Fabiano Caruana vs Veselin Topalov (2016)

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Fabiano Caruana vs Veselin Topalov
Sinquefield Cup (2016), Saint Louis, MO USA, rd 2, Aug-06
Spanish Game: Closed. Martinez Variation (C78) · 1/2-1/2

White to move.

ANALYSIS [x]

1/2-1/2

rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 1

FEN COPIED

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< Earlier Kibitzing · PAGE 4 OF 4 · Later Kibitzing>
Aug-06-16		cro777: But Topalov made a mistake by playing 28...Qxd4 and now his task is more difficult.

Aug-06-16		Arditi: seems like white pieces has advance because has 4 pieces, and if black has queen.

Aug-06-16		cro777: Topalov should have exchanged the rooks with 28...Re8.

Aug-06-16		plang: connected passed pawns will be strong

Aug-06-16		Tiggler: Topa has taken a simpler, safer path. The win is "just technique" now.

Aug-06-16		Boomie: With my eyeballs spinning around, which seems to happen a lot when I watch Topa's best games, I noticed an interesting combo. From this position: click for larger view If black plays 29...Ra4, (any lift off the back rank), black has 30. Re8+ Kh7 31. Be4+ g6 32. Be5 click for larger view

Aug-06-16		Marmot PFL: 30... Qxb2 31. Bxa8 Qxb4 looked very good, i don't see how black wins this

Aug-06-16		Domdaniel: <Marmot> Not easy to win, true, but Black can't really lose. He can press for some time if he wants to.

Aug-06-16		Marmot PFL: Right he can make a passed king side pawn, but the queen side is blocked for now.

Aug-06-16		cro777: Topalov had another idea in mind. He prefers to play with the rook against two minor pieces with the possibility to create a passer.

Aug-06-16		plang: surprised he chose this line - better drawing chances for White here

Aug-06-16		morfishine: White Holds, Good Night

Aug-06-16		morfishine: <Domdaniel> Always good to see you Best always, morf *****

Aug-06-16		BOSTER: Black g and h pawns will decide the game.

Aug-06-16		cro777: Big turnarounds tonight: Giri is losing to Nakamura, MVL blundred and is now losing against Anand.

Aug-06-16		Domdaniel: There is no obvious fortress structure for White. The problem is that Black can, sooner or later, create a passed pawn on the kingside. Once he's done that, at least one of the white pieces must defend against it, allowing Black to get a 2nd passer on the queenside. With two passed pawns Black should win - if necessary giving up the Rook for one of the white pieces, in a position where the surviving piece can't stop both pawns. That's in theory. In practice, Topalov may be kicking himself for not reaching a more easily won position - and a strong endgame player like Caruana is well able to find many tricks in this position.

Aug-06-16		AylerKupp: As <morfishine> indicated, they called it a draw. A great escape by Caruana.

Aug-06-16		Domdaniel: Oy. So they didn't feel like playing it out... can't blame 'em, really...

Aug-06-16		Marmot PFL: Black could play on at no risk. Maybe at +1 already Topalov decided to conserve his energy.

Aug-06-16		Marmot PFL: Well we'll find out in the interview i guess.

Aug-06-16		cro777: Caruana: "My best move was 25.Bxd6! Sacrificing the queen and complicating the position." Position after 24…Bxf3 click for larger view 25.Bxd6 That was the best practical chance. However, after 25. Bxd6 Bxd1 26. Bxd1 exd4 27. cxd4 Qd7 28. Bg3 click for larger view Topalov missed to win the game on the spot by playing 28…Re8 instead of 28…Qxd4. 28…Re8! 29.Rxe8 Qxe8 click for larger view The evaluation of queen vs three minor pieces endgames is very contextual. The decisive factor (besides the pawn structure) is the possibility of coordinating the three pieces. Here the queen outperforms the three pieces because White cannot well coordinate his pieces: 30.Kf1 Qe4 31.Nc2 Qd3+ 32.Ke1 c3 33.bxc3 Qxc3+ 34.Ke2 click for larger view And the b-pawn advances.

Aug-06-16		NBZ: Boomie, clever idea! Sadly in the diagrammed position, Black can play Ra1+ Kg2 Qxe4+ winning.

Aug-07-16		Boomie: <NBZ: Boomie, clever idea! Sadly in the diagrammed position, Black can play Ra1+ Kg2 Qxe4+ winning.> Yes. I was just demonstrating the tactic regardless of the position. It's a pretty combo with the rook and bishops working well together.

Aug-08-16		4tmac: 29..c3!?! 30. Bxa8 (30. Nc2 cxb2 31. Nxd4 Ra1!) cxb2 31. Na6 (31. Nc2 Qd2 32. Re8+ Kh7 33. Be4+ f5!) Kh7! 32. Kg2 f5! 33. Be5 Qd2 34. Rb1 Qg5+ 35. Kf3 Qe7! 36. Bxb2 Qd8!-Iknow,Iknow:).......cro777 28..Re8!post-also game cont 30..QxP! (note: not 29..QxP? need to "drag white rook to D file") interested should check out POTD Fri Aug 5

Aug-12-16		Ayaend: Very great game a nice draw, nice save by Caruana and well play by Topalov in form

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