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Vasyl Ivanchuk vs Veselin Topalov
Grand Slam Chess Final (2008), Bilbao ESP, rd 5, Sep-06
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical. Noa Variation (E34)  ·  1/2-1/2

ANALYSIS [x]

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Kibitzer's Corner
< Earlier Kibitzing  · PAGE 10 OF 10 ·  Later Kibitzing>
Sep-06-08  jeeky1996: Carlsen is leading first on live ratings list, with Anand currently 2nd.
Sep-06-08  jeeky1996: You're right Geronimo, both players will not agree to a draw. If Topalov wins, he is going to clinch clear first.
Sep-06-08  Ulhumbrus: It may have been a mistake to exchange Rooks, because it may be that Ivanchuk could have threatened to prepare the advance b4 whereas Topalov could have accomplished little by playing the advance ...b5.
Sep-06-08
Premium Chessgames Member
  An Englishman: I'm surprised Topalov allowed the Rooks to come off. He will have a tedious defensive task now, unless White is feeling merciful.
Sep-06-08  Ulhumbrus: Here is one reason why Ivanchuk has the advantage: it is easier for either of his Knights to attack a black pawn than it is easy for Black's B to attack a White pawn.
Sep-06-08  YouRang: 37.b4?
Sep-06-08  holland oats: topa has one ugly looking bishop and some ugly looking pawn islands. it looks to me that chuky can calmly bring a knight to e5 and really push for the 3 pts
Sep-06-08  YouRang: I'm confused - what was wrong with 37...axb4?
Sep-06-08  firefly3: That knight on e4 is quite annoying. Leaving it there is bothersome, and taking it allows fxe4 which undoubles Topalov's pawns and frees up the bishop.

Perhaps it's best to just ignore it.

Sep-06-08  acirce: Hasn't this been basically a dead draw for a while?
Sep-06-08
Premium Chessgames Member
  chessgames.com: Thanks to everybody for stopping by for today's live broadcast. Please note, there are NO GAMES TOMORROW (rest-day). We'll return on Monday morning at 11:00 (USA/Eastern) for round #6. Hope to see you then!
Sep-06-08
Premium Chessgames Member
  An Englishman: And now Ivanchuk locks up the position taking away any avenues of penetration for his King. If he's playing for the win, I just can't see what his plan is.
Sep-06-08  firefly3: Hard to say where the best place is for white's king -- defending the weak g3 pawn on g2 or in a more central position on d3.

A Nd1-b2-d3-e5 maneuver looks good for white.

Sep-06-08
Premium Chessgames Member
  An Englishman: I guess White wasn't playing for the win. See you next time.
Sep-06-08  Ulhumbrus: A pair of Ns may threaten a sacrifice on a5, whereas a lone N is less likely to be able to do so. It looks like a draw if Topalov exchanges a pair of Ns.
Sep-06-08  jeeky1996: How long was Aronian's game?
Sep-06-08  Geronimo: Strange to me to draw here, but maybe <Acirce> was right - good evening Acirce - and this was a dead draw since about move 18. One can barely fathom the mind of a 2750+.... Goodnight everyone and thanks CG.com. See you next time.
Sep-06-08  YouRang: <..dead draw since about move 18..>

I'm still wondering if black had winning chances with 37...axb4. :-p

Sep-06-08  whiteshark: Oh boy, these perceived weaknesses... just to realise they aren't weak at all.

Sep-06-08  whiteshark: <An Englishman: <I guess White wasn't playing for the win.>> I thought the same is true for Black. :D
Sep-06-08  acirce: <Topalov: "Not the most exciting game of the tournament but you have to be pragmatic. There is not much to comment." Ivanchuk: "I didn't like how I played; it showed that I don't understand these structures very well. And I didn't have the patience that's needed to play them."> http://www.chessvibes.com/coverstor...
Sep-06-08  Ulhumbrus: After 19 b3 one reason why White has the advantage is that it is easier for a White N to attack a black pawn than it is easy for Black's B to attack a White pawn.

Black's B is bad and in the position after 19 b3 has no mobility, being reduced almost to the status of a pawn.

Moreover whereas White can play to threaten b4, g4 or e4, Black has no counterplay of any importance.

Perhaps Ivanchuk was not convinced that any of the plans which he examined led to a win for White.

Sep-06-08  euripides: It is possible to have some fun in this variation:

Kasparov vs Kramnik, 1998

Sep-07-08  notyetagm: 39 ... h6-h5


click for larger view

http://chessmind.powerblogs.com/fil...

<Black has no weaknesses but the pawn on d5, so since there's no way in the world that can be won <and since neither side has any meaningful pawn breaks>, it's a dead draw.>

Once again we see <THE IMPORTANCE OF PAWN BREAKS>, or "break moves".

Sep-08-08
Premium Chessgames Member
  Mateo: Maybe this game should be awarded with a special prize for the 'most boring game of the tournament'.
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