Topalov, Veselin – Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar

2771 2013 · Draw

A classical Caro-Kann from 2013: Topalov (2771) against Mamedyarov (2766), with 3.Nd2 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 and the h4-h5 push that boxes the bishop in on h7. White castles long, Black short, and the tension breaks with 15.Nf5 exf5 16.Rxe7, Black taking the d4 pawn back on move 20 with 20...Qxd4. The engine flags no inflection point at all: both sides played 100% at least "good" moves, start to finish. Rook trades on e6 lead to a queen endgame where each side collects pawns on the wings, ending in perpetual check after 41.Qg5+. The lesson: a flawless game produces no winner, only a masterclass in holding balance move by move.