<acirce, alice> lets look at 38. Qf4 Rxg5+ 39. Qxg5 Qxf6 40. Qxf6 Nxf6 41. Rc4 Nd5 42. Rxh4 Kg7:

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Now Fruit gives the following line and although the evaluation is higher than the previous one but I am not sure that White's winning chances are any higher.

43. Rg4 Kh7 44. Kg2 Kh6 45. h4 Kh7 46. Rc4 Kg6 47. Kg3 Kh6 48. Rc8 a6 49. Rc6 a5 50. Kg4 Nf6 51. Kf3 Nd5 52. Rc8 Kh5 53. Kg3 Kh6 54. Kg4 f5 55. Kf3 Kg6 56. Rg8 Kf6 (eval: +0.91)

Topalov,V (2813) - Polgar,J (2710) [E32] 10th Essent Hoogeveen NED (6), 28.10.2006 [Analyzed by Shredder 8,Junior 9,and Albertan]

Opening: Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical variation ECO:E32

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 The Queen's Gambit Opening. 2...e6 Allowing her to rapidlly develop her kingside minor pieces. 3.Nc3 Beginning to develop his minor pieces and preventing her from playing ....Ne4. 3...Bb4 This move defines the defense being played by Polgar:it is the Nimzo-Indian defense one of Black's most solid and flexible responses to the Queen's Gambit. 4.Qc2 This move defines the variation being played by Topalov, is the the Classical variation.He deliberately develops his queen first in order to protect his knight. This will allow him to recapture on c3 with his queen (which will leave his queenside pawn structure intact) if she plays the exchange ...Bxc3. 4...0-0 The most popular continuation for Black, she tucks her king into safety and allows for her rook to be centralized. 5.a3 The most popular idea for White to play on this move, attacking her bishop forcing her to make a decision about the future of this piece for the game. 5...Bxc3+ A move almost always played by Black in this position, rather than spend a tempo to keep the bishop on the board she decides to exchange pieces,this comes at the cost of weakening her kingside and giving Topalov the "two bishops". 6.Qxc3 b6 The most popular continuation for Black in this position, intending to fianchetto her queen's bishop and also supporting the advance of her c-pawn to c5. 7.Nf3 He begins to develop his kingside minor pieces and shields his g-pawn from her bishop if she develops her queen's bishop to b7.

[ Analysis:The main continuation of this variation is: 7.Bg5 Bb7 8.f3 h6 9.Bh4 d5 10.e3 Nbd7 11.cxd5 Nxd5 12.Bxd8 Nxc3 13.Bh4 Nd5 14.Bf2 c5 15.e4 Ne7=] The game continued with Polgar playing:

7...Bb7
The most popular continuation for Black, developing another minor piece.

8.e3 The most often played move for White at this stage of the game, he facilitates the development of his king's bishop and strengthens his d-pawn. 8...c5 She creates a pawn lever which develops tension in the center of the board. [ Analysis:The main line continues: 8...d6 9.Be2 Nbd7 10.0-0 Ne4 11.Qc2 f5 12.b4 Rf6 13.d5 exd5 14.Bb2 Rg6 15.cxd5 ( 15.Rad1) ] Play in the game continued with Topalov playing:

9.Be2 Developing another minor piece which faciliates kingside castling. 9...cxd4 She decides to reduce some of the tension in the center of the board.Now he must decide how to recapture his pawn on d4. 10.exd4 The only way White recaptures in this position in games I found for this position in the chessbase online database. 10...d5 The two GM's are following the moves played in a correspondence chess game between Oleshkevich-Kopeikin, from RUS-2 corr, in 1997 (result:draw 26 moves.) 11.b3 Strengthening his c-pawn and allowing his to fianchetto his dark-squared bishop at b2. 11...Nbd7 She completes her minor piece development, now her knights mutually support each other.By playing this move she also contests the e5-square in case he decides to move his knight to that square in the future. [ Analysis:Shredder 8: 11...Nc6 12.0-0 Ne4 13.Qc2 Qf6 14.Be3 Rfc8 15.Rae1 Ne7 16.Ne5 Nf5 17.Bg4 Ned6 ]

The two players continue to follow the moves in the correspondence chess game mentioned above.

12...dxc4N

This move appears to be a theoretical novelty for the position. (In the correspondence game mentioned above Kopeikin played 12...Rc8.) The game continued with Topalov playing:

13.bxc4

Regaining his pawn and keeping two pawns in the center of the board at the cost of accepting an isolated a-pawn.

13...Qc7

She connects her rooks and pins his c-pawn against his queen. [ Analysis: Shredder 8: 13...Qc7 14.Qe3 Rac8 15.Rb1 Rfd8 16.Rd1 Ne4 17.Nd2 Ndf6 18.Nxe4 Nxe4 ] Topalov's next move of the game was:

14.a4

By playing this move he prevents her from creating a pawn lever by ....b5. This pawn advance also makes it more difficult for her to play the idea of ...a6 followed by ....b5 in the future. [ Analysis:Shredder 8: 14.Qe3 Rac8 15.Bd2 Rfe8 16.Rfe1 Ne4 17.Bb4 Nd6 18.Bxd6 Qxd6 19.Rac1 Red8=] Polgar's next move in the game was:

14...Rac8=

She creates a double-attack against his weak c-pawn which ties down his queen and bishop to defend this pawn. Shredder 8 evaluates this program as equal. [ Analysis:Shredder 8: 14...Ng4 15.g3 e5 16.a5 Rfe8 17.axb6 axb6 18.Rxa8 Bxa8 19.Rd1 exd4 20.Nxd4 Nge5 21.Bf4 f6=] The game continued with Topalov playing:

15.Re1

Centralizing his rook.
[ Analysis:Shredder 8: 15.Qe3 Rfd8
( 15...Nb8 16.Ne5 Nc6 17.Nxc6 Bxc6 18.Qa3 Qd7 19.Bb2 Qc7 20.Rfe1 Qf4 21.f3 Qg5 ) 16.a5!? bxa5 17.Nd2 a4 18.f3 Nb6 19.Ba3 Rd7 20.Rac1 Qd8 21.Bc5 Nh5 22.Ne4 Qh4 23.g3 Qd8 24.Qa3 Ba8 ( Worse is: =24...Rxd4!? 25.Bxd4 Qxd4+ 26.Rf2 Bxe4 27.Rd1 Qe5 28.fxe4 Nf6 ) ] Returning to the moves of the game which continued with Polgar playing:

15...Rfe8

Judit also decides to centralize her rook. [ Analysis:Shredder 8: 15...Ng4 16.h3 Bxf3 17.Bxf3 Qh2+ 18.Kf1[] the only move 18...Ngf6 19.a5 Qh1+ 20.Ke2[] the only move 20...Qh2 21.axb6 axb6 22.Bb7 Rc7 23.Qf3 e5 ] The next move of the game was:

16.Bb2

Developing his last minor piece and by doing so connecting his rooks. [ Analysis:Shredder 8: 16.Qa3 Ng4 17.g3 e5 18.d5 Nc5 19.Nh4 Qd7 20.f3 Nf6 ; 16.Qe3 Nb8 ] The game continued with Polgar playing:

16...Ng4

Pressuring his h-pawn, which ties down his knight to defend this pawn. [Analysis:Shredder 8: 16...Ng4 17.Ne5 Ngxe5 18.dxe5 a5 19.Bd3 Nc5 20.Bc2 Red8 21.Bc1 h6 22.Bf4 Qc6 23.f3 Na6 ] Topalov next played the move:

17.g3

He spends a tempo to end the attack against his h-pawn which frees up his knight. [ Analysis:Shredder 8: 17.Ne5 Ngxe5 18.dxe5 a5 19.Bd3 Nc5 20.Bc2 Red8 21.Rad1 Bc6 22.Qa3 Rxd1 23.Rxd1 Rd8=] The game continued with Polgar playing:

17...Ndf6

18.Nd2

Overprotecting his c-pawn and intending to play his bishop to f3 to fight for control of the key diagonal. [ Analysis:Shredder 8:(a) 18.Qa3 Ne4 19.Rf1 Ba6 20.Rac1 Bb7 21.a5!? bxa5 22.Nh4 f5 23.h3 Ngf6 24.Qe3 Red8 25.Ng2 Ba6 26.Ba3 Rb8© And White has sufficient compensation for the pawn.; (b) 18.Qd3 Ne4 19.Rf1 f5 20.Rae1 Red8 21.Qa3 Ba6 22.Bd3 Qd6 23.Qxd6 Nxd6=] The game continued with Polgar playing:

18...h5

She gains influence over the g4-square at the cost of weakening the pawn shield in front of her king. Now however her king also has luft. [Analysis:Shredder 8: 18...e5!? 19.d5 Bxd5!? 20.cxd5 Qxc3 21.Bxc3 Rxc3 22.Rec1 Rxc1+ 23.Rxc1 Nh6© With sufficient compensation for the pawn.]

The next move of the game was:

19.h3

Forcing her to move her knight.
[ Analysis:Shredder 8: 19.a5 e5 20.axb6 axb6 21.Qb4 exd4 22.Bxd4 Nd7 23.Rab1 Nge5 24.Qb5 Qd6 ] Polgar's next move of the game was:

19...Nh6

[ Analysis:Shredder 8: 19...Nh6 20.Qd3 Red8 21.Ra3 Qe7 22.Rb3 Nf5 23.a5 bxa5 24.d5 Ba6 25.Qf3 a4 26.Rd3 Bxc4 27.Nxc4 Rxc4 28.Bxf6 Qxf6 29.dxe6 Rcd4 30.Rxd4 Nxd4 31.Qxf6 Nxe2+ 32.Rxe2 gxf6© And White has sufficient compensation for the pawn.] The game continued with Topalov playing:

20.Bf3

He offers to exchange light-squared bishops. [ Analysis:Shredder 8: 20.a5 b5 21.a6 Ba8 22.Qa5 bxc4 23.Qxc7 Rxc7 24.Nxc4 Nf5 25.Rad1 Bd5 26.Ne5 Rb8 27.Ba1 Rbc8=] Polgar's next move of the game was:

20...Red8

She further influences the d5-square to make it impossible for Topalov to advance his d-pawn. [Analysis:Shredder 8: 20...Red8 21.Bxb7 Qxb7 22.Qb3 Nd7 23.a5 Nf5 24.axb6 Qxb6 25.Qxb6 axb6 26.Ra4 Rb8=] The next move of the game by Topalov was:

21.Re5

Preparing to advance her d-pawn to d5. [ Analysis:Shredder 8: 21.Qa3 Bxf3 22.Qxf3 Qc6 23.Rac1 Qxa4 24.d5 Ne8 25.Nf1 exd5 26.cxd5 Qd7 27.Rxc8 Rxc8 28.Qxh5 a5= ( 28...Qf5 29.Qxf5 Nxf5 ) ] Play in the game continued with Polgar playing:

21...Nf5

Double attacking his d-pawn which ties down his queen and bishop to defend this pawn. [ Analysis:Shredder 8:(a) 21...Bxf3 22.Qxf3 Qc6 23.Qxc6 Rxc6 24.a5 Nf5 25.d5 Rcc8 26.axb6 axb6 27.Ba3 Kh7=; (b) 21...Qd7 22.a5 Bxf3 23.Qxf3 Nf5 24.d5 b5 25.Ree1 bxc4 26.Bxf6 gxf6 27.Ne4 Kg7 28.d6 Qb5 29.g4 hxg4 30.hxg4 Nxd6 31.Qxf6+ Kg8=] Topalov, for his next move of the game played a capture:

22.Bxb7

Topalov decides to simplify the position by exchanging bishops.This comes at the cost of giving her control of the h1-a8 diagonal.

[ Analysis:Shredder 8: 22.Bxb7 Qxb7 23.d5 Qd7 24.Qf3 h4!? 25.g4 ( 25.gxh4 Qd6 26.Ne4 Nxe4 27.Rxe4 Qb4 28.Bc3 Qb3 29.dxe6 fxe6 30.Rxe6 Nd4 31.Qe3 Nf5 32.Qe5 Rc5© With sufficient compensation for the two pawns.) ] Returning to the moves of the game which continued with the two players playing:

22...Qxb7
23.d5

Now he threatens to double his rooks on the e-file which would create even more pressure against her e-pawn. [ Analysis:Shredder 8: 23.d5 Qd7 24.Qf3 Nd6 25.dxe6 fxe6 26.Rg5 Nfe8 27.Qxh5 Nxc4 28.Nxc4 Rxc4 29.Qe2 Qc6 ] The next move of the game by Polgar was:

She attacks the pawn shield in front of his king threatening to weaken it by ...hxg3..She also may intend to move her queen to e7 in the future, move her knight off of f6 and inflitrate Topalov's kingside with her queen. [ Analysis:Shredder 8:Better is: 23...Qd7 24.Qf3 Rc5 25.Rd1 Qxa4 26.dxe6 fxe6 27.Rxc5 bxc5 28.Ra1 Qc2 29.Bxf6 Rxd2 30.Bg5 Rd3 31.Qxh5 Nxg3!? 32.Qe8+ Kh7 33.Be3 Qe2 34.Qxe6 Qf3=] Returning to the moves of the game which continued with Topalov playing:

24.g4

Shredder evaluates the position as after this move. [ Analysis:Shredder 8: 24.g4 Ne7 25.dxe6 Ng6 26.exf7+!? Qxf7 27.Rf5 Qe6 28.Rc1 Rc5 29.Rxc5 bxc5© With compensation for the pawn.] Polgar's next move of the game was:

24...Ne7

She creates more pressure against his d-pawn.

25.Ne4

He offers to exchange knights on e4 which would weaken the defense of her king. [ Analysis:Shredder 8 and Junior 9:: 25.dxe6 Ng6!? 26.exf7+ Qxf7 27.Rf5 Qe6 28.Rf1 Rc5 29.Rf3 Qc6 30.Re1 Ne5 31.Rxe5 Rxe5 32.Qxe5 Rxd2© With compensation for the pawn.] The game continued with Polgar playing:

25...Ne8

She declines the offer at the cost of a tempo and at the cost of making her knight on e8 extremely passive (as well as weakening her position in front of her king). [ Analysis:Hiarcs 8 and Shredder 8: 25...Ne8 26.dxe6 Ng6 ( Worse is: 26...f6? 27.Qf3 Qc7 28.Nxf6+ Nxf6 29.Rg5 Rf8 30.Bxf6 ) 27.Qf3 Rc7 ( Shredder 8: 27...Nd6 28.Rd5 Nxe4 29.Qxe4 Re8 30.Qd4 fxe6 31.Rd7 e5 32.Rxb7 exd4 33.Bxd4 Re7 34.Rxe7 Nxe7 ) 28.Rg5 Rd6 29.exf7+ Rxf7 30.Rf5 Rdd7 31.Re1 Nd6 32.Rxf7 Rxf7 33.Qd3 Nxe4 34.Qxe4 Qxe4 35.Rxe4 Nf4 ] Returning to the moves of the game, it continued with Topalov making a blunder:

26.Re1??

26...Nxd5!

She takes advantage of the fact that his c-pawn is pinned against his queen in order to win a pawn.. Deflection: c4 [ Analysis:Shredder 8: 26...Nxd5 27.Qb3 Nf4 28.Qf3 Qc7 29.Qxf4 f6 30.Nxf6+ gxf6 31.R5e4 Qxf4 32.Rxf4 e5 ]The game continued with Topalov playing:

27.Qf3

Now he threatens to play 28.cxd5
[ Analysis:Shredder 8: 27.cxd5 Rxc3 Pinning (A deflection) 28.Nxc3 Nc7 29.dxe6 Nxe6 30.R1e3 ] The game continued with Polgar playing:

27...Rxc4

Winning a pawn for her second consecutive move.

28.Rg5

Probably with the intention of playing 29.Nf6+. [ Analysis:Shredder 8:Better is 28.g5 Qc6 ( 28...Qd7 29.g6 f6 30.Rh5 Qxa4 31.Rxh4 Qb4 ) 29.g6 fxg6 30.Qg4 Qd7 31.Rxe6 Ndc7 32.Rxg6 Qxg4+ 33.Rxg4 Rc2 34.Be5 b5 35.axb5 Nxb5 36.Ra1 Rc6© With compensation for the pawn.] Play in the game continued with Polgar now committing a blunder:

28...Qe7??

Preventing him from playing Nf6+ because now she could simply capture the knight with her queen.. however the Shredder 8 analysis program evaluated this move as a blunder stating "ruins a very nice position." [ Analysis:Shredder 8:Better is: >=28...Qc6 29.Bxg7 Nxg7 30.Nf6+ Kh8 ( 30...Nxf6?? 31.Qxf6 Kf8 32.Rxg7 Qc7 ) 31.Qd3 Nxf6!? 32.Qxd8+ Nfe8 33.Rge5 f6 34.R5e2 Rc3 35.g5 Rxh3 36.Re4 Qc5 37.Kg2 Qf5 ] The game now continued with the players making these captures:

29.Bxg7 Nxg7
30.Rxd5 Rxd5

31.Nf6

Shredder 8 evaluates that Topalov has sufficient compensation for the material.

31...Kf8

[ Analysis:Shredder 8:If she had moved her king to h8 play might have continued: 31...Kh8 32.Qxd5!? exd5 33.Rxe7 Ne6 34.Rxf7 Rc7 35.Rxc7 Nxc7 36.f4 Kg7 37.g5 d4 38.Kf2 Kg6 39.Kf3 b5 40.axb5 Nxb5 41.Ke4 a5=] The game continued with Topalov playing:

32.Nxd5

Winning back some of his material.
[Analysis:Shredder 8:(a)Topalov could have forced a draw by playing: 32.Nf7+: 32.Nh7+ Kg8 ( 32...Ke8 33.Nf6+ Kf8 34.Nh7+ Kg8 35.Nf6+ Kf8 draw) 33.Nf6+ Kf8 34.Nh7+ Kg8 35.Nf6+ draw; (b) 32.Nh7+ Ke8 33.Nf6+ Kf8 34.Nh7+ Kg8 35.Nf6+ Kh8 36.Qxd5 exd5 37.Rxe7 Ne6 ( 37...Rxa4?? mating quickly in 4 38.Rxf7 Ra1+ 39.Kg2 Rg1+ 40.Kxg1 b5 41.Rf8#) 38.Rxf7 Rc7 39.Rxc7 Nxc7 ]

For her next move of the game Polgar played:

32...Qd6

She creates the threat of 33...Qxd5 [ Analysis:Shredder 8: 32...Qb7 33.Qa3+ Rc5 34.Nf6 Qe7 35.Qf3 Ne8 36.Nxe8 Kxe8 37.Qa8+ Qd8 38.Qxa7 Rc3 39.Qb7 Qd6 40.Kg2 Qd2 41.Rf1 Qd3 42.Qb8+ Ke7 ] Returning to the moves of the game which continued with Topalov playing:

33.Nf6=

Now he creates the threat of 34.Rd1 which would be winning for him.Shredder 8 evaluates this position as equal.

33...Ne8

Attacking his knight and threatening to play 34...Qd2 [ Analysis:Shredder 8: 33...Ne8 34.Nxe8 Kxe8 35.Rd1 Rd4 36.Rxd4 Qxd4 37.Qa8+ Qd8 38.Qxa7 f5 39.gxf5 Qg5+ 40.Kh2 Qf4+ 41.Kg1 Qc1 with a draw] The next move of the game was:

34.Qa8

Double-attacking her knight threatening to win it next move ( and also attacking her a-pawn.)

34...Qe7

Attacking his knight, and threatening 35...Qxf6 [ Analysis:Shredder 8:Worse is: 34...Qc6? 35.Qd8 Rc1 36.Nd7+ Qxd7 37.Qxd7 Rxe1+ 38.Kg2 Nf6 39.Qxa7 ] Topalov continued the game by playing:

35.g5

He decides to spend a tempo to protect his knight, rather than play 35.Nxe8. [ Analysis:Shredder 8: 35.Nxe8 Qxe8 36.Qxa7 Qd8 37.Rb1 Qd4 38.a5 bxa5 39.Qxa5 Rc5 40.Qa3 Kg7 41.Rc1 Rxc1+ 42.Qxc1 Kg6 and Black has compensation for the pawn. 43.Qc2+ f5 44.Qc6 Kf6 45.Qc1 Kf7=] Returning to the moves of the game which continued with Polgar playing:

35...Rd4

She intends to force his queen to move by playing 36...Rd8. [ Analysis:Shredder 8:(a) 35...Rd4 36.Rc1 Rd8 37.Rc8 Rxc8 38.Qxc8 a6 39.f4 b5 40.axb5 axb5 41.Kf2 e5 42.fxe5 Qe6 43.Qxe6 fxe6=; (b) 35...Rxa4? doesn't lead to the expected results 36.Rd1 Ra5 37.Kf1 Rd5 38.Nxd5 exd5 39.Qxd5 Nc7 ]

Topalov's next move was:

36.Rc1

He creates the game ending threat of 37.Rc8 which forces Polgar's hand (she can now only play 37....Rd8 or 37...Rd5.).

36...Rd8

She forces him to either move his queen or play 37.Rc8. [Analysis:Shredder 8:(a)The move 36...Rd5 is also possible in this position: 36...Rd5 37.Kf1 Rd8 38.Rc8 Rxc8 39.Qxc8 e5 40.Ke2 a6 41.f3 b5 42.a5 Qe6 43.Qxe6 fxe6 44.Nd7+ Kg7 45.Nxe5 Nc7=; (b)A variation which ends in checkmate is: 36...Rxa4 37.Rc8 Kg7 38.Rxe8 Qxe8 39.Qxe8 Ra1+ 40.Kg2 Kg6 41.Ng4 Ra4 42.Qg8+ Kf5 43.Qxf7+ Ke4 44.Qxe6+ Kd4 45.g6 Kd3 46.g7 Re4 47.Qd6+ Ke2 48.g8Q Ke1 49.Qg5 Rf4 50.Qge7+ Re4 51.Qxe4#]

Now he threatens to move his queen to h5. [ Analysis:Shredder 8: 37.Rc8 Rxc8 38.Qxc8 a6 39.f4 ( 39.Qxa6 Nxf6 40.gxf6 Qxf6 41.Qxb6 Qg5+ 42.Kf1 Qc1+ 43.Ke2 Qc2+ 44.Ke1 Qc1+ ( 44...Qxa4 45.Qd8+ Kg7 the only move 46.Qg5+ Kh8 47.Qh5+ Kg7 48.Qg5+ Kf8=) 45.Ke2 Qc2 ) ] The next move of the game was:

37...Rd5

Creating the threat of 38...Rxg5+ [ Analysis:Shredder 8: 37...Ng7 38.Qf4 Nf5 ( Worse is: 38...Qa3 39.Rc7 Nf5 40.Rxa7 Qxh3 41.Rd7 Rc8 42.Qd2 Ng3!? 43.Rd8+ Kg7!? 44.Nh5+ ( 44.Rxc8?? Qh1#) 44...Nxh5 45.Rxc8 Qg4+ 46.Kh2 Qxa4 47.Qc3+ Kg6 48.Qd3+ Kxg5 49.Rc4 Qa5 50.Qe3+ Kg6 51.Rxh4 Qf5 52.Rb4 b5 ) ] The game continued with Topalov playing:

38.Kf1

Shredder 8 gave a poor evaluation to this move. [ Analysis:Shredder 8:Better is: 38.Qf4 Rc5 39.Rxc5 bxc5 40.Qxh4 threatening 41.Qh8 checkmate 40...Qd8 41.Qh8+ Ke7 the only move 42.Qxe8+ Qxe8 43.Nxe8 Kxe8 with a winning position for White.] Returning to the moves of the game, which continued with Polgar playing:

38...Nxf6

[ Weaker is 38...Rxg5 39.Nh7+ Kg7 40.Nxg5 Qxg5 41.Rc4 ] The next moves of the game were:

39.gxf6 Qd8

40.Rc4

Threatening 41.Rxh4 42.Rh8+ winning. [ Analysis:Shredder 8:Better is: 40.Qf4 Rc5 41.Rxc5 bxc5 42.Qxh4 Qd3+ 43.Ke1 Qc3+ 44.Kd1 Qb3+ 45.Kd2 Ke8 46.Qf4 ( 46.Qh8+ Kd7 47.Qf8 Qb2+ 48.Kd3 Qd4+ 49.Ke2 Qe4+ 50.Kd2 Qd4 ) 46...Kd7 47.h4 Qb2+ 48.Ke1 e5 49.Qf3 Kd6 50.Qd3+ Ke6 51.Qh3+ Kxf6 52.Qf3+ Ke7 53.Qc6 Qc3+ 54.Ke2 c4 55.Qc7+ Kf6 56.Qd8+ Kf5 57.Qd7+ Kg6 58.Qxa7 Qc2+ 59.Ke1 c3 threatening ...Qd2+ winning 60.Qe3 f6=] The game continued with Polgar moving her rook:

40...Rf5

Attacking his queen threatening to win a tempo. [ Analysis: In this position she could also play other moves such as 40...Ke8 and 40...Rd1+ (a) 40...Ke8 41.Rxh4 Qc7 42.Rg4 Qc2 ( 42...Qc1+ 43.Kg2 a5 44.h4 Qh6 45.Qb3 Qxf6 46.Qxb6 Qf5 47.Qb8+ Ke7 48.Qc7+ Kf8 49.Qc4 Rc5 50.Qd4 Rd5 51.Qc4 Rc5 52.Qd4 Rd5 53.Qf4 Qxf4 54.Rxf4 f5=) ; (b) 40...Rd1+ 41.Kg2 ( 41.Ke2?? Qd2#) 41...Ke8 42.Qc6+ Kf8 43.Qf3 Ke8 ( 43...Kg8?? 44.Rg4+ Kf8 45.Rxh4 and Black loses because she would have to play 45...Qxf6 to avoid 46.Rh8+ ; 43...Rd5 44.Rxh4 Rg5+ 45.Kf1 Kg8 46.Rg4 Rg6 47.Ke2 a6 48.Rxg6+ fxg6 49.Qb7 Qxf6 50.Qxb6 Qe5+ 51.Kf1 a5=) 44.Qc6+ Rd7 ( 44...Qd7?? 45.Qa8+ Qd8 46.Rc8 a5 47.Rxd8+ Rxd8 48.Qa7 ) 45.Rd4 Qc7 46.Qxc7 Rxc7 47.Rxh4 e5=] Returning to the moves of the game, which continued with Topalov playing:

41.Qa3+

Winning a tempo.

41...Kg8[]

The only move.
[ Analysis:Shredder 8:It would be a mistake to play 41...Ke8?? due to 42.Rc8 Rc5 ( 42...Qxc8?? 43.Qe7#) 43.Rxd8+ Kxd8 44.Qb4 Kc8 45.Qxh4 Rc7 46.Qe4 ] The game continued with the two GM's playing these moves:

42.Rg4+ Kh7[]

The only move. [ Analysis:It would be a game ending mistake for her to have played 42...Kh8?? as these variations show: 42...Kh8?? 43.Rxh4+ Rh5 ( 43...Kg8 44.Qg3+ Rg5 ( 44...Kf8 45.Rh8#) 45.Qxg5+ Kf8 the only move 46.Rh8#) ] The next move of the game was:

43.Rxh4+

[ Analysis:Shredder 8:Better is: 43.Rg7+ Kh8 ( 43...Kh6?? 44.Qe3+ Rf4 ( 44...Kh5 45.Rh7+ Kg6 46.Qh6#) 45.Qxf4+ Kh5 the only move 46.Qg5#) 44.Rg4 Rxf6 45.Qc3 Kh7 46.Rd4 Qe7 47.Rxh4+ Rh6 ( 47...Kg7?? 48.Qe5 Qd7 49.Rg4+ Kf8 ( 49...Kh8?? 50.Qh5+ Rh6 51.Qxh6#) 50.Qxf6 Qd3+ 51.Kg2 Qd5+ 52.Kg3 Qd3+ 53.Kh4 ( 53.f3 Qd6+ 54.Rf4 and the checks have run out.) 53...Qh7+ 54.Kg5 Qg7+ 55.Qxg7+ Kxg7 ) 48.Rxh6+ Kxh6 49.Qh8+ Kg6 ( 49...Kg5 50.h4+ Kg4 51.h5 Qa3 52.h6 Qd3+ 53.Ke1 Qg6 54.h7 Qe4+ 55.Kd2 Qf4 ) ] Returning to the moves of the game which continued with Polgar playing:

43...Kg6

44.Rg4+

Sacrificing his f-pawn.

44...Kxf6

[ Analysis:(a)Shredder 8:Worse is: 44...Rg5 45.Rxg5+ Kxg5 46.Qg3+ Kf5 47.Qf3+ Ke5 48.Qh5+ Kf4 49.Qxf7 Qd1+ 50.Kg2 Kf5 51.Qc7 Kxf6 52.Qf4+ Ke7 53.Qh4+ Kf7=] Topalov now continued the game by playing:

45.Qc3+

[ Analysis:Shredder 8: 45.Qc3+ Ke7 46.Rd4 Rd5 47.Rc4 Qa8 48.Rc8 Rd1+ 49.Ke2 Qh1 50.Rc7+ Kd6 51.Qc6+ Qxc6 52.Rxc6+ Kxc6 53.Kxd1 ] Polgar's next move was:

45...Ke7

[ Analysis:(a)Worse is: 45...Re5?? 46.Rf4+ Ke7 47.Qxe5]

46.Rd4

Attacking her queen forcing her to move it or block the attack with her rook.

46...Rd5

Avoiding the exchange of rooks at the cost of a tempo.

47...Kd7

Shredder 8 evaluates this position as slightly better for Polgar. [Analysis:Shredder 8: 47...Qa8 48.Rc7+ Rd7 49.Rc6 Qb8 50.Qb4+ Ke8 ( 50...Kd8?? 51.Qf8#) 51.Qg4 Threatening 62.Qg8+ winning 51...Qd8 52.Rc8 Rd1+ ( 52...Qxc8?? 53.Qg8+ Ke7 54.Qxc8 ) 53.Ke2 Rd2+ 54.Ke1 Rd1+ 55.Ke2 ( Worse is: 55.Qxd1 Qxc8 56.Qd4 Qc1+ 57.Ke2 Qc2+ 58.Ke1 Qb1+ 59.Kd2 a6 60.h4 b5 61.Qc3 Qf5 62.Qc6+ Ke7 63.Qc7+ Kf6 64.Qc3+ Kg6 65.Qg3+ Kh5 66.axb5 axb5 67.Qe3 Qd5+ 68.Kc1 Qh1+ 69.Kc2 Qxh4 ) 55...Rd2 ] Returning to the moves of the game which continued with Topalov playing:

48.h4

Advancing his passed pawn up the board. [ Analysis:Shredder 8: 48.Qg7!? Ke7 ( Worse is: 48...Qe7 49.Qg8 Rc5 50.Rd4+ Rd5 51.Rf4 Rf5 52.Rc4 Rc5 53.Rd4+ Rd5=) 49.Qc3 Qa8 50.h4 Rd7 51.Rc6 Qb8 52.Qb4+ Kf6 53.Rc3 Qd6 54.Rf3+ Kg7 55.Qc3+ Qd4 56.Rg3+ Kf6 57.Qf3+ Ke7 ] Polgar's next move of the game was:

48...Qb8

Intending perhaps ...Qe5 or ...Qh2.
[ Analysis:Shredder 8: 48...Qb8 49.Qf6 Rf5 50.Rd4+ Kc6 51.Qh6 Qh2 52.Qc1+ Rc5 53.Qf4 Qh1+ 54.Ke2 Rc2+ 55.Rd2 Rc1 56.Rd6+ Kb7 57.Qf3+ Qxf3+ 58.Kxf3 Rc4 ]] Returning to the moves played in the game it continued with Topalov playing:

49.Qf6

Threatening 50.Qxf7 so she must cover her f-pawn with her rook.

49...Rf5

Threatening to win a tempo, however now he can play 50.Rd4+

[ Analysis:Shredder 8: 49...Rf5 50.Rd4+ Kc6 51.Rc4+ Kb7 52.Qd4 Qh2 53.Qe4+ Ka6 ( 53...Kb8 54.Qg2 Qxg2+ 55.Kxg2 b5 56.axb5 Rxb5 ) 54.Rc2 Qf4 55.Qe2+ Ka5 ( 55...Kb7 56.Rc4 Qd6 57.Qe4+ Qd5 58.Kg2 Qxe4+ 59.Rxe4 a5 ) 56.Rb2 Rc5 57.Qe1+ Ka6 ] The game continued with the two GM's playing these moves:

50.Rd4+ Kc6 51.Rc4+

[ Analysis:Shredder 8: 51.Qh6 Qh2 52.Qe3 Qh1+ 53.Ke2 the only move 53...Rc5 54.Qf4 Rc2+ 55.Rd2 Rc1 56.Rd6+ Kb7 57.Qf3+ Qxf3+ 58.Kxf3 Rc4 59.Rd7+ Kc6 60.Rxa7 Rxh4 61.Ke3 f5 62.f3 e5]

The next moves of the game were:

51...Kb7
52.Qe7 +?!

A dubious idea at best.
[ Analysis:Shredder 8 (a):Better is: >=52.Qd4 Qh2 53.Qe3 Qh1+ 54.Ke2 the only move 54...Qa1 55.Rd4 Qb2+ 56.Kf1 Kc8 57.Rd1 Qb4 58.Rd4 Qb1+ 59.Kg2 Qc2 60.Rf4 Rd5 61.Rd4 Qg6 /+; (b) >=52.Qg7!? is interesting and play might have continued: 52... 52...Qd6 53.Rd4 ( 53.Qg4 Qd3+ 54.Kg2 Rf6 55.Qe4+ Qxe4+ 56.Rxe4 Kc6 57.Kg3 a6 58.Rf4 Rg6+ 59.Kh3 f5 60.h5 Rg8 ) ] Play in the game continued with Polgar making this move:

52...Ka6[]

53.Rc7?

The Shredder 8 analysis program evaluated this move as a "bad move" [ Analysis:Shredder 8:Better is: 53.Qa3 Qh2 54.Qe3 f6 55.f3 Qg3 56.Ke2 Qg2+ 57.Qf2 Qh1 58.Rd4 ( Worse is 58.Re4 Rc5 threatening ...Rc2+ 59.Qf1 Qh2+ 60.Ke3+ Kb7 61.Rc4 Re5+ 62.Re4 Rd5 63.Qe1 e5 64.Rc4 f5 65.Qc1 e4 66.fxe4 Qg3+ 67.Ke2 fxe4 68.Rc3 e3 69.Qxe3 Re5 70.Qxe5 Qxe5 +) 58...Kb7 59.f4 e5 60.Rc4 Rh5 61.f5 Qh3 62.Qf3+ Qxf3+ 63.Kxf3 Rxf5+ 64.Kg3 ; >=53.Qa3 Qh2 54.Qe3 ] The game continued with Polgar making a queen move:

53...Qa8

Creating the threat of 55...Qh1+ 55.Ke2 Qf3+ 56.Kd2 Rd5+ 57.Kc2 Qd1+ 58.Kb2 Rd2+ 59.Ka3 Qa1+ 60.Kb3 Qb2+ 61.Kc4 Rd4# The next move of the game was:

54.Kg1

[ Analysis:Shredder 8:(a)Worse is 54.Ke1 as it results in checkmate after: 54...Qh1+ 55.Kd2 ( 55.Ke2 Qf3+ 56.Kd2 ( 56.Ke1 Re5+ 57.Kd2 ( 57.Kf1 Qh1#) 57...Re2+ 58.Kd1 ( 58.Kc1 Qh1#) 58...Rxf2+ ( 58...Ra2+ 59.Ke1 ( 59.Kc1 Qh1#) 59...Qe2# ( 59...Qh1#) ) ) ) 55...Rxf2+ 56.Kc3 ( 56.Kd3 Qh3+ 57.Ke4 ( 57.Kd4 Rf4+ 58.Ke5 Qf5+ 59.Kd6 Qd5#) 57...Qf3+ 58.Kd4 Rd2+ 59.Kc4 Qd3+ 60.Kb4[] Rb2#) 56...Qf3+ 57.Kb4 Rb2+ 58.Kc4 Qe4+ 59.Kc3 Rc2+ 60.Kb3 Qd3+ 61.Kb4 ( 61.Rc3 Qxc3#) 61...Rb2#] Returning to the moves played in the game, Polgar now continued by playing:

54...Rf4

(Creating the threat of: 56...Rg4+ 56.Kf1 Qh1+ 57.Ke2 Re4+ 58.Kd2 Rd4+ 59.Kc3 Qa1+ 60.Kc2 Qd1+ 61.Kb2 Rd2+ 62.Ka3 Qa1+ 63.Kb4 Qb2+ 64.Kc4 Rd4#) The next move of the game was:

55.f3

Losing the game Topalov figures he might as well set a trap to try and reverse the ultimate outcome of the game. [ Analysis:Shredder 8: 55.Qg5 Rxa4 56.Kh2 Qe4 57.Rxf7 Qxh4+ 58.Qxh4 Rxh4+ 59.Kg3 Rh6 60.Rd7 b5 61.Rd6+ Kb7 62.Rd7+ Kb8 63.Rd6 Kb7 64.Rd7+ Kb6 65.Rd6+ Kc7 66.Ra6 Kb7 67.Ra1 Kb6 68.f4 a5 69.Kg4 Rg6+ 70.Kh5 Rf6 71.Kg5 Rf5+ 72.Kg4 Rc5 73.Re1 Rc6 74.Kf3 b4 75.Ra1 Kb5 76.Rb1 a4 77.Ke3 b3 78.Kd2 Kb4 79.Rg1 a3 80.Rg8 a2 81.Rb8+ Ka3 82.Ra8+ Kb2 83.Ra4 a1Q ]

55...Rxf3

[ Analysis:The trap if she takes the pawn with her queen she loses after: 55...Qxf3?? 56.Rxa7#] The next move of the game was:

56.Qg5

Creating the game ending threat of 57.Qb5 checkmate.

56...f5

Topalov resigned. 0-1

If instead of 26...f6 Black were to play 26...Ng6 (then the game might continue: 27.Qf3 Nd6 (Worse is 27...Rc7 with this variation possible: 28.Qf5!? Nxe5 29.Bxe5 fxe6 30.Qxe6+ Rf7 31.Ng5 Nf6 32.a5 Qe7 32.axb6 axb6 33.Qxb6 Qxe5 34.Qxd8 ). After 27...Nd6 the best continuation for White seems to be 28.Rd5 Nxe4 29.Qxe4 Re8 30.Qd4!? fxe6 31.Rd7! e5 32.Rxbb7 exd4 33.Bxd4

39. ... Qe1+ is wrong. 39. ... d4 40. Nxe8 Qxe8 41. Rxe8+ Kxe8 and black is just close enough to protect the d-pawn and should be able to win the pawn ending (outside passed pawn on the queenside in a few moves).

If 40. Ra8 (or some other waiting move), then 40. ... a6 followed by b5. The rook can't ever take on a6 because of Black's Nxf6 and the queen + passed d-pawn should make an easy win, and if he doesn't take, then the b-pawn will help protect the d-pawn should the pawn endgame ever come up.

<Nov-03-06 Taktix: Sup yo. GM Taktix in da house! :)>

He's probably been watching The Simpsons since then.