Frankly speaking, I was a bit surprised to see them fighting in my openings in all the games, but at the same time pleased. Both Topalov and Kramnik tried to surprise each other by interesting novelties or very rare ideas and many games are important for theory, may even open new chapters or give a boost to some very rare lines. Topalov put a lot of pressure on Kramnik but Vladimir showed excellent defensive technique and in most cases kept things under proper control. Yet this is not such a big surprise - even Kasparov failed to score even one win in their match. Perhaps the positions which arise in the openings after 1. d4 d5, are more suited to Kramnik's style - in many cases he managed to release the tension by swapping queens and then handled the ending perfectly. Of course, Topalov could try 1. e4 in some games but to break Black's defences in the Petroff or Berlin Defence is also an extremely difficult task against a player of such a caliber... All in all, it was one of most interesting and exciting matches in the whole chess history and I was very much enjoying going through the games again and again when working on this update - hoping you will enjoy it too...
Download PGN of October '06 1 d4 d5 games
Slow Slav [D12]
Topalov - Kramnik (11): In the second part of the match this slow line of the Slav Defence was a main subject of discussion:
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White gets a small advantage but Black's position remains quite solid. Play is usually not very sharp and it probably suits Kramnik's style. Here he found a way to simplify into a slightly worse endgame and slowly exploited Topalov's active but not well grounded play but it did not give him real winning chances.
Kramnik - Topalov (12): In two last games of the match players were testing each other in the same opening line with both colours! Topalov's play seemed a bit inaccurate and Kramnik achieved a small but comfortable edge. However, under time pressure he did not find the best options and had to show some good defensive technique after the time control.
Main line Slav [D16-D19]
Topalov - Kramnik (6): This time Kramnik came up with a rare option in a rare line and conclusively neutralised White's pressure.
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This game raised a slightly shocking question - where is White's advantage in one of the main lines of the Slav Defence? The edge he got in this game does not look sufficient to play for a win...
Topalov - Kramnik (2): In one of the main lines Kramnik introduced a novelty and almost solved his opening problems. Then he might have become a bit relaxed and one careless move gave Topalov a very dangerous attack, which just looked crushing. A serious of beautiful moves drastically raised the tension on the board and the players began to exchange mistakes. Topalov missed a chance to give mate in 3, then dropped a decisive advantage, good winning chances and eventually a draw. It was one of the toughest and most exciting battles I have seen in my life but it's certainly a small consolation for Topalov, who started the match with the disastrous score of 0-2 instead of taking a lead with 1.5 to 0.5.
Queen's Gambit Accepted [D20-29]
Topalov - Kramnik (7): Both players are constantly surprising each other with novelties or very rare ideas. Here Topalov played an interesting set-up in a well-known position and, despite very accurate defence, Kramnik did not completely equalise. Then Topalov played a bit hurriedly and Kramnik's chances already looked preferable but a draw was always the most likely result.
Meran Defence [D47]
Topalov - Kramnik (4): Topalov came up with an interesting pawn sacrifice and put strong pressure on Black's position.
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Then Kramnik preferred to give material back but made his defence clearer. White still kept somewhat the better chances but Black defended accurately...
Kramnik - Topalov (8): Here Kramnik didn't play the most ambitious line in the Meran, but still a poisonous one. However, Topalov's strong novelty in a risky line helped him to not only solve all his problems but to give White some headaches. They did not seem too serious for White but it was not Kramnik's day - Vladimir did not show his usual extraordinary technique and Black's cavalry eventually crushed him.
Kramnik - Topalov Playoffs rapid (4): In this match Kramnik was ready to repeat the lines in which he faced problems in previous games. Here Topalov refused to play a risky line which was successful for him in game 8 and came up with a rather surprising novelty. Kramnik reacted correctly and got some edge in the endgame. The tension was extremely high and after mutual inaccuracies White managed to achieve a comfortable edge. Then Topalov failed to show stubborn defence and eventually blundered. This game turned out to be the last one in this fantastic match!
Catalan [E01-09]
Kramnik - Topalov (1): In a rare line both players showed good preparation. Kramnik obtained a small advantage in the endgame but one inaccuracy was sufficient for Topalov to seize the initiative. Kramnik was defending precisely and, trying to win an endgame with a pawn less at any cost, Topalov created problems for himself and then suddenly blundered.
Kramnik - Topalov (3): This time Topalov missed something in his preparation and found himself in trouble early in the opening after the intermediate move 13 Qb5+!:
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However, Kramnik failed to find (or, rather, failed to prove in calculations) the most energetic way and Topalov slowly neutralised White's advantage.
Ruslan
If you have any questions, then please post a message at the 1 d4 d5 Forum, or subscribers can email me at ruslan@chesspublishing.com.