1.e4 e5 2.Cf3 Cc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Cxd4 Cf6 5.Cxc6 bxc6 6.e5 De7 7.De2 Cd5 8.Cd2 This move is not the most common but has been employed by Svidler and Rublevsky in the 90ths. Last year Radjabov's analyst the French Igor Nataf played it, thus I don't think it went as a surprise for Topalov.

8...a5!? On the other hand, this very interesting move surprised Radjabov as had never been played before by Elite players. Considering what happened later in the game, this unusual move may become the critical test for the whole line for White.

9.c4 Cb6 10.De4 It's very logical and helps the development of the pieces but leads to a endgame that seems more or less equal.

10...d5! 11.exd6 cxd6 12.Ae2 Dxe4 13.Cxe4 Ae6 White's pawn structure is healthier but Black's pieces dynamism makes a balance.

14.c5!? dxc5 15.Ae3 Cd5 16.Axc5 Cf4 17.Axf8 Rxf8 18.g3 Cxe2 19.Rxe2 Te8 20.f3 Ad5 21.Rf2 Axe4 22.fxe4 Txe4 23.Tac1 Re7 24.Txc6 Rook's endgame is equal but both players kept playing as this tournament is under the Sofia's rules.

24...Td8 25.Tc2 Td5 26.Thc1 Tf5+ 27.Rg2 h5 28.Tc7+ Rf6 29.T1c6+ Te6 30.b3 g5 31.Txe6+ fxe6 32.Tc2 Re7 33.Td2 g4 34.h3 gxh3+ 35.Rxh3 Rf6 36.g4 hxg4+ 37.Rxg4 Tb5 38.Rf4 a4 39.bxa4 Ta5 40.Re3 Txa4 41.Tb2 Rf5 42.Tf2+ Re5 43.Rd3 Rd5 44.Tb2 Ta3+ 45.Tb3 Txb3+ 46.axb3 Rc5 47.Re4 Rb4 48.Re5 Rxb3 49.Rxe6 1/2-1/2