Topalov-Anand, game 12 (variation after 41.Rxa8)
Black to play and win
Hint: Black's Christmas list might include eliminating a certain defensive piece, then clearing the way for yet another piece, no matter the cost.
Anish Giri explains at ChessBase. Interactive board here.
1 comment:
I puzzled over this for a minute, until I saw 41...Rxe3+! 42.Rxe3 Rh4+! 43.Kxh4 Rg4#. This game was a gutsy performance by Anand, and a sad collapse by Topalov. I am no fan of Topalov's, but he must really be kicking himself after that horrible debacle. He played at about 1600 level. What a plan - f3, g3, Ra3, Nb3-a5, e4, exf5, and then parking his king on h4! The worst last game collapse in a big match since Deep Blue-Kasparov.
Hats off to Anand, who is becoming one of the great champions of all time. I am amazed that he was able to beat the higher-rated Topalov in Sofia. I had thought the match would be a modern-day repeat of Lasker-Capablanca 1921, when Lasker was crushed in Capablanca's home country of Cuba.
Frederick Rhine
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