ODT051025

=**Topalov steamrolls World Championship**=


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

Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria has comfortably won the FIDE World Chess Championship tournament in San Luis, Argentina. Dubbed //Topadora// (“Steamroller”) by the local press because of his total demolition of the rest of the field in the first half, Topalov was able to win with a round to spare by drawing all his remaining games. Topalov thoroughly earned the World Championship title with his daring and uncompromising play in the first half, and as each draw took him nearer the goal, it is hardly surprising he was content with this turn of events.

The pre-tournament favourite, India's Vishy Anand, recovered well in the second half from his two early losses and shared second place with Russia's Peter Svidler, while fourth went to another Russian, the mercurial Alexander Morozevich. The highly fancied Hungarian Peter Leko came next, having had his tournament derailed by a first round loss to Topalov. The defending champion, Rustam Kasimjanov of Uzbekistan faded toward the end after holding his own in this elite group for much of the tournament, and had to be content with a tie for sixth with the winless Michael Adams of England. Hungary's Judit Polgar, the strongest ever female player, looked underprepared in eighth and last place.

Official commentator for the event was former world championship challenger, grandmaster Nigel Short of England. He will be giving a simultaneous display at the Otago Chess Club on November 30th as part of an exhibition tour of New Zealand.

Today's game is from the penultimate round of San Luis. In holding on to draw against severe pressure from Kasimjanov, Topalov assured himself of outright first place. media type="custom" key="27151384" The Berlin Defence to the Ruy Lopez - a solid choice. A plan popularised by Kramnik in his 2000 world championship match victory over Kasparov. Black repositions this N to g6 where it attacks the key squares e5 and f4, and develops his R on h8 by advancing the h-pawn. White plans f4 to fend the pawn on e5, since the immediate 15---Nxe5? 16 Bf4 f6 17 Bxe5 fxe5 18 Nf3 would be bad for Black. With a6 Black appeared to be aiming for 17---c5, but changes his mind. Each side now play to restrict the other's pawns. Courageously opening up the game, as White was threatening to win the pawn on a4 (Rc4 & Nc3). Black's weak pawns on a4, b7 and h4 mean he will lose one soon, so he starts an ingenious R manouvre to obtain counterplay against b2 and g2. After 32 Rxb5 cxb5 White will have trouble advancing the c-pawn. Underestimating Black's chances – swapping rooks was better. The exchange was sacrificed many times at San Luis – here Topalov rips the initiative from White and nearly turns the tables with his powerful R & B while White's R on b6 is out of play. Acceptance is forced. If 39 Rg1, then f5!-f4-f3 etc wins for Black! White must remove the Bishop.
 * 1.e4 e5**
 * 2.Nf6 Nc6**
 * 3.Bb5 Nf6**
 * 4.0-0 Nxe4**
 * 5.d4 Nd6**
 * 6.Bxc6 dxc6**
 * 7.dxe5 Nf5**
 * 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8**
 * 9.Nc3 Ne7**
 * 10.h3 Ng6**
 * 11.Be3 Be7**
 * 12.Rad1+ Ke8**
 * 13.a3 h5**
 * 14.Rfe1 h4**
 * 15.Nd4**
 * 15. --- a6**
 * 16.f4 Rh5**
 * 17.Ne4 Bd7**
 * 18.c4 a5**
 * 19.c5 a4**
 * 20.Rc1! f5!**
 * 21.exf6 Bxf6**
 * 22.f5 Ne7**
 * 23.Nxf6+ gxf6**
 * 24.Bf4 Kf7**
 * 25.Bxc7 Nxf5**
 * 26.Rc4! Nxd4**
 * 27.Rxd4 Be6**
 * 28.Bd6 Ra5**
 * 29.Rde4 Bd5**
 * 30.Re7+ Kg6**
 * 31.Rxb7 Rb5!**
 * 32.Rb6**
 * 32. --- Rg5**
 * 33.Re2 Rb3**
 * 34.Kh2?!**
 * 34. --- Re3**
 * 35.Rd2 Reg3!!**
 * 36.Bxg3 hxg3+**
 * 37.Kh1 Rf5**
 * 38.Rd1 Rf2**
 * 39.Rb8!**
 * 39. --- f5**
 * 40.Rd8 Bxg2+**
 * 41.Kg1 Bd5**
 * By now a draw was sufficient to secure the title, else 41---Kg5!? was a risky winning try for Black.**
 * 42.R8xd5! cxd5**
 * 43.Rc1 Rxb2**
 * 44.c6 Rb8**
 * 45.Kg2 f4**
 * 46.Kf3 Kg5**
 * 47.h4+ Draw Agreed**


 * Solution:** 1 --- Nh3+! 2 gxh3 (2 Kh1 Rxf1#) Rg6+ 3 Kf2 Re2#