There is always some doubt about the amount of compensation that one gets with long-term positional pawn sacrifices. The second game being a good example, but just like yesterday the practical chances are what really matters and again the gambiteer triumphs!
Viswanathan Anand (2787) - Veselin Topalov (2805)
Sofia WCM (2) 25.04.2010
Catalan opening (E04)
1.d4 ♘f6 2.c4 e6 3.♘f3 d5 4.g3
This fianchetto denotes the Catalan opening where White aims for pressure along the long diagonal.
4...dxc4 5.♗g2 a6
Topalov shows his intention to play ...b5, so Anand avoids that possibility.
6.♘e5 c5
Hitting at White's centre. Anand now heads for a line where he seeks rapid development at the cost of a pawn.
.♘a3 cxd4 8.♘axc4 ♗c5 9.0-0 0-0 10.♗d2 ♘d5 11.♖c1 ♘d7 12.♘d3
Black's problem in this type of position is the lack of prospects for his light-squared bishop, whereas White has four good minor pieces.
12...♗a7
Perhaps Topalov should have played 12...b6!? when best play could then be 13.♘a5 ♕f6 14.♘b3 ♗b7 15.♘bxc5 bxc5 16.♘xc5 ♘xc5 17.♖xc5 ♕e7 18.♖c4 e5 with equality according to a recent analysis by Hilton & Ippolito. Black returns the pawn for smooth development.
13.♗a5 ♕e7 14.♕b3 ♖b8 15.♕a3!?
A novelty that proves to be dangerous against an unprepared opponent. Anand trades queens and thus removes an important defender.
Previously 15.♘ce5 has been played: 15...♘xe5 16.♘xe5 ♕f6 17.♘d3 b6 18.♗b4 ♖d8 19.♗xd5 ♖xd5 20.♖c7 ♗b7 21.♗e7 ♕f5 Gulko,B-Shulman,Y USA ch. 2008, and White's initiative had run out of steam and Black went on to win.
15...♕xa3 16.bxa3!
Doubles pawns are not a problem if Black's pieces are tangled. For his pawn White has the easier position to play, but it's not clear that objectively he has more than enough compensation.
16...♘7f6!?
This may not be best, for example future defenders may look to 16...b6 17.♗d2 ♘c5 (or perhaps the immediate 16...♘c5), when White is denied the same pressure along the c-file.
17.♘ce5 ♖e8 18.♖c2
There is no particular hurry here, Anand just improves his pieces and builds up his position, whereas Black has difficulties to unravel.
18...b6 19.♗d2 ♗b7 20.♖fc1 ♖bd8
Black would normally want to exchange rooks, but cannot here as after 20...♖ec8?? 21.♖xc8+ ♖xc8 22.♖xc8+ ♗xc8 White wins a piece with 23.♘c6.
21.f4 ♗b8 22.a4
The positional threat is a4-a5 gaining control of the c5-square.
22...a5 23.♘c6
With everything in place; Anand starts to probe the Black position.
23...♗xc6 24.♖xc6 h5 25.♖1c4
With ideas of soon regaining the pawn.
25...♘e3?
This gives White an easy time and may even be the decisive error.
A better try is 25...♗a7 e.g. 26.♗f3 g6 27.h3 ♘e3 with a better version of the game, however best of all could be 25...♘g4! as 26.♖xd4 ♗a7 could spell trouble for White along the a7-g1 diagonal. Anand would probably have met 25...♘g4 with 26.♗f3 ♘ge3 27.♖c1! with a tense position where Black should be OK (noting that 27.♖xd4? ♘f5 28.♖dc4 ♘de7 traps White's rook as 29.♖xb6? fails to 29...♗a7).
26.♗xe3 dxe3 27.♗f3 g6 28.♖xb6
Finally regaining the pawn.
28...♗a7
Or 28...♖xd3? 29.exd3 ♗a7 30.♖b1 and the e-pawn is under control.
29.♖b3
Avoiding tricks based on ...♖xd3.
29...♖d4 30.♖c7!
The dark-squared bishop is dominated and this costs Black an important pawn.
30...♗b8 31.♖c5 ♗d6
Not 31...♖xa4?? which loses to the skewer 32.♗c6.
32.♖xa5 ♖c8
White is only a 'doubled pawn up' and Black is about to activate his rook, but it seems that White has enough control of the key squares.
33.♔g2 ♖c2 34.a3 ♖a2 35.♘b4!
Tidying up.
35...♗xb4
Otherwise 35...♖a1 fails to 36.♘c2, and if 35...♖ad2 White starts pushing his passed pawn with 36.♖a8+ ♔g7 37.a5.
36.axb4 ♘d5
37.b5!
Returning the pawn for a winning endgame.
37...♖axa4 38.♖xa4 ♖xa4 39.♗xd5 exd5 40.b6 ♖a8 41.b7 ♖b8 42.♔f3 d4 43.♔e4
Picking off both central pawns.
1-0
By winning this game the match is all-square at one all and they will now both have a rest day to decide on their next move. The third game will be played Tuesday afternoon.
For more information official tournament site
