Veselin Topalov vs Gata Kamsky (2009)

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Veselin Topalov vs Gata Kamsky
Topalov - Kamsky Candidates Final (2009), Sofia BUL, rd 5, Feb-23
French Defense: Tarrasch Variation. Open System Euwe-Keres Line (C07) · 1-0

ANALYSIS [x]

FEN COPIED

Given 13 times; par: 98 [what's this?]

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< Earlier Kibitzing · PAGE 9 OF 30 · Later Kibitzing>
Feb-23-09		Bondsamir: It seems for me that Topalove is intending to give Kamsky a taste of his own medicine.

Feb-23-09		mack: <Marmot PFL: Chess is very popular in Iran. Even their women's team is very strong, due to good coaching.> Suck up

Feb-23-09		PhilFeeley: White's position is now extremely boring...not what I would expect from Topalov.

Feb-23-09		ajile: Now the exchange of queens with Qa4 check does nothing for White. Black has an isolani but faster development.

Feb-23-09		eisenherz: Topalov seems to be playing for a draw, after he lost the last game

Feb-23-09		autolycus: I have to confess I am dead scared of playing the French. But it strikes me that Black looks at least equal and maybe superior because his pieces look (to me) more coordinated and mobile. That IQP doesn't look like a serious liability either. Well, you're all welcome to whack this patzer's opinion...

Feb-23-09		MaxxLange: I'm pleased to hear that the Iranians have squelched the mullahs' objections to chess - did they not prohibit the game at one time? A local TD here (who is a Christian) even had to reassure one boy's parents that chess was "Biblical". Absurd.

Feb-23-09		arkansaw: so Kamsky has every reason to be pleased with himself, this has to be the easiest Black opening so far

Feb-23-09		ajile: Kamsky's gotta be happy with this opening. Simplified middlegame with chances for Black. Time for The Grinder to grind. :o)

Feb-23-09		Nigel Short: My good friend Mr Mahjoob played this previously when he was just a modest 2300 player. He is now a GM - like everyone else under the sun, it seems - and has improved a couple of hundred points. He is very competent.

Feb-23-09		octoberowl: think I am going to have to agree with Nigel here. White looks very simplistic...

Feb-23-09		Robin01: What about black's isolated pawns? I would think the black isolated pawns might become targets later.

Feb-23-09		Marmot PFL: I really cant see what's wrong with white's strategy. He has good development and an isolated pawn to play against, not much maybe but black still has to defend.

Feb-23-09		PinnedPiece: What the? Kamsky not white? Where's my 500 CB on white going now? This looks like a game from the high school club here.

Feb-23-09		apoka: <Now the exchange of queens with Qa4 check does nothing for White. Black has an isolani but faster development.> I am not sure. 13. ♕a4+ ♕d7 14. ♕xd7 ♔xd7 at least leaves Black with a more vulnerable king. On the other hand, White may be reluctant to trade queens to avoid an early draw.

Feb-23-09		AdrianP: White win 20% / Draw 70% / Black win 10% is my estimation... It would have been disastrous for Topalov to lose this game as White with so few games left, so maybe the strategy is understandable. But very unTopalovian.

Feb-23-09		ajile: Black's only awkward piece is the Ne7.

Feb-23-09		Marmot PFL: 16.Be3, or Bd2-c3 I guess is the next decision.

Feb-23-09		ajile: <apoka: <Now the exchange of queens with Qa4 check does nothing for White. Black has an isolani but faster development.> I am not sure. 13. a4+ d7 14. xd7 xd7 at least leaves Black with a more vulnerable king.> With queens off it's not that big a deal especially with Black ahead in development. Plus the king is more centralized and ready to advance when the endgame arrives.

Feb-23-09		jeremy24: Wow a french! When's the last time a world contender busted this one out on the big stage? Korchnoi maybe?

Feb-23-09		Philistine: I woke up for this!? I demand to be entertained.

Feb-23-09		Nigel Short: Remember that Karpov - that consummate technician - did not defeat Korchnoi once in this opening in the Candidates Final, despite sometimes having far more favourable positions than this one. I tend to agree with Viktor Lvovich that it is basically a drawing variation.

Feb-23-09		PhilFeeley: So what's the strategy here? White attacks the IQP, while black tries to advance it ASAP? Or should he get his rooks on the c-file?

Feb-23-09		Willem Wallekers: I go for an afternoon walk ...

Feb-23-09		AdrianP: Nigel, two questions (1) Is the French still part of your regular repertoire? (2) In this position, would Black still fancy saving a draw if the d-pawn fell?

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