, though characterized by somewhat irregular performances, Ivanchuk is always capable to create a masterpiece against any chess player (or lose in a surprising way to anyone), so the outcome is hard to predict.
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 It is hard to guess Ivanchuk's opening choice. It is Sicilian Defense this time, but he thought over 5 minutes over his 2nd move.
2... d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 The Najdorf variation, regularly used by Topalov himself. Obviously there was psychology involved in deciding which line to chose.
6.Be3 e5 7.Nb3 Be6 8.f3 Nbd7 Veselin himself played in several games (8... h5) not letting White play 9.g4.
9.g4 b5 10.g5 b4 11.Nd5 Nxd5 12.exd5 Bf5 13.Bd3 Bxd3 14.Qxd3 Be7 15.h4 A series of moves was made in rapid succession defining the exact line. Black normally castles here followed by f7-f5 while White castles opposite and transfers the Knight to c4.
15... a5 16.a3 Quite logical, though never tried before. (16.Nd2) or (16.O-O-O) was chosen earlier inevitably.
16... a4 (16... O-O 17.axb4 axb4 18.Rxa8 Qxa8 19.Ke2 seems fine for White. )
17.Nd2 Rb8 Now Topalov may begin complications by (17... Rb8 18.axb4 Rxb4 19.Qc3 Qb8 20.Qc6)
18.axb4 Rxb4 19.Qa3 (19.Qc3 was quite interesting, intending to use the light squares and the lack of coordination among Black pieces. Qc6, Ke2 ans Ra4 seem perfectly positioned. Veselin's plan - to trade 'a' for 'b' getting the Queen to 'a4' - also makes sense.) (19.Qa3 Qa5 exercising pressure on 'd5' could be a problem though. Sample variation - 20.c3 Rb8 21.c4 (21.Qxa4 Qxd5) 21... Rb4 22.Qc3 Nc5 23.h5 O-O)
19... Qb8 20.c3 Rxb2 21.Qxa4 Rb7 22.Ke2 followed by Rhb1 seems to be demanded by this position.
22.Ke2 Rc7 ( Ivancuk wishes to preserve his Rook to defend the 7th rank but 22... Rc7 23.Rhb1 Qc8 24.Rb6 O-O 25.Rc6 may cause him serious trouble.)
23.Rhb1 Qc8 (23... Qc8 24.Bb6 Rb7 (24... Rxc3 25.Ne4) 25.Ba7 looks good as well.)
24.Bb6 Rb7 ( After 24... Rb7 25.Ba7 e4 is the only way for Black to stay in the game else he is completely lost.)
25.Ba7 e4 Capturing on 'e4' with the pawn seems best in order to keep the Knight protecting the King.
26.fxe4 Rxb1 27.Rxb1 O-O ( Ivanchuk finally managed to castle but the ensuing ending gives him little hope 27... O-O 28.Qc6 Ne5 29.Qxc8)
28.Qc6 Ne5 29.Qxc8 Rxc8 30.Rb8 Rxb8 31.Bxb8 White has comfortable technical ending. As the opponent can't allow him to trade the Knights, he may gain more space advancing his King to 'c6' prepared by a Nf3.
31... Kf8 32.Nf3 Ng6 (32... Ng6 33.e5 Nf4+ 34.Ke3 dxe5 35.d6 Bd8 36.Nxe5 seems to be the fastest way to win, but is not the only one.)
33.c4 Ke8 34.e5 Kd7 35.Kd3 h6 36.exd6 Bxd6 37.Bxd6 Kxd6 38.gxh6 gxh6 39.Kd4 f6 40.c5+ Kd7 ( The passed pawns are unstoppable: 40... Kd7 41.c6+ Kd6 42.Nd2 Kc7 43.Nc4 f5 44.Kc5 etc.)
41.Ke4 h5 42.d6 Ke6 43.Nd4+ Kd7 44.Nf5 Ne5 45.Kd5 Nc6 46.Nd4 Black may resign now... He actually did. Good game by Topalov, while his opponent's opening choice backfired. Ivanchuk faced an interesting new plan in a position he was not quite familiar with and was mercilessly outplayed.
1-0