Oct-20-10
 | | Eyal: Very much in the spirit of the Slav endgames Topalov kept playing against Anand in the recent WC match. |
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Oct-20-10
 | | whiteshark: And his efforts here were as 'unsuccessful' as in Sofia. That is assuming you exclude Anand's horrible blunder in the 8th game, of course. Anand-Topalov World Chess Championship (2010) |
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| Oct-20-10 | | Marmot PFL: Usually not like Topalov to trade queens so early. It now seems inevitable that Carlsen will finish first, as Kramnik is taking a well earned rest. |
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Oct-20-10
 | | percyblakeney: <It now seems inevitable that Carlsen will finish first> Nine rounds of ten left :-) |
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Oct-20-10
| | Eyal: Maybe Topalov did miss winning chances with <36.b4> - keeping control of the c-file (but also the option of attacking the K-side with Rg1 if the black king goes in the direction of the Q-side), and preparing the b5 break. |
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Oct-20-10
 | | hedgeh0g: Does this mean Gashimov has given up on the Benoni? Probably a smart decision given its recent results at the very top level. |
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Oct-20-10
| | Eyal: Gashimov avoided the Benoni against Topalov earlier this year as well (Topalov vs V Gashimov, 2010), it doesn't mean he's dropping it altogether. |
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Oct-20-10
 | | parisattack: <Eyal: Maybe Topalov did miss winning chances with <36.b4> - keeping control of the c-file (but also the option of attacking the K-side with Rg1 if the black king goes in the direction of the Q-side), and preparing the b5 break.> Topa is good at getting a space advantage as White - but has never been particularly brilliant at converting consistently. Space of course the hardest of the elements (force, time, position) to capitalize. <hedgeh0g: ....Benoni? Probably a smart decision given its recent results at the very top level.> Meaning the last thirty years or so? :) |
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Oct-22-10
| | hedgeh0g: <Meaning the last thirty years or so? :)> Heh, you could say that. I was under the impression that the Benoni had experienced a recent resurgence with a couple of top players like Gashimov and Ivanchuk giving it a workout, so I was referring more to the past 1 or 2 years, but I suppose its results haven't exactly withstood the test of time. |
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Oct-23-10
 | | tpstar: I am mystified as to why Topalov keeps trying this line. The early Queen trade and symmetric Pawn formations lead to quiet equality, with only a tiny space edge to White (but not nearly decisive if Black doesn't goof up), which doesn't match his sharp style at all. I just don't see how he's gaining any opening advantage here, which I thought he should have learned from Sofia 2010. Time for 1. e4! =) |
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Oct-23-10
| | parisattack: <hedgeh0g: <Meaning the last thirty years or so? :)>
Heh, you could say that. I was under the impression that the Benoni had experienced a recent resurgence with a couple of top players like Gashimov and Ivanchuk giving it a workout, so I was referring more to the past 1 or 2 years, but I suppose its results haven't exactly withstood the test of time.> I love the Benoni formations but could never get a handle on how to play them...I had my best success (though far from stellar) with the Franco/Barcza/Larsen flavor without an early ...Nf6. <tpstar: ...Time for 1. e4! =)> I think you have the right idea for Topa! He needs a change anyway and has never seemed to be that great at capitalizing on the space advantage he often gets with 1. d4. As to why he often insists on playing unsuccessful lines over-and-over...no idea. |
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| Oct-30-10 | | ReikiMaster: Keeps trying <tpstar>? Database only found 2 games with 8.Qxd4 (yes, both draws). 36.b4 looks good but Nd6 isn't possible before Rg1 Kf8. You only get one of the winning ingredients. |
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| Jan-11-12 | | Penguincw: < Slav Defense: Soultanbeieff Variation > Slav I know of. <Soultanbeieff> I don't know of. |
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