Photo by Fred Lucas
[Event “Sofia Match”]
[Date “2009.02.21”]
[Round “4”]
[White “GM Kamsky”]
[Black “GM Topalov”]
[ECO “C92”]
[White Elo “2725”]
[Black Elo “2796”]
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 Bb7 10. d4 Re8 11. Nbd2 Bf8 So far all book with no novelty. Both players are playing quite fast up to this point. Kamsky has done a much better job handling his clock since game 2.
12.Ng5 This is not a novelty. However, it is not a very popular line. The more common lines are 12.a4, 12.a3, 12.Bc2 or 12.d5.
12…Re7 13.d5 Both 13…Nb8 or 13…Na5 are playable. It is only a matter of preference. 13…Na7 is not as good.
13…Nb8 14.Nf1 We are still in book so far. Sorry for putting up the wrong photo and title. I was going over the Anand game yesterday against Aronian and I guess his name was stuck in my head 🙂 Thanks for alerting me. I guess you are paying attention after all 🙂
Sometimes playing an obscure line is almost as good as playing a novelty. No player can memorize every line. They may remember some moves and the key ideas. From there they would have to try to recall the variations or previous home analysis. This is also why humans have such a big handicap against computers.
14…Nbd7 This is a logical move, even if one forgets the variation. This is something to keep in mind when you forget your opening moves, just play logical chess.
15.Ng3 Black can stop the Knight penetration with g6. It also clears the g7 square for the Bishop.
15…g6 I think this type of position fits Kamsky best. This is a good choice for Gata.
16.Bc2 Other lines such as 16.a4 or 16.Be3 are also good. Black has many choices here. He can chase the Knight back with 16…h6 or simply play 16…Bg7 or 16…Nb6. They are all decent choices. This is the first time in the match that Gata is playing his game and not being dictated by Topalov. If he can do this for the rest of the match, his chances will greatly improve.
16…h6 17.Nf3 Nb6 Now h4 is imminent.
18.h4 I think Black is forced to play h5 which will weaken the g5 square. But he may not have a choice. Black should not allow White to play h5. An idea is to play h5, followed by Bc8 to give his Kingside some reinforcement.
18…Qd7 A surprising move which I did not anticipate. I do not like it. White can now safely play 19.h5. Black is basically daring White to do it. 19. h5 Qg4 20. hxg6 fxg6 += I prefer White.
19.Nh2 The idea of h5 remains. The difference is Black can no longer play Qg4. I think it may be a bit too slow. Black can attempt 19…c6 to open the center up for counter play. Again, it is a matter of preference to play 19.h5 right away or 19.Nh2 first. Both are playable. I just prefer the other choice 🙂
19…Bg7 Surely 20.h5 has to come now.
20.h5 Black obviously cannot play 20…g5 because it will give White the critical f5 square. I still prefer 20…c6 to open things up.
20…Rf8 The idea is if White plays hxg6, the Black Rook would be in the right place on the f file after capturing back with fxg6. This is a critical move for Gata. What plan will he come up with? It is certainly not easy. In fact, this is where most chess players have problems with so do not feel bad if you have a hard time coming up with sound plans.
21.Nhf1 Not very intimidating for Black. I think perhaps it is just a get by move in a difficult position not to drain so much time on the clock. Will we see the logical c6 soon?
21…c6 This position is equal.
22.dxc6 Qxc6 23.Ne3 A possibility for Black is 23…d5 24. exd5 Nbxd5 25. Nxd5 Nxd5 = It is not pleasant having the Queen and Bishop pointing at your g2 pawn.
23…Kh7 Topalov is playing cautiously. 23…d5 is a lot more aggressive.
24.Qf3 It is hard to find a convincing plan here. Black can just sit and shuffle his Rook to c7 or Bishop to c8 waiting for White to make a move.
24…Bc8 25.Rd1 Black can put his Rook on d8 then Bishop on e6. The position is still equal.
25…Be6 An interesting idea is 26.Bb3 Bxb3 27.axb3 and White has a better game with Black’s weak a6 pawn. Black basically has to retreat Bishop to c8.
26.b3 Gata sacrifices a pawn to free up his Queenside pieces 26…Qxc3 27.Bd2 Qc7 28.Bb4 Black’s d6 is extremely vulnerable. The position is still equal.
26…Qxc3 27.Bd2 Qc7 Both 28.Rac1 and Bb4 are playable.
28.Ba5 Qb8 Gata is trying to make an issue from a tight position but I see no advantage for White. He is down to about 25 minutes for the last 12 moves.
29.Rd2 Nc8 29…Rd7 is also playable.
30.Rad1 b4 += Once again, 30…Rd7 is fine. Obviously the idea of 30…b4 is to play Qb5 trapping the Bishop. White can simply play 31.Qe2 to stop it. 31. Bd3 also does the trick.
31.Qe2 Black needs to put his Rook on d7. White cannot play Qxa6 because of Ra7 winning a piece.
31…Kh8 An unusual move. White can now play 32.Bd3 with an advantage.
32.Bd3 Gata found the best move. Black can try 32…Na7 but White can put either of his Rook to the c file to stop the Knight from going to c6.
32…Na7 33.Rc1 += Nb5 34.Bxb5 axb5 35.Bxb4 += Rd7 36.Rc6 Black has a problem with the d6 pawn.
36…Rfd8 Gata has an excellent chance to convert this game. This is his best chance of the match so far. Topalov’s problems all started with 31…Kh8. 37.Nd5 is worth a look here.
37.Qd1 Bf8 += Gata has perhaps around 7 minutes for the last 3 moves. I still like parking the Knight on d5.
38.Qc2 Kh7 39.Ba5 Re8 40.hxg6+ fxg6 += Both sides comfortably made time control.
41.Bc7 Qb7 White can end up with a pawn up endgame with 42.Bxd6 Bc4 43.Rc7 Rxc7 44.Bxc7 Qxc7 45.bxc4 bxc4 46.Qxc4 Qxc4 47.Nxc4 +=
42.Bxd6 Bf7 Now White can play 43.Bxf8 with a strong advantage. I prefer this line better for Black 42…Bc4 43.Rc7 Rxc7 44.Bxc7 Qxc7 45.bxc4 bxc4 46.Qxc4 Qxc4 47.Nxc4 +=. Here is a possible continuation with 43.Bxf8 Rxd2 44.Qc1 Rxf8 45.Rxf6 Rfd8 46.Ngf1 R2d6 47.Nf5 gxf5 48.Qxh6+ Kg8 49.Rxd6 Rxd6 50.Qxd6 Qxe4 +/- Gata is taking a lot of time for this move. I have a sense that he has a gut feeling about 43.Bxf8. But he must calculate everything out because a mistake can lead from a borderline winning position to losing.
43.Bb4 Gata chose not to go into the much more complicated line 43.Bxf8. If Black plays 43…Bxb4 44.Rxd7 Qxd7 45.Rxf6 +=
43…Bxb4 44.Rxd7 Qxd7 45.Rxf6 White is up a pawn but Black has the Bishop pair. Slight advantage for White.
45…Re6 I prefer 45…Kg7. White’s best response after 45…Re6 is 46.Nd5
46.Nd5 Bf8 47.Rf3 Kg7 48.Rc3 +/- Slowly but surely making progress.
48…Ra6 49.Rc7 Qd6 White has a considerable advantage. There is a good chance that Gata can even up the match. If Gata wants to win this match, he must play this type of position the rest of the way. If he engages in wild tactical battles, the advantage would go to Topalov.
50.Qe2 Kg8 51.Qxb5 Rxa2 52.Qb7 Stronger would be 52.Rc6
52…Ra1+ 53.Kh2 Bxd5 54.exd5 +- Qf6 55.Qc8 Qh4+ 56.Qh3 Qxh3+ 57.Kxh3 +/-
White is better but it requires good endgame technique.
57…Rd1 58.Nd4 Ba3 59.Ra7 Bb4 +/- 60.Rb7 Ba3 61.f3 This may be simpler 61.Nf6+ Kf8 62.Nd7+ Ke8 63.Nxe5 Rxd5 64.Nxg6 +-
61…Kf8 62.Rb5 h5 63.Kg3 Rc1?! 64.Rb8+ Kf7 65.Rb7+ Kf8 Now 66.b4 looks strong.
66.Kf2 An unusual plan but it works to get the King to d3 then push the d pawn.
66…Rc2+ 67.Kf1 Rc1+ 68.Ke2 Rc2+ 69.Kd3 The end is coming soon.
69…Rxg2 White can push b4 to block the Bishop from protecting the d6 square.
70.Ra7 Be7 71.d6 Bd8 72.Nc5 Ke8?? The final blunder. Now 73.Rg7 or Rh7 1-0
73.Rh7 Black resigns
Click here to replay the game.
Kamsky vs Anand???
Kamsky-Anand? Not quite!
It IS KAMSKY-ANANAD! Only you think the Indian is Toplaov because the match is in Bulgaria.
Can Anand sue Topa now?
Why Kamsky pushes d5 to block his own bishop??????????? So stupid, I think as low rated ICC player.
Na7 is good now. To get Kamsky to think Topa plays stupid, then counter-attack.
If I were Topa, I’d kick him gently under table, just for fun of it. To see what arbiters do.
Topand is playing Kamskov !!!
I’m not familiar with the ruy at all since im a d4 player but for positional reasons doesnt playing d5 damage whites bishop?
Russians have been trashing Bulgarians in chess since forever the time. No change will happen this time.
‘I’m not familiar with the ruy at all since im a d4 player but for positional reasons doesnt playing d5 damage whites bishop?’
It does damage, you are not wrong to say. Kamsky Gata plays it because Rybka told him never mind the wrongdoing to bishop.
is aruna a jelaous wife?
renct
‘Why the f.’
Jerk.
cat fight… hisssssss.
Sam, go somewhere else and write your Makruk book.
Rybka gives advantage for white. Gata is going down, unless he manages to swindle Topa in time scramble.
“Russians have been trashing Bulgarians in chess since forever the time.”
Ermmm… the only thing russians hve been trashing receintly is … vodka 🙂 They try to anihilate every Vodka bottle around in a close proximity 🙂
Can engines be made to write like human analysts, using words of good english language, with concern and humor?
That’s a helluva lineup of pieces Gata has aimed at Topalov’s kingside.
“Can engines be made to write like human analysts, using words of good english language, with concern and humor?”
Of cource, if they just copy the human analysis it is possible. Computers can not however show real expression of humor because they have no emotions, so they have to simulate, which leads to bad results. Maybe computers in the future will have emotions, but todays computers doesn’t.
“Russians have been trashing Bulgarians in chess since forever the time. No change will happen this time.”
With all respect… Gata Kamsky is not a Russian in the sense as players who were born, learned and keep on playing in the russian environment.
His story is individually his own, and his background is America for almost 20 years now.
So this time an american will beat this pseudo champ from Bulgaria…
Susan – many thanks for taking the time to write the game commentary. It’s a lot of fun and insightful following it! Much appreciated,
Shahar (from Israel).
“So this time an american will beat this pseudo champ from Bulgaria”
lol americans 🙂
They were these ppl who elected an an idiot, named G.Bush, for president a few years ago, right?
A few nuts already tried to stop her from doing commentary. Keep up the good work Susan!
I want to say thanks to Susan too, I got up at 7am Texas time to watch your comments and the live feed!
and now a socialist/communist dictator
‘and his background is America for almost 20 years now.’
Wow, that’s great! I hope he has taught many young americans to play like him also, so we have many more Gata’s to come!!
are gata and topa friends in free time?
is kosteniuk dual citizen?
Boring game so far. Will we see some more action today?
why no live or changing board here? very difficult to foolow comenntary like this.
Topalov is gone for good now, after h5!!!!!!
I hope he will admit he has poor knowledge of Ryu Lopes. All know if White pushes h5, white is much better always.
White has 2 undeveloped pieces. What are you talking about, anon? Black is obviously better. man, some serious coaching is needed here.
‘Boring game so far. Will we see some more action today?’
If the gme is boring it’s not Topa fault. He’s like a bull – you can blame lots on him but never for boring game. Boring games are all Russians’ patent – and thanx god theya all accepted the MTel masters rules and timing…
kamsky is playing like karpov. oh boy.
21. Nhf1 not 21.Nf1
Interesting choice to bring the knight to f1 square , Mr. Kamsky looks very confident today we hope to see a nice battle..:)
I think the point of 21.Nhf1 is 22.Ne3 23.Qf3 and 24.Nef5. Of course, black has a few tempi to do something about this. He can for example play c6 and be generally bothersome.
dxc6…rapidly played…
I hope this game should not drain so rapidly…in a draw of course…:)
Unless Gata quickly catche up, this game will surely go to Topa. He’s got much more developed position, better placement and better chances ti open up a frontal attack.
Rd8 looks like very solid preceeding frontal attack…
Now Mr. Kamsmy would probably play Ne3 !?…
Kamsky somehow has to activate his Ra1.
I guess line d is to see the real fight. Hard for Gata to defend it, but Qf3 was very nice move
…later somehow would have been possible through pawn pushed to a4 I guess…
Topa’s attack on d5 is inevitable…Gata can’t sustain d5
Anyone noticed the ugly yellow chairs thaey are sitting on? Not my cup of tea 😉
Kamsky gave away the advantage again…
Gata blundered a pawn. Muahahaha.
I think Kamsky’s pawn sacrifice is quite interesting.
‘Kamsky gave away the advantage again…’
He’s never got one. He’s having a veery hard time…or you just ignore the obvious…
The sacrifice is the only way to get Ra1 into the game, but I am afraid he’ll need to lose one more pawn (at least)
I guess Kamsky is still routing for Nf5 if there comes a chance to play it.
beautiful initiative spotted by Mr. Kamsky , I hope he manage to pass the time control safely…
He blundered a pawn. It’s as simple as that. Press conference will confirm.
the bishop might look a litle bit isolated to me but with a good range, especially on d8 square …I guess the rook on f8 “cries” for that square 🙂
First Topa blunder.. (K-h8)
what evaluation does rybka 3 give right now?
Doesn’t Nd4 just win the white bishop?
Sorry the server on chessdom gave me a funny diagram. Bad for Topa now I guess?
@Lina
After 37…Bf8
+.73 [Deep Rybka 3 Human x64 Q6600 Depth 17]
{38.Nd5 Bxd5…}
what are the rules for the time?
What do you think he has been doing since he “left chess”? Preparing to make a Kings comeback!
KAMSKY! KAMSKY!
Kg8 seemzs the best defence to me here…
Who blundered a pawn now huh?
Kamsky is one ahead. mhuahahaha.
The time control for each game is: 120 minutes for the first 40 moves, 60 minutes for the next 20 moves and then 15 minutes for the rest of the game plus an additional 30 seconds per move starting from move 61.
Second Topa blunder.. (B-f7)
I don’t think Topa blundered, Kamsky is outplaying him today.
I think Kamsky expected Bc4 instead of Bf7…I guess he would still go for Rc7 ..or perhaps not…who knows…
Now White can play 43.Bxf8 with a strong advantage.
This blunders after 43…. Rxd2!
Deep Rybka 3 analyzes that after 43. Bxf8 Rxd2 44. Qc1 Rxf8 45. Rxf6 Rfd8 46. Ngf1 R2d6 47. Nf5 gxf5 48. Qxh6+ Kg8 49. Rxd6 Rxd6 50. Qxd6 Qxe4 51.Qb8+ Kg7 52.Qxb5 +/- Kamsky would be up two pawns!
what does the best version of rybka sat after move 42 Bf7?
The Match is open for Kamsky after this game. Topas pawns are ripe to take in the near future.
How will Topa come back after that?
Extremely good defence of Topa. Anything else would have cost him the game. Now pressure is on Kamski…
giannatos?
Go Kamsky!!
If 43.Bxf8 what then about 43.-,Rxd2? Does’nt that win for black?
If Topalov loses this game he is going to regret not playing the Berlin Defense in this game!
Bxf8 is not easy to see for a human, I think without knowing about this tactic less than 5 people in the world would find it in time.
And btw. Rc7 instead looks strong anyway – so no need to calculate wild tactics.
Nonetheless Bxf8 is beautiful idea and I hope Kamsky finds it.
after Bxf8, Rxd2; Qxd2, Qxc6;
Nf5! is strong
“If 43.Bxf8 what then about 43.-,Rxd2? Does’nt that win for black?”
See analysis posted by Wayne.
42… Bf7 ( 42…Bc4 is objectively stronger but lead to an ending a pawn down. Topalov chooses to gamble instead: Now Kamsky has to calculate the complications and if he finds 42… Bf7 43.Bxf8 Rxd2 44.Qc1 Rxf8 45.Rxf6 Rfd8 46.Ngf1 R2d6 47.Nf5 he is going to win, but if not Black has his chances.) *
From chessdom
Kamsky will find this line, it’s not too difficult because it has a forcing character.
“Bxf8 is not easy to see for a human, I think without knowing about this tactic less than 5 people in the world would find it in time.”
I’m sure Gata will play it nevertheless 😉
i guess after bf8, rxd2 is met by qd2..with nf5 next and mate.is this correct?
Is the whole thing a plot from the Bulgarian camp?? IF Kamsky finds the line they may accuse him of computer assistance during the game ….
why does kamsky took 20min already to decide for bf8?is there any other good move?
There were far more difficult lines in previous games. This is quite standard tactics. Actually it wins material in three moves.
Basic.
I think even I would play Bxf8. It is very attractive with h6 hanging.
what is the numerical evaluation that deep rybka 3 gives this position right now?
Groan… He chickened out.
told you
Kamsky played Bb4 which is a very logical move with white edge as well.
Bxf8 is just too crazy (for a human without engine help)
Pff, too difficult, it wins within 3 moves. Don’t underestimate your own species.
kamsky is playing safe.op he wins
Gata seems satisfied with the pawn advantage. But Topalov has two potentially dangerous bishops. Why Gata chose not to grab the bishop at f8 is just weird.
win within 3 moves?
Bxf8 Rxd2 Qc1(!) Rxf8 Rxf6 Rfd8 looks like white just lost an exchange -now you have to find Ngf1 R2d6 and now Nf5!! if you dont see this far Bxf8 looks like a losing move, not like a killer…
And as a human it is extremely hard to imagine Qc2 attacking h6 square via c1 when d2 and e3 are occupied with white pieces!
Some respect to human GMs.
Agreed, but don’t worry: Topa’s position is still a mess.
@Anon 11:48AM: Agreed. This is by far not the first time that someone using Rybka (or ‘quoting Rybka’) calls a super-GM a patzer because he doesn’t find a certain forced win
Who lacks respect towards top-GMs?
You who are saying they can’t see a forced winning line, or I who is convinced they do?
The winning line starting with Bxf8 might be longer than 3 moves, but it’s still not that long, is forced and contains classic tactical patterns (including the finishing Nf5).
But anyway, Topa is dead meat anyway.
A nice statement this game to all the people thinking Topa would win easily.
Not very interesting, computers beat humans in drafts since long. Did it stop people competing? It’s a handy tool, that’s all and that’s good.
i wanna see robots like asimo playing chess..doing the woodpushing and participating in tournaments.that might be interesting..
now Nf1 and then Ne3
god, gata spending too much time again.this might be difficult to win.its sad thinking that bf8 wins easily…
Don’t worry, all white pieces dominate the black. Above the extra pawn!
Yeah, Gata’s getting scary with that clock again.
9 moves in 12 min.op he doesnt blunder
qb7 was strong..gatas position is much beter
Gata is clearly winning now. No blunders please, Gata.
The threat Rc6 is deadly.
gata should win this unless he be stupid again
yes and ne4 also
If queens go to trade now on e6, it looks a simple win for white, no?
Gata made another lame move with Qc8. WTF!?
dats what happens during time trouble.i think he would still win a long endgame due to passed pawns
What’s lame about preventing mate?
The d pawn will now run.
Probably, yes. But that bishop and those isolated pawns might become problems for him.
why not nf6 then b4?
Why didn’t he play b4 to block the diagonal and then run the d pawn? Too late for that now though…
Rb5? Another lame move by Kamsky. I shouldn’t have bet on this game. Shite. &%$$##. AAARRRGGG!!!
kamsky is bad in blitz..are they blitzing now?
Yes! It’s Topalov’s turn to make a lousy move.
at this point i can win this game even against topa
d6 wins it. Come on, Gata!. Win this one!
Final blunder by Topa: R-c1
y is gata choosing difficult moves?
Finally, a win by Gata. Whew!! Thanks to Gata for letting me win a few bucks. Let’s hear it from all you Topalov fans out there who said Topalov will blast Gata 4.5-0.5. What’s your prediction now, eh?
kamsky vs anand for world championship 2009
Good game, Gata. Good commentary, Susan.
Back for game 5.
Great game by Kamsky. Cheers.
A good old fashion fish fry.
Topo is starting to choke
The commie bast..d is going down
give Topo another bottle of Vodka and he is toast
Long live the USA! Long Live the USSR!
Hmm, the linked game replay breaks down at the tenth black move. Seems like it thinks white castles or something.
Excellent Susan,
Thank you for the great game. Gata is doing well now. I sure hope he wins.
Why did Topalov play 30…b4? I think this move killed it for him.
Susuan if you have the time, could you please follow up with some general thoughts about the game and what you think were critical moments?
I don’t know why Topalov decided to risk the Ruy Lopez instead of meeting Gata with the Najdorf (Topalov’s strength)?
-MG42
Topalov is so bored about Kamsky’s play that he had to allo him to even the tournament to make things interesting.
He will crush Kamsky in the next 4 games.