Topalov Beat his Second - Cheparinov !

An interesting encounter occur in the 3rd round of the 2008 Mtel Master. Ex World Champion – GM Veselin Topalov (right) meet his famous second GM Ivan Cheparinov (below left) which surely attract interest among all chess fan. Every chess fan know Cheparinov has contributed many successful opening novelty for Topalov and it is fun to know what opening will they choose because they know each other well!

Both players have spent many hours analysing together and they surely know each other strong and weakness. Another things to watch is whether there will be a “arrangement” made by both player because they have the same manager Silvio Danaliov and came from the same country- Bulgaria!

GM Ivan Cheparinov (2695) - GM Veselin Topalov (2767)
MTel Master 2008, 10.05.2008, Round 3

The position below arise after white 35.Re1 and clearly black has clear advantage from the material and position point of view. The ex world champion , true to his style play the queen sacrifice with .....

35... Rxd4 ! 35...Qxd4?! would be a terrible blunder after 36.Rxe8+ Kg7 37.Qxd4+ Rxd4 38.Rxc8 Rd2+ 39.Kg3 Rxb2 40.Rc7+ Kf8 41.Bf1= (41.Rxh7? is no good because of 41...c3 42.Bxf5 gxf5–+; ) 36.Rxd1 Rxd1 37.Bf1 Bf7 38.Be2 1-0 Cheparinov resign because after 38...Rd2 39.Qe3 Rxb2 or 39...Rc2 is too much to handle!

cartoon and logo from the official site