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Both players mirror their opponent’s opening schemes - following the previous game and game 9. This suits Topalov perfectly, since it sidesteps any Kramnik preparation in the last game of the match.

Kramnik is the first to divert.

and into new territory.

Topalov is in a provocative mood.

But Kramnik is cautious. He choses against plans of castling queenside and playing against the weakened black kingside pawn structure.

Sensibly keeping the c-file closed.

Kramnik opts for a minority attack against Black’s queenside - by creating weaknesses in Black’s queenside, Kramnik will then be able to apply pressure right across the board.. The alternative was a central break with a prepared e3-e4 (perhaps even with f2-f3), which would expose all of Black’s weak pawns. Topalov’s plan is to lock down the centre, and expand on the kingside. First he needs to get his knight into a better osition.

Although Topalov’s knight is well placed, White’s proposed breakthrough on the queenside is enough to encourage him his king is safer on the kingside.

Re-centralising the queen, which now threatens entry on a6 as well as keeping watch on the kingside.

Topalov aims to lock down the pawn structure around the White king - preventing the White queen from entering the position, so he can concentrate on fending off the queenside pressure.

White has a free hand on the queenside, and Kramnik plans to infiltrate via the b-file, taking aim at the b7 square.

Topalov hasn’t given up all hope of a kingside attack. The h-file is the most obvious option of applying a little pressure, especially when combined with …Qd7-f7-h4. White can’t protect his h2 pawn very easily.

The feint on entering the seventh rank forces Topalov to conceed the back rank.

Threatening entry at f8.

White has temporarily run out of steam, and Topalov takes over the initiative.

Threatening Nd2 first, locking off the White king’s escape route. The h2-pawn is dead.

Only move

Black’s initiative has also fizzled, and now he needs to draw back and defend again.

Defending the f5 pawn which holds the Black kingside together.

37. Rxc6?? Qh1+ Forks the king and rook.

Threatening to bring his rook in via the now-vacated h-file, and the White king is then trapped in a mating net, as well as defending the f5 pawn.

Bringing the queen back in defence of the king, Kramnik also directly threatens the f5-pawn, and with it the Black king.

Topalov steers directly towards the draw by perpetual check.

Another Topalov novelty. Topalov played 8.a3 in game 9 and won an impressive game against Kramnik using an idea conjured up by his second, Vallejo Pons.

Closing the centre. Black has the thematic plan of countering with an …e5 break. White could take this opportunity to expand on the queenside.

If White expands on the queenside it will leave Black controlling the a-file.

The immediate centre-break gives Black equality and balanced play in the centre.

Preventing the use of the … e5 square from becoming a jumping off point for the Black pieces, White ensures he’ll have a pawn exerting pressure.

Rerouting the knight to …e6 where it exerts pressure on the White pawns, particularly the f4-pawn.

Preventing Black from exploiting the pin on the f4-pawn by …g5, followed by …Qxh2+ with a very strong kingside attack.

Black switches play to the weakened light-squares around the White kingside position, there’s also another more subtle reason for this queen manoeuvre.

Kramnik heads for the exchange of queens, which leaves White with the better placed minor pieces.

Kramnik has some compensation for Whites better pieces. He controls the a-file, has a strong knight on …d4, and his dark squared bishop is more useful that its White counterpart. Kramnik has a temporary initiative, but Topalov has a better position thanks to his more active rooks, the potential pawn thrusts f4-f5 and b4-b5, and the two bishops give him an edge.

The bishop takes up an active post and also prevents the entry of the Black rooks on …a2.

There’s no for the Black rook down the h-file, and no easy way of entering play via … h8-h5, so Kramnik decides to castle, and bring the king rook to the d-file.

Covering the weak f3 light-square, and thus freeing the rook for more active duties.

Trying to tie White down on the queenside - preventing Bb2 for the moment, thus keeping the Black knight on …d4 for a bit longer. Black could also have gone for play down the d-file with

Fritz 8: 23… Rfd8 24. Rd1 Bf6 25. Rd2 Nf5 26. Rxd8+ Rxd8 27. g4 Ne7 28. g5 Bd4 29. Kf3 [0. 53/16]

Slowly White is regrouping, and slowly his advantage is growing. The initiative is with White, Black doesn’t have an active plan at his disposal.

24… Bxc5 is a sharper alternative, but White has a clever trick up his sleeve. Fritz 8: 25. Be3! (25. Bxf7+!? Rxf7 26. bxc5 Kh7 27. Be3 Nf5 28. Rd3 g5 29. fxg5 Nxe3+ 30. Rxe3 Ra2+ [0.41/16]) 25… Ne6 26. Bb3!! A superb tactical intermezzo that forces Black to ditch the exchange, leaving White with a substantial advantage. 26… Rxb4 27. Bxc5 Rxb3 28. Bxf8 Rxb1 29. Rxb1 Kxf8 30. Rxb7 c5 31. h4 [1.19/16]

Kramnik has managed to hold on to the …d4 square, and still has the White queenside tied down, but his pieces are also now tied down. The Black rook also now has the a3-square as an entry point into the White position.

Fritz 8: 25… Nf5 26. Rxd8+ Bxd8 27. Bf2 Bf6 28. h3 g5 29. Bd3 g6 30. fxg5 Bxg5 31. Bxf5 gxf5 32. b5 Ra2 [0.72/16]

Aiming to take advantage of his two bishops by taking control of the space on the kingside. The threat of 27. g5 is met by 27… Nc2 (threatening …Nxe3+ and …Na3), where the exchange of rooks on d8 gives Black the opportunity to move the harrassed bishop. Fritz 8:

• 26. Rd2 Nf5 27. Rxd8+ Bxd8 28. Bf2 Bf6 29. h3 g5 30. Bd3 g6 31. fxg5 Bxg5 32. Bxf5 gxf5 33. b5 Ra2 [0.78/16]
• 26. Bf2 Fritz 8 reckons this is the more accurate move order. (….Ra3 is harmless because White hasn’t committed a tempo to g3-g4 and thus can reply to the threat of …Rc3 with a useful rook move like Rd2) 26… Kf8 27. g4 Ne6 28. Rxd8+ Nxd8 29. Rb3 Ke7 30. Re3+ Kd7 31. Be1 Ne6 32. Bxe6+ fxe6 33. h4 [0.87/16]

Removing any potential discovered attack threats beginning with Bxf7+.

26… Ra3! Fritz 8 regards this move (with the follow up of …Rc3) as cutting across White’s plan, which is why it prefers 26. Bf2 before progressing with g2-g4.

• 27. Bf2 27… Rc3 28. Rbc1 Nc2 29. Rxd8+ Bxd8 30. Be2 Bc7 31. f5 gxf5 32. gxf5 Ne3+ 33. Bxe3 Rxe3 34. Bc4 b5 [0.19/17]
• 27. Bxd4 is the more promising continuation 27… Bxd4 28. Bb3 Kf8 29. Rd3 Bf6 30. Rbd1 Rxb3 31. Rxd8+ Bxd8 32. Rxd8+ Ke7 33. Rd4 Ra3 34. h4 Ra2+ 35. Kf3 Ra3+ [0.44/17]

27. g5 Still gives White an advantage. 27… Nf5 28. Rxd8+ Bxd8 29. Bf2 Bc7 Black gets another temporary initiative 30. Kf3 Ra3+ 31. Rb3 +/-

28. Bxe6 isn’t as strong 28… Rxd1 29. Rxd1 fxe6 30. Be1 g5!? 31. fxg5 Bxg5 += and White retains a fraction of his previous advantage.

Fritz 8: 28… Nxd8 29. Be1 Ne6 30. Bxe6 fxe6 31. h4 g5 32. hxg5 Bd4 33. Kf3 [0.81/16]

Allows a lot of the tension of the position to dissipate, but White retains a slight edge.

Fritz 8: 29. Bxe6 Smashing Black’s kingside pawn formation into three isolated pawns seems to be the smoothest path to victory. 29… fxe6 30. h4 Ra3 31. b5 Ke8 32. Rb4 Bf6 33. Re4 Ke7 34. b6 Ra8 35. Kg3 [0.97/16]

30… Ng5 is marginally better.

The bishop takes up a useful diagonal, and provides some stability for his knight companion.

Fritz 8: 34. Bd4 Bd8 35. Be5 Be7 36. Bg3 Bxc5 37. bxc5 Rxc4 38. Bd6+ Kg8 39. Rxb7 Rc3+ 40. Ke2 Nd5 [0.25/16]

Alternatives were to go for the b4 pawn with (White holding compensation for the pawn in the form of the two bishops). Fritz 8:

• 34… Be5 35. Bb1 Nd5 36. Be4 Nxb4 37. h5 Ke8 38. Be3 Bf6 39. Bf2 Kf8 40. Be3 Ke8 [0.06/16]
• 34… Nd5 35. Be4 Nxb4 36. Bd4 Bd8 37. h5 Bf6 38. Be3 Ke8 39. Bf2 Kf8 40. Be3 [0.06/16]

35. Bd4 and if Ba5 exploiting the pin on the b4-pawn 36. Bc3 Bd8 +=

Trying to keep the game alive, but the initiative is with Black again.

36. Ke3 Ng4+ 37. Kf3 Ne5+ draw by repetition

Kramnik activates his rook that’s done a sterling job keeping the White queenside in check.

The rook takes up a spendid post on the d-file.

Only move to hold the balance of the position.

40. Bxh2 allows Black to demolish White’s kingside pawns 40… Rxh2 -/+ with …Rxh4 to follow

40. Be3 Nxe3+ 41. Rxe3 Rb2 -/+ And White’s b4-pawn drops.

Fritz 8: 40… Rg2!? 41. Bd4 Be5 42. Be4 Rh2 43. Bg1 Rxh4 44. b5 Nf6 45. Bf3 Rh3 46. Ke2 Ne4 [-0.34/16]

The king has a useful role to play in neutralising White’s kingside pawns.

The Black king is safe here unless he contrives to lose control of the d-file.

White tries to activate his rook by liquidating the queenside pawns.

With the h-pawn certainly dropping, Black’s chances of winning lies in keeping the rooks on. Exchanging rooks would be the simplest path to a draw.

Aiming to get to the seventh rank where the rook can harrass the two Black pawns.

One more check to push the White king further from the defence of his pawns.

An interesting plan of protecting the kingside pawns from the White rook

Fritz 8: 54. Ke2 Kg5 55. Kd2 Ba5 56. Ra7 Ra3+ 57. Kc2 Kf4 58. Bd3 Rc3+ 59. Kd2 Rc5+ 60. Kd1 Bc7 61. Ke2 [-0.22/16]

Black’s extra pawn is immaterial.

54… Kg5 55. Bxf7 Kxf5 56. Rb5+ Be5 =+

55… g5 56. fxg6 Kxg6 =+

60. Kd1 =

Fritz 8: 60… Bb6! 61. Rxe5 fxe5 62. Bb5 Kf4 63. Bd7 e4 64. Be6 Bd4 65. Bd7 Ke5 66. Bc8 Bg1 67. Bd7 Bb6 [-0.59/18]

Fritz 8: 61… Kg4 62. Re4+ Bf4 63. Rc4 Re5+ (63… Rd5 64. Rb4 Rxd3!? 65. Kxd3 Kxf5 =+ And Black has two passed pawns for the exchange, but the endgame is not straightforward.) 64. Kf2 Rd5 65. Be4 Rd2+ 66. Ke1 Kg5 67. Rc2 Rd4 68. Rg2+ Bg3+ 69. Rxg3+ Kf4 70. Rxg7 Rxe4+ 71. Kf2 [-0.38/19]

Draw agreed

In games 1 and 3 Topalov chose the Open Catalan variation with 4… dxc4

9… Nh5 10. Bc1 Nhf6 11. Nbd2 b6 12. e4 += dxc4 13. Nxc4 Bb7 14. Bf4 A typical open Catalan structure. The Black queenside comes under pressure from the two White bishops and from the Queen down the c-file. (14. e5 +=) 14… c5! = Black needs to get this move in if he is to free his position. 15. Rfe1 cxd4 16. Nd6! The knight dominates the position, but Black can’t afford to lose time exchanging it off for his dark-squared bishop 16… d3! Using tactics to win a tempo. The other alternatives just grant White an advantage. Shredder offers the following variations:

• 16… Bxd6 17. Bxd6 Rc8 18. Qa4 e5 19. Bxf8 Kxf8 20. Bh3 a5 21. Bf5 Kg8 22. Qb5 Qc7 23. Rad1 Qd6 24. Ng5 [0.61/15]
• 16… Qb8 17. Nxb7 Qxb7 18. e5 Rac8 19. Nxd4 Nd5 20. Qd2 a5 21. Rec1 Bc5 22. Nf5 Bb4 23. Qd1 Bc5 24. Nd6 [0.64/15]
• 16… e5 17. Nxb7 Qb8 18. Rad1 Bb4 19. Nxe5 Nxe5 20. Rf1 Rc8 21. Qa4 Bc5 22. Nxc5 bxc5 23. b4 cxb4 [0.65/15]
• 16… Nc5 17. Nxb7 Nxb7 18. Rad1 Rc8 19. Qb1 Qe8 20. Nxd4 Bb4 21. e5 Nd5 22. Bd2 Bxd2 23. Rxd2 Nc5 24. Nf5 exf5 [0.80/15]

17. Qxd3 Nc5 18. Qd4 Nh5?! (Shredder 7: 18… Ba6 19. Rad1 Nh5 20. e5 Nxf4 21. gxf4 Bxd6 22. exd6 Bb7 23. b4 Nd7 24. a3 Qf6 25. Ne5 Bxg2 26. Nxd7 Qxd4 27. Nf6+ [0.65/15]) 19. Nxb7! +/- Nxb7 20. Bd2 Both of Black’s knights are awkwardy placed. White’s development is harmonious and he doesn’t fear the exchange of queens because that, after 21. Nxd4 opens up the long diagonal for White’s light-squared bishop. 20… Nf6 21. Rad1 Qe8 Slightly passive allowing White, with a forcing manoeuvre to win a pawn. (Shredder 7: 21… Bc5 22. Qa4 Qe8 23. Qxe8 Rfxe8 24. b4 Be7 25. e5 Nd5 26. a3 a6 27. Nd4 Rec8 28. Rc1 Nd8 29. h3 Rxc1 [1.08/15]) 22. e5 Nd5 (22… Rd8 is unexpectedly met with 23. exf6 Rxd4 24. fxe7 and both rooks are en prise 24… Rd6 25. exf8=Q+ Qxf8 26. Bf4 +-) (22… Nd7 23. Qg4 Threatening Bh6; 23… Kh8 24. Nd4 +- Now the knight on b7 is under fire from the White light-squared bishop, which cannot be adequately protected as 24… Ndc5 (24… Rb8 25. Nc6 +-) 25. b4! Hits the only defender of the b7-knight) 23. Ng5 The d5-knight comes under fire. 23… h6 24. Bxd5 exd5 25. Qxd5 Bxg5 26. Bxg5 Nc5 The black knight is fractionally more useful than the White dark-squared bishop, and it has a useful outpost on e6. But Black’s lack of major piece development counts against him. 27. Be3 Ne6 28. Qe4 (Shredder 7: 28. Qd7 Rc8 29. Qxe8 Rfxe8 30. Re2 Rcd8 31. Rxd8 Rxd8 32. Rc2 Rd1+ 33. Kg2 a6 34. Bxb6 Kh7 [1.95/16]) 28… Qb5 29. b3 Rad8 30. Rd6 Rfe8 31. Red1 Qe2 32. R1d2 Qe1+ 33. Kg2 Rc8 34. Qg4 Threatening Bxh6 as well as overprotecting d1 34… Rc1 35. Rd1 Rxd1 36. Rxd1 Qa5 37. Bxh6 (37. Qa4 Qxa4 38. bxa4 Nc5 39. f4 +-) 37… Qxa2 (Better is 37… Qxe5 +/- 38. Be3) 38. Rd6 Attacking the defender of the g7-mating square 38… Re7 (38… Qa6!? is enterprising, meeting 39. Rxd7 with 39… Qb7+ and taking the rook since the queen then guards the g7-mating square.) 39. Bxg7 Forcing a longer mating attack. Gelfand - Adams, Corus, Wijk aan Zee 2006, 1-0 (39). (39. Rd8+ is the shorter route to mate, with 39… Kh7 40. Qf5+! g6 (40… Kxh6 41. Rh8#) 41. Qf6 threatening the unstoppable Rh8#.) A fine game by Gelfand.

The Black knight isn’t well placed on h5, so the loss of tempo of retreating the bishop isn’t risky.

A Topalov novelty, but not without risk.

11… Nhf6 12. Nbd2 b5 13. c5 Qe8 14. e4 Nxe4 15. Nxe4 dxe4 16. Qxe4 Nf6 17. Qc2 Nd5 18. Re1 += Marin - Pogorelov, Barcelona 1993, 1-0 (60)}

12. c5 justifies Black’s idea. 12… f5 13. Nc3 g5 14. a3 Bf6 15. Qd2 h6 16. h4 g4 17. Qxh6 gxf3 18. Qxh5 fxg2 19. Qg6+ Kh8 20. Qh6+ Kg8 21. Qg6+ Rahman - Ghaem Maghami, ch-Asia 2003, 1/2 (21)

White has the open c-file, and Black’s queenside looks a little vulnerable.

White’s pressure on the a8-g2 light-squared diagonal is uncomfortable for Black. He will be forced to lose a tempo to regroup.

Sowing some confusion in the Black queenside.

From e2 the White queen creates threats on both wings and in the centre. The main threat is Nf3-e5-c6. The b5-pawn is coming under some fire, the Black knight out on a limb on …h5 is indirectly threatened.

Black’s queenside comes under fire, and now he is forced into an awkward placement of his rook. Although White has two stronger alternatives (Shredder 7):

• 16. Ne5 Nxe5 17. dxe5 Nd5 18. Be3 Qc7 19. Bxd5 exd5 20. Nc3 Qc4 21. Rxd5 Qxe2 22. Nxe2 Be6 23. Rd2 Rbd8 24. f4 [0.30/14]
• 16. Bg5 Bb7 17. Bf4 Rc8 18. Qxb5 Bc6 19. Qb3 Bd5 20. Qd3 Qb6 21. Nc3 Qxb2 22. Nxd5 Nxd5 [0.27/14]

Threatening Ne5-c6 throwing the Black position into disarray.

• 17… Bb7 18. Bxb7 Rxb7 19. Nc6 +/- And the queen, overloaded in protecting the bishop on e7 and the pawn on a5, finds itself deflected.
• 17… Nb8 Covering the c6 square 18. Nc3 Ba6 Bringing the bishop to defend the …b6 pawn, which then frees the rook to switch to the …d6 square pressurising the White d4-pawn. 19. Qd2 += preparing d4-d5.
• 17… Nxe5 18. dxe5 Nd5 19. Be3! Gaining a tempo by hitting the vulnerable black rook. 19… Rb8 +=

The only move to play for an advantage.

18… Nxe5 19. dxe5 exd5 20. Nc3 += The exchange of knights reduces Black’s chances of putting up resistance.

And now Black has to lose a pawn. However, Black has partial compensation for the pawn, for example his rook on …b6 is quite active.

Shredder 7:

• 19… Bb7 20. Nxb5 Ba6 21. a4 Re8 22. Qd3 Re6 23. Qf3 Nxe5 24. dxe5 g5 25. Rxd5 Qb8 26. Qg4 h5 [0.34/18]
• 19… Nb8 20. Nxb5 f6 21. Nf3 Bd7 22. a4 Na6 23. Rac1 Bb4 24. Qd3 Re6 25. Qb3 Bc6 26. Nc3 Rfe8 27. Re1 [0.39/18]
• 19… Nxe5 20. dxe5 Be6 21. Qd3 d4 22. Qxd4 Qxd4 23. Rxd4 Rbb8 24. Ne4 h6 25. Rc1 Rfc8 26. b3 Rxc1+ 27. Bxc1 Rc8 28. Bb2 [0.57/18]

Renews the threat of Ne5-c6.

Topalov defuses the threat of Ne5-c6, but at the cost of leaving his c7-square unprotected.

Ambitious. Shredder 7 offers:

• 23. Qd3 Nd6 24. Bd2 Nxb5 25. axb5 Qxb5 26. Qxb5 Bxb5 27. Rxa5 Rb7 28. Re1 f6 29. Nf3 [0.65/15]
• 23. f3 Ng5 24. Bd2 Bf6 25. Bxa5 Bxb5 26. axb5 Qxb5 27. Qxb5 Rxb5 28. f4 Ne4 29. b4 [0.64/15]
• 23. Rc2 Bd8 24. Rac1 Bxb5 25. axb5 Rxb5 26. f3 Nd6 27. Qd3 a4 28. Re2 Rb3 29. Qd1 [0.59/15]

In a difficult position Topalov lashes out. Analysis by Shredder:

• 24… Bxb5 25. axb5 Qxb5 26. Qxb5 Rxb5 27. Nd7 Re8 28. Re1 g5 29. Bc1 g4 30. Ra8 Kg7 31. h3 h5 32. hxg4 hxg4 33. Bg5 [0.80/18]
• 24… g5 25. Bd2 Re6 26. Be3 f6 27. Nd3 Bxb5 28. axb5 Bb6 29. Ra6 Qxb5 30. R1xa5 Qd7 31. Ra4 Rfe8 32. Qh5 [0.83/18]
• 24… Re6 25. Be3 f6 26. Qg4 Re7 27. Rxe7 Qxe7 28. Nc6 Qf7 29. f3 Bxb5 30. axb5 Nd6 31. b4 axb4 32. Ra7 Bc7 33. b6 [1.29/18]
• 24… Nf6 25. Rxa6 Rxa6 26. Nc7 Bxc7 27. Qxa6 Nh5 28. Bd2 Bxe5 29. dxe5 Qxe5 30. Bc3 Qg5 31. Qxa5 Nf4 32. Kf1 [1.44/18]

• 28. Ndc7 Bxc7 29. Bxc7 Rxd4 30. Bxa5 Qa8 31. Nc7 Bxe2 32. Nxa8 Rd1+ 33. Rxd1 Bxd1 34. Nb6 Nc5 35. b4 Nxa4 36. Nc4 [2.39/15]
• 28. Re1 Rxd5 29. Qxe4 Qxe4 30. Rxe4 Bxb5 31. axb5 Kf7 32. Bd2 f5 33. Re5 Rxd4 34. Bc3 Rd1+ 35. Kg2 g6 36. Rc5 Ke6 37. Rc6+ Rd6 38. b4 axb4 39. Rxd6+ Kxd6 40. Bxb4+ Ke5 [1.69/15]
• 28. Qc4 Qf7 29. Ne3 g5 30. Bb8 Nd2 31. Qxf7+ Kxf7 32. Nd6+ Kg6 33. d5 Bb6 34. Rd1 Nf3+ 35. Kg2 Be2 36. Rc1 Ne5 37. Kg1 Nf3+ 38. Kh1 Ne5 39. Nec4 Bxc4 [1.58/15]

Creating complications, but if White keeps a cool head he should be fine.

• 28… Re7 29. Qc4+ Kh8 30. Nd5 Re6 31. Ndc7 Bxc7 32. Qxc7 Nxf2 33. Kxf2 g5 34. Bd6 Re2+ 35. Kf1 [2.98/18]
• 28… f5 29. Re1 Re7 30. Qc4+ Kh8 31. Nd5 Qg8 32. b3 Rf7 33. f3 Nf6 34. Nxf6 Bxf6 35. Bd2 [3.26/18]
• 28… Nd6 29. Bxd6 Qxe2 30. Nxe2 Bxb5 31. axb5 Rxd6 32. Ra4 Kf7 33. f4 Rd5 34. Nc3 Rd7 35. d5 f5 36. b4 axb4 37. Rxb4 Ba5 [3.27/18]
• 28… Bxb5 29. axb5 Nd6 30. Qxe8+ Nxe8 31. d5 Kf7 32. Be3 Nd6 33. Bc5 f5 34. Kg2 g5 35. h3 h5 36. f3 Nb7 37. Be3 [3.41/18]

Rather than exploiting the pinned knight immediately, Kramnik prefers to increase the pressure and bring all his pieces into play. Its a safer alternative to the complications after 29. f3.

• 29. f3 Bb6 30. Kg2! Kh8 31. fxe4 Rb4 32. Bd6 Rd4 33. Bc7 Bxc7 34. Nxc7 Qd8 35. Qxa6 Rd2+ [4.44/16]
• 29… Bxb5 30. Nxb5 Rb4 31. Nc3 Bb6+ 32. Kg2 Bd4 33. Qxe4 Rxb2+ 34. Kh1 Qxe4 35. Nxe4 Rb3 36. Ra2 Rxf3 37. Rd2 Bb6 38. Rb2 Bd4 [4.21/17]
• 29… Rb4 30. Nxe4 Bxb5 31. axb5 Qxb5 32. Qxb5 Rxb5 33. Bc1 f5 34. Nc3 Rb8 35. Kf2 Kf7 36. Ra4 Ke6 37. Ne2 Bb6+ 38. Nd4+ [4.89/17]
• 29. Qe3 Rb4 30. Rd1 Bb7 31. f3 Be7 32. Nxe4 Bxe4 33. fxe4 Rxe4 34. Qb3+ Kh8 35. Qc2 Bf8 36. Rd8 [4.19/16]

This increases the discomfort of the Black queen. 30. f3 is still good, but not as strong as before. Shredder 7: 30. f3 Rxa4 31. fxe4 Rb4 32. Nc7 Bxe2 33. Nxe8 Bb6+ 34. Kg2 Bh5 35. exf5 Rxb2+ [2.94/14]

31. f3 Bb6+ Shredder 7:

• 32. Kh1 Bf2 33. Rd1 Bb7 34. Nxe4 fxe4 35. Qxf2 exf3 36. Kg1 Rxa4 37. Nc3 Rc4 38. Bg5 Rc8 39. Qb6 [3.64/17]
• 32. Kg2 Qc6 33. fxe4 fxe4 34. Be3 Bxe3 35. Rxe3 Bb7 36. Qd2 Qb6 37. Qd7 Rxb2+ 38. Re2 e3+ 39. Kg1 h6 40. Qe8+ Kh7 [3.57/17]

Shredder 7: 31… Bxb5 32. Nxb4 Bxa4 33. Qc4+ Qf7 34. Nd5 Bd7 35. f3 Nf6 36. Nxf6+ Bxf6 37. Qxf7+ Kxf7 38. Be5 Bd8 39. h4 [2.99/15]

Shredder 7: 32. Nc7 Bxc7 33. axb5 Qxb5 34. Qxc7 Qxb2 35. Qd8+ Kf7 36. Qd7+ Kg6 37. Qe8+ Kf6 38. Rxe4 fxe4 39. Qc6+ Kf7 40. Qxa6 Qd4 41. Qxa5 Qd1+ [3.68/16]

Kramnik parries the threats with threats of his own. He is in control of the thread of tactics.

33… Bxc7 34. Qxc7 starts dragging the Black king into the firing line.

Black can now no longer prevent the entry of the White queen.

Regaining the piece because of the threat of Qe8#.

Allowing White to force the exchange of queens.

Ensuring the king can get out of his shelter, otherwise Black’s threats on the light-squares are annoying.

A virtually untried move in this position. 8. Qb3 is the popular continuation. It stops the natural development of Black’s dark-squared bishop to b4.

Another unusual pawn move in the early stages. White is holding back on developing his bishops, but Black isn’t in a position to take advantage of it.

Yet another pawn move - this time trying to bind the centre and prevent Black’s freeing …e5. After the game, Topalov credited this opening idea to Vallejo.

Shredder 7: 10… Nb6!? with the idea of rerouting the knight Nb6-c6-d6-e4, taking advantage of White’s weak e4-pawn.:

• 11. c5 This gives Black a target to play against, particularly the …b6 break, opening up the queenside files. 11… Nc8 12. Bg2 b6 13. Qa4 Qd7 14. cxb6 Nxb6 15. Qd1 Rc8 16. g4 c5 17. dxc5 Nc4 18. b3 Qd6 [-0.34/15]
• 11. b3 Nc8 12. c5 b6 13. Ba6 Qc7 14. b4 Bd8 15. g4 Nd7 16. g5 Ne7 17. Bb2 Nf5 [-0.54/15]

Kramnik allows Topalov a free hand to finish setting up his powerful pawn center. Topalov doesn’t need to be asked twice.

11… Qc7 12. e4 =

Shredder 7: 11… Nb6 12. Be2 Nbd5 13. O-O Qa5 14. Bd2 Nxc3 15. bxc3 Rd8 16. c4 Qf5 17. g4 Qe4 18. Qb3 a6 [-0.23/15]

White has a long term advantage in his pawn centre.

Kramnik lashes out, but this pushes the White light-squared bishop to a better position, heading for f3, where it exposes this last move as a serious weakening of Black’s queenside. Black needed to stay solid, but he has no positive plan of action at his disposal.

Allowing White to open the a-file. Black’s queenside is effectively demolished, but there’s no easy way to halt the slide toward a substantial White advantage.

Shredder 7: 15… c5 is more stubborn, immediately harassing the White centre. 16. Be3 Qe7 17. O-O cxd4 18. Bxd4 e5 19. fxe5 Nxe5 20. Nd5 Nxf3+ 21. Qxf3 Nxd5 22. exd5 Bc5 23. Qf2 Bxd4 24. Qxd4 Qe2 25. Rxa7 Qe3+ 26. Qxe3 [0.33/15]

White has effectively caught up in development, and thanks to his centre he has a rather sizable advantage.

An enterprising option, taking advantage of the pin down the b6-f1 diagonal.

In the press conference after the game, Kramnik admitted that the game was basically already decided at this point. 17… exd4 18. Na4 an important zwigenzug that dismantles Black’s pressure down the b6-f1 diagonal.

The queen has no real prospects here.

Moving out of the pin on the d-file, now the pawn on …e5 is forced to declare its intentions. White has a very strong position.

Threatening to exploit the pinned knight with e4-e5.

Stepping out of the firing line - a typical Topalov prelude to an attack on the Black king.

23… Qb5 24. Be3 +/-

Preserving the two bishops, another common theme to Topalov’s games. Black is making no headway against the White centre, and his pieces are falling further and further back up the board.

24. Bxe7 Rxe7 25. e5 Rc8 +-

Like a spring tightly coiled, White is building up the energy in his position. The f-file is slowly opening up.

Advanced at the moment Black can’t react by putting a knight on d5, and so the c6-pawn is now under fire which provokes another Black retreat. White has a space advantage and threats on both sides of the board, not to mention he has the further advance of his centre as potential threats.

Or 28. Qc4 Bb4 29. d5 with a co-ordination of attacks on the c6-pawn, the f7-square and threatening to overrun Black’s position with his centre pawns.}

Also there’s 28. h5 Bb4 29. hxg6 Nxg6 30. Be4 with co-ordinated attacks against the c6-pawn, down the f-file and against Black’s king. If the g6-knight moves away, White has the manoeuvre Qc2-h2 at his disposal which hits the Black king down the h-file.

Not the most direct of moves, but it still keeps the pressure on. Black is in no position to launch any counterplay. 29. Ne4

unpinning the c-pawn, and opening up the possibility of …c5.

Setting up another potential pin against the c6-pawn. 30. Ne4 was still playable as a precursor to an increase in kingside activities after h4-h5.

30… Qb7 31. Be3 +/-

31. Rxc3 wins the c6 pawn outright.

31… c5 32. Be3 +-

Topalov switches his focus to the e6-square, and now starts building some pressure on the f-file.

The pressure on th e6/f7 complex of light squares brings the Black king into the target range.

This exposes Black’s kingside to the White queen’s pressure down the a2-f7 diagonal. Better is 35… Qd7 +- but Black still has a difficult position to defend.

With the threat of Bg5 winning the exchange.

37… Rde8 38. Bg5 Qb7 39. Bxe7 Rxe7 +-

Demolishes the pawn shield around the Black king.

38… Rxf7 39. Rxf7 and the rook is untouchable because of Bg4-e6 exploiting the pin.

A smooth victory for Topalov, finished with a Topalov flourish: 39. R7f3 c5 40. Bc1 cxd4 41. cxd4 +-

Better is 39. Be6 which secures the win, the Black rook on e7 has its hands full as the pinned piece along the seventh rank to his queen, and thus the e6-square is undefended. The idea behind this move is to win the f7-square as an entry point for the other White rook - by pushing the Black king away from the defence of the square. 39… Kh8 and now the f7-square is safeguarded, White can now exploit the seventh rank pin by 40. Bg5 +-

8. Bd3 is Topalov’s choice from game 4, where his two pawn sacrifice wasn’t enough to overwhelm Kramnik.

A natural looking move, but the resulting position is better suited to Topalov’s style.

Aiming for complications.

Shredder 7:

• 14. Nxd7 Nxd7 15. Bd2 Rd8 16. Rc1 Qe5 17. Qe2 Bd6 18. f4 Qf5 19. Rfd1 O-O 20. Bxd7 Rxd7 21. Bxb4 Rfd8 22. Nc5 Bxc5 23. Rxd7 [0.46/13]
• 14. f4 Rd8 15. Bd2 Be7 16. Rc1 Qb8 17. Nc5 Bxc5 18. Nxd7 Bxe3+ 19. Bxe3 Ke7 20. Nxb8 [0.42/13]

Seizing the initiative, and forcing White on the backfoot in to coming tactical sequence. 15… a6 Cvetkovic - Bagirov, Vrnjacka Banja 1974, 1/2 (42)

The only move to avoid definite material loss.

Shredder 7: 16… Bxc6 17. Nxc6 Qxa4 18. Nxd8 Kxd8 19. Rfd1 Qa6 20. Bxb4 Qb6 21. Bxf8 Qxd4 22. Rxd4 Rxf8 23. Ra4 Kc7 24. Rxa7+ Kb6 25. Ra4 [-0.34/14]

17. b3!? is better 17… O-O 18. Bxd7 (18. Bxb7?? Nxe5 (18… Qxe5?! 19. Qxa7 Nb8 20. Rad1 =) 19. Bxb4 Bxb4 -+) 18… Nxd7 19. Nxd7 =+

Worse is 19… Kxd8 20. a3 Qb5 21. axb4 +/-

Shredder 7: 20. b3 Qa6 21. Bxb4 Nd5 22. Rc2 Nxb4 23. Qxb4 Qa5 24. a3 Bc7 25. Rac1 Qxb4 26. axb4 a5 27. Rxc7 [-0.49/15]

White has a rook and a pawn against two knights, plus the Black king is stuck in the centre, keeing his rook out of play, and a queenside pawn majority. In any normal position, White would be on top, but not here. Black has ample compensation because of the two extra minor pieces.

White is struggling to keep Black contained. If Black can untangle himself, then he will be in a strong position.

The only move to hold the advantage. Black now covers his queenside squares quite efficiently with the three minor pieces.

Shredder 7: 26. Bxe7 Kxe7 27. Rdd6 Nb8 28. Rxe6+ Kf7 29. Rxb6 Rc8 30. Kf1 axb6 31. Rxb6 Nd7 32. Rd6 Ke7 33. Rd2 g6 34. a3 Rc1+ [-0.54,16]

Shredder 7: 26… Rc8! 27. Rxc8 Nxc8 28. Bxe7 Kxe7 29. Rc1 Kd8 30. Kf1 Ndb6 31. Ke2 Nd5 32. Kd3 Kd7 33. a3 Nd6 34. f3 e5 35. b4 [-0.83,17]

Only move. White has to get his king into play as quickly as possible, otherwise its four Black pieces against two White.

36. Rcc7 =+ Ties up the two Black knights and the king, leaving only the rook to cause trouble

Black’s king and knight combine splendidly to hold the centre against the two White rooks.

Allows the Black knights to dominate the White position. Kramnik’s position now falls apart due to Black’s activity and initiative in the centre.

41. Rb5 -/+ is better. Shredder 7: Rb8 42. Ra1 Rc8 43. Rxa5 Rc3 44. Re1 Nc5 45. Rb5 Nxb3 46. Kxg3 Nxe3 47. Kf2 Nd5 48. a5 Rf3+ 49. Kxf3 [-0.99/16]

42. Rb5 Ne4+ 43. Kh2 Nxe3 44. Rb6+ Kd5 -+

Now that the Black knights are dominant, the rook now springs into play.

43… Nxe3 might be the shorter path 44. Rxc5 Kxc5 45. Rxa5+ Kd4 46. Re5 -+

44. Kh2 Nxe3 (44… Nxb3?! is no comparison 45. Ra6+ Ke7 46. Rcc6 =) 45. Re1 Rxg2+ 46. Kh3 Nd3 -+

44… Nxb3?! 45. Ra6+ Ke7 46. Rc2 -/+

46. Ra7+ Kf6 47. Ke2 Rg3 -+

Two knights against a rook leaves Black effectively with an extra piece. He uses that advantage to force a decisive entry into White’s kingside. White’s position now collapses.

50. Kg1 {doesn’t do any good} Rb2 51. Rc8 Nxf4 -+

51. Rf8+ {there is nothing else anyway} Ke7 52. Rg8 -+

Catching the White king in a mating net.

52. Rg8 Kf7 53. Rd8 Rf2+ 54. Ke1 Nxg2+ 55. Kd1 Ne3+ 56. Ke1 Nc2+ 57. Kd1 Nc3+ 58. Kc1 Nxa1 59. Rd7+ Kf6 60. Rd2 Nb3+ 61. Kc2 Rxd2+ 62. Kxb3 -+

A superlative performance from Topalov. Kramnik played natural moves but found himself in a dodgy position.

52… Rf2+ 53. Kg1 Rxg2+ 54. Kf1 Rf2+ 55. Ke1 Nd3+ 56. Kd1 Rd2#

With an unusual move order Topalov avoids the main variations of the Semi-Slav

And Kramnik has transposed into a Queen’s Gambit Accepted. Still played at the highest levels, particularly by Anand.

A virtually unplayed sideline. We’ve transposed into the game Gershon - Papatheodorou.

12… Nb4 13. Ne5 Bd7 14. Bg5 Rc8 15. Qe2 Be8 16. Rad1 Nfd5 17. Nxd5 Nxd5 18. Bxd5 Bxg5 19. Bxb7 Bxa4 20. Bxc8 Bxd1 21. Qxa6 Qxd4 22. Bxe6 Qd2? (22… Bh5 is a better option although White is still in the driving seat. 23. Nxf7 Rxf7 24. Qc8+ +=) 23. Kf1? (23. Bxf7+! Kh8 24. Qf1! +-) 23… Bc2? (23… Bh5 +=) 24. Bc4 +/- Bf6 25. Qb5 h6 26. Qc5 Bxe5 27. Qxe5 Qb4? (27… Bd3+ 28. Bxd3 Qxd3+ 29. Kg1 +/-) 28. Qd4 Kh8 29. Rc1? (Shredder 7: 29. Qc3 Qxc3 30. bxc3 Rc8 31. Rc1 Rxc4 32. Rxc2 Kh7 33. Ke2 Kg6 34. Kd3 Rc8 35. c4 Kf5 36. c5 [1.65/12]) 29… Bb3 30. Rc3 Re8 31. g3 Bxc4+ 32. Rxc4?? (32. Qxc4 +/-) 32… Qb7!! -+ Suddenly the White king finds itself in a mating net. White is utterly lost and can offer no resistance. 33. f4 Qf3+ 34. Qf2 Qh1+ 35. Qg1 Re1+ 36. Kxe1 Qxg1+ 37. Kd2 Qxh2+ 38. Kc3 Qxg3+ 39. Kb4 Qe1+ 40. Ka4 Qe8+ Gershon - Papatheodorou, Korinthos 1998, 0-1 (39)

A typical isolani-move, conserving the energy of his bishop instead of straight to g5 where Black has the manoeuvre …Nfd5.

An active continuation. Topalov is aiming for a direct kingside attack in conjunction with the pawn advance d4-d5.

Swopping off his weakest minor piece. In isolated pawn positions, a knight permanently settled on the square immediately infront of the pawn is the main approach to carving out an advantage.

Black has an incredibly solid position.

The typical plan of loosening the kingside. Dismantling the Black knight on f6 is the first step to weakening Black’s hold on the d5-square. White has a plethora of alternatives at this point, Shredder 7:

• 22. Bd2 Qb8 23. g4 Bd6 24. g5 Ne8 25. a5 Bxe5 26. Rxe5 Nd6 27. Bxd5 exd5 28. Bf4 b5 29. Qxd5 Nc4 [0.56/15]
• 22. Qd3 b6 23. Rc1 h6 24. Bd2 Bb4 25. Bc4 Bxd2 26. Qxd2 Qb7 27. b4 Rcc8 28. f3 b5 29. axb5 [0.54/14]
• 22. Qe2 Bb4 23. Rf1 Be7 24. a5 Nb4 25. Rfe1 Nbd5 26. Bxd5 Rxd5 27. Nxf7 Kxf7 [0.52/14]
• 22. h3 Qb8 23. Bc4 h6 24. Bd2 Bb4 25. Bxb4 Nxb4 26. Nxf7 Kxf7 27. Bxe6+ Kf8 28. a5 Nc2 [0.46/14]
• 22. Qh3 b6 23. Qf3 Bb4 24. Rf1 h6 25. Bh4 Be7 26. Bxd5 Rxd5 27. Ng4 Nxg4 [0.45/14]
• 22. Re2 b6 23. Rde1 Bb4 24. Rf1 Be7 25. Ree1 [0.43/14]
• 22. Bh4 b6 23. Bg5 Bb4 24. Rf1 h6 25. Bh4 Be7 26. Bxd5 Rxd5 27. Ng4 Nxg4 [0.41/14]
• 22. a5 Qb8 23. Re2 b5 24. axb6 Qxb6 25. Bc4 Nb4 26. Qf4 h6 27. Bh4 [0.40/14]
• 22. Ba2 Bb4 23. Rf1 Be7 24. Bb1 Nb4 25. Be4 Nbd5 26. Rfe1 Nxe4 27. Bxe7 Rxe7 28. Qxe4 Rc7 [0.39/14]
• 22. Kh1 Bb4 23. Rf1 Be7 24. Kg1 Qb8 25. Bc4 Qa7 26. a5 [0.39/14]

Shredder 7: 23. Bd2 Rf8 24. Ng4 Nxg4 25. Qxg4 Kh8 26. Bxd5 exd5 27. Qh5 Qd7 28. Bf4 Rc6 29. Re5 Re6 30. Rxd5 Qxa4 [0.65/14]

Black’s counterplay holds the balance. The White rooks are harried, pushed into less active positions.

24… Nc3!? is a complicated alternative that is perhaps stronger than Kramnik’s choice. Shredder 7:

• 25. bxc3 Rxc3 26. Be3 Rxb3 27. Rc1 Qa8 28. Rb1 Rxb1 29. Rxb1 Bd6 30. Nc4 Be7 31. Qxb7 Nd5 32. Ne5 Qxb7 33. Rxb7 Nxe3 34. fxe3 Bd6 35. Nxf7 Bg3 [0.12/16]
• 25. Ng4 Nxg4 26. bxc3 Rxc3 27. Qxg4 Rxb3 28. Bxh6 Bf8 29. h5 Rd7 30. Bg5 Rb4 31. h6 Rxa4 [-0.03/16]
• 25. Rde1 Nxa4 26. Nxf7 Rxf7 27. Rxe6 Nd5 28. Re8+ Rxe8 29. Bxd5 Qc7 30. Qb3 Be1 31. Bxf7+ Qxf7 32. Qd1 Qd7 33. Rxe1 Rxe1+ 34. Qxe1 Qxd4 [-0.36/16]
• 25. Bxh6 Nxd1 26. Rxd1 Nd5 27. Qg3 Bf8 28. a5 b5 29. axb6 Nxb6 30. Qg4 Qb7 31. Bxe6 fxe6 32. Qxe6+ [-0.39/15]
• 25. Bxe6 Qxe6 26. bxc3 Rxc3 27. Be3 Nd5 28. Rc1 Ra3 29. Ra1 Nxe3 30. fxe3 Rxa1 31. Rxa1 Bd6 32. Ng4 b5 33. axb5 axb5 [-0.40/15]
• 25. Rd3 Nxa4 26. Qd1 b5 27. Rg3 Kf8 28. Bd2 Bxd2 29. Qxd2 Ne4 30. Qb4+ Kg8 31. Re3 Nf6 32. Re2 Qb7 [-0.59/15]
• 25. Nxf7 Kxf7 26. bxc3 Rxc3 27. Rd3 Rxc1 28. Bxe6+ Kxe6 29. Qe3+ Kf7 30. Rxc1 Qd7 31. Rb1 Qxa4 32. d5 Kf8 33. Qb6 Be7 [-0.78/15]
• 25. Rd2 Nxa4 26. Rdd1 Nc3 27. Rd3 Ne2+ 28. Qxe2 Rxc1 29. Rdd1 Rxd1 30. Rxd1 Bd6 31. Re1 Bxe5 32. dxe5 Nd5 [-1.04/15]
• 25. Bg5 hxg5 26. bxc3 Rxc3 27. Rd3 Rxd3 28. Nxd3 Bd2 29. Rd1 g4 30. Qe2 Bc3 31. Ne5 Rxd4 32. Rxd4 Bxd4 33. Nxg4 [-1.70/15]
• 25. Bf4 Nxd1 26. Rxd1 Nd5 27. Bg3 b6 28. h5 Qa8 29. Ng4 Rcc8 30. Bh4 Rd7 31. Qg3 Bd6 32. Nxh6+ [-1.71/15]

25. g4 += is an aggressive way of pursuing the advantage

Another alternative is (Shredder 7): 29… Nd7 30. Bd2 Nc5 31. Bc2 Rd7 32. Qe2 Nf5 33. Bc3 Qc7 34. Qf3 Nd4 35. Bxd4 Rxd4 36. b4 Rd2 [-0.07/16]

Stronger alternatives (Shredder 7):

• 30… Nf5 31. Qg4 Rc5 32. Qe4 b5 33. a5 Qc7 34. h5 Nfe7 35. Rd1 Nc6 36. f4 b4 [0.08/14]
• 30… Rd7 31. Qe2 Nf5 32. Rc1 Nc7 33. Bc2 Qd8 34. Bc3 Nd4 35. Bxd4 Rxd4 36. Rd1 [0.20/14]
• 30… Qb7 31. Qg4 Nf5 32. Qe4 b5 [0.22/13]
• 30… Qa8 31. Qg4 Nf5 32. Bc4 Qc8 33. b3 Rd7 34. Rc1 Nc7 35. Bb4 a5 36. Ba3 Qb7 [0.23/13]

Black’s pieces have all taken up active positions.

Threatening to open some queenside lines and exposing White’s weak queenside pawns (particularly the pawn on b2)

33. a5 = Keeping the position closed.

Black has a tiny nagging edge. Slightly better is (Shredder 7): 34… Nb6 35. Qa1 Nd4 36. Bd1 Qb7 37. Bc3 Nb5 38. Bb4 Rc4 39. Qa5 Rc8 40. Be2 Rc2 41. Qa2 [-0.33/14]

Black is taking control of the queenside.

Shredder 7: 39. Bc3 offers a bit more resistance. 39… Ra2 40. Bxf5 exf5 41. Qxg7+ Kxg7 42. e6+ f6 43. exd7 Nxd7 44. Bd4 Rd2 45. Be3 Rd5 46. Kf1 a5 47. Ke2 Ne5 [-0.39/14]

Missing the chance to stamp his authority on the game. Shredder 7 offers two stronger alternatives:

• 39… Rb5 40. Bc6 Qc7 41. Qf4 Qxe5 42. Bxb5 Qxf4 43. gxf4 axb5 44. Rc5 Nd4 45. Kf1 [-0.76/14]
• 39… Nd4 40. Kh2 Nd5 41. Qd1 Nc6 42. Kg1 Rb8 43. f4 Rb2 44. Rc2 [-0.70/14]

40. Rd1! Containing Black’s initiative. Shredder 7: 40… Nfe7 41. Bd3 Ra2 42. Qe4 Nf5 43. Qc4 Ra4 44. Qb3 Nfe7 45. Bc2 Rg4 46. Qd3 Qc7 47. Qh7+ Kf8 48. Qh8+ Ng8 [-0.14/13]

White is losing ground in the centre too.

White’s hope for pushing Black back centres around him keeping both bishops on the board.

Conjuring up as much activity as possible, otherwise the Black a-pawn just dominates the play.

Shredder 7:

• 45… Nf6 46. Bxa6 Nd6 47. Rc6 Nde8 48. Bc3 Rb3 49. Bd3+ Kg8 50. Be2 Nd5 51. Be5 Nef6 [-0.56/15]
• 45… Nb6 46. Bxa6 Kg8 47. Bd3 Nd4 48. Rb7 Nf3+ 49. Kf1 Nc4 50. Rd7 Ncd2+ 51. Kg2 [-0.50/15]

Shredder 7: 47. Kg2! g5 48. Rxf7+ Kg8 49. Ra7 Ra1 50. Rxa6 Rxa6 51. Bxa6 Nd4 52. f4 gxf4 53. gxf4 Kf7 54. Kg3 Kf6 55. Kg4 [-0.26/16]

48. Ra7 Re5 =+ Shredder 7: 49. Bd3 Kg8 50. g4 Nd6 51. f4 Rc5 52. Kf2 Nc8 53. Ra6 Kf7 54. Ke3 [-0.39/16]

Black’s initiative has fizzled, and White’s pieces are activated securing the draw.

A more active continuation than Topalov’s 6.e3 from game 2. Perhaps an aggressive line chosen to milk the advantage of the tension over the last few days.

Playing to push Black’s pieces off the board as directly as possible. But this line is well known to Kramnik - he used to play the White side of this line.

Kramnik plays a side-line that defuses much of the danger in White’s position.

7… Bb4 is the main line.

An unusual looking retreat, but helpful in Kramnik’s cause to reduce the pressure on his position. It keeps the option of the queenside knight going to …c6.

12. Nxc4 Nc6 13. Be3 Bc5 14. Kf2 Ke7 15. h4 f6 16. h5 Bf7 17. Rd1 Bxe3+ 18. Nxe3 Rhd8 And White is getting nowhere fast. Nielsen - Hracek, Bundesliga 2006, 1/2 (45)

Preventing Bb5 which would tie up Black’s position.

13… Rc8 14. Ba2 (14. Bb5!) 14… a6 15. Ke2 Nb8 16. Rhd1 Nc6 17. Bb6 Bb4 18. Rd2 Ke7 19. Rad1 Nb8 And Black has a satisfactory position. Cramling - Smyslov, Veterans vs Ladies 1999, 1/2 (60)

Holding the g7-pawn so that the bishop can develop. Black is slowly unravelling his position, and sapping White of his advantage.

An important chain in Black’s development. The king takes the duty of protecting the e6-pawn, that opens the way for …f6 and bringing his light squared bishop back into play via …f7.

Compelling the White knight to occupy b6, where Black immediately chops it off with his own knight. Kramnik is playing a refined game, exchanging the pieces best suited for him reaching equality.

and Black has equalised - rather comfortably.

shutters down, and Topalov has nothing.

Kramnik switches to the sharper Semi-Slav, either to put Topalov off his stride, or as a consequence of game 2 when he had to defend a passive position, and almost lost.

The Meran is a positionally sharp line.

One of Black’s problems in c6-based Queen’s Gambit is how to ensure that his light-squared bishop is doing more than being a big pawn. Topalov’s move, White’s strategy is to provoke exactly that consequence.

Offering a pawn-sacrifice to gain a lead in development. Black is two tempo away from castling, so opening all the files on the queenside is risky.

This guarantees the a-file for White, and pressure on the a7-pawn. Both Black’s weak pawns find themselves on open files, While White’s weak b3-pawn is protected somewhat be Black’s hemmed in light-squared bishop on b7.

13… Qe7 14. Qc2 O-O sacrificing a pawn back to gain enough tempo to get c6-c5 in. 15. Bxh7+ Kh8 16. Bd3 c5 17. Qe2 cxd4 18. Ne5 Qh4 19. exd4 Kg8 20. f4 Nxe5 21. dxe5 Bc5+ 22. Be3 Be7 23. f5 Be4 24. f6 Bxd3 25. Qxd3 Rfd8 26. Qe2 Bf8 27. fxg7 Bxg7 28. Rxa3 Bxe5 29. g3 Qe4 30. Qf2 Lugovoi - Yevseev, St Petersburg 2003, 1/2 (30)

A Topalov novelty. White offers a pawn sacrifice to gain time to mobilise on the queenside.

14. Bd3 c5 15. dxc5 Bxc5 16. Bb5+ Ke7 17. Bxa3 Bxa3 18. Qxd8+ Rhxd8 19. Rxa3 a6 20. Bc4 Rd6 21. Rfa1 Rb6 22. Nd4 Ne8 23. f3 Nd6 24. Bd3 e5 25. Nf5+ Nxf5 26. Bxf5 Rd8 27. Rc1 g6 28. Bb1 Rd2 29. Ra2 Rxa2 30. Bxa2 Bd5 31. Kf2 Be6 32. Rc7+ Kd6 33. Ra7 Bd5 34. Bb1 Kc5 35. Be4 Bxe4 36. fxe4 Rxb3 37. Rxf7 Kb4 38. Ra7 a5 39. Ke2 Rb2+ Pogorelov - Vera, Andorra Open 2006, 0-1 (39)

14… Nxe4 15. Nxe4 Bxh2+ 16. Kxh2 Qh4+ 17. Kg1 Qxe4 18. f3 An important zwischenzug - White removes the mate threat down the b7-g2 diagonal with no loss of tempo. 18… Qd5 19. Bxa3 Now Black can’t castle kingside, and queenside looks increasingly risky. White has free development and a much stronger bishop for the sacrificed pawn. The opposite coloured bishops in this case give White increased attacking chances. Shredder 7:

• 19… h5 20. Qd2 h4 21. Qb4 O-O-O 22. Bb2 Qb5 23. Qxb5 cxb5 24. Rxa7 h3 [0.10/15]
• 19… f6 20. e4 Qb5 21. Bc5 Kf7 22. b4 Rhd8 23. Ra5 Qc4 24. Qd2 a6 25. Rc1 Qb3 26. Bb6 Rd7 27. Rac5 Rb8 [0.18/15]
• 19… Qg5 20. f4 Qg6 21. Qd2 a5 22. Bc5 Qe4 23. Rf3 h6 24. Qe1 Rg8 25. Qxa5 [0.24/15]
• 19… a6 20. Qe1 Qxb3 21. Bc5 Qd5 22. Qg3 g6 23. e4 Qd7 24. Qe5 Rg8 25. Bb4 h6 26. Rfc1 Qd8 27. Kf2 [0.50/15]
• 19… a5 20. Bc5 f6 21. Qe1 Kf7 22. e4 Qg5 23. f4 Qg4 24. Rxa5 Rhd8 25. Rxa8 Rxa8 26. Qc3 [0.36/14]
• 19… Qb5 20. Bc5 f6 21. f4 Kf7 22. Qh5+ g6 23. Qh6 Qe2 24. Rf3 Qb2 25. Ra5 Qc3 26. Qg7+ Kxg7 [0.44/14]
• 19… Ba6 20. e4 Qd8 21. Re1 Bb5 22. Qd2 Qh4 23. Qa5 Qd8 24. Qb4 Rb8 25. Rad1 [0.47/14]
• 19… Rd8 20. Bc5 a6 21. Qe1 Qg5 22. f4 Qg4 23. e4 Rd7 24. Rc1 f6 25. Qf2 Kf7 26. Bb4 [0.49/14]
• 19… Rc8 20. Bc5 a6 21. Qe1 Qg5 22. f4 Qg4 23. e4 Rd8 24. f5 e5 25. Qb4 Rd7 [0.53/14]
• 19… h6 20. Bc5 a6 21. Qe1 Rd8 22. e4 Qg5 23. f4 Qg4 24. Rc1 Rd7 25. f5 e5 [0.55/14]

Black finally decides it’s safe enough to take the proferred pawn sacrifice.

White swops off his bishop that’s only used one tempo against Black’s bishop that has made 4 - this gains White three tempi.

Kramnik sees the inevitable problems in defending his position, so he gives a pawn back in an effort to free his position. Shredder 7:

• 21… Nd5 22. Qc2 a6 23. Ne5 Nb4 24. Qc4 f6 25. Nd3 Nxd3 26. Qxd3 Rac8 27. Rh5 e5 28. Rxh7 [0.23/15]
• 21… a6 22. Ne5 Nd5 23. Qc2 Nb4 24. Qc4 f6 25. Nd3 Nxd3 26. Qxd3 Rac8 27. Rh5 e5 28. Rxh7 [0.23/15]
• 21… c5 22. Rxc5 Bd5 23. Ne5 Rac8 24. Qc2 Rxc5 25. Qxc5 Qxc5 26. dxc5 Bxb3 27. Ra1 Nd7 28. Nxd7 [0.33/15]
• 21… Qc7 22. Qc2 Rd5 23. Rfa1 Rxa5 24. Rxa5 Nd5 25. Rc5 Rc8 26. Be4 Nf6 27. Bxc6 Bxc6 28. Ne5 Qb8 [0.39/15]
• 21… Re8 22. Qc2 a6 23. Rfa1 Nd5 24. Be4 f5 25. Bf3 Rac8 26. Ne5 Qh4 27. Qc4 Nb6 28. Qc5 Nd5 [0.45/15]
• 21… Nd7 22. Qa1 Rdb8 23. Rxa7 Qb4 24. Qa4 Qc3 25. Nd6 Rxa7 26. Qxa7 Qxb3 27. Nxb7 [0.48/15]
• 21… Rf8 22. Qa1 a6 23. Qa3 Qd8 24. Nd6 Qd7 25. Rc1 Nd5 26. e4 Nf4 27. g3 Ng6 [0.51/15]
• 21… Rdb8 22. Qc2 Nd7 23. Rd1 c5 24. Bxb7 Rxb7 25. dxc5 Nxc5 26. Nd6 Rd8 27. Qxc5 Rdb8 28. Nxb7 a6 [0.54/15]
• 21… Rdc8 22. Qa1 Nd5 23. Qa3 Qxa3 24. Rxa3 Rd8 25. Rfa1 a6 26. Na5 Rd7 27. Rc1 Rc8 28. Raa1 Rb8 29. Nxb7 Rdxb7 [0.56/15]
• 21… Qb4 22. Qc2 c5 23. Bxb7 Qxb7 24. Rxc5 Ng4 25. Na5 Qb8 26. Rc7 Rd7 27. Rc1 Rxc7 28. Qxc7 a6 29. Qxb8+ [0.56/15]

Shredder 7: 22. Bxb7 Qxb7 23. Rxc5 Ne4 24. Re5 Nd6 25. Qc2 Rac8 26. Ra1 Nf5 27. Rea5 Ra8 [0.23/15]

One of a number of continuations for Black. All leave White with a tiny advantage.

From queenside pressure Topalov leaps into a threatened kingside attack - again with tempo.

All of Black’s threats have been met by White moves that activate his pieces to better squares.

Shredder 7: 26. Rxc8 Rxc8 27. d5 Rd8 28. dxe6 fxe6 29. Ne5 Bb5 +=

Shredder 7: 27. Qf4! Threatening to penetrate to the seventh rank on c7 with his rook. 27… Rxb3 28. Rc7 Qf6 29. Qxf6 gxf6 30. Raxa7 Rc3 31. Na5 Ra3 32. Nc6 Rxa7 33. Rxa7 Rd6 34. Nb4 Be2 35. Rb7 Kg7 36. f4 Kg6 37. Kf2 Ba6 38. Rc7 Bb5 [0.53/16]

As in game 3, Topalov’s coordination of his heavy pieces is extraordinary. Kramnik is battling hard to prevent his seventh rank from being breached.

Moving the king off the bankrank limits White’s ability to increase his advantage by tactical means. White’s position is optically good, but it’s very difficult to find a path to a bigger advantage.

With a side-effect of allowing Black’s light-squared bishop back into the game.

32. f3 Qh4

White is losing the thread of the position, probably as a result of time trouble

34. Na5! Now the Black rook is torn between its active stance on the b-file or its defensive role on the seventh rank. Shredder 7: 34… Rbd7 35. Nc6 Bxc6 36. Raxc6 Qh4 37. Rc8 Rxc8 38. Rxc8 Qg3 39. b4 Rb7 40. Kf1 Rb5 41. Qd3+ f5 42. Qxb5 Qxg2+ [0.49/13]

Kramnik has managed to claw his way back into the game. his pieces are starting to coordinate.

Shredder 7: 36. Ra1 The b3-pawn is safe for the moment. 36… Kg8 (36… Bxb3? 37. Rc3 Bd5 38. e4 +- winning the bishop.) 37. Rac1 Rd7 38. g3 Qd6 39. Kg2 Qb6 40. R5c3 Bxb3 41. Rxb3 Kf7 [0.27/14]

37… Rf7 or 37… Rd7 to prevent e3-e4 breaking open Black’s position.

Shredder 7: 38. e4 fxe4 39. Nxe4 Qg6 40. Nc5 Qxd3 41. Rxd3 Rf7 42. Kf2 g5 43. Re1 Kg6 44. Nxe6 Rxb3 45. Rxb3 Bxb3 46. Nc5 [0.66/14]

Shredder 7: 39. e4 Ba8 40. Nc4 fxe4 41. fxe4 Qh4 42. g3 Qg5 43. Ra5 Qf6 44. e5+ Qg6 [0.41,13]

It’s increasingly clear that for White to obtain an advantage, he needs to play e3-e4. Shredder 7:

• 42. e4 fxe4 43. fxe4 Qxd3 44. Rxd3 Bxb3 45. Ra1 a5 46. Rxa5 Bd1 47. Kf2 Rf7+ 48. Ke3 Rbf8 49. Nc4 Rf1 50. Ra6 Bg4 [0.56/15]
• 42. Ra1 Rf7 43. e4 fxe4 44. Nxe4 Qg6 45. Nc5 Rf5 46. Qe2 Rbf8 47. Nd7 Ra8 48. Ne5 Qg3 [0.42/15]

Black’s bishop has been having the better of it after White’s incautious 34. Nd2?! But this exchange offers White one chance at snatching back a large advantage. Shredder 7:

• 47… Rb7 48. b4 f4 49. exf4 Qxf4 50. Ne5 Qh4 51. Qc3 [0.39/15]
• 47… Qh4 48. Qd2 f4 49. Qf2 Qf6 50. e4 Bxc4 51. Rcxc4 Rb7 52. b4 Qe7 53. Rc5 Rdb8 54. Qd2 Qh4 55. Ra6 [0.39/15]

Bringing the queen to bear on e6 is better, and brings an advantage.

Shredder 7: 48. Qxc4 Kh7 49. Rc6 Re8 50. Raa6 Rde7 51. Qb5 Kg8 52. Rc1 Rf8 53. Qc5 Ra8 54. Rca1 Qg5 [1.01/14]

Hitting the fulcrum of White’s centre, and seizing the initiative.

Shredder 7: 49. Qe4 fxe3 50. Re5 Rd5 51. Rxe6 Rxd4 52. Rxf6 Rxe4 53. Rxe4 Rd1+ 54. Kh2 gxf6 55. Rxe3 Rd2 56. Re7 f5 [0.35/15]

and there’s nothing more to play for. Draw agreed.

Topalov switches from to Bogo-Catalan into a main stream Open Catalan, perhaps as a means of keeping Kramnik on his toes, the opening certainly didn’t fail him in game 1.

A sharper rarely-seen sideline - typical of Topalov’s active style. He could easily have gone straight for equality with Bxg2. We are following in the footsteps of Tkachiev - Solozhenkin, the only other Grandmaster game with this line.

12.Nxc6 is a viable alternative

There wasn’t much to be gained by 13. Kxg2. Kramnik seeks the more active continuation.

Forced.

13… Bc6?? 14. Nxc6 unleashes a discovered attack on the Black queen. Black has to drop a piece.

Shredder 7: 13… Nc6?? 14. Nxe6 Qb6 15. Nxc5 Bh3 16. Qxb6 axb6 17. Nxb7 O-O 18. Nd6 Nd7 19. Be3 Nc5 20. Nd5 Rab8 [2.96/13]

Topalov’s improvement over Solozhenkin’s 15… Be7.

15… Be7 16. Bf4 Rc8 17. Nf3 Nc4 18. Na4 b5 19. b3 Ncb6 20. Nxb6 Nxb6 21. Qxd8+ Bxd8 22. e4 f6 23. Rd6 White’s superior development lands him a strong rook backed with active minor pieces. 23… Ke7 24. Nd4! e5 25. Nf5+ Kf7 26. Be3 g6 27. Nh6+ Kg7 28. Rad1 Tkachiev effortlessly activates all his pieces, constantly harrassing his opponent with threats. 28… Rb8 29. Rd7+! Nxd7 30. Rxd7+ Kf8 31. Nf7 White is thoroughly dominating the position. 31… Rg8? (31… Be7 although better, does not save Black.) 32. Nd6 g5 33. Rf7# Tkachiev - Solozhenkin, France 2000, 1-0 (33)

Kramnik has come out fighting! The bishop is untouchable.

16… Qxg5 17. Nxe6! and Black has two main variations:

• 17… Ne5 18. Nxg5 Nxd3 19. Rxd3 +/-
• 17… Qe7 18. Nxg7+ Hitting the defender of d7 - the Black king. 18… Kd8 (18… Kf8 19. Nf5 +-) Shredder 7: 19. Nd5! Qd6 20. Nf5 Qe6 21. b4 Nc4 22. bxc5 Rxc5 23. Rab1 +-

17. Ne4 Nc4 18. Rac1 += Shredder 7 offers the variations:

• 18… Nde5 19. Qb1 Bxg5 20. Nxe6 fxe6 21. Rxd8+ Bxd8 22. Qa1 Bc7 23. b3 O-O [0.81/13]
• 18… Nce5 19. Rxc8 Qxc8 20. Qb1 f6 21. Bf4 Kf7 22. Nf3 Ng6 23. Bd6 [0.44/12]
• 18… Nxb2 19. Qb1 Nxd1 20. Nd6+ Bxd6 21. Bxd8 Ne3+ 22. fxe3 Rxc1 23. Qxc1 Kxd8 24. Qb2 Kc8 25. Nf3 Nf6 26. Qb6 [0.94/12]
• 18… Ndb6 19. Qf3 Ne5 20. Bxe7 Qxe7 21. Rxc8+ Nxc8 22. Qh5 Nc4 23. b3 N4d6 24. Ng5 g6 [1.06/12]
• 18… Bxg5 19. Rxc4 Be7 20. Nf3 Rxc4 21. Qxc4 O-O 22. Qa4 Nb6 23. Rxd8 Nxa4 24. Rd7 f5 25. Rxe7 fxe4 26. Ng5 [1.12/12]
• 18… b5 19. Bxe7 Qxe7 20. b3 f5 21. bxc4 fxe4 22. Qxe4 Nf6 23. Qe5 O-O 24. Qxe6+ Qxe6 25. Nxe6 Rfe8 26. Rd6 bxc4 27. Rxa6 [1.95.11]

Shredder 7: 19… Nde5 20. Qe4 O-O 21. b3 f5 22. Qh4 Qe8 23. e3 Rf6 24. Qf4 Ng4 25. Rxc4 Rxc4 26. bxc4 Qxa4 [0.29/14]

The most active continuation

Shredder 7: 20… Nde5 21. Qe4 f5 22. Qb1 Qb7+ 23. Nf3 Ne3+ 24. fxe3 Rxc1 25. Rxc1 bxa4 26. bxa4 Qxb1 [0.41/14]

Opening the d-file and gaining entry to the seventh rank with tempo.

The only move that gives Topalov a fighting chance; he avoids going straight into a difficult rook endgame.

Active defence. Topalov opens the third rank as well as threatening to keep pushing the pawn.

Considering the passage of play, this move does nothing to prevent Black’s counterplay.

And so Topalov whittles White’s initiative and forces a passive retreat.

The mobility and coordination of the black queen and rook is astonishing.

By sacrificing a pawn, White has regained the initiative.

Now the a-pawn pawn falls.

The threat of opening up the f-file is dangerous and pushes the game into Black’s favour. Black’s a-pawn is now untouchable. This forces White to bale out into a perpetual check.

36. Rxa3 fxe4 -+

A splendid game that does credit for both players. Topalov shows his aggression and creativity are unharmed after a tragic start. He is the moral victor in this battle.

10… Bxc3 11. bxc3 Nxe4 12. Ba3 stops Black castling kingside, so Black tends to castle queenside, where the open lines give White sufficient compensation for the sacrificed pawns.

An old, and rarely tried, continuation

• 14… h6 15. Ne1 (15. Bd2 is innocuous. Iljushin - Kupreichik, IECC 2003, 1/2 (20))
  • 15… Bxe1 16. Rxe1 Bg6 Both retreats 17. Bf1 and 17. Be2 leave both sides with a solid position. Beliavsky - Ribli, Bled 2000, 1/2 (50) and Kramnik - Bareev, ECC Final 1999, 1/2 (26)}
  • 15… Bg6 16. Bxg6 fxg6 17. Nc2 Ba5 18. Qd3 Kh7 19. f4 a6 20. b4 Bb6 21. g4 White is pushing aggressively on all fronts. 21… Qh4 22. Ne3 Rac8 23. Bd2 h5 24. Rae1 a temporary pawn sacrifice, Black can’t hold his extra pawn. 24… hxg4 25. Re2 Rf7 26. Rg2 Nf8 27. Rxg4 Qe7 28. a5 Ba7 29. Rf3 Kg8 30. Rh3 The White rooks are majestic. 30… Qe8 31. Rgh4 +- Rfc7 32. f5! Kf7 33. Rh8 Qb5 34. fxg6+ Ke7 (34… Nxg6 35. Rf3+ And the knight is lost.) 35. Rf3! Rc1+ 36. Kg2 Bacrot - Gustafsson, Bundesliga 2004, 1-0 (36)
  • 15… f5 Trying to drum up counter-play down the f-file to compensate for the weakened kingside. 16. exf6 Qxf6 17. Qg3 (17. Bb5 roughly equal chances. Gelfand - Lautier, Horgen 1994, 1-0 (58)) 17… Rac8 18. Bb5 Nb8 19. Nd3 a6 with a balanced position. van Wely - Pelletier, 49th Spanish Team Ch 2005, 1-0 (84)
• 14… Be7 is another lid continuation for Black. Beliavsky - Ribli, Slovenian Team Ch 2001, 1-0 (69)
• 14… Re8 Berkes - Portisch, 53rd Hungarian Ch 2003, 1-0 (47)

15. Bxg6 fxg6 16. Ng5 Re8 17. Qh3 Nf8 18. Qb3 Petrosian - Smyslov, Bar 1980, 1/2 (18)

A very committal move. But the solid alternatives 16… Nf8 and 16… Rc8 are both aggressively met with 17. g4.

Black needs nerves of steel to defend this sort of position.

18. Qb5 a5 Taking the b-pawn is too risky

18. exf6 Nxf6 += and taking advantage of the weak e6-pawn and e5-square is no easy matter.

Vacating the g1-square for the rook and preparing the way for g4. Its quite possible Rf1-f3 will happen first, followed by a later Rag1.

Shredder 7: 19. Qb5 Be7 20. Qxb7 Qb8 21. Qxb8 Raxb8 22. Ra2 Rb3 23. Bd2 Reb8 24. Bc3 Bxg5 25. fxg5 Kf7 [0.62/14]

19. h3

After long thought. Bolstering protection for the f5-square, as well as hitting the a4-pawn, which hopefully should slow down White’s other rook from entering the fray. Shredder 7:

• 20… h6 21. Nxe6! Rxe6 22. gxf5 Rec6 (22… Re7 23. Rg1 Kh8 24. Rg3 Nh7 25. f6 gxf6 26. Rag1 Qe8 27. Qf5 Rec7 28. b3 Qc6 [0.59/14]) 23. Rg1 Kh8 24. f6 gxf6 25. f5 h5 26. Qe2 Qc7 27. Qg2 Qf7 [0.59/15]
• 20… Qd7 21. gxf5 exf5 22. Rac1 g6 23. b3 Ba3 24. Rxc8 Rxc8 25. Bd2 Be7 26. Rg1 Bxg5 27. Rxg5 Kh8 28. Qh3 Rc2 29. Qh6 [0.73/15]
• 20… fxg4 21. f5 Be7 22. Nxe6 Nxe6 23. fxe6 Qb6 24. Qf5 g3 25. Rac1 Qxb2 26. hxg3 Kh8 27. Rxc8 Rxc8 28. Bg5 g6 29. Bf6+ Kg8 30. Qh3 [1.09/15]
• 20… g6 21. gxf5 exf5 22. Qb5 a5 23. Qxb7 Be7 24. Nf3 Rb8 25. Qc6 Rxb2 26. Rab1 Re2 [1.41/15]

Black has stemmed the tide of White’s kingside attack.

The sting behind this move only becomes apparent two moves later. What looks like desparation to commentators is part of an exceptionally beautiful manoeuvre that breathes fire into White’s attack.

With the threat of …Qb5 swopping off White’s perfectly position queen.

Grandmaster commentators at this point were noting that Topalov had lost his head, and Kramnik would steamroller to another win.

By shifting from the queen exchange, White’s threats on the kingside suddenly flair to life again.

Only move to avoid the immediate crushing mating attacks. Shredder 7:

• 29… Nxg6 30. Qxg6+ hxg6 31. Rxg6+ Kh7 32. R6g3 Qf1 33. Rxf1 Rg8 34. Rh3+ Kg7 35. f5 exf5 36. Rg1+ Kf8 37. Bh6+ Kf7 38. e6+ Kxe6 39. Rxg8 a5 40. Rg6+ Kd7 41. Ne5+ Kc7 42. Rc3+ Kb8 43. Rc1 [5.46/14]
• 29… Rxc2 30. gxh7+ Kxh7 31. Rg7+ Kh8 32. Rg8+ Kh7 33. R1g7+ Kh6 34. f5+ Bg5 35. Rxg5 Qf1+ 36. Ng1! +-

31… Kxf8 32. Qg6 Qe2 33. Qxg4 +/- Threatening mate on g7 and g8.

32. Rxg4+ Bg7 33. Qc7! +-

33. Ng5 and White has at least a draw by perpetual check

33… exf5 34. Ng5 Qc6 35. e6 +-

34. Ng5 is not good enough 34… Qe2 -+

Black is walking a tightrope.

Shredder 7: 36. Qh5 b5 37. Rg3 Qd1+ 38. Bg1 Rc2 39. fxg7 Qxf3+ 40. Rxf3 Rc3 [1.18/13]

Smothering White’s attack. Now the play switches into a complicated endgame.

37… Qxc2 = Perhaps its preferable to keep the White king cut off from his pieces.

The king has a big part to play in the resulting endgame. Its amazing Topalov is still retains his composure and will to win even after the previous set-backs he’s faced in this game.

Overprotecting the f6-pawn. The perennial threat is the advance of the e6-pawn, and the connected passed pawns can easily outmatch even a rook

Black has to divert one of the White minor pieces - and this passed pawn is the key.

Pulling the knight away from behind the White pawn centre.

Shredder 7: 45. Nd2 Rc7 46. Nb3 Rc3 47. Nc1 b5 48. fxg7 b4 49. e6 Kxg7 50. Na2 Rf3+ 51. Kg4 b3 52. e7 Kf7 [-0.34/17]

Covering the important dark-squares, and protecting the a-pawn to prevent the White bishop from decisively entering via the queenside.

Shredder 7: 45… a2 46. Bb2 b5 47. Ng5 Ra7 48. fxg7 a1=B 49. Bxa1 Rxa1 50. Kf6 Rf1+ 51. Kg6 Re1 52. Ne6 b4 53. Nf4 [-1.07/18]}

47. e7 Bxe7 48. fxe7 Rxe7 The a-pawn is untouchable because of …Re3!

Topalov’s final throw of the dice is three connected passed pawns versus the rook.

49. Kxd5 is slightly better, but Black is still on top. 49… Rf1 50. e7 Bxe7 51. fxe7 Kf7 -+

Now the White king can’t approach the black pawn.

The rook is splendidly placed, and White can make no further progress.