Topalov vs Kramnik: Game 2

Former world champion Garry Kasparov always maintained that psychology plays a major part in matchplay in chess – and how his words are now ringing true, as Veselin Topalov now looks a broken man as he again blunders horrifically to go 2-0 down to one of the most toughest players in the planet in Vladimir Kramnik.

The decisive moment that will have commentators and chess journalist busy over the next few days came on move 31, as Topalov moved in for the kill with all his pieces aimed at Kramnik’s king. First, it was Krmanik to blunder with 31..Bxf8?? when he was forced to play 31 ..Kxf8 32 Qh7 Qe2 33 Qh6+ Kf7 34 Qh5+ Kf8 35 Qxg4 Bg5 36 Re1 Qc2 37 fxg5 Ke7 and, with both kings so exposed, the likeliest result looked a draw.

Who knows though what was going through Topalov’s mind here, because the world’s highest-rated player incredulously missed a forced win now with 32 Rxg4+ Bg7 33 Qc7! Qf1+ 34 Ng1 (perhaps Topalov didn’t realize the strength of the knight retreat, as it covers the checks on f3 and h3?), and Kramnik could have resigned with a clear conscience.

Still, despite the Miss of the Year, Topalov was still on top in a complicated position. But again he he erred right at the time-control with 40 Bf4. Instead, he should have exchanged queens immediately with good prospects of a technically won ending after 40 Qxe4! dxe4 41 Ng5 Bxf6 (41 ..Rc7 42 Nxe6 Rc3 43 Nxg7 wins easily) 42 Nxf7 Kxf7 43 exf6 a5 44 Bd2 b6 45 Kf4 Kxf6 46 Kxe4. After missing this, Kramnik, the last student from the famed Botvinnik School of Chess, made no mistake as he ruthlessly converted the ending into a second improbable win in as many days.

Now, after two really bad losses from favorable positions, Topalov has it all to do against tough-nut Kramnik, who will now look to shut the Bulgarian out from the rest of the match in much the same way as he successfully did in London six years ago against Kasparov when he won the title.