(1) Shirov,A (2718) - Topalov,V (2718) [B81]
It Wijk aan Zee (1), 13.01.2001



1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6
The Sicilian Najdorf

6.Be3
The fashionable English Attack, idea f3, Qd2, 0-0-0, and g4

6...e6 7.g4
The Perenyi Attack. Like the Keres Attack, with the idea of a quick g4-g5

7...e5
This appears to win the g-pawn straight away

8.Nf5
Blocking Bxg4

8...g6
If the Nf5 moves, Black will win the g-pawn.

9.g5
Here's the point. White sacs the Bf5 for quick development.

9...gxf5 10.exf5 d5
idea d4. If instead Ng8 11.f6 traps the white kingside.

11.Qf3
Or Qe2 [11.gxf6 d4 12.Bc4 Qc7 ]

11...d4 12.0-0-0
Delaying the loss of a second piece, but black can block or sidestep the pin on the Qd8

12...Nbd7 13.Bd2
Offering a second piece.

13...Qc7
OUt of the line of fire, and defending e5

14.gxf6 dxc3 15.Bxc3 Qc6
The f-pawns will remain weak. Up a piece, Topalov seeks an exchange of queens. [15...Nxf6 Giving white hope for an attack on e5]

16.Qg3 Bh6+
[16...Qxh1 17.Bg2 Bh6+ 18.Bd2 Bxd2+ 19.Kxd2 Qxd1+ 20.Kxd1~~ ]

17.Kb1 Bf4
[17...Qxh1 Black trails too much in development to go after the Rh1 18.Bxe5 Qe4 19.Bc7 ]

18.Qd3 Rg8
[18...Nxf6 19.Qd8# ]

19.Bh3
Diagram

19...Kd8
idea Kc7-b8 [19...Qxf6!? ]

20.Bb4!
idea Kc7 Bd6+

20...Qxf6 21.Qc4
Keeping the king on the center, and idea Rd6

21...Rg5
Preparing Qg7 [21...b5 22.Ba5+ Ke8 23.Qc7 ]

22.Rd6 Qg7 23.f6
[23.Ba5+ Ke8 24.f6 Rg1+ 25.Bf1 ]

23...Rg1+ 24.Bf1!
[24.Bf1 Qg2 (24...Rxf1+ 25.Rxf1 Qg2 26.Ba5+ Ke8 27.Re6+ fxe6 28.Qxe6+ Kf8 29.Bb4+ ) 25.Ba5+ Ke8 26.Re6+ fxe6 (26...Kf8 27.Qb4+ Kg8 28.Re8+ Nf8 29.Rxf8# ) 27.Qxe6+ Kf8 28.Bb4+ ] 1-0