Games Worthy Of Deep Study By ICCF Players

[Nemesis]

xrf05

This is NOT an ICCF game but of note to ICCF and other LTC players - depth of analysis by a human staggering.

The Greatest Chess Game Of All Time Explained - Kasparov vs. Topalov, 1999
SamCopeland
NM
SamCopeland
Feb 19, 2020, 5:02 AM

Can there ever be a consensus when the word "greatest" is used? Start a conversation about the greatest chess player ever or the greatest player of any sport, and you will get 15 opinions from 10 people. Still, the chess world is pretty unanimous that Garry Kasparov's 1999 victory against Veselin Topalov is the greatest chess game of all time.

The setting, the players, the game, and the variations unseen all contribute to this game's stature. Garry Kasparov had been relatively inactive after his 1997 defeat by the IBM engine Deep Blue, and discussions about a world championship match with Alexei Shirov had fallen through. Anand was making rating gains on Kasparov and seemed due for a rematch against Kasparov that many he thought he might win.

In this setting, Kasparov's 1999 is even more impressive. He kicked things off with Wijk aan Zee where he won his masterpiece against Topalov and won the tournament with a record score. The rest of 1999 was equally impressive, with a huge victory at Linares and undefeated performances at Sarajevo and Siemens, allowing Kasparov to reach a record rating of 2851, a mark not equaled until Carlsen surpassed it 14 years later in 2013.

The game features an incredible rook sacrifice on move 24 that Topalov *should* have turned down, but once the sacrifice was accepted, Kasparov was able to launch a king hunt that hinged on a breathless cascade of sacrificial checkmating ideas.

I've annotated the game below. Even though I've seen this game numerous times over the years and there is a TON of great analysis available on the game, it was enormously rewarding to review all the main lines and sub-variations again with a modern engine. You never really know a rich game like this until you try to explain it yourself.

Garry Kasparov (2812) vs. Veselin Topalov (2700)
1-0 Hoogovens Group A Wijk aan Zee NED 20 Jan 1999 Round: 4 ECO: B07

[Event "Hoogovens Group A"] [Site "Wijk aan Zee NED"] [Date "1999.01.20"] [Round "4"] [White "Garry Kasparov"] [Black "Veselin Topalov"] [Result "1-0"] [EventDate "1999.01.16"] [ECO "B07"] [WhiteElo "2812"] [BlackElo "2700"] [PlyCount "87"] 1. e4 {Kasparov has won many brilliant attacking games with both 1.e4 and 1.d4. Here he pursues an open game.} 1... d6!? {Kasparov is probably THE greatest opening theoretician of all time so it makes sense to avoid main lines against him. Topalov selects the less common Pirc Defense, but now he runs the risk of getting in trouble not because he is outprepared, but because the opening may be slightly dubious at the highest level.} 2. d4 {It is of course correct to establish the "perfect pawn center" against almost any hypermodern opening.} 2... Nf6 {Topalov attacks the e4-pawn. A difference between the King's Indian Defense (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6) and the Pirc Defense (1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6) is that it is natural now to play Nc3 which block the c-pawn that has already advanced to c4 in the King's Indian.} 3. Nc3 {Kasparov develops and defends e4.} 3... g6 {Topalov commits to the true "Pirc" defense with a kingside fianchetto. He could still have changed course and played ...e5 and played a "Philidor Defense" instead.} 4. Be3 {As is his way, Kasparov selects an aggressive setup, developing the bishop to pursue a quick queen and bishop battery and castle queenside.} 4... Bg7 {completing the fianchetto.} 5. Qd2 {This move already prepares queenside castling and Bh6. Kasparov's attacking ideas are taking shape.} 5... c6!? {An intriguing and flexible move! Rather than castling (which most beginners would play), Topalov adopts a very flexible expansion on the queenside which waits to see how Kasparov will deploy his forces without creating targets.} (5... Ng4?! {Exchanging the dark-square bishop would be a huge strategic achievement, but Topalov would only overextend if he tried this move.} 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bh4 g5 8. Bg3 ± {The dark-square bishop survives, and Black's advanced kingside pawns may easily become targets.}) (5... O-O {Naturally Topalov avoids castling into the attack (though this is playable) when Kasparov would be able to fully commit to the wing assault.}) 6. f3 {This is a very useful (often essential) move in such positions. Kasparov secures e4 and keeps a knight out of g4.} 6... b5 {Topalov expands on the queenside, creating prospects for an attack on White's king after 0-0-0, thinking about inconveniencing the c3-knight after ...b4, and giving space to the Bc8 to develop.} 7. Nge2 {This move is slightly odd since the knight has nowhere good to go right away and blocks the Bf1. Topalov has benefited slightly from his wait-and-see approach that makes it hard for Kasparov to commit his forces.} (7. Bd3 ⩲ {Stockfish prefers developing the bishop and THEN playing Nge2.}) 7... Nbd7 {The knight develops to it's most natural square, controlling e5 and c5.} 8. Bh6 {A very committal decision from Kasparov. He elects to exchange the "dragon bishop," but he must sideline his queen to achieve this strategic goal.} 8... Bxh6 {Topalov pulls Kasparov's queen to h6, where it is misplaced.} (8... O-O? {This would be very risky as Kasparov can immediately launch a kingside attack.} 9. h4 ±) 9. Qxh6 {recapturing} 9... Bb7 {The bishop develops and adds important control to the d5-square.} 10. a3 {Kasparov takes a moment to stop ...b4.} (10. Qg7 {Many beginners might play (or be worried about) this move.} 10... Rg8 {White can only retreat and as Black was never castling kingside anyway, nothing was accomplished.}) 10... e5 {Topalov finally makes a control commitment. He also shows his plan, ...Qe7 and 0-0-0.} (10... a5!? ⩲ {The engine preferred more queenside expansion. It's move 10 and both players are still trying to figure out development and castling.}) 11. O-O-O {Now that Topalov has committed, Kasparov does too. ...e5 weakens the d-file, and it is the perfect time to castle and put a rook on it.} 11... Qe7 {Topalov places the queen in a perfect spot. It defends the dark-squares on all sides of the board and secures e5.} 12. Kb1! {A grandmaster move! Kasparov is patient and places his king on the safer b1-square and frees c1 for his e2-knight.} 12... a6 {Topalov secures b5 as d5 could have created problems.} 13. Nc1! {The knight repositions and frees the f1-bishop.} 13... O-O-O {Topalov finally castles. In a classical sense, it is only here that we have left the opening as both players are mostly developed and are castled.} 14. Nb3 {The knight finishes it's journey and has a possible new target, a5.} 14... exd4 {Topalov can find no further improvements so he decides it's time to release the central tensions. Although his king is open, he is hoping his better centralized pieces (see the Bf1, Rh1, and Qh6) can benefit from central action.} 15. Rxd4 {Recapturing with the knight was of roughly equal value.} 15... c5 {The b7-bishop is released with a gain of tempo on the rook.} 16. Rd1 {The rook retreats to the first rank.} 16... Nb6 {This one move activates both the knight and the Rd8 in the fight for d5. Black hopes to advance ...d5 soon.} 17. g3 {Kasparov needs to active his f1-bishop and h1-rook so he prepares Bh3.} 17... Kb8 {Topalov simply anticiaptes Bh3+} 18. Na5?! {This complex phase sees several inaccuracies from both players. Kasparov plays to trade off the b7-bishop, but Topalov can let him have it and use the time gained to break in the center.} (18. Qf4 ±) 18... Ba8?! {Topalov keeps the bishop, but he did not have to do so.} (18... d5! {This was the perfect time to break in the center!} 19. Nxb7 Kxb7 20. exd5 Nfxd5 = {Black's king feels drafty, but his central pieces offset this concern and give him equality.}) 19. Bh3? {Kasparov develops the bishop, but it would not be so useful on h3 had Topalov responded accurately on move 24.} (19. Qf4 ± {again, it was better to recentralize.}) 19... d5! {Topalov finally strikes out! His king is opened up, but his pieces are activated. Black is even better.} 20. Qf4+ {The queen recentralizes with a check. She's been longing to do so.} 20... Ka7 {Topalov's king appears to be fairly safe on a7...} 21. Rhe1 {Kasparov finally develops his lat piece. Don't wait until move 21 to develop your rooks, kids!} 21... d4 {Topalov keeps the e-file from opening and asks the knight to passively retreat.} 22. Nd5 {Kasparov strives to avoid passivity and advances so as to avoid the e-file. This is the move which commits Kasparov to a sacrificial path as (at a minimum) he will lose a pawn on d5.} 22... Nbxd5 {This is the correct knight to capture with as the black king has access to b6 now.} 23. exd5 {opening the e-file.} 23... Qd6 {The queen blockades the d-pawn which appears to be a goner.} 24. Rxd4!! {A thunderous move!!! Kasparov sacrifices a rook in the hope of a mating attack. Topalov has a huge decision here. Should he accept the audacious sacrifice or decline?} (24. Nc6+!? {This might be the "best" course of action, but only Black can be better in the endgame, and Topalov will have little way to go wrong.} 24... Bxc6 25. Qxd6 Rxd6 26. dxc6 ∓) 24... cxd4? {Topalov accepts, following one of my favorite maxims, "If you cannot see a reason not to take material, take it. You will either get material or a lesson." Here Topalov gets a lesson as Kasparov's sacrifice proves sound. We should all be grateful to Topalov for being willing to venture down this road, but declining the sacrifice could have gained a clear advantage.} (24... Kb6! {This move was much cited after the match. Instead of taking the rook, Black plays a daring king move and places the knight on a5 and the rook under attack. This disrupts White's mating patterns, and an endgame is now unavoidable.} 25. b4 Qxf4 26. Rxf4 Nxd5 27. Rxf7 cxb4 28. axb4 Nxb4 29. Nb3 Bd5 30. Rf6+ Nc6 ∓ {Black is better in this endgame due to good pieces and strong queenside pawns. There are decent winning chances.}) (24... Rhe8? {I quite like this move which activates the last undeveloped piece. I think this give the most winning chances to Black.} 25. Rxe8 Nxe8 26. Qxf7+ ±) 25. Re7+!! {A second rook sacrifice to justify the first! This one cannot be accepted though.} (25. Qxd4+?? Qb6 26. Re7+ Nd7 {And since White's queen is hanging, the attack falters in this line.}) 25... Kb6 {Topalov has no choice but to run the monarch up the board and attack the knight.} (25... Qxe7? {Kasparov now has a pretty mate in four.} 26. Qxd4+ Kb8 27. Qb6+ Bb7 (27... Qb7 28. Nc6#) 28. Nc6+ Ka8 29. Qa7#) (25... Kb8? {The problem here is that the h8-rook hangs in the end of the lines. The devil is in the details!} 26. Qxd4 Nd7 (26... Rd7 27. Bxd7 +-) (26... Qxe7 27. Qb6+ {is the same as immediately capturing the rook.}) 27. Rxd7 Rxd7 28. Bxd7 Qxd7 29. Qxh8+ +-) 26. Qxd4+! {The knight on a5 is sacrificed as well to force Topalov's king into a mating net.} 26... Kxa5 {Topalov accepts the knight. His king is netted, but the final mate is difficult to force.} (26... Qc5 27. Qxf6+ Qd6 (27... Kxa5? 28. b4+ +-) 28. Be6!! {An amazing solution put forward by Kasparov! This stops the queen trades and keeps White's pieces in a dominating position. The threat is just b4 and Qd4+ mating.} 28... Kxa5 (28... Rhe8 29. b4 Rxe7 30. Qd4+ Kc7 31. Qa7+ {Another magnificent final position.}) 29. b4+ Ka4 30. Qc3 Bxd5 31. Kb2 Bxe6 32. Qb3+ Bxb3 33. cxb3#) 27. b4+ {Forcing the king to a4.} 27... Ka4 {Can the king survive here?} 28. Qc3 {Kasparov threatens mate with Qb3. He is combining ideas of Qb3# and Ra7-a6# to stretch Topalov's defenses to the maximum.} (28. Ra7! {This is even stronger thanks to some great resources. We will show just a few to appreciate the beauty of the ideas.} 28... Nxd5 (28... Rc8 29. Qd3 Rxc2 30. Qxc2+ Kxa3 31. Qc3+ Ka4 32. Rxa6+ Qxa6 33. Kb2 Bxd5 34. Qa3# {Yet another mate to remember.}) (28... Bxd5 29. Qc3 Rhe8 30. Kb2 Re2 31. Qc7 Qxc7 32. Rxa6+ Qa5 33. Rxa5#) (28... Bb7 29. Rxb7 {Modern analysis has shown an advantage in all lines, but we leave the position here.}) 29. Rxa6+!! Qxa6 30. Qb2 Nc3+ 31. Qxc3 Bd5 32. Kb2 Rc8 33. Qb3+ Bxb3 34. cxb3#) 28... Qxd5 (28... Bxd5? {This loses immediately because the bishop interferes with the black queen's defensive lines.} 29. Kb2 {Qb3# is now unstoppable since Black's Qd6 can neither defend b3 again or reach d4 to pin the white queen.} 29... Qxe7 30. Qb3+! Bxb3 31. cxb3# {What a stunning checkmate!!!}) 29. Ra7 (29. Kb2?? {This threatens Qb3#, but Black can save the day with a pin.} 29... Qd4 -+) (29. Qc7 {This is an important drawing resource. The mate threat on a5 compels Black to take a draw. If Kasparov became concerned that he risked too much in playing on, he had this out.} 29... Qd1+ 30. Kb2 Qd4+ =) 29... Bb7! {The only viable way to defend a6 is to give up this bishop.} (29... Rd6? {This defends a6, but the rook's occupation means that ...Qd4 is no longer available as a defense to Kb2!} 30. Kb2 Qd4 {This stops Qb3 mating, but it allows Rxa6#} 31. Qxd4 Rxd4 32. Rxa6#) (29... Qd1+? {A bad check.} 30. Kb2 +- {With Qb3# and Rxa6# both threatened, Black must concede.}) 30. Rxb7 {Kasparov takes the bishop, but he gives Topalov a moment to organize a defense, and he is still down a rook.} 30... Qc4 {Topalov offers a queen trade and resolves the threat of Qb3#, but he surrenders the knight on f6.} (30... Rhe8 {Activating the as-yet-undeveloped rook was a very thematic defense.} 31. Rb6 Ra8 32. Bf1!! Re1+ 33. Qxe1 Nd7 34. Rb7!! Qxb7 35. Qd1 Kxa3 36. c3 Nb6 37. Qc1+ Ka4 38. Qc2+ Ka3 39. Qa2#) 31. Qxf6 {Of course, Kasparov would never trade queens, but he can win a knight while evading simplification He also threatens mate on a6.} (31. Ra7?? {This threat of mate doesn't allow Black to capture the queen immediately, but an intermediate check wins the game.} 31... Qxc3?? (31... Rd1+! 32. Kb2 Qxc3+ 33. Kxc3 Rd6 -+) 32. Rxa6#) 31... Kxa3? {Topalov elects to take a pawn and gain some royal breathing room.} (31... Rd1+! {This was the last viable defense. Topalov could reach a very slightly worse endgame by trading queens in a moment.} 32. Kb2 Ra8 33. Qb6 Qd4+ 34. Qxd4 Rxd4 35. Rxf7 ⩲) 32. Qxa6+ {The play is forced from here on.} 32... Kxb4 {Topalov has eliminated the dangerous a3-b4 pawns. Has he found relief?} 33. c3+! {Kasparov shows that the attack is not over! Topalov has no good way to respond.} 33... Kxc3 {This is the most logical try. Topalov eliminates the pawn and runs his king toward the open center.} (33... Qxc3? {allows immediate mate.} 34. Qxb5+ Ka3 35. Qa6+ Qa5 36. Qxa5#) (33... Kc5 {drops the queen.} 34. Rc7+ +-) (33... Kb3? {Now Kasparov can pick up the queen with a series of checks.} 34. Qa2+ Kxc3 35. Qb2+ Kd3 36. Bf1+ +-) 34. Qa1+! {There is something particularly beautiful about the queen falling back to the corner, utilizing the whole board. Both Qa3 and Qa5 allow Topalov to interpose with check and trade queens.} 34... Kd2 {Perhaps the king will be safe on d1?} (34... Kb4 35. Qb2+ Qb3 36. Rxb5+ +- {Picks up the queen with a classic decoy.}) (34... Kd3 35. Bf1+ {skewered again.}) 35. Qb2+ {Kasparov continues the hunt. Can Black find a safe square?} 35... Kd1 {Topalov's king reaches the opposite rank, and it looks safe on d1! Kasparov is out of checks and still down material, PLUS ...Rd2 and ...Qd3+! are huge threats. Is Topalov just winning?} (35... Ke1 36. Re7+ +-) (35... Ke3 36. Re7+ Kxf3 37. Qg2# {is a funny mate.}) 36. Bf1!! {A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! Kasparov delivers a shot that wins the game. The bishop cannot be taken, and the attacked Black queen cannot defend checks on c1, c2, and e2.} 36... Rd2 {A great try from Topalov! He leaves his queen hanging and counter-attacks Kasparov's queen. Once agains, it appears that Topalov has saved the game.} (36... Qxf1 37. Qc2+ Ke1 38. Re7+ +-) (36... Qe6 37. Qc1# {another picture-perfect mate.}) 37. Rd7!! {Kasparov has all the answers. He pins the d2-rook and renews his threat the the black queen, PLUS he now threatens mate on d2.} 37... Rxd7 {Topalov has no choice. He must take the rook and surrender his queen.} 38. Bxc4 {cashing in.} 38... bxc4 {recapturing. There is no time to save h8 as Rc1 mate was threatened.} 39. Qxh8 {The "sting in the tail" of this long battle. At the end of these tactics, the rook in the corner falls and Kasparov now wins with relative ease.} 39... Rd3 {Threatening the f3-pawn.} 40. Qa8 {Defending f3 and threatening Qa4+ winning c4.} 40... c3 {Threatening a winning c2+} 41. Qa4+ {Resolving the c2 threat and pushing Black's king away.} 41... Ke1 {hoping to attack and eliminate the kingside pawns.} 42. f4 {securing the f-pawn.} 42... f5 {also securing a loose f-pawn.} 43. Kc1 {The king firmly blockades the c-pawn and eliminates and hope of counterplay.} 43... Rd2 {attacking h2.} 44. Qa7 {defending h2 (due to Qg1+) and threatening both Qe3+ and Qxa7. Topalov selected a good moment to resign here.} 1-0

[Homayoun]

Each time I study this game I enjoy more and more and I learn something new.