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Today in the focus of the attention not only as for the journalists as for the chess fans will be the game Topalov-Kramnik. Since their sadly famous match in 2006 which brings back the World Champion title to Kramnik, the Chess world has been separated. From one side are the Supporters of Kramnik who keep the opinion that it was really unfair for Topalov (better to say Danailov) to start the psychological war, and from the other side Topalov's fans whose opinion is that his champion's title was stolen by Kramnik dishonestly.
Since 2006 they have meet only occasionally in classical tournaments. Obviously, the organizers of the top level events avoid the heavy clash between them. For this reason and also for the reason that they just avoid each other they played only twice in Wjik an Zee 2008 and 2007: Topalov-Kramnik, Wijk aan Zee, 2008 and Topalov-Kramnik, Wijk aan Zee, 2007. The first game is very famous as Topalov mercilessly dismanted Kramnik with his fantastic novelty 12 Nf7 (prepared by Cheparinov). The game from 2007 was very reach as well but it finishes in a draw. Topalov is performing much bellow the expectation and his own wishes.
But today's game could weak up the beast in himself. I expect that he will try all his best to put Kramnik under pressure as it is his last chance to rise back in the tournament table. Against 1 e4 Kramnik will respond with the Berlin so I suppose he would start with 1 d4 going for the main line if Kramnik chose again the Viena game ( 4.. dc as he did against Anand in the 4-rt round.
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e4 Bb4 6. Bxc4 Nxe4 7. O-O
Is the principal option recently in the peak of its popularity? It is used by many white players who opt for the uncompromised battle Cheparinov and Mamedyarov are the promoters of, among others. Look at Cheparinov-Meier EU-chT 2011 how dangerous is Cheparinov's treatment of this line from the match Bulgaria- Germany at the European team championship 2011.
Prediction on ChessBomb
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