Ok now resigned, and notNf3before time too. Now will be interesting to see what opening gets played next.
1.d4 d5 c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Nd2, or a transpose to QGA again?

Well, I've seldom been more glad to be proved wrong.

Surprising opening choice from Topalov IMHO; the Catalan looked like Kramnik's best bet to me. I was at least a little bit right; he didn't throw caution to the winds but stuck to his style.

Buzz; there's no doubt you're right; if reacting to unsubstantiated cheating accusations and biased officiating it's what important in the game, Kramnik is weak. Some of us think it's up to the officials to keep the need for this quality out of the game.

The computer conspiracists, by the way, reckon that the blunders prove the playuers are cheating. It's easier to blunder when you miscount the pulses on your transmitter. In other words both players are cheating but it isn't actually helping them. (GM Kamsky had the best comment - if either player is cheating, Kramnik was cheating with the Sargon computer in the first half of the match and Topalov was cheating with Rybka after Danailov created a distraction, but either of these will be very hard to prove).

Of course this sort of nonsense on the forums, which is no doubt at least a bit representative of what's going on out in the world, illustrates how insane FIDE were not to stamp hard on the absurd protest in the first place.

Anyway, if Kramnik's got any sense he'll be in the rest room right now mooning Danailov.

Yes resignation must be coming soon. Well done Kramnik - back in the match. Topalov must feel like he's let a lot of games slip in this match, on the other hand (dare I mention it) he does have a point by default!  Seriously though, I find it difficult to predict a winner now - Topalovs blunder today could be a sign that the nerves are getting to him, and Kramnik has more experience in this kind of do or die match situation. On the other hand Topalov had built up some momentum until today. Its one White each to come - Kramnik having White in the last game could be an advantage. Over-all, maybe Kramnik is slight favourite now.

Keano wrote on 10/08/06 at 14:08:21:

Yes.  Kind of ironic in light of the the computer-assisted cheating accusations and not just those by Danailov.  On ICC (and maybe elsewhere) there were idiotic rumors surfacing about Topalov using Rybka.  Some strong performances, but overall strangely erratic play by both opponents in this match.

I was a little bit surprised that Kramnik opted to win the exchange (31.Nd5) instead of the pinned knight (31.f3), but it looks like it should be an easy win either way.  Maybe there is a problem with 31.f3 - if so I can't see it.

Keano wrote on 10/08/06 at 13:51:51:

Truthfully, I did not believe that you meant it when you said Kramik was still in the match.  And I owe you an appology as I had no right to assume I knew what you were thinking or that it was different than what you were saying.

As for the outcome of this game, I've very surprised both at Kramnik's energetic play and Topalov's blunder - especially the latter!  Indeed, I thought after the last two games that Topalov had to be very confident and Kramnik psychologically crushed.  I'm as pleased with this outcome (of course) as I am baffled by it.

Your a better man than I Keano, so I know you're not telling me "I told you so" here.  

28.Ndc3 looks good, but Kramnik seems to be thinking a long time on this.  Maybe he's just being ultra-cautious?