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53. f2e1
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2
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53... c2c1
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1
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54. e1d2
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1
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54... f4f3
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2
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55. d2e3
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3
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55... c1c3
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3
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56. e3f2
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3
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56... a5b4
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2
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57. b6b4
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4
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57... f7g7
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4 57. b6b4
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58. f2g3
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It look like Kramnik only gave away the win with this move.
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4 57. b6b4 57... f7g7
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58... c3a3
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4 57. b6b4 57... f7g7 58. f2g3 It look like Kramnik only gave away the win with this move.
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59. b4b7
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4 57. b6b4 57... f7g7 58. f2g3 It look like Kramnik only gave away the win with this move. 58... c3a3
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59... g7h6
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4 57. b6b4 57... f7g7 58. f2g3 It look like Kramnik only gave away the win with this move. 58... c3a3 59. b4b7
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60. b7a7
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4 57. b6b4 57... f7g7 58. f2g3 It look like Kramnik only gave away the win with this move. 58... c3a3 59. b4b7 59... g7h6
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60... f3f2
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4 57. b6b4 57... f7g7 58. f2g3 It look like Kramnik only gave away the win with this move. 58... c3a3 59. b4b7 59... g7h6 60. b7a7
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61. g3f2
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4 57. b6b4 57... f7g7 58. f2g3 It look like Kramnik only gave away the win with this move. 58... c3a3 59. b4b7 59... g7h6 60. b7a7 60... f3f2
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61... h6g5
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4 57. b6b4 57... f7g7 58. f2g3 It look like Kramnik only gave away the win with this move. 58... c3a3 59. b4b7 59... g7h6 60. b7a7 60... f3f2 61. g3f2
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62. f2e2
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4 57. b6b4 57... f7g7 58. f2g3 It look like Kramnik only gave away the win with this move. 58... c3a3 59. b4b7 59... g7h6 60. b7a7 60... f3f2 61. g3f2 61... h6g5
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62... g5g4
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4 57. b6b4 57... f7g7 58. f2g3 It look like Kramnik only gave away the win with this move. 58... c3a3 59. b4b7 59... g7h6 60. b7a7 60... f3f2 61. g3f2 61... h6g5 62. f2e2
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63. a7a5
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4 57. b6b4 57... f7g7 58. f2g3 It look like Kramnik only gave away the win with this move. 58... c3a3 59. b4b7 59... g7h6 60. b7a7 60... f3f2 61. g3f2 61... h6g5 62. f2e2 62... g5g4
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63... g4f4
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4 57. b6b4 57... f7g7 58. f2g3 It look like Kramnik only gave away the win with this move. 58... c3a3 59. b4b7 59... g7h6 60. b7a7 60... f3f2 61. g3f2 61... h6g5 62. f2e2 62... g5g4 63. a7a5
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64. e2d2
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4 57. b6b4 57... f7g7 58. f2g3 It look like Kramnik only gave away the win with this move. 58... c3a3 59. b4b7 59... g7h6 60. b7a7 60... f3f2 61. g3f2 61... h6g5 62. f2e2 62... g5g4 63. a7a5 63... g4f4
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64... f4e4
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4 57. b6b4 57... f7g7 58. f2g3 It look like Kramnik only gave away the win with this move. 58... c3a3 59. b4b7 59... g7h6 60. b7a7 60... f3f2 61. g3f2 61... h6g5 62. f2e2 62... g5g4 63. a7a5 63... g4f4 64. e2d2
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65. d2c2
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4 57. b6b4 57... f7g7 58. f2g3 It look like Kramnik only gave away the win with this move. 58... c3a3 59. b4b7 59... g7h6 60. b7a7 60... f3f2 61. g3f2 61... h6g5 62. f2e2 62... g5g4 63. a7a5 63... g4f4 64. e2d2 64... f4e4
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65... e4d4
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4 57. b6b4 57... f7g7 58. f2g3 It look like Kramnik only gave away the win with this move. 58... c3a3 59. b4b7 59... g7h6 60. b7a7 60... f3f2 61. g3f2 61... h6g5 62. f2e2 62... g5g4 63. a7a5 63... g4f4 64. e2d2 64... f4e4 65. d2c2
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66. a5a6
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4 57. b6b4 57... f7g7 58. f2g3 It look like Kramnik only gave away the win with this move. 58... c3a3 59. b4b7 59... g7h6 60. b7a7 60... f3f2 61. g3f2 61... h6g5 62. f2e2 62... g5g4 63. a7a5 63... g4f4 64. e2d2 64... f4e4 65. d2c2 65... e4d4
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66... a3c3
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4 57. b6b4 57... f7g7 58. f2g3 It look like Kramnik only gave away the win with this move. 58... c3a3 59. b4b7 59... g7h6 60. b7a7 60... f3f2 61. g3f2 61... h6g5 62. f2e2 62... g5g4 63. a7a5 63... g4f4 64. e2d2 64... f4e4 65. d2c2 65... e4d4 66. a5a6
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67. c2b2
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4 57. b6b4 57... f7g7 58. f2g3 It look like Kramnik only gave away the win with this move. 58... c3a3 59. b4b7 59... g7h6 60. b7a7 60... f3f2 61. g3f2 61... h6g5 62. f2e2 62... g5g4 63. a7a5 63... g4f4 64. e2d2 64... f4e4 65. d2c2 65... e4d4 66. a5a6 66... a3c3
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67... c3c4
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4 57. b6b4 57... f7g7 58. f2g3 It look like Kramnik only gave away the win with this move. 58... c3a3 59. b4b7 59... g7h6 60. b7a7 60... f3f2 61. g3f2 61... h6g5 62. f2e2 62... g5g4 63. a7a5 63... g4f4 64. e2d2 64... f4e4 65. d2c2 65... e4d4 66. a5a6 66... a3c3 67. c2b2
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68. a6a5
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4 57. b6b4 57... f7g7 58. f2g3 It look like Kramnik only gave away the win with this move. 58... c3a3 59. b4b7 59... g7h6 60. b7a7 60... f3f2 61. g3f2 61... h6g5 62. f2e2 62... g5g4 63. a7a5 63... g4f4 64. e2d2 64... f4e4 65. d2c2 65... e4d4 66. a5a6 66... a3c3 67. c2b2 67... c3c4
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68... c4b4
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4 57. b6b4 57... f7g7 58. f2g3 It look like Kramnik only gave away the win with this move. 58... c3a3 59. b4b7 59... g7h6 60. b7a7 60... f3f2 61. g3f2 61... h6g5 62. f2e2 62... g5g4 63. a7a5 63... g4f4 64. e2d2 64... f4e4 65. d2c2 65... e4d4 66. a5a6 66... a3c3 67. c2b2 67... c3c4 68. a6a5
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69. b2a3
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4 57. b6b4 57... f7g7 58. f2g3 It look like Kramnik only gave away the win with this move. 58... c3a3 59. b4b7 59... g7h6 60. b7a7 60... f3f2 61. g3f2 61... h6g5 62. f2e2 62... g5g4 63. a7a5 63... g4f4 64. e2d2 64... f4e4 65. d2c2 65... e4d4 66. a5a6 66... a3c3 67. c2b2 67... c3c4 68. a6a5 68... c4b4
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69... d4c4
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4 57. b6b4 57... f7g7 58. f2g3 It look like Kramnik only gave away the win with this move. 58... c3a3 59. b4b7 59... g7h6 60. b7a7 60... f3f2 61. g3f2 61... h6g5 62. f2e2 62... g5g4 63. a7a5 63... g4f4 64. e2d2 64... f4e4 65. d2c2 65... e4d4 66. a5a6 66... a3c3 67. c2b2 67... c3c4 68. a6a5 68... c4b4 69. b2a3
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70. a5a6
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4 57. b6b4 57... f7g7 58. f2g3 It look like Kramnik only gave away the win with this move. 58... c3a3 59. b4b7 59... g7h6 60. b7a7 60... f3f2 61. g3f2 61... h6g5 62. f2e2 62... g5g4 63. a7a5 63... g4f4 64. e2d2 64... f4e4 65. d2c2 65... e4d4 66. a5a6 66... a3c3 67. c2b2 67... c3c4 68. a6a5 68... c4b4 69. b2a3 69... d4c4
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70... b4b3
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4 57. b6b4 57... f7g7 58. f2g3 It look like Kramnik only gave away the win with this move. 58... c3a3 59. b4b7 59... g7h6 60. b7a7 60... f3f2 61. g3f2 61... h6g5 62. f2e2 62... g5g4 63. a7a5 63... g4f4 64. e2d2 64... f4e4 65. d2c2 65... e4d4 66. a5a6 66... a3c3 67. c2b2 67... c3c4 68. a6a5 68... c4b4 69. b2a3 69... d4c4 70. a5a6
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71. a3a2
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4 57. b6b4 57... f7g7 58. f2g3 It look like Kramnik only gave away the win with this move. 58... c3a3 59. b4b7 59... g7h6 60. b7a7 60... f3f2 61. g3f2 61... h6g5 62. f2e2 62... g5g4 63. a7a5 63... g4f4 64. e2d2 64... f4e4 65. d2c2 65... e4d4 66. a5a6 66... a3c3 67. c2b2 67... c3c4 68. a6a5 68... c4b4 69. b2a3 69... d4c4 70. a5a6 70... b4b3
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71... b3b4
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4 57. b6b4 57... f7g7 58. f2g3 It look like Kramnik only gave away the win with this move. 58... c3a3 59. b4b7 59... g7h6 60. b7a7 60... f3f2 61. g3f2 61... h6g5 62. f2e2 62... g5g4 63. a7a5 63... g4f4 64. e2d2 64... f4e4 65. d2c2 65... e4d4 66. a5a6 66... a3c3 67. c2b2 67... c3c4 68. a6a5 68... c4b4 69. b2a3 69... d4c4 70. a5a6 70... b4b3 71. a3a2
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72. a6a8
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4 57. b6b4 57... f7g7 58. f2g3 It look like Kramnik only gave away the win with this move. 58... c3a3 59. b4b7 59... g7h6 60. b7a7 60... f3f2 61. g3f2 61... h6g5 62. f2e2 62... g5g4 63. a7a5 63... g4f4 64. e2d2 64... f4e4 65. d2c2 65... e4d4 66. a5a6 66... a3c3 67. c2b2 67... c3c4 68. a6a5 68... c4b4 69. b2a3 69... d4c4 70. a5a6 70... b4b3 71. a3a2 71... b3b4
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72... c4c5
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4 57. b6b4 57... f7g7 58. f2g3 It look like Kramnik only gave away the win with this move. 58... c3a3 59. b4b7 59... g7h6 60. b7a7 60... f3f2 61. g3f2 61... h6g5 62. f2e2 62... g5g4 63. a7a5 63... g4f4 64. e2d2 64... f4e4 65. d2c2 65... e4d4 66. a5a6 66... a3c3 67. c2b2 67... c3c4 68. a6a5 68... c4b4 69. b2a3 69... d4c4 70. a5a6 70... b4b3 71. a3a2 71... b3b4 72. a6a8
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73. a2a3
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4 57. b6b4 57... f7g7 58. f2g3 It look like Kramnik only gave away the win with this move. 58... c3a3 59. b4b7 59... g7h6 60. b7a7 60... f3f2 61. g3f2 61... h6g5 62. f2e2 62... g5g4 63. a7a5 63... g4f4 64. e2d2 64... f4e4 65. d2c2 65... e4d4 66. a5a6 66... a3c3 67. c2b2 67... c3c4 68. a6a5 68... c4b4 69. b2a3 69... d4c4 70. a5a6 70... b4b3 71. a3a2 71... b3b4 72. a6a8 72... c4c5
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73... b4f4
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4 57. b6b4 57... f7g7 58. f2g3 It look like Kramnik only gave away the win with this move. 58... c3a3 59. b4b7 59... g7h6 60. b7a7 60... f3f2 61. g3f2 61... h6g5 62. f2e2 62... g5g4 63. a7a5 63... g4f4 64. e2d2 64... f4e4 65. d2c2 65... e4d4 66. a5a6 66... a3c3 67. c2b2 67... c3c4 68. a6a5 68... c4b4 69. b2a3 69... d4c4 70. a5a6 70... b4b3 71. a3a2 71... b3b4 72. a6a8 72... c4c5 73. a2a3
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74. a8b8
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4 57. b6b4 57... f7g7 58. f2g3 It look like Kramnik only gave away the win with this move. 58... c3a3 59. b4b7 59... g7h6 60. b7a7 60... f3f2 61. g3f2 61... h6g5 62. f2e2 62... g5g4 63. a7a5 63... g4f4 64. e2d2 64... f4e4 65. d2c2 65... e4d4 66. a5a6 66... a3c3 67. c2b2 67... c3c4 68. a6a5 68... c4b4 69. b2a3 69... d4c4 70. a5a6 70... b4b3 71. a3a2 71... b3b4 72. a6a8 72... c4c5 73. a2a3 73... b4f4
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74... f4f1
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4 57. b6b4 57... f7g7 58. f2g3 It look like Kramnik only gave away the win with this move. 58... c3a3 59. b4b7 59... g7h6 60. b7a7 60... f3f2 61. g3f2 61... h6g5 62. f2e2 62... g5g4 63. a7a5 63... g4f4 64. e2d2 64... f4e4 65. d2c2 65... e4d4 66. a5a6 66... a3c3 67. c2b2 67... c3c4 68. a6a5 68... c4b4 69. b2a3 69... d4c4 70. a5a6 70... b4b3 71. a3a2 71... b3b4 72. a6a8 72... c4c5 73. a2a3 73... b4f4 74. a8b8
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75. b8b5
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4 57. b6b4 57... f7g7 58. f2g3 It look like Kramnik only gave away the win with this move. 58... c3a3 59. b4b7 59... g7h6 60. b7a7 60... f3f2 61. g3f2 61... h6g5 62. f2e2 62... g5g4 63. a7a5 63... g4f4 64. e2d2 64... f4e4 65. d2c2 65... e4d4 66. a5a6 66... a3c3 67. c2b2 67... c3c4 68. a6a5 68... c4b4 69. b2a3 69... d4c4 70. a5a6 70... b4b3 71. a3a2 71... b3b4 72. a6a8 72... c4c5 73. a2a3 73... b4f4 74. a8b8 74... f4f1
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75... c5c4
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4 57. b6b4 57... f7g7 58. f2g3 It look like Kramnik only gave away the win with this move. 58... c3a3 59. b4b7 59... g7h6 60. b7a7 60... f3f2 61. g3f2 61... h6g5 62. f2e2 62... g5g4 63. a7a5 63... g4f4 64. e2d2 64... f4e4 65. d2c2 65... e4d4 66. a5a6 66... a3c3 67. c2b2 67... c3c4 68. a6a5 68... c4b4 69. b2a3 69... d4c4 70. a5a6 70... b4b3 71. a3a2 71... b3b4 72. a6a8 72... c4c5 73. a2a3 73... b4f4 74. a8b8 74... f4f1 75. b8b5
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76. a3b2
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4 57. b6b4 57... f7g7 58. f2g3 It look like Kramnik only gave away the win with this move. 58... c3a3 59. b4b7 59... g7h6 60. b7a7 60... f3f2 61. g3f2 61... h6g5 62. f2e2 62... g5g4 63. a7a5 63... g4f4 64. e2d2 64... f4e4 65. d2c2 65... e4d4 66. a5a6 66... a3c3 67. c2b2 67... c3c4 68. a6a5 68... c4b4 69. b2a3 69... d4c4 70. a5a6 70... b4b3 71. a3a2 71... b3b4 72. a6a8 72... c4c5 73. a2a3 73... b4f4 74. a8b8 74... f4f1 75. b8b5 75... c5c4
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76... f1f2
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4 57. b6b4 57... f7g7 58. f2g3 It look like Kramnik only gave away the win with this move. 58... c3a3 59. b4b7 59... g7h6 60. b7a7 60... f3f2 61. g3f2 61... h6g5 62. f2e2 62... g5g4 63. a7a5 63... g4f4 64. e2d2 64... f4e4 65. d2c2 65... e4d4 66. a5a6 66... a3c3 67. c2b2 67... c3c4 68. a6a5 68... c4b4 69. b2a3 69... d4c4 70. a5a6 70... b4b3 71. a3a2 71... b3b4 72. a6a8 72... c4c5 73. a2a3 73... b4f4 74. a8b8 74... f4f1 75. b8b5 75... c5c4 76. a3b2
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77. b2b1
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4 57. b6b4 57... f7g7 58. f2g3 It look like Kramnik only gave away the win with this move. 58... c3a3 59. b4b7 59... g7h6 60. b7a7 60... f3f2 61. g3f2 61... h6g5 62. f2e2 62... g5g4 63. a7a5 63... g4f4 64. e2d2 64... f4e4 65. d2c2 65... e4d4 66. a5a6 66... a3c3 67. c2b2 67... c3c4 68. a6a5 68... c4b4 69. b2a3 69... d4c4 70. a5a6 70... b4b3 71. a3a2 71... b3b4 72. a6a8 72... c4c5 73. a2a3 73... b4f4 74. a8b8 74... f4f1 75. b8b5 75... c5c4 76. a3b2 76... f1f2
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77... c4c3
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4 57. b6b4 57... f7g7 58. f2g3 It look like Kramnik only gave away the win with this move. 58... c3a3 59. b4b7 59... g7h6 60. b7a7 60... f3f2 61. g3f2 61... h6g5 62. f2e2 62... g5g4 63. a7a5 63... g4f4 64. e2d2 64... f4e4 65. d2c2 65... e4d4 66. a5a6 66... a3c3 67. c2b2 67... c3c4 68. a6a5 68... c4b4 69. b2a3 69... d4c4 70. a5a6 70... b4b3 71. a3a2 71... b3b4 72. a6a8 72... c4c5 73. a2a3 73... b4f4 74. a8b8 74... f4f1 75. b8b5 75... c5c4 76. a3b2 76... f1f2 77. b2b1
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78. a4a5
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4 57. b6b4 57... f7g7 58. f2g3 It look like Kramnik only gave away the win with this move. 58... c3a3 59. b4b7 59... g7h6 60. b7a7 60... f3f2 61. g3f2 61... h6g5 62. f2e2 62... g5g4 63. a7a5 63... g4f4 64. e2d2 64... f4e4 65. d2c2 65... e4d4 66. a5a6 66... a3c3 67. c2b2 67... c3c4 68. a6a5 68... c4b4 69. b2a3 69... d4c4 70. a5a6 70... b4b3 71. a3a2 71... b3b4 72. a6a8 72... c4c5 73. a2a3 73... b4f4 74. a8b8 74... f4f1 75. b8b5 75... c5c4 76. a3b2 76... f1f2 77. b2b1 77... c4c3
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78... c3c4
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4 57. b6b4 57... f7g7 58. f2g3 It look like Kramnik only gave away the win with this move. 58... c3a3 59. b4b7 59... g7h6 60. b7a7 60... f3f2 61. g3f2 61... h6g5 62. f2e2 62... g5g4 63. a7a5 63... g4f4 64. e2d2 64... f4e4 65. d2c2 65... e4d4 66. a5a6 66... a3c3 67. c2b2 67... c3c4 68. a6a5 68... c4b4 69. b2a3 69... d4c4 70. a5a6 70... b4b3 71. a3a2 71... b3b4 72. a6a8 72... c4c5 73. a2a3 73... b4f4 74. a8b8 74... f4f1 75. b8b5 75... c5c4 76. a3b2 76... f1f2 77. b2b1 77... c4c3 78. a4a5
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79. b5b7
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4 57. b6b4 57... f7g7 58. f2g3 It look like Kramnik only gave away the win with this move. 58... c3a3 59. b4b7 59... g7h6 60. b7a7 60... f3f2 61. g3f2 61... h6g5 62. f2e2 62... g5g4 63. a7a5 63... g4f4 64. e2d2 64... f4e4 65. d2c2 65... e4d4 66. a5a6 66... a3c3 67. c2b2 67... c3c4 68. a6a5 68... c4b4 69. b2a3 69... d4c4 70. a5a6 70... b4b3 71. a3a2 71... b3b4 72. a6a8 72... c4c5 73. a2a3 73... b4f4 74. a8b8 74... f4f1 75. b8b5 75... c5c4 76. a3b2 76... f1f2 77. b2b1 77... c4c3 78. a4a5 78... c3c4
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79... f2f5
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4 57. b6b4 57... f7g7 58. f2g3 It look like Kramnik only gave away the win with this move. 58... c3a3 59. b4b7 59... g7h6 60. b7a7 60... f3f2 61. g3f2 61... h6g5 62. f2e2 62... g5g4 63. a7a5 63... g4f4 64. e2d2 64... f4e4 65. d2c2 65... e4d4 66. a5a6 66... a3c3 67. c2b2 67... c3c4 68. a6a5 68... c4b4 69. b2a3 69... d4c4 70. a5a6 70... b4b3 71. a3a2 71... b3b4 72. a6a8 72... c4c5 73. a2a3 73... b4f4 74. a8b8 74... f4f1 75. b8b5 75... c5c4 76. a3b2 76... f1f2 77. b2b1 77... c4c3 78. a4a5 78... c3c4 79. b5b7
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80. a5a6
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4 57. b6b4 57... f7g7 58. f2g3 It look like Kramnik only gave away the win with this move. 58... c3a3 59. b4b7 59... g7h6 60. b7a7 60... f3f2 61. g3f2 61... h6g5 62. f2e2 62... g5g4 63. a7a5 63... g4f4 64. e2d2 64... f4e4 65. d2c2 65... e4d4 66. a5a6 66... a3c3 67. c2b2 67... c3c4 68. a6a5 68... c4b4 69. b2a3 69... d4c4 70. a5a6 70... b4b3 71. a3a2 71... b3b4 72. a6a8 72... c4c5 73. a2a3 73... b4f4 74. a8b8 74... f4f1 75. b8b5 75... c5c4 76. a3b2 76... f1f2 77. b2b1 77... c4c3 78. a4a5 78... c3c4 79. b5b7 79... f2f5
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80... f5a5
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4 57. b6b4 57... f7g7 58. f2g3 It look like Kramnik only gave away the win with this move. 58... c3a3 59. b4b7 59... g7h6 60. b7a7 60... f3f2 61. g3f2 61... h6g5 62. f2e2 62... g5g4 63. a7a5 63... g4f4 64. e2d2 64... f4e4 65. d2c2 65... e4d4 66. a5a6 66... a3c3 67. c2b2 67... c3c4 68. a6a5 68... c4b4 69. b2a3 69... d4c4 70. a5a6 70... b4b3 71. a3a2 71... b3b4 72. a6a8 72... c4c5 73. a2a3 73... b4f4 74. a8b8 74... f4f1 75. b8b5 75... c5c4 76. a3b2 76... f1f2 77. b2b1 77... c4c3 78. a4a5 78... c3c4 79. b5b7 79... f2f5 80. a5a6
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81. a6a7
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4 57. b6b4 57... f7g7 58. f2g3 It look like Kramnik only gave away the win with this move. 58... c3a3 59. b4b7 59... g7h6 60. b7a7 60... f3f2 61. g3f2 61... h6g5 62. f2e2 62... g5g4 63. a7a5 63... g4f4 64. e2d2 64... f4e4 65. d2c2 65... e4d4 66. a5a6 66... a3c3 67. c2b2 67... c3c4 68. a6a5 68... c4b4 69. b2a3 69... d4c4 70. a5a6 70... b4b3 71. a3a2 71... b3b4 72. a6a8 72... c4c5 73. a2a3 73... b4f4 74. a8b8 74... f4f1 75. b8b5 75... c5c4 76. a3b2 76... f1f2 77. b2b1 77... c4c3 78. a4a5 78... c3c4 79. b5b7 79... f2f5 80. a5a6 80... f5a5
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81... c4c5
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4 57. b6b4 57... f7g7 58. f2g3 It look like Kramnik only gave away the win with this move. 58... c3a3 59. b4b7 59... g7h6 60. b7a7 60... f3f2 61. g3f2 61... h6g5 62. f2e2 62... g5g4 63. a7a5 63... g4f4 64. e2d2 64... f4e4 65. d2c2 65... e4d4 66. a5a6 66... a3c3 67. c2b2 67... c3c4 68. a6a5 68... c4b4 69. b2a3 69... d4c4 70. a5a6 70... b4b3 71. a3a2 71... b3b4 72. a6a8 72... c4c5 73. a2a3 73... b4f4 74. a8b8 74... f4f1 75. b8b5 75... c5c4 76. a3b2 76... f1f2 77. b2b1 77... c4c3 78. a4a5 78... c3c4 79. b5b7 79... f2f5 80. a5a6 80... f5a5 81. a6a7
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82. b7f7
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4 57. b6b4 57... f7g7 58. f2g3 It look like Kramnik only gave away the win with this move. 58... c3a3 59. b4b7 59... g7h6 60. b7a7 60... f3f2 61. g3f2 61... h6g5 62. f2e2 62... g5g4 63. a7a5 63... g4f4 64. e2d2 64... f4e4 65. d2c2 65... e4d4 66. a5a6 66... a3c3 67. c2b2 67... c3c4 68. a6a5 68... c4b4 69. b2a3 69... d4c4 70. a5a6 70... b4b3 71. a3a2 71... b3b4 72. a6a8 72... c4c5 73. a2a3 73... b4f4 74. a8b8 74... f4f1 75. b8b5 75... c5c4 76. a3b2 76... f1f2 77. b2b1 77... c4c3 78. a4a5 78... c3c4 79. b5b7 79... f2f5 80. a5a6 80... f5a5 81. a6a7 81... c4c5
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82... c5b6
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4 57. b6b4 57... f7g7 58. f2g3 It look like Kramnik only gave away the win with this move. 58... c3a3 59. b4b7 59... g7h6 60. b7a7 60... f3f2 61. g3f2 61... h6g5 62. f2e2 62... g5g4 63. a7a5 63... g4f4 64. e2d2 64... f4e4 65. d2c2 65... e4d4 66. a5a6 66... a3c3 67. c2b2 67... c3c4 68. a6a5 68... c4b4 69. b2a3 69... d4c4 70. a5a6 70... b4b3 71. a3a2 71... b3b4 72. a6a8 72... c4c5 73. a2a3 73... b4f4 74. a8b8 74... f4f1 75. b8b5 75... c5c4 76. a3b2 76... f1f2 77. b2b1 77... c4c3 78. a4a5 78... c3c4 79. b5b7 79... f2f5 80. a5a6 80... f5a5 81. a6a7 81... c4c5 82. b7f7
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83. b1c2
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1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. e2e3 2... g8f6 3. c2c4 3... e7e6 4. b2b3 4... c7c5 5. c1b2 5... b8c6 6. c4d5 6... e6d5 7. f1b5 7... f8d6 8. d2d4 It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov. 8... c5d4 9. f3d4 9... e8g8 10. e1g1 10... d8c7 11. h2h3 A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw 11... d6h2 12. g1h1 12... h2e5 13. d1c2 13... c8d7 14. d4f3 The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces. 14... e5b2 15. c2b2 Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins. 15... a8c8 16. f1c1 An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate 16... c7d6 17. b1c3 17... c6e5 18. b5e2 18... e5f3 19. e2f3 19... d6e5 20. b2d2 20... d7e6 21. c3b5 21... e6d7 22. d2d4 Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn. 22... e5d4 23. b5d4 23... a7a5 24. g2g4 This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani. 24... h7h6 25. h1g2 25... c8c1 26. a1c1 26... f8c8 27. c1b1 The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there. 27... c8a8 28. d4e2 Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases. 28... g7g5 Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square. 29. e2c3 29... d7e6 30. b1d1 30... a8d8 31. e3e4 Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive. 31... d5d4 32. g2g3 32... d8c8 33. c3b5 33... f6d7 34. b5d4 White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point. 34... d7e5 35. f3e2 35... c8c3 36. f2f3 36... g8g7 37. d1d2 37... g7f6 38. d4f5 It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov). 38... e6f5 39. e4f5 39... f6e7 40. d2d5 40... e5c6 41. e2b5 41... b7b6 42. h3h4 42... f7f6 43. b5c6 There you go! 43... c3c6 44. h4g5 44... h6g5 45. a2a4 45... c6c3 46. d5b5 46... c3c6 47. f3f4 47... c6c3 48. g3f2 48... g5f4 49. b5b6 49... e7f7 After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win. 50. b3b4 50... c3c2 51. f2f3 51... c2c3 52. f3f2 52... c3c2 53. f2e1 53... c2c1 54. e1d2 54... f4f3 55. d2e3 55... c1c3 56. e3f2 56... a5b4 57. b6b4 57... f7g7 58. f2g3 It look like Kramnik only gave away the win with this move. 58... c3a3 59. b4b7 59... g7h6 60. b7a7 60... f3f2 61. g3f2 61... h6g5 62. f2e2 62... g5g4 63. a7a5 63... g4f4 64. e2d2 64... f4e4 65. d2c2 65... e4d4 66. a5a6 66... a3c3 67. c2b2 67... c3c4 68. a6a5 68... c4b4 69. b2a3 69... d4c4 70. a5a6 70... b4b3 71. a3a2 71... b3b4 72. a6a8 72... c4c5 73. a2a3 73... b4f4 74. a8b8 74... f4f1 75. b8b5 75... c5c4 76. a3b2 76... f1f2 77. b2b1 77... c4c3 78. a4a5 78... c3c4 79. b5b7 79... f2f5 80. a5a6 80... f5a5 81. a6a7 81... c4c5 82. b7f7 82... c5b6
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1. c2c4
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1... g8f6
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1. c2c4
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2. b1c3
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1. c2c4 1... g8f6
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2... e7e5
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1. c2c4 1... g8f6 2. b1c3
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3. g1f3
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1. c2c4 1... g8f6 2. b1c3 2... e7e5
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3... b8c6
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1. c2c4 1... g8f6 2. b1c3 2... e7e5 3. g1f3
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4. g2g3
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1. c2c4 1... g8f6 2. b1c3 2... e7e5 3. g1f3 3... b8c6
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4... f8b4
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To the reversed Sicilian Black replies with reversed Rossolimo.
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1. c2c4 1... g8f6 2. b1c3 2... e7e5 3. g1f3 3... b8c6 4. g2g3
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5. f1g2
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1. c2c4 1... g8f6 2. b1c3 2... e7e5 3. g1f3 3... b8c6 4. g2g3 4... f8b4 To the reversed Sicilian Black replies with reversed Rossolimo.
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5... e8g8
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1. c2c4 1... g8f6 2. b1c3 2... e7e5 3. g1f3 3... b8c6 4. g2g3 4... f8b4 To the reversed Sicilian Black replies with reversed Rossolimo. 5. f1g2
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6. e1g1
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1. c2c4 1... g8f6 2. b1c3 2... e7e5 3. g1f3 3... b8c6 4. g2g3 4... f8b4 To the reversed Sicilian Black replies with reversed Rossolimo. 5. f1g2 5... e8g8
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6... e5e4
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1. c2c4 1... g8f6 2. b1c3 2... e7e5 3. g1f3 3... b8c6 4. g2g3 4... f8b4 To the reversed Sicilian Black replies with reversed Rossolimo. 5. f1g2 5... e8g8 6. e1g1
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7. f3g5
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1. c2c4 1... g8f6 2. b1c3 2... e7e5 3. g1f3 3... b8c6 4. g2g3 4... f8b4 To the reversed Sicilian Black replies with reversed Rossolimo. 5. f1g2 5... e8g8 6. e1g1 6... e5e4
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7... b4c3
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1. c2c4 1... g8f6 2. b1c3 2... e7e5 3. g1f3 3... b8c6 4. g2g3 4... f8b4 To the reversed Sicilian Black replies with reversed Rossolimo. 5. f1g2 5... e8g8 6. e1g1 6... e5e4 7. f3g5
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8. b2c3
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1. c2c4 1... g8f6 2. b1c3 2... e7e5 3. g1f3 3... b8c6 4. g2g3 4... f8b4 To the reversed Sicilian Black replies with reversed Rossolimo. 5. f1g2 5... e8g8 6. e1g1 6... e5e4 7. f3g5 7... b4c3
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8... f8e8
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1. c2c4 1... g8f6 2. b1c3 2... e7e5 3. g1f3 3... b8c6 4. g2g3 4... f8b4 To the reversed Sicilian Black replies with reversed Rossolimo. 5. f1g2 5... e8g8 6. e1g1 6... e5e4 7. f3g5 7... b4c3 8. b2c3
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9. f2f3
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This is one of the main lines in the English opening, which was heavily investigated after Garry Kasparov used it against his great rival Anatoly Karpov in their match in Sevilla 1987.
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1. c2c4 1... g8f6 2. b1c3 2... e7e5 3. g1f3 3... b8c6 4. g2g3 4... f8b4 To the reversed Sicilian Black replies with reversed Rossolimo. 5. f1g2 5... e8g8 6. e1g1 6... e5e4 7. f3g5 7... b4c3 8. b2c3 8... f8e8
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9... e4f3
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1. c2c4 1... g8f6 2. b1c3 2... e7e5 3. g1f3 3... b8c6 4. g2g3 4... f8b4 To the reversed Sicilian Black replies with reversed Rossolimo. 5. f1g2 5... e8g8 6. e1g1 6... e5e4 7. f3g5 7... b4c3 8. b2c3 8... f8e8 9. f2f3 This is one of the main lines in the English opening, which was heavily investigated after Garry Kasparov used it against his great rival Anatoly Karpov in their match in Sevilla 1987.
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10. g5f3
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1. c2c4 1... g8f6 2. b1c3 2... e7e5 3. g1f3 3... b8c6 4. g2g3 4... f8b4 To the reversed Sicilian Black replies with reversed Rossolimo. 5. f1g2 5... e8g8 6. e1g1 6... e5e4 7. f3g5 7... b4c3 8. b2c3 8... f8e8 9. f2f3 This is one of the main lines in the English opening, which was heavily investigated after Garry Kasparov used it against his great rival Anatoly Karpov in their match in Sevilla 1987. 9... e4f3
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10... d8e7
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1. c2c4 1... g8f6 2. b1c3 2... e7e5 3. g1f3 3... b8c6 4. g2g3 4... f8b4 To the reversed Sicilian Black replies with reversed Rossolimo. 5. f1g2 5... e8g8 6. e1g1 6... e5e4 7. f3g5 7... b4c3 8. b2c3 8... f8e8 9. f2f3 This is one of the main lines in the English opening, which was heavily investigated after Garry Kasparov used it against his great rival Anatoly Karpov in their match in Sevilla 1987. 9... e4f3 10. g5f3
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11. e2e3
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1. c2c4 1... g8f6 2. b1c3 2... e7e5 3. g1f3 3... b8c6 4. g2g3 4... f8b4 To the reversed Sicilian Black replies with reversed Rossolimo. 5. f1g2 5... e8g8 6. e1g1 6... e5e4 7. f3g5 7... b4c3 8. b2c3 8... f8e8 9. f2f3 This is one of the main lines in the English opening, which was heavily investigated after Garry Kasparov used it against his great rival Anatoly Karpov in their match in Sevilla 1987. 9... e4f3 10. g5f3 10... d8e7
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11... c6e5
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1. c2c4 1... g8f6 2. b1c3 2... e7e5 3. g1f3 3... b8c6 4. g2g3 4... f8b4 To the reversed Sicilian Black replies with reversed Rossolimo. 5. f1g2 5... e8g8 6. e1g1 6... e5e4 7. f3g5 7... b4c3 8. b2c3 8... f8e8 9. f2f3 This is one of the main lines in the English opening, which was heavily investigated after Garry Kasparov used it against his great rival Anatoly Karpov in their match in Sevilla 1987. 9... e4f3 10. g5f3 10... d8e7 11. e2e3
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12. f3d4
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Tomashevsky spent most of his time on this principled move. In another recent top level game White achieved nothing after:
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1. c2c4 1... g8f6 2. b1c3 2... e7e5 3. g1f3 3... b8c6 4. g2g3 4... f8b4 To the reversed Sicilian Black replies with reversed Rossolimo. 5. f1g2 5... e8g8 6. e1g1 6... e5e4 7. f3g5 7... b4c3 8. b2c3 8... f8e8 9. f2f3 This is one of the main lines in the English opening, which was heavily investigated after Garry Kasparov used it against his great rival Anatoly Karpov in their match in Sevilla 1987. 9... e4f3 10. g5f3 10... d8e7 11. e2e3 11... c6e5
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12... d7d6
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1. c2c4 1... g8f6 2. b1c3 2... e7e5 3. g1f3 3... b8c6 4. g2g3 4... f8b4 To the reversed Sicilian Black replies with reversed Rossolimo. 5. f1g2 5... e8g8 6. e1g1 6... e5e4 7. f3g5 7... b4c3 8. b2c3 8... f8e8 9. f2f3 This is one of the main lines in the English opening, which was heavily investigated after Garry Kasparov used it against his great rival Anatoly Karpov in their match in Sevilla 1987. 9... e4f3 10. g5f3 10... d8e7 11. e2e3 11... c6e5 12. f3d4 Tomashevsky spent most of his time on this principled move. In another recent top level game White achieved nothing after:
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13. d2d3
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1. c2c4 1... g8f6 2. b1c3 2... e7e5 3. g1f3 3... b8c6 4. g2g3 4... f8b4 To the reversed Sicilian Black replies with reversed Rossolimo. 5. f1g2 5... e8g8 6. e1g1 6... e5e4 7. f3g5 7... b4c3 8. b2c3 8... f8e8 9. f2f3 This is one of the main lines in the English opening, which was heavily investigated after Garry Kasparov used it against his great rival Anatoly Karpov in their match in Sevilla 1987. 9... e4f3 10. g5f3 10... d8e7 11. e2e3 11... c6e5 12. f3d4 Tomashevsky spent most of his time on this principled move. In another recent top level game White achieved nothing after: 12... d7d6
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13... c7c5
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Better than
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1. c2c4 1... g8f6 2. b1c3 2... e7e5 3. g1f3 3... b8c6 4. g2g3 4... f8b4 To the reversed Sicilian Black replies with reversed Rossolimo. 5. f1g2 5... e8g8 6. e1g1 6... e5e4 7. f3g5 7... b4c3 8. b2c3 8... f8e8 9. f2f3 This is one of the main lines in the English opening, which was heavily investigated after Garry Kasparov used it against his great rival Anatoly Karpov in their match in Sevilla 1987. 9... e4f3 10. g5f3 10... d8e7 11. e2e3 11... c6e5 12. f3d4 Tomashevsky spent most of his time on this principled move. In another recent top level game White achieved nothing after: 12... d7d6 13. d2d3
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14. d4f5
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1. c2c4 1... g8f6 2. b1c3 2... e7e5 3. g1f3 3... b8c6 4. g2g3 4... f8b4 To the reversed Sicilian Black replies with reversed Rossolimo. 5. f1g2 5... e8g8 6. e1g1 6... e5e4 7. f3g5 7... b4c3 8. b2c3 8... f8e8 9. f2f3 This is one of the main lines in the English opening, which was heavily investigated after Garry Kasparov used it against his great rival Anatoly Karpov in their match in Sevilla 1987. 9... e4f3 10. g5f3 10... d8e7 11. e2e3 11... c6e5 12. f3d4 Tomashevsky spent most of his time on this principled move. In another recent top level game White achieved nothing after: 12... d7d6 13. d2d3 13... c7c5 Better than
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14... c8f5
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1. c2c4 1... g8f6 2. b1c3 2... e7e5 3. g1f3 3... b8c6 4. g2g3 4... f8b4 To the reversed Sicilian Black replies with reversed Rossolimo. 5. f1g2 5... e8g8 6. e1g1 6... e5e4 7. f3g5 7... b4c3 8. b2c3 8... f8e8 9. f2f3 This is one of the main lines in the English opening, which was heavily investigated after Garry Kasparov used it against his great rival Anatoly Karpov in their match in Sevilla 1987. 9... e4f3 10. g5f3 10... d8e7 11. e2e3 11... c6e5 12. f3d4 Tomashevsky spent most of his time on this principled move. In another recent top level game White achieved nothing after: 12... d7d6 13. d2d3 13... c7c5 Better than 14. d4f5
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15. f1f5
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1. c2c4 1... g8f6 2. b1c3 2... e7e5 3. g1f3 3... b8c6 4. g2g3 4... f8b4 To the reversed Sicilian Black replies with reversed Rossolimo. 5. f1g2 5... e8g8 6. e1g1 6... e5e4 7. f3g5 7... b4c3 8. b2c3 8... f8e8 9. f2f3 This is one of the main lines in the English opening, which was heavily investigated after Garry Kasparov used it against his great rival Anatoly Karpov in their match in Sevilla 1987. 9... e4f3 10. g5f3 10... d8e7 11. e2e3 11... c6e5 12. f3d4 Tomashevsky spent most of his time on this principled move. In another recent top level game White achieved nothing after: 12... d7d6 13. d2d3 13... c7c5 Better than 14. d4f5 14... c8f5
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15... d6d5
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A novelty and the start of superb opening preparation by the former European champion. Previously only:
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1. c2c4 1... g8f6 2. b1c3 2... e7e5 3. g1f3 3... b8c6 4. g2g3 4... f8b4 To the reversed Sicilian Black replies with reversed Rossolimo. 5. f1g2 5... e8g8 6. e1g1 6... e5e4 7. f3g5 7... b4c3 8. b2c3 8... f8e8 9. f2f3 This is one of the main lines in the English opening, which was heavily investigated after Garry Kasparov used it against his great rival Anatoly Karpov in their match in Sevilla 1987. 9... e4f3 10. g5f3 10... d8e7 11. e2e3 11... c6e5 12. f3d4 Tomashevsky spent most of his time on this principled move. In another recent top level game White achieved nothing after: 12... d7d6 13. d2d3 13... c7c5 Better than 14. d4f5 14... c8f5 15. f1f5
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16. c4d5
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1. c2c4 1... g8f6 2. b1c3 2... e7e5 3. g1f3 3... b8c6 4. g2g3 4... f8b4 To the reversed Sicilian Black replies with reversed Rossolimo. 5. f1g2 5... e8g8 6. e1g1 6... e5e4 7. f3g5 7... b4c3 8. b2c3 8... f8e8 9. f2f3 This is one of the main lines in the English opening, which was heavily investigated after Garry Kasparov used it against his great rival Anatoly Karpov in their match in Sevilla 1987. 9... e4f3 10. g5f3 10... d8e7 11. e2e3 11... c6e5 12. f3d4 Tomashevsky spent most of his time on this principled move. In another recent top level game White achieved nothing after: 12... d7d6 13. d2d3 13... c7c5 Better than 14. d4f5 14... c8f5 15. f1f5 15... d6d5 A novelty and the start of superb opening preparation by the former European champion. Previously only:
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16... c5c4
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The point. Black destroys the compact pawn structure of the opponent and intends to fill in the gaps with a couple of nasty knights.
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1. c2c4 1... g8f6 2. b1c3 2... e7e5 3. g1f3 3... b8c6 4. g2g3 4... f8b4 To the reversed Sicilian Black replies with reversed Rossolimo. 5. f1g2 5... e8g8 6. e1g1 6... e5e4 7. f3g5 7... b4c3 8. b2c3 8... f8e8 9. f2f3 This is one of the main lines in the English opening, which was heavily investigated after Garry Kasparov used it against his great rival Anatoly Karpov in their match in Sevilla 1987. 9... e4f3 10. g5f3 10... d8e7 11. e2e3 11... c6e5 12. f3d4 Tomashevsky spent most of his time on this principled move. In another recent top level game White achieved nothing after: 12... d7d6 13. d2d3 13... c7c5 Better than 14. d4f5 14... c8f5 15. f1f5 15... d6d5 A novelty and the start of superb opening preparation by the former European champion. Previously only: 16. c4d5
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17. d3d4
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1. c2c4 1... g8f6 2. b1c3 2... e7e5 3. g1f3 3... b8c6 4. g2g3 4... f8b4 To the reversed Sicilian Black replies with reversed Rossolimo. 5. f1g2 5... e8g8 6. e1g1 6... e5e4 7. f3g5 7... b4c3 8. b2c3 8... f8e8 9. f2f3 This is one of the main lines in the English opening, which was heavily investigated after Garry Kasparov used it against his great rival Anatoly Karpov in their match in Sevilla 1987. 9... e4f3 10. g5f3 10... d8e7 11. e2e3 11... c6e5 12. f3d4 Tomashevsky spent most of his time on this principled move. In another recent top level game White achieved nothing after: 12... d7d6 13. d2d3 13... c7c5 Better than 14. d4f5 14... c8f5 15. f1f5 15... d6d5 A novelty and the start of superb opening preparation by the former European champion. Previously only: 16. c4d5 16... c5c4 The point. Black destroys the compact pawn structure of the opponent and intends to fill in the gaps with a couple of nasty knights.
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17... e5d3
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1. c2c4 1... g8f6 2. b1c3 2... e7e5 3. g1f3 3... b8c6 4. g2g3 4... f8b4 To the reversed Sicilian Black replies with reversed Rossolimo. 5. f1g2 5... e8g8 6. e1g1 6... e5e4 7. f3g5 7... b4c3 8. b2c3 8... f8e8 9. f2f3 This is one of the main lines in the English opening, which was heavily investigated after Garry Kasparov used it against his great rival Anatoly Karpov in their match in Sevilla 1987. 9... e4f3 10. g5f3 10... d8e7 11. e2e3 11... c6e5 12. f3d4 Tomashevsky spent most of his time on this principled move. In another recent top level game White achieved nothing after: 12... d7d6 13. d2d3 13... c7c5 Better than 14. d4f5 14... c8f5 15. f1f5 15... d6d5 A novelty and the start of superb opening preparation by the former European champion. Previously only: 16. c4d5 16... c5c4 The point. Black destroys the compact pawn structure of the opponent and intends to fill in the gaps with a couple of nasty knights. 17. d3d4
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18. f5f6
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Tempting, but objectively speaking a mistake as now it will be only Black who will play for a win. Surprisingly, Tomashevsky called his opening idea "semi-bluff" in the post-mortem. He revealed what he was afraid of:
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1. c2c4 1... g8f6 2. b1c3 2... e7e5 3. g1f3 3... b8c6 4. g2g3 4... f8b4 To the reversed Sicilian Black replies with reversed Rossolimo. 5. f1g2 5... e8g8 6. e1g1 6... e5e4 7. f3g5 7... b4c3 8. b2c3 8... f8e8 9. f2f3 This is one of the main lines in the English opening, which was heavily investigated after Garry Kasparov used it against his great rival Anatoly Karpov in their match in Sevilla 1987. 9... e4f3 10. g5f3 10... d8e7 11. e2e3 11... c6e5 12. f3d4 Tomashevsky spent most of his time on this principled move. In another recent top level game White achieved nothing after: 12... d7d6 13. d2d3 13... c7c5 Better than 14. d4f5 14... c8f5 15. f1f5 15... d6d5 A novelty and the start of superb opening preparation by the former European champion. Previously only: 16. c4d5 16... c5c4 The point. Black destroys the compact pawn structure of the opponent and intends to fill in the gaps with a couple of nasty knights. 17. d3d4 17... e5d3
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18... e7f6
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1. c2c4 1... g8f6 2. b1c3 2... e7e5 3. g1f3 3... b8c6 4. g2g3 4... f8b4 To the reversed Sicilian Black replies with reversed Rossolimo. 5. f1g2 5... e8g8 6. e1g1 6... e5e4 7. f3g5 7... b4c3 8. b2c3 8... f8e8 9. f2f3 This is one of the main lines in the English opening, which was heavily investigated after Garry Kasparov used it against his great rival Anatoly Karpov in their match in Sevilla 1987. 9... e4f3 10. g5f3 10... d8e7 11. e2e3 11... c6e5 12. f3d4 Tomashevsky spent most of his time on this principled move. In another recent top level game White achieved nothing after: 12... d7d6 13. d2d3 13... c7c5 Better than 14. d4f5 14... c8f5 15. f1f5 15... d6d5 A novelty and the start of superb opening preparation by the former European champion. Previously only: 16. c4d5 16... c5c4 The point. Black destroys the compact pawn structure of the opponent and intends to fill in the gaps with a couple of nasty knights. 17. d3d4 17... e5d3 18. f5f6 Tempting, but objectively speaking a mistake as now it will be only Black who will play for a win. Surprisingly, Tomashevsky called his opening idea "semi-bluff" in the post-mortem. He revealed what he was afraid of:
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19. d1e2
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1. c2c4 1... g8f6 2. b1c3 2... e7e5 3. g1f3 3... b8c6 4. g2g3 4... f8b4 To the reversed Sicilian Black replies with reversed Rossolimo. 5. f1g2 5... e8g8 6. e1g1 6... e5e4 7. f3g5 7... b4c3 8. b2c3 8... f8e8 9. f2f3 This is one of the main lines in the English opening, which was heavily investigated after Garry Kasparov used it against his great rival Anatoly Karpov in their match in Sevilla 1987. 9... e4f3 10. g5f3 10... d8e7 11. e2e3 11... c6e5 12. f3d4 Tomashevsky spent most of his time on this principled move. In another recent top level game White achieved nothing after: 12... d7d6 13. d2d3 13... c7c5 Better than 14. d4f5 14... c8f5 15. f1f5 15... d6d5 A novelty and the start of superb opening preparation by the former European champion. Previously only: 16. c4d5 16... c5c4 The point. Black destroys the compact pawn structure of the opponent and intends to fill in the gaps with a couple of nasty knights. 17. d3d4 17... e5d3 18. f5f6 Tempting, but objectively speaking a mistake as now it will be only Black who will play for a win. Surprisingly, Tomashevsky called his opening idea "semi-bluff" in the post-mortem. He revealed what he was afraid of: 18... e7f6
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19... d3c1
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Black spent about thirty minutes here calculating the many tempting options. He felt that the best move should be
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1. c2c4 1... g8f6 2. b1c3 2... e7e5 3. g1f3 3... b8c6 4. g2g3 4... f8b4 To the reversed Sicilian Black replies with reversed Rossolimo. 5. f1g2 5... e8g8 6. e1g1 6... e5e4 7. f3g5 7... b4c3 8. b2c3 8... f8e8 9. f2f3 This is one of the main lines in the English opening, which was heavily investigated after Garry Kasparov used it against his great rival Anatoly Karpov in their match in Sevilla 1987. 9... e4f3 10. g5f3 10... d8e7 11. e2e3 11... c6e5 12. f3d4 Tomashevsky spent most of his time on this principled move. In another recent top level game White achieved nothing after: 12... d7d6 13. d2d3 13... c7c5 Better than 14. d4f5 14... c8f5 15. f1f5 15... d6d5 A novelty and the start of superb opening preparation by the former European champion. Previously only: 16. c4d5 16... c5c4 The point. Black destroys the compact pawn structure of the opponent and intends to fill in the gaps with a couple of nasty knights. 17. d3d4 17... e5d3 18. f5f6 Tempting, but objectively speaking a mistake as now it will be only Black who will play for a win. Surprisingly, Tomashevsky called his opening idea "semi-bluff" in the post-mortem. He revealed what he was afraid of: 18... e7f6 19. d1e2
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20. a1c1
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1. c2c4 1... g8f6 2. b1c3 2... e7e5 3. g1f3 3... b8c6 4. g2g3 4... f8b4 To the reversed Sicilian Black replies with reversed Rossolimo. 5. f1g2 5... e8g8 6. e1g1 6... e5e4 7. f3g5 7... b4c3 8. b2c3 8... f8e8 9. f2f3 This is one of the main lines in the English opening, which was heavily investigated after Garry Kasparov used it against his great rival Anatoly Karpov in their match in Sevilla 1987. 9... e4f3 10. g5f3 10... d8e7 11. e2e3 11... c6e5 12. f3d4 Tomashevsky spent most of his time on this principled move. In another recent top level game White achieved nothing after: 12... d7d6 13. d2d3 13... c7c5 Better than 14. d4f5 14... c8f5 15. f1f5 15... d6d5 A novelty and the start of superb opening preparation by the former European champion. Previously only: 16. c4d5 16... c5c4 The point. Black destroys the compact pawn structure of the opponent and intends to fill in the gaps with a couple of nasty knights. 17. d3d4 17... e5d3 18. f5f6 Tempting, but objectively speaking a mistake as now it will be only Black who will play for a win. Surprisingly, Tomashevsky called his opening idea "semi-bluff" in the post-mortem. He revealed what he was afraid of: 18... e7f6 19. d1e2 19... d3c1 Black spent about thirty minutes here calculating the many tempting options. He felt that the best move should be
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