Game 3 of 16
Veselin Topalov — Vladimir Kramnik
27 September 2006 · Queen's Indian Defence · 62 moves
White
Veselin Topalov
½
vs
Black
Vladimir Kramnik
½
Summary
The longest classical game of the first half. Topalov tries to press with white in a positional Queen's Indian but Kramnik's solid setup holds firm against all attempts to generate winning chances. A technical draw after 62 moves of patient maneuvering leaves the match tied at 1½–1½.
Commentary
Topalov avoids his sharpest lines and tries a positional squeeze — unusual territory for the world's most tactical player.
Kramnik's bishop pair compensates for White's space advantage; Black always has enough activity to neutralise the pressure.
No real winning chances arise for either side after the queens are exchanged; the game fades into a comfortable theoretical draw.