chessgames.com
Members · Prefs · Laboratory · Collections · Openings · Endgames · Sacrifices · History · Search Kibitzing · Kibitzer's Café · Chessforums · Tournament Index · Players · Kibitzing
Veselin Topalov vs Peter Leko
Dortmund Sparkassen (1999), Dortmund GER, rd 2, Jul-11
Spanish Game: Classical Variation. Modern Main Line (C64)  ·  0-1

ANALYSIS [x]

FEN COPIED

explore this opening
find similar games 69 more Topalov/Leko games
PGN: download | view | print Help: general | java-troubleshooting

TIP: Premium members can suggest a game for Guess-the-Move with the Guess-the-Move Suggestion Queue.

PGN Viewer:  What is this?
For help with this chess viewer, please see the Olga Chess Viewer Quickstart Guide.
PREMIUM MEMBERS CAN REQUEST COMPUTER ANALYSIS [more info]

A COMPUTER ANNOTATED SCORE OF THIS GAME IS AVAILABLE.  [CLICK HERE]

Kibitzer's Corner
May-29-05  Montreal1666: This is not the "Berlin" defence as we
know it now. In this site "C67" is the
Berlin
May-29-05  Everett: This is the Berlin Defence, though not the main line.
Jan-22-06  trumbull0042: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 is the Berlin. Obviously it can transpose into other Ruy Lopez openings, but those 6 plies characterize the Berlin. If I were you, I wouldn't really pay attention to the ECO codes, they don't seem to be very scientific.
Feb-02-07  fromoort: <trumbull0042>: Isn't that 3 plies?
Jun-23-13
Premium Chessgames Member
  plang: A few months ago earlier at Linares against the same opponent Topalov had played 9 Bxc6 and the game had been quickly drawn. In another game at Linares Svidler had played 13 Bg3 against Leko and had gone on to win a nice game. Topalovs promising piece sacrifice 13 Nxg5!? has been played in similar positions in this line; Leko had to avoid 14..Bxd4? 15 e5!..Bxe5 16 Qg6+..Kh8 17 Qh6+..Kg8 18 Ne4 and White is winning. Stohl criticizes 15 Nb3?! as a not sufficiently aggressive followup to the piece sacrifice recommending instead 15 e5..dxe 16 Rae1 with a strong attack. 9 days prior to this game at a rapid game in Frankfort Topalov had played 16 Rae1 against Leko and had lost; 16 Bxf6 was his improvement. Perhaps 17 Qg3 would have been a better test of Blacks defense; instead 17 f4 and 18 Kh1 gave Black time to exchange bishops. 21 e5..Nc6 22 Rf3..Rh8 23 Rg3..Kf8 24 e6..d5 would not have been dangerous for Black.

<trumbull0042: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 is the Berlin. Obviously it can transpose into other Ruy Lopez openings, but those 6 plies characterize the Berlin. >

With 4..Bc5 Leko transposes out of the Berlin into the Classical variation (C64 - C65). The Classical variation is usually characterized by 1 e4..e5 2 Nf3..Nc6 3 Bb5..Bc5 but players who use this defense often play 3..Nf6 first to avoid the line 4 c3 which is considered a promising line in the Classical defense.

NOTE: Create an account today to post replies and access other powerful features which are available only to registered users. Becoming a member is free, anonymous, and takes less than 1 minute! If you already have a username, then simply login login under your username now to join the discussion.

Please observe our posting guidelines:

  1. No obscene, racist, sexist, or profane language.
  2. No spamming, advertising, duplicate, or gibberish posts.
  3. No vitriolic or systematic personal attacks against other members.
  4. Nothing in violation of United States law.
  5. No cyberstalking or malicious posting of negative or private information (doxing/doxxing) of members.
  6. No trolling.
  7. The use of "sock puppet" accounts to circumvent disciplinary action taken by moderators, create a false impression of consensus or support, or stage conversations, is prohibited.
  8. Do not degrade Chessgames or any of it's staff/volunteers.

Please try to maintain a semblance of civility at all times.

Blow the Whistle

See something that violates our rules? Blow the whistle and inform a moderator.


NOTE: Please keep all discussion on-topic. This forum is for this specific game only. To discuss chess or this site in general, visit the Kibitzer's Café.

Messages posted by Chessgames members do not necessarily represent the views of Chessgames.com, its employees, or sponsors.
All moderator actions taken are ultimately at the sole discretion of the administration.

This game is type: CLASSICAL. Please report incorrect or missing information by submitting a correction slip to help us improve the quality of our content.

<This page contains Editor Notes. Click here to read them.>

Featured in the Following Game Collections[what is this?]
4-Ruy Lopez
by classicalwin2
Ruy Lopez, Berlin Defense (C65)
from Leko! by larrewl
Game 44
from Instructive modern chess masterpieces (Stohl) by WMD
topalov - leko
from berlin recent by pleasant
Round Two, Game #8
from Dortmund 1999 by suenteus po 147
Game 44 in Instructive Modern Chess Masterpieces by Stohl
from 1999 Party Like Its 1999 with Fredthebear by fredthebear
part of modern instructive Stohl look it up
from Thesaint8x's favorite games Ruy-d3d6c3B-e7/Berli by Thesaint8x
Instructive Modern Chess Masterpieces ~ Stohl
by joneil2862
Game 44
from Modern Chess Masterpieces (Stohl) by Qindarka
Game 44 in Instructive Modern Chess Masterpieces by Stohl
from 1990s Longer KPs of the 1990s Oskar by fredthebear
4-Ruy Lopez
by webbing1947
Dortmund Sparkassen 1999
by Tabanus

Home | About | Login | Logout | F.A.Q. | Profile | Preferences | Premium Membership | Kibitzer's Café | Biographer's Bistro | New Kibitzing | Chessforums | Tournament Index | Player Directory | Notable Games | World Chess Championships | Opening Explorer | Guess the Move | Game Collections | ChessBookie Game | Chessgames Challenge | Store | Privacy Notice | Contact Us

Copyright 2001-2023, Chessgames Services LLC