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Veselin Topalov vs Etienne Bacrot
Morelia-Linares (2006), Morelia MEX, rd 2, Feb-19
Russian Game: Classical Attack. Mason-Showalter Variation (C42)  ·  1/2-1/2

ANALYSIS [x]

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Kibitzer's Corner
Feb-19-06  Akavall: Why not 36...Nxd5, it seems that the game is a dead draw after d-pawns are exchanged.
Feb-20-06
Premium Chessgames Member
  offramp: Bacrot may have been worried about Ra7. If black plays ...Rb7 then Ra8 and there is the possibility of Ne8+, Rd8 and Nf6; all of which would be a bit of a pain especially if black was short of time.
Feb-20-06  euripides: At about move 20, White looked much better as the d5 weakness was glaring and the knight on f4 hard to dislodge. Bacrot accelerates Black's counterplay by the elegant and far from obvious b5-b4.
Feb-20-06  olydream3: when both players played well and did not make any mistakes, then the game is said to be draw
Feb-20-06  Kasparov Shadow: Boring Bacrot, playing Petrof.........
Feb-20-06  Kasparov Shadow: Thats why i dont like to play kings pawn, cause there are some boring players out there who like to play petrofs, ruy lopez and caro-kann.
Feb-20-06  Jim Bartle: Yeah, that Ruy Lopez leads to dullsville, as in the 1990 K-K match. I might agree concerning the Petroff, though.
Feb-20-06  Legend: When you`re playing a World Champion, I think it`s wise to choose a defensive tactics ...
Feb-20-06  EmperorAtahualpa: Although we can't admire Bacrot for his fighting chess here, I think it was smart of Bacrot to play a Petrov.

Topalov was likely out to get revenge after his defeat in the first round. Taking that into account, it's wise to take up an opening that leads to drawish lines.

Feb-20-06  Akavall: <offramp> Thanks, that sure looks like possibility.

Topalov could've played 5.Nc3, this line usually leads to an interesting opposite sided castles battle.

Feb-20-06  djmercury: <Akavall> Topalov probably didn't played 5. Nc3, because they played that line at Corus, Topalov won, but only because of really bad play by Bacrot in time trouble. Since the French is using a lot the Petrov lately, Topalov was ready to face it when he opened with e4.
Feb-20-06  Akavall: I am sure Topalov had his good reasons for choosing an opening line that he chose. I am just saying that Petrov doesn't have to be boring.
Feb-20-06  MaxxLange: The modern Petrov is by no means just a dull drawing opening, there is some very interesting play in some of the lines. I think at this level they can play almost any opening for a draw if that is their real aim.
Feb-20-06  C.G Jung: <The modern Petrov is by no means just a dull drawing opening>

what a bad joke...

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