Topalov
Slightly better
Duda
Topalov
 
Duda
 
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
a1
b
c
d
e
f
g
h

Round 23

Grand Chess Tour - Rapid & Blitz Poland

Commented by: Vladimir Hamitevici

1
3
5 turns without comments
3

[Ruy Lopez opening]

00:02 Nf6
4
8
9 turns without comments
8

Duda's Knight quickly goes to the ideal spot in Ruy Lopez formations.

00:03 Ne7
9
14
12 turns without comments
15

Topalov gets a pleasant position, both of his bishops are very well placed, ready to attack the center.

00:02 h3
15
24
19 turns without comments
25

Topalov sets a great control with his two bishops.

00:11 b4
25
33
17 turns without comments
34

The final touch in converting the advantage - the queens are off, and that likely spells the end of the game for Duda.

00:01 Qe4+
34
38
8 turns without comments

A dominant performance from the Bulgarian legend. Duda was too slow in the middlegame, allowing Veselin to place his bishops on the most active squares. From there, it was just a matter of technique.

Duda is riding strong momentum with two wins in a row - and in blitz, sometimes momentum is all that matters. With a few rounds left to make a podium push, facing the rusty legend Veselin Topalov presents a golden opportunity to keep things going his way.