Carlsen-Topalov 2013 - Norway

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zBorris

I would like to know why Topalov picked 25...h5 as his move in such a position where there are multiple candidates to retain equality.

 

It confuses me because in the post-game interview he said that he thought 25...Bf1 was stronger, but that leads into the positional trap starting with 26. Bg4 which he didn't see, and which 25...h5 prevents.

 

Can you explain the move, and why it was made apart from multiple other candidates, each of which retains equality?

 

eval:0.0

Houdini candidates include a6 , h5, Kg7 , Be6, among others.

pdve

carlsen is the superior positional player

zBorris
Estragon wrote:

There are two open files in the position now; White has the d-file and Black the c-file, but White's King helps control the potential entry points on the c-file, so Black seeks to expand his opportunities for counterplay by opening a file on the Kingside.

In the game White ends up doing more with the h-file, but here again Black's King could have covered the entry points, but he later chose to centralize and held the draw handily that way.

Of the choices, ...h5 was the most active.

Thank You!!