Game 4 of 16Decisive
Vladimir Kramnik — Veselin Topalov
29 September 2006 · Semi-Slav Defence · 58 moves
White
Vladimir Kramnik
1
vs
Black
Veselin Topalov
0
Summary
A methodical Kramnik masterclass. He builds a queenside initiative in the Semi-Slav, advances his a-pawn into a passed pawn, and converts the resulting rook endgame with textbook precision in 58 moves. Kramnik takes the lead for the first time at 2½–1½.
Commentary
Kramnik's plan involves a queenside pawn advance combined with active rook placement — a long-term structural strategy that Topalov never finds an answer to.
Topalov's attempts at kingside counterplay arrive far too late; by the time his pieces become active, Kramnik's a-pawn is already threatening to promote.
The endgame is technically instructive — Kramnik's rook and king coordination in shepherding the passed pawn is a model of classical technique.