After 9 rounds the winner of Mtel Masters 2007 is not clear. Most probably it will be decided in the Topalov – Sasikiran game. Will Veselin take the title for third consecutive time or the tournament will have a new champion?

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 Nimzo-Indian, Rubinstein system. Topalov’s choice surprised Sasikiran. Veselin one more time will strive to achieve a complicated strategic battle. 4... b6 5. Bd3 Bb7 6. Nf3 O-O 7. O-O d5 8. a3 Bd6 9. cxd5 exd5 10. b4 Nbd7 The most popular is 10...а6 11.Qb3 Qe7 aiming to hinder a3-a4 and Bc1-a3. 11. b5 The idea of Veselin is to isolate the "d5" from the other pawns on the Queenside and after "a4","Qb3", and "Ba3" to exchange the black squared Bishops. The logical reaction against this plan seems to be 11...Ne4. For example 12.Qb3 a6 13.Nd5?! Ndc5 14.dc5 Nc5. 11... Ne4 12. Bb2 Re8 13. a4 Re6 14. Ne2 Backs up the position of the white king. 14... a5 Sasikiran does not want to let "a4-a5", but what if 15.Ba3? 15. Ba3 Rc8 16. Bxd6 16...cd6 creates permanent structure weaknesses and problems with the defense of the "c" file, but 16...Rd6 was a clear advantage for White. 16... cxd6 17. Rc1 Ndf6 18. h3 Re7 19. Qb3 h6 20. Rxc8 Qxc8 21. Rc1 Rc7 22. Rxc7 Qxc7 The game turned into a complex endgame, in which the black are passive. After Nf3-h2-f1 and f2-f3 Topalov can recieve spatial advantage on the kingside. 23. Qc2 Qe7 24. Qc1 g6 Black is deprived of an active counterplay, Veselin gradually improves the possition of his figures. 25. Nh2 Kg7 26. h4 Ne8 27. f3 N4f6 28. Nf1 h5 29. Nf4 Nd7 30. Qe1 Nf8 31. Qg3 Kh6 32.Bc2 deserves attention. The try for counter play 32...Ng7 33.Bb3 Nf5 loses because 34.Qg5 Qg5 35.hg5 Kg5 36.Bd5 Bd5 37.Nd5 Nd7 38.Nd2, otherwise the Black Knight has to stay passive on "c7". 32. Nxh5 gxh5 33. Qg8 Topalov bravely sacrifices material, but the consequences after 33...f5 34.Ng3 Ng7 35.Bf5 Ng6 are unclear. 33... f5 34. Ng3 Ng7 35. Bxf5 Ng6 36. Bxg6 Kxg6 Threatening 37...Qe8 exchanging the queens, and 37.Nh5 Qe3 38.Kh2 Qd4 leads to a draw. 37. Nxh5 Qxe3+ 38. Kh2 Qe7 A blunder for Black, and Veselin Topalov has excellent chances for success. 39. Nf4+ Kf6 40. g4 Qf7 41. Qd8+ Qe7 42. Qg8 Qf7 The Bishop endgame after 43.Qf7 Kf7 44.h5 Ne6 45.Ne6 Ke6 46.f4 Kf6 47.Kg3 is won for white: 47...Bc8 48.Kh4 Be6 49.h6 Bf7 50.h7 Kg7 51.Kg5. 43. Qd8+ Qe7 44. Qxe7+ Kxe7 45. Kg3 Ne6 After 6.Ne6 Ke6 47.f4 Bc8 48.f5 Kf6 49.Kf4 Bd7 50.h5 Kg7 51.Kg5 White is winning for sure 46. Nxe6 Kxe6 47. f4 Bc8 48. f5+ Kf7 49. h5 Bd7 50. h6 Kg8 51. Kf4 Be8 52. Kg5 Kf7 53. h7 Kg7 54. h8=Q+ Kxh8 55. Kf6 Bxb5 56. Ke7 Bd3 57. f6 Bg6 58. f7 Bxf7 59. Kxf7 Once again Topalov proved that he is an extraordinary fighter, and despite the fierce competition, succeeded winning the game and the tournament by playing in his typical attractive and ruthless style. 1-0 [Dimitrov V.]