Position after 33…Nb6
Topalov (2805) – Aronian (2781) [D43]
Linares (8), 21.02.2010
1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 d5 4.d4 e6 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bxf6 Qxf6 7.e3 Nd7 8.Bd3 dxc4 9.Bxc4 g6 10.0–0 Bg7 11.e4 e5 12.d5 Nb6 13.Bb3 0–0 14.Rc1 Rd8 15.h3 Bd7 16.Qe2 Be8 17.Rfd1 Bf8 18.dxc6 Bxc6 19.Nd5 Bxd5 20.exd5 Bd6 21.Nd2 Qe7 22.Ne4 Kg7 23.Re1 Re8 24.h4 Rad8 25.h5 f5 26.Nxd6 Rxd6 27.Rc5 e4 28.hxg6 f4 29.Qd2 Qe5 30.Rc7+ Rd7 31.Rxd7+ Nxd7 32.Ba4 Rd8 33.Qa5 Nb6 In this position, Topalov missed a spectacular knockout plan: 34. Rxe4 Qxe4 35. Qc3+ Kg8 36. Qc7 Qb1+ 37. Kh2 Rd7 38. Bxd7 Nxd7 39. Qxd7Qxg6 40. Qc8+ Kf7 41. Qxb7+ +-. I doubt that too many humans can find this over the board.
34.Bb3 e3 35.fxe3 fxe3 36.Qb4 Rd6 37.Re2 Rxg6 += 38. Qc3 Qxc3 39. bxc3 Rg5 40. Rxe3+= Aronian should be able to hold this endgame easily.
40… Nxd5 41. Bxd5 Rxd5 42. Re7+ Kf6 43. Rxb7 Ra5 44. Rb2 Ke5 45. Kf2 1/2-1/2
Carlsen can see it easily.
So much for the idea that Topalov is cheating with a computer.
On the other hand, it’s a rookie mistake to blitz an opponent in time pressure when you have lots of time.
A long time ago, when I still played some tournament chess,I tried blitzing Walter Browne in a tournament game when he was (as usual) down to his last seconds.
I missed a clear win which I would have seen had I used more of my time.
That would have been my only win against a GM. *sniff*.
Carlsen dont play in Linares.
Hard to believe Topalov missed 34. Rxe4 — he out of all people should have seen that. Tactical shots are his thing.
Maybe he too is getting old.
Or maybe (let’s hope) he didn’t want to take chances given he is winning the tournament.