it's a java applet.. you can see it move by move..

Anyway, who's winning? They both have exactly the same pieces. To me it looks like white has slightly better positioning now, but I'm not good at chess..

goldrush

Canada709 Posts

September 22 2006 23:31 GMT

#48

GM Kramnik,Vladimir(RUS) (2743) - GM Topalov,Veselin(BUL) (2813)
World Championship Match Elista (1), 23.09.2006
[Holger_Lieske]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 dxc4 5.Bg2 Bb4+ 6.Bd2 a5 7.Qc2 Bxd2+ 8.Qxd2 c6 9.a4 b5 10.axb5 cxb5 11.Qg5 0-0 12.Qxb5 Ba6 13.Qa4 Qb6 14.0-0 Qxb2 15.Nbd2 Bb5 16.Nxc4 Bxa4 17.Nxb2 Bb5 18.Ne5 Ra7 19.Bf3 Nbd7 20.Nec4 Rb8 21.Rfb1 g5 22.e3 g4 23.Bd1 Bc6 24.Rc1 Be4 25.Na4 Rb4 26.Nd6 Bf3 27.Bxf3 gxf3 28.Nc8 Ra8 29.Ne7+ Kg7 30.Nc6 Rb3 31.Nc5 Rb5 32.h3 Nxc5 33.Rxc5 Rb2 34.Rg5+ Kh6 35.Rgxa5 Rxa5 36.Nxa5 Ne4 37.Rf1 Nd2 38.Rc1 Ne4 39.Rf1 f6 40.Nc6 Nd2 41.Rd1 Ne4 42.Rf1 Kg6 Line

Black sacrificed a pawn, in return for getting some positional pressure: His rook is on the second rank, his knight is on a beautiful square and black's king is more active than white's. Not to mention that with Nd2 -> Ne4 he could probably force a draw whenever he wanted. White's main problem is trying to get his knight into play somehow.

Patriot.dlk

Sweden5462 Posts

September 23 2006 00:08 GMT

#49

so kramnik is winning?

Wizzra

Netherlands514 Posts

September 23 2006 00:17 GMT

#50

Sr18

Netherlands1141 Posts

September 23 2006 00:54 GMT

#51

Actually, while a draw is still the most probable result, Kramnik has the winning chances here. (@ move 53)

goldrush

Canada709 Posts

September 23 2006 01:08 GMT

#52

If the game score is correct, then Topalov seems to have just thrown the game away. Maybe an improvement would be to sacrifice the Knight on f2 (black's move 57), then give perp check on the first and second rank with the rook?

Sr18

Netherlands1141 Posts

September 23 2006 01:16 GMT

#53

Yes, f5 could be a blunder. However, the engines are still saying it's a draw so I'm not going to say Kramnik already won. Especially considering I never read endgame positions right in GM games :-).

goldrush

Canada709 Posts

September 23 2006 01:19 GMT

#54

What engine are you using? Fritz 8/9 gives a clear 1.5-2 pawns advantage after the 57... f5 blunder.

Agone

American Samoa231 Posts

September 23 2006 02:19 GMT

#55

Kramnik won first game.

BlackJack

United States10574 Posts

September 23 2006 02:46 GMT

#56

Topa should have been playing for a draw =/

Shymon

United States620 Posts

September 23 2006 04:35 GMT

#57

Kramnik is now a close to a lock for this.

One Page Memory

Bulgaria2145 Posts

September 23 2006 04:46 GMT

#58

On September 23 2006 11:46 BlackJack wrote:
Topa should have been playing for a draw =/

Topalov never plays for a draw.
In one article I read that his psyhologist forbided him to make draw if there are slimmest chances to win. On the other hand - to win almost equal position against top GM - you must risk. So did Topalov today and failed. No big deal - I believe in him

Liquid`Jinro

Sweden33723 Posts

September 23 2006 04:51 GMT

#59

On September 23 2006 13:35 Shymon wrote:
Kramnik is now a close to a lock for this.

Hum, I don't play chess but can you explain to me why winning 1 game matters THAT much? Or is it HOW he won?

BlackJack

United States10574 Posts

September 23 2006 05:45 GMT

#60

On September 23 2006 13:51 FrozenArbiter wrote:
[removed quote within quote]
Hum, I don't play chess but can you explain to me why winning 1 game matters THAT much? Or is it HOW he won?

It's only a 12 game match and most chess games at this level end in a draw. Kramnik has somewhat of a reputation for being "draw happy." Now Kramnik will most likely play a "draw with black, win with white" strategy. Conservative, boring, and the reason a lot of people don't like his style.