At move 24, the consensus seems to be that Topalov has a solid advantage but there's a lot of play left. Black's Queen side pawns are weak and his position cramped; White has a formidable center and the Bishop pair. Kramnik currently is trying to force the exchange of one of the bishops.
EDIT: Which Topalov avoided.
Originally posted by no1marauderMakes sense for white to decline trading down.... always the side having the cramp position will want to trade down to relieve the congestion. Unfortunately, in this particular case, his pawns are also very weak.... not to mention his doubled g pawns. White d/e pawns are formidable supported with pieces. White's king is quite loose, but not easy to see how black can get to him.
At move 24, the consensus seems to be that Topalov has a solid advantage but there's a lot of play left. Black's Queen side pawns are weak and his position cramped; White has a formidable center and the Bishop pair. Kramnik currently is trying to force the exchange of one of the bishops.
EDIT: Which Topalov avoided.
Originally posted by ckoh1965Probably the win of the c-pawn but also a lot of exchanges where Kramnik's outside passed a-pawn might have given some hope in the endgame.
Hmmm... sometimes it's hard to understand GMs rationale. Topalov took back with bxc3 to repair his pawn formation. I wonder what would have happened if Rxc3.
EDIT: Sorry, the a-pawn wouldn't have been passed. Maybe he didn't like the idea of giving up his beautifully placed Bishop for Black's passively placed Knight.
Oh well, I suppose it was an uphill task for black. I guess when the d5 knight got pinned, it was just too much. It's just hopeless position. Doubled rooks on open file, 2 bishops. formidable connected pawns in the centre.... all so scary... just a matter of time. Black's pieces are rendered paralysed: a knight pinned, another at the edge with no way to go, rooks reduced to defensive role, a-passed pawn which is a liability.... I'd say this is one game very well played by Topalov.