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Veselin Topalov vs Vladimir Kramnik
"A Knight's Tale" (game of the day Jan-24-08)
Corus (2008)  ·  Semi-Slav Defense: Anti-Moscow Gambit (D44)  ·  1-0
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Veselin Topalov vs Vladimir Kramnik (2008)
photograph courtesy of "LostEmperor"

Kibitzer's Corner
< Earlier Kibitzing  · PAGE 35 OF 35 ·  Later Kibitzing>
Dec-09-09  Pencho: The pun should be changed to Topalov's Immortal.
Jan-14-10  aazqua: 3 greatest chess players this century? What century are you talking about? Kasparov retired in 2005 with the highest rating in history. Carlsen is better than anyone playing today and he isn't even 20 yet. If one of these three is considered in the top 5 of this century I'd be surprised.
Jan-14-10  ivan999: ok who is there, besides kasparov and carlsen, to be placed in front of these three? I'd be surprised if any of these three is not in the top 5.
Jan-14-10  ounos: Wow, <aazqua>, so you plan to be around in 2099, I'm surprized!
Mar-28-10  donehung: This game stands up to anyones best game imo.
Apr-13-10  saad: good game
Apr-21-10  hannahbelle: ... fire didn't stop aftr 12 e5xf7
Apr-21-10  NofxFatMike: way to go topa!! keep´´em coming !!
Oct-28-10
Premium Chessgames Member
  Garech: I agree - a fantastic photo, and a fantastic game. Credit where it's due - very nice play from Topalov, cooked or otherwise.

-Garech

Oct-28-10  rapidcitychess: Why does every one use this one game as evidence for Topalov being better than Kramnik? A shocker, and a shoddy shocker. Not impossible like a Tal sacrifice, it was refuted in a couple days, not decades...
Oct-28-10  AuN1: <praddy06: . This game must be renamed as Topalov Immortal >

you're joking, right?

exhibit a:

Topalov vs Aronian, 2006

Nov-08-10
Premium Chessgames Member
  sevenseaman: A top game indeed. Topalov has a knack with the Knights, it seems.
Nov-20-10
Premium Chessgames Member
  sevenseaman: I am inclined to agree with < rapidcitychess>. Topalov had his brilliant patches but Kramnik nicks him for class and stature.
Mar-15-11  Themarkgon: Every time I look at this game, I can't help but think that Topalov's pride kept him from becoming the world champion (the true one, not FIDE's).

Should Topalov kept this amazing line in secret until his match in 2010, I don't think even Anand could have found a refutation over the board (much less be home prepared for it). In a short match that was tied until the last game, this could easily have been the difference between the title or not.

Instead, he felt as if he had to prove to the world that he was better than Kramnik, and used his secret weapon in a tournament game. Sadly, he ended up with nothing: Anand won the match, and instead of this game being called the "Topalov's Immortal", 12Nxf7 is now remembered as an amazing Cheparinov's move.

Mar-15-11
Premium Chessgames Member
  acirce: Not that Topalov could know anything about that in 2008, but of course Anand never played the Semi-Slav in their match...
Mar-15-11  micartouse: <Instead, he felt as if he had to prove to the world that he was better than Kramnik, and used his secret weapon in a tournament game. Sadly, he ended up with nothing: Anand won the match, and instead of this game being called the "Topalov's Immortal", 12. Nxf7 is now remembered as an amazing Cheparinov's move.>

Even if acirce's point weren't true, it is worth noting the real reason Topalov didn't win either match: he was not as strong as his opponents. He played his openings just fine in 2006 and 2010, but he made too many tactical mistakes.

This game is an example of why it doesn't matter. Topalov does indeed have breathtaking masterpieces (well known opening influences aside), of which this is only one. And hey, the FIDE championship is nothing to scoff at - it was a pretty strong tournament! Topalov was surely correct to play 12. Nxf7 when he did and watch his biggest enemy squirm.

Topalov's career isn't nothing. He definitely achieved greatness.

Nov-18-11
Premium Chessgames Member
  sevenseaman: A classy photo here - two greats of chess being overviewed by yet another in intense concentration.
Jan-02-12  Penguincw: 12.Nxf7 is a really interesting knight sacrifice.
Jan-10-12  kurtrichards: <12. Nxf7> One of Ivan Cheparinov's many contributions to Topalov's chess battle against Vlad Kramnik.
Jul-09-12
Premium Chessgames Member
  wordfunph: "When Ι touched my knight, he almost wrote the move 12.Nxd7 on his score sheet, but when he realized the pawn f7 was taken he didn't believe his eyes."

- Veselin "Chainsaw" Topalov

Dec-26-12  Norbi506: What a knight!
Mar-27-13
Premium Chessgames Member
  Eduardo Bermudez: The value of the pieces is always relative, in this case the knight on e6, is far the most valuable and decisive of all white pieces !
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