THOSE readers who paid close attention to last week’s column will remember that I wrote about the magnificent tournament, then at its halfway point, which was taking place in Bulgaria’s capital city, Sofia.We had already seen some of the most exciting top-level games in recent memory, and I expressed the fear that, with only one rest day punctuating ten rounds of play, the players might show the effects of fatigue in the latter stages. I referred particularly to the local hero Veselin Topalov, whose uninhibited attacking style had been thrilling spectators.

I need not have worried. In the second half, where the earlier matches were replayed with colours reversed, he ran through the very best of today’s grandmasters to achieve the almost unbelievable result of four wins, conceding just one draw.

Needless to say, this earned him outright first place, which was fully deserved and met by the chess public with great delight. His stature in his home country can probably now be compared with that of Jonny Wilkinson after England won the rugby World Cup.

Most of Topalov’s wins were extremely complicated affairs in which he livened up the game with unclear sacrifices and eventually outplayed his opponent. Our featured game was an exception, and rather easier to understand.

He had prepared a new idea in the opening and Ruslan Ponomariov, the 2003 FIDE world champion, was unable to find any way to fight off the ensuing attack. Perhaps there isn’t one, in which case Black’s whole defensive system needs revision.

White: V. Topalov

Black: R. Ponomariov

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 <$>

The solid Queen’s Indian Defence, which has never gone out of fashion. Topalov is an expert on the white side.

4. g3 Ba6 5. b3 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Be7 7. Nc3 0-0

The previous week world champion Vladimir Kramnik has played 7. . . . c6 here, and Topalov won that game in fine style.

8. Rc1

See diagram 1. This is his own innovation, first introduced last year against Boris Gelfand, who is remembered here for his fine performances in the last two Bermuda tournaments.

c6

Earlier this year Judit Polgar, the strongest female player in history, tried 8. . . . d5!? and inflicted a rare defeat on the Bulgarian superstar. He must be assumed to have an improvement prepared against that move.

9. e4 d5

So far we are following the Gelfand game, which continued 10. Bd3, dxe4 and after a long rearguard action Black managed to hold the draw.

10. e5! <$>

This is the new idea. Before long a lot of white pieces will be pointing at the enemy king.

Ne4 11. Bd3 Nxc3 12. Rxc3 c5

A very natural counterattack.

13. dxc5 bxc5 14. h4! <$>

It appears Topalov will be leaving his own king in the centre.

h6

The obvious 14. . . . d4 would certainly have been met by 15. Bxh7+!

15. Bd1!! <$>

See diagram 2. It is possible that Black’s position is already hopeless — the threat is of course Qc2, intending mate on h7.

f5

This move, weakening the kingside, was criticised by many spectators. However, nobody was able to suggest anything better.

16. exf6 Bxf6 17. Qc2 d4

He can’t take the rook, since 17. . . . Bxc3 18. Qh7+, Kf7 19 Bxc3 looks killing.

18. Ng5!

Black can only take one piece per move.

hxg5 19. hxg5 dxc3

See diagram 3. It appears that Topalov missed a quick win here with 20 Rh8+!!, Kf7 21. Qg6+, Ke7 22. gxf6+. However, the move he played is also convincing.

20. Bf4 Kf7 <$>

The king must run, otherwise Qg6 followed by Rh8+ will be deadly. Nonetheless the remainder of the game is all forced.

21. Qg6+ Ke7 22. gxf6+ Rxf6 23. Qxg7+ Rf7 24. Bg5+! Kd6 25. Qxf7 Qxg5 26. Rh7 <$>

See diagram 4. This position had to be assessed well in advance, Black has a few checks but that’s all.

Qe5+ 27. Kf1 Kc6 28. Qe8+ Kb6 29. Qd8+ Kc6 30. Be4+ <$>and Black resigned. It will be mate on c7 next move.

Meanwhile, at the local club, play in the 2005 Closed Championship resumes next Tuesday after missing a week for Bermuda Day. I have not heard any results of delayed games, so cannot report any new tournament standings at this point.