| Sally Simpson: Well that was quite a game with a wee bit of mind games thrown in. (probably reading more into it than there is but speculation and hindsight are a kibitzer's prerogative.) Wes's 22.Qc2 declining the Queen swap was a 'I'm here to win move.' which must have pleasantly surprised Topalov. Later Topalov had on the table an unspoken draw offer here (Black to play) 
click for larger view27...Qd6 28.Ne4 Qd5 29.Nc3 etc...
I don't think White can allow the BQ to stay on d6 with Bc7 in the wings. But Topalov did not want that ('I too am here to win') and the fun began. And the question was here. (Black to play.)
click for larger viewDo you take the c5 pawn and allow a discovered attack on the Queen (32...Qxc5 33.Nd5) If you do the BQ has only two square to go. a7 or d6. On Qd6 Nf6+ looks very good. It has to be Qa7. If the computers are saying Black is OK then good for them. But it does mean Topalov will have to find some very good and possibly only moves OTB. The Knight is on d5 Black's position is being held together by that d8 Bishop. Given half a chance White will chop it with a Rook and plonk the Knight on f6 with a check. Already deflecting ideas like Rc7 Bxc7 and Nf6+ are appearing, not quite on yet but something for Black to look out for. White could starting prepping it with Rc6 and Qc3. Nah...If to maintain material equality it means a Queen on a7, their Knight on d5 and an awkward position bristling with exchange sac ideas then sod that. Topalov went for the active defence by hitting Elroy on e3 and cooking up his own threats. The Wise and the Wonderful can condemn the decision but OTB with a clocking ticking it was the way to go. | 
Kibitzing
