14 Jul 06
1 edit
Originally posted by Sicilian SmaugHave you seen their other great game? This one is quite famous - try to take a guess at white's move 24 before it is actually played.
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1070850
Just came accross this game by chance (and much luck) earlier whilst bored at work, has to be the best game I've ever seen! Topalov forces his way into Kasparov's defence in a way that has to be seen to be believed. What a wizard!!
Garry Kasparov vs Veselin Topalov, Wijk aan Zee (Netherlands) 1999
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1011478
(Edit: This game ranks second in chessgames.com's "games most frequently found in our users Games Collections" only behind D Byrne vs Fischer, 1956)
15 Jul 06
Originally posted by exigentskyTry lowering the threshold...
WOW, I ran the first game through an engine to see if Topalov's game was really sound. Surprisingly, not errors were found. Despite how incredible those knight moves are, there really were no threats from black.
15 Jul 06
Dunno why someone the standard of Kasparov would play 21. ..Rxg6 just amazes me. hxg6 leads to a better game for black but I think Topalov looked in a good position either-way but Rxg6 did cost him big time.
28. Rfd1? Puts the game wide open again costing him rook for bishop. Rd3 or Qa4 seemed perfectly good moves to me.
30. Qf5? Another shocker from Topalov. Lets Kasparov right back into the game. Why not just take the free bait with Qxb7?
And then pretty much goes on to be Topalovs advantage until 50. Qb8+ signals game over.
16 Jul 06
Originally posted by Dursley8>> "hxg6 leads to a better game for Black"
I've looked at this with computer analysis and I don't see how?! Rxg6 looks to be the best move. Both give White the better game.
>> "30. Qf5? Another shocker from Topalov. Lets Kasparov right back into the game. Why not just take the free bait with Qxb7? "
My guess is that Topalov is "playing for two results" here, whereas Qxb7 is slightly riskier. I wonder what the time control was.. maybe by move 30 Topalov was short of time?! In a real game/tournament situation, some moves are practically better than others, even if objectively they are not best.