Topalov and the two bishops

Topalov and the two bishops
Compiled by OJC

From a recent interview:

< Which is your favorite piece on the board and why?

Topalov: All of them. They are just like my children, and I take care of them. I haven't got a favorite piece. >

This may be true, but I've noticed lately that Topalov seems to take better care of his bishops than his rooks. Here are some interesting games where Topalov gives up a rook in a sacrifice (often the exchange) and ends up with dominating bishops.

This collection highlights the dynamical nature of the value of the chess pieces. A piece that controls important squares is a valuable piece!

Lizbov vs Topalov, 1988
(B92) Sicilian, Najdorf, Opocensky Variation, 29 moves, 0-1
Topalov vs R Mantovani, 1988
(E12) Queen's Indian, 59 moves, 1-0
M Petrov vs Topalov, 1991
(C02) French, Advance, 50 moves, 0-1
Razuvaev vs Topalov, 1992
(A87) Dutch, Leningrad, Main Variation, 47 moves, 0-1
Topalov vs Shirov, 1992
(B62) Sicilian, Richter-Rauzer, 32 moves, 1-0
J F Campos vs Topalov, 1992
(E76) King's Indian, Four Pawns Attack, 37 moves, 0-1
Topalov vs Gulko, 1994
(C19) French, Winawer, Advance, 34 moves, 1-0
Topalov vs Sherzer, 1994
(E76) King's Indian, Four Pawns Attack, 30 moves, 1-0
Topalov vs Speelman, 1995
(B14) Caro-Kann, Panov-Botvinnik Attack, 21 moves, 1-0
Ivanchuk vs Topalov, 1995
(B77) Sicilian, Dragon, Yugoslav Attack, 24 moves, 0-1
Topalov vs Leko, 1996
(B89) Sicilian, 60 moves, 1-0
Topalov vs Salov, 1998
(B96) Sicilian, Najdorf, 57 moves, 1-0
Topalov vs I Efimov, 1998
(B42) Sicilian, Kan, 36 moves, 1-0
Kasparov vs Topalov, 1998
(E68) King's Indian, Fianchetto, Classical Variation, 8.e4, 50 moves, 0-1
Van Wely vs Topalov, 1998
(A70) Benoni, Classical with 7.Nf3, 48 moves, 0-1
P Nikolic vs Topalov, 2000
(A62) Benoni, Fianchetto Variation, 44 moves, 0-1
Topalov vs Zhong Zhang, 2001
(B90) Sicilian, Najdorf, 30 moves, 1-0
Timman vs Topalov, 2003
(B30) Sicilian, 55 moves, 0-1
Topalov vs Movsesian, 2004
(B48) Sicilian, Taimanov Variation, 36 moves, 1-0
Kramnik vs Topalov, 2005
(B90) Sicilian, Najdorf, 34 moves, 0-1
Topalov vs Ponomariov, 2005
(E15) Queen's Indian, 30 moves, 1-0
Topalov vs Anand, 2005
(E15) Queen's Indian, 97 moves, 1/2-1/2
Van Wely vs Topalov, 2006
(D15) Queen's Gambit Declined Slav, 43 moves, 0-1
Topalov vs Mamedyarov, 2006
(C87) Ruy Lopez, 46 moves, 1/2-1/2
Topalov vs Aronian, 2006
(E15) Queen's Indian, 44 moves, 1-0
Topalov vs Kamsky, 2006
(D15) Queen's Gambit Declined Slav, 42 moves, 1-0
Topalov vs Ponomariov, 2006
(C88) Ruy Lopez, 65 moves, 1-0
Topalov vs Shirov, 2007
(D86) Grunfeld, Exchange, 41 moves, 1-0
Topalov vs Carlsen, 2007
(D38) Queen's Gambit Declined, Ragozin Variation, 26 moves, 1-0

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