ODT060606

=**Topalov too good**=


 * Problem:** White to play and mate in 3.

FIDE World Champion Veselin Topalov showed yet again why he is the best in the world in winning the Mtel Masters tournament at Sofia in his native Bulgaria. Having started indifferently in the first half with 2½/5, Topalov was a long way off the lead set by the Gata Kamsky of the USA. However, his customary strong finish, including four wins in the last four rounds, was enough to overtake Kamsky for outright first on 6½/10.

The American, on the comeback trail after a decade of inactivity to study law, was the surprise packet of the tournament. Seeded last, Kamsky dominated all but Topalov to finish second on 6 points. World number two, Vishy Anand of India came third a further half point behind.

Topalov won both his games against Kamsky in fine style. Today's game is the first, from the 5th round at Sofia, with Topalov showing his attacking flair with the White pieces. The notes are based on those of GM Mihail Marin. media type="custom" key="27074634" The most ambitious answer to the a6-Slav Defence. White radically prevents Black's space-gaining plan of ... b5 and looks to control the b6 square weakened by 4...a6. In this line the queenside tends to remain blocked for some time, and play focuses around the central breaks e4 for White and ...e5 fo Black. Not allowing the bishop to stay on this active diagonal. White insists on Bf4, now that Black has played ...g6, since efforts to evict the bishop with ...h6 will weaken Black's kingside. Passive, but if 18..e5, then 19 Be3 threatens d5 and 19.. exd4 20 Bxd4 is good for White. White's reply stops the maneouvre Be6-d5 activating Black's light-squared bishop. Weakening the kingside, but the desirable 23... Rb8 to prepare Be6 fails to 24 Nxc6. The exchange sacrifice for to obtain the two Bishops has become something of a Topalov trademark. The Black pieces are cut off from defending the exposed kingside. If 32..Nxe4 then 33 Qh6+ Kf7 34 Rxe4 e5 35 Qh7+ Kf6 36 Bc3 is very strong. The Bishops dominate. If 36 ... Qd7 37 Rg5 wins on g6. Crunch! It is mate in a few moves: 42 ... Kxe7 43 Bxf6+ Ke8 44 Qg8+ Rf8 45 Qe6 mate or 42 ... Rxe7 43 Qh8+ Kf7 44 Qxf6+ Ke8 45 Qh8+ Kf7 46 Qg7+ Ke8 47 Qg8 mate.
 * 1.d4 d5**
 * 2.c4 c6**
 * 3.Nf3 Nf6**
 * 4.Nc3 a6**
 * 5.c5**
 * 5. --- Nbd7**
 * 6.Bf4 Nh5**
 * 7.Bd2 Nhf6**
 * 8.Rc1 g6**
 * 9.h3 Qc7**
 * 10.g3!?**
 * 10. --- Bg7**
 * 11.Bf4 Qd8**
 * 12.Bg2 Nh5**
 * 13.Bg5 h6**
 * 14.Bd2 0-0**
 * 15.e4 dxe4**
 * 16.Nxe4 Nhf6**
 * 17.Nc3 Re8**
 * 18.0-0 Nf8**
 * 19.Qb3! Ne6**
 * 20.Be3 Nc7**
 * 21.Ne5 Nfd5**
 * 22.Nxd5 Nxd5**
 * 23.Bd2 Bxe5?!**
 * 24.dxe5 h5**
 * 25.Rfe1 Qc7**
 * 26.e6!**
 * 26. --- Bxe6**
 * 27.Rxe6 fxe6**
 * 28.Re1 Qd7**
 * 29.Qd3 Kh7**
 * 30.Re5 Nf6**
 * 31.Qe3 Kg7**
 * 32.Be4 Kf7**
 * 33.Bc2 Rad8**
 * 34.Qh6 Rg8**
 * 35.Ba5 Qd4**
 * 36.Bc3! Qc4**
 * 37.Bb3 Qd3**
 * 38.Bxe6+ Ke8**
 * 39.Kg2 Rf8**
 * 40.Qg7 Rd5**
 * 41.Bf5 Rf7**
 * 42.Rxe7+!**


 * 1-0**


 * Solution:** 1 Qxh5+! gxh5 (1 ... Kg7 2 Qh6#, 1 ... Qh6 2 Qxh6#) 2 Rxh5+ Qh6 3 Rxh6#.