1.d4
Nf6
2.c4
e6
3.Nf3
d5
4.g3
Bb4+
4...dxc4 is the Catalan, played in Games 2, 4 and 6. Topa obviously expected another Catalan, and prepared the Bogo-Indian Defence in response.
5.Bd2
Be7
This is better than 5...Bxd2+ which helps White to develop. Now the White Bishop is in the way, and will need to move again anyway.
6.Bg2
0-0
7.0-0
c6
8.Bf4
dxc4
9.Ne5
b5
? Interesting that a Grandmaster again thinks he can hold onto a c4 pawn. Topa also played the shocking 9...b5?! in Game 4. The c6 pawn falls immediately, and woe is the Rook on a8.
10.Nxc6
Nxc6
11.Bxc6
Bd7
12.Bxa8
Qxa8
It's hard to believe that this game could finish up being drawn. White is the exchange up, but Black has the Bishop pair.
13.f3
Nd5
14.Bd2
e5
!? Opening lines for his light-squared Bishop. But it allows White to push back with 15.e4 threatening 16.d5 with a supported passed pawn.
15.e4
Bh3
? Topa is the exchange down, so why is he offering two minor pieces for the Rook?
16.exd5
Bxf1
17.Qxf1
exd4
What a strange position. White is a Knight up, for two pawns, after the inevitable fall of White's d5 pawn. Black's passed d4 pawn looks very dangerous. But White should be able to block it and exchange off the pieces, surely.
18.a4
! To break up the pawn mass. 18...a6? does not work, as the Black Queen is in the firing line.
18...Qxd5
19.axb5
Qxb5
20.Rxa7
[20.Na3
Bxa3
21.bxa3
Rc8
] is doubful, giving Black two connected passed pawns. Black has all the initiative, despite being a piece down.
20...Re8
21.Kh1
The threat was along the g1-a7 diagonal [21.Qc1
Bc5
(21...c3
22.Rxe7
Rxe7
23.bxc3
d3
24.c4
Qc5+
) 22.Ra5
d3+
23.Kf1
Qd7
24.Rxc5
Qh3+
25.Kg1
Re2
26.Rc8+
Qxc8
27.Nc3
Qc5+
28.Kh1
Qf2
29.Nxe2
dxe2
30.Qg1
Qxf3+
31.Qg2
Qf1+
32.Qg1
g5
33.Be1
f5
] and White is in trouble.
21...Bf8
? 21...Qxb2 was absolutely necessary to force a draw. Often one looks too deep and misses the obvious.
22.Rc7
d3
23.Bc3
Bd6
? Why open the e-file if one does not use it? 23...Re2 would put pressure on White, with 24...Qh5 to follow.
24.Ra7
h6
25.Nd2
? Vishy would be relieved after this move. He is fully developed at move 25. But wasn't 25. Ra5, then 26. Nd2 better?
25...Bb4
! Swoops in like a vulture to get rid of the one piece that is holding the White defence together.
26.Ra1
Bxc3
27.bxc3
Re2
28.Rd1
Qa4
29.Ne4
Qc2
! This secures the draw.
30.Rc1
Rxh2+
31.Kg1
Rg2+
!
32.Qxg2
Qxc1+
33.Qf1
Qe3+
[33...d2
34.Nxd2
Qxd2
35.Qxc4
] is also a draw.
34.Qf2
Qc1+
35.Qf1
Qe3+
36.Kg2
f5
37.Nf2
Kh7
38.Qb1
Qe6
39.Qb5
g5
40.g4
fxg4
41.fxg4
Kg6
42.Qb7
d2
43.Qb1+
Kg7
44.Kf1
Qe7
45.Kg2
Qe6
46.Qd1
Qe3
47.Qf3
Qe6
48.Qb7+
Kg6
49.Qb1+
Kg7
50.Qd1
Qe3
51.Qc2
Qe2
52.Qa4
Kg8
53.Qd7
Kf8
54.Qd5
Kg7
55.Kg3
Qe3+
56.Qf3
Qe5+
57.Kg2
Qe6
58.Qd1
These two were obviously not playing for a draw. They fought to the very end. Topa has just proven to us mere mortals that a material advantage is not an automatic win. 1/2-1/2