(1) Kasparov,G (2831) - Topalov,V (2735) [C88]
XXI SuperGM Linares ESP (13), 04.03.2004



1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5
The Ruy Lopez

3...a6 4.Ba4
The standard retreat, preserving the bishop for later actions against the Black kingside

4...Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
Inviting the Marshall Gambit with 8.c3 d5

8.a4
The anti-Marshall.

8...Bb7 9.d3
White prefers a slower approach to the already patient lines with c3, Bc2, d4, and Nb1-d2-f1

9...d6 10.Nbd2 Nd7
idea Nc5xb3

11.c3
To preserve the Bb3-c2

11...Nc5 12.axb5 axb5 13.Rxa8 Qxa8 14.Bc2 b4 15.d4
Typical of the Spanish torture. White's bishops will thrive in an open board.

15...bxc3 16.bxc3
Avoiding exd4 cxd4 when white has a substantial advantage owing to unchallenged central control.

16...Nd7 17.Nf1
TYpical in the Ruy, heading for g3 or e3

17...Bf6
Typical defense, over-protecting e5

18.d5
Sealing in the Bf6 and his own light-squared bishop, but gaining central space.

18...Ncb8 19.h4
With four black puieces on the queenside, Kasparov lashes out against Topalov's kingside.

19...Nc5 20.Ng3
The tables have turned... just a few days ago, it was Topalov leading the charge in the Spanish torture. Now he must defend.

20...Bc8
Hoping for Bg4, exchanging one of white's dangerous knights

21.Ng5 h6
Diagram

22.Nh5
Inviting hxg5

22...Be7
[22...hxg5 23.Nxf6+ gxf6 24.hxg5 Nbd7 25.Qh5 With a huge attack (g6 and Re3-h3)(]

23.Nh3 Qa2
[23...Bxh3 24.gxh3 And white will bring the Rf1-g1 with huge attacking chances.]

24.Re3 g6 25.Rg3 Nbd7
[25...Bxh4 26.Bxh6 Bxg3 27.Nf6+ Kh8 28.Bxf8 Bxh3 29.fxg3+- Qd2-h6 is coming]

26.Bxh6 Bxh4 27.Rg4 Be7 28.Bg5
Eliminating Black's key kingside defender

28...Bxg5 29.Nxg5 f5 30.exf5 gxh5 31.Rg3!
Threatening discovered checks. [31.Ne6+ hxg4 32.Qxg4+ Kf7 33.Qg7+ Ke8 34.f6 Qa1+ 35.Kh2 Rxf6 36.Bg6+ Rxg6 37.Qxg6+ Ke7 38.Qg7+ Ke8 39.Qg6+= ]

31...Nf6
Diagram

32.Ne6+?
[32.Ne4+ Ng4 (32...Kf7 33.Nxf6 Kxf6 34.Qxh5 Qa1+ 35.Kh2 e4 36.Qh6+ Ke5 37.Qxf8+- ) 33.Rxg4+ hxg4 34.Qxg4+ Kf7 (34...Kh8 35.Qh5+ Kg7 36.Qg6+ Kh8 37.f6+- Qxc2 38.Qg7# ) 35.Qg6+ Ke7 36.f6+ Kd8 (36...Kd7 37.Qg7+ Ke8 38.Qe7# ) 37.Qg7 Re8 38.f7+- ]

32...Kf7 33.Rg7+ Ke8 34.Nxc7+ Kd8 35.Ne6+ Ke8 36.Nc7+ Kd8 37.Ne6+ Ke8 38.Nc7+ 1/2-1/2