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Anatoly Karpov vs Veselin Topalov
"Discovery Channel" (game of the day Jun-29-07)
Dos Hermanas, Cat.16 1994  ·  Benoni Defense: Benoni-Indian Defense. Kingside move order (A43)  ·  1-0
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Kibitzer's Corner
< Earlier Kibitzing  · PAGE 4 OF 4 ·  Later Kibitzing>
Jun-29-07  newton296: I like this game . It makes u think about just what is possible when U see the opponent has lots of loose pieces. here karpov sees he can sac his N + B for the loose R + B later. But he has too see 10 moves deep to find this one . Ruthless board vision like fisher or capablanca ! karpov was really feeling his oats in this game.
Dec-15-07  syracrophy: Topalov is the punching bag of the champions. What a shame. Just look at these humilliating games:

Kasparov vs Topalov, 1999

Karpov vs Topalov, 2002

The only good thing of this guy is that Karpov and Kasparov played their immortal games against him

Dec-15-07  you vs yourself: <Just look at these humilliating games:> You're looking at it the wrong way. These games are immortal and beautiful because Topalov was on the other side.

I can play Kasparov and Karpov a 1000 times and everyone of them will be forgotten in a second. Ks can play perfect moves but if the guy on the other side is playing 1...f6 2...a5, it will be humiliating and embarrassing.

The point is, the strength of the opposition and the quality of their play are what makes a fraction of all chess games played immortal. The quality of this game- Kasparov vs Topalov, 1999 was so high, in part, because of Topalov.

Apr-19-08  positionalgenius: A beautiful game. Karpov shows his tactical prowess
Aug-15-08  Woody Wood Pusher: Wow this is an amazing combination, great game by Karpov!
Aug-15-08
Premium Chessgames Member
  keypusher: <you vs yourself>

<The point is, the strength of the opposition and the quality of their play are what makes a fraction of all chess games played immortal. The quality of this game- Kasparov vs Topalov, 1999 was so high, in part, because of Topalov.>

Well said.

Aug-16-08  Woody Wood Pusher: this game reminds me of some comments about Topalov's style, he likes to push pawns up the board very quickly to gain space for his pieces which he flings in behind. The thing is, in this game Karpov doesn't allow any of his pieces good positions anywhere and keeps them on his back rank, only allowing Topalov's king to rush forward into the center LOL
Sep-04-08  sicilianhugefun: A big performance from Tolya! Topalov is a punching bag of the russian chess gods; such as Kasparov, Karpov, kramnik
Jan-17-09  WhiteRook48: amazing tactics!
DOUBLE CHECK!! Spectacular!! (Well, maybe not as much as in Reti-Tartakower, 1910...) Then the skewer and fork at the end!! This is the best example of Karpov's attacking style!
Apr-21-09  WhiteRook48: 31 Be5+!!
Aug-18-09  WhiteRook48: or rather tactical
Sep-22-09  holy tramp: I wonder how long Karpov deliberated before 30...Nf6. The combination is just so damn beautiful. And that was his G1 Knight(!) making the long, arduous journey to get centralized-- in order to be in position for such brilliant tactical play. Chessmetrics states that in 1994 Karpov reached the highest tournament event rating in chess history- at Linares posting a 2899!! Say what you will about chessmetrics, Karpov in '94 was a mind-blowing stud with games like this above, his "Immortal" also against Topalov of course, as well as his aforementioned tournament play.
Sep-22-09
Premium Chessgames Member
  Open Defence: I hope he is able to bring some of this ability to the board today!!!

Go Karpov!!!

Apr-22-10  hellopolgar: <31 Be5+!!>

what? no no no, grandmasters don't play chess like that, they see quite a few moves ahead, it should be:

<29. Nd5!!>

May-26-11  Akavall: I think this is one of the most beautiful tactics I've seen. Amazing.
Sep-10-11  swissfed: Karpov rules!!! one of the most spectacular games.
Sep-10-11
Premium Chessgames Member
  perfidious: Karpov's finest creative achievement at Linares in one of the all-time great performances by any player.

While he seemed to have only a niggling edge in this middlegame after Topalov managed to liquidate the backward d-pawn, that merely set the stage for an elegant combination.

The key point of Karpov's play was that at the end, he picked up one of the loose minor pieces, as Lasker had in another masterwork: Lasker vs J Bauer, 1889.

Sep-10-11  swissfed: Many of Karpov's intentions become understandable to his opponents only when salvation is no longer possible. ; (Mikhail Tal)
Sep-10-11  Ladolcevita: 30.Nf6,as wonderful as the "Discovery Channel" indeed!
Sep-10-11  alekhine101: <syracrophy> I like this game even better by Kramnik. Its a blindfold masterpiece.

Kramnik vs Topalov, 2003

Dec-08-11  Oxnard: <WhiteRook48> You're out of your mind. <29. Nd5 !!> is the winner, and the idea becomes obvious with the very pretty <30. Nf6>. <31. Bxe5> is just a part of the forced sequence.
Feb-04-12  Chessmaster9001: This game is just beautiful.
Feb-04-12  King Death: Though Karpov's strength was positional chess this game proves that it's impossible to play "positionally" without tactics as part of the mix.

Here's the other side of the coin where the "pure tactician" Kasparov outplays a great opponent positionally: Kasparov vs Petrosian, 1982.

Jul-07-12  BlackSheep: Its been said before but its worth repeating , that Nf6 was really the start of something special .
May-08-13  fetonzio: what a move
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