Move 1 e4 (black to move)
FEN: rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/4P3/8/PPPP1PPP/RNBQKBNR b KQkq - 0 1
Comment: Topalov is one of the strongest natural tacticians in the world, so it's interesting that Timman would choose to play 1. e4. It usually leads to more open games where tactics are essential for success.

Move 3 Bb5 (black to move)
FEN: r1bqkbnr/pp1ppppp/2n5/1Bp5/4P3/5N2/PPPP1PPP/RNBQK2R b KQkq - 3 3
Comment: So, here is Timman's first idea: to not play d2-d4, keeping the position closed. However, Bb5 (Rossolimo) might not be the best way to achieve the goal; 3. Nc3 is to be considered.

Move 4 d6 (white to move)
FEN: r1bqkbnr/pp2pppp/2np4/1Bp5/4P3/5N2/PPPP1PPP/RNBQK2R w KQkq - 0 4
Comment: Perhaps Timman noticed that Topalov has been playing this particular move recently and thought he might exploit it in some way. I prefer 3...Qc7 to defend Nc6 with a piece, rather than allowing it to be pinned.

Move 4 d4 (black to move)
FEN: r1bqkbnr/pp2pppp/2np4/1Bp5/3PP3/5N2/PPP2PPP/RNBQK2R b KQkq - 0 4
Comment: The threat of d4-d5 is obvious and Black isn't about to let White keep the central pawn duo.

Move 5 Qxd4 (black to move)
FEN: r1bqkbnr/pp2pppp/2np4/1B6/3QP3/5N2/PPP2PPP/RNB1K2R b KQkq - 0 5
Comment: Chekhover Variation - White might yet aim for c2-c4 to bind square d5 while Qd4 prevents ...g7-g6 and ...Bf8-g7 to play on dark squares. Of course, there are some who might play this variation with Nb1-c3 and aim for typical tactical themes like aligning Rd1 with Qd8 to apply pressure on the d-file.

Move 7 Bxc6 (white to move)
FEN: r2qkbnr/pp2pppp/2bp4/8/3QP3/5N2/PPP2PPP/RNB1K2R w KQkq - 0 7
Comment: Black allows c2-c4, but he's got the two bishops and Ke8 is still relatively safe.

Move 7 Nc3 (black to move)
FEN: r2qkbnr/pp2pppp/2bp4/8/3QP3/2N2N2/PPP2PPP/R1B1K2R b KQkq - 1 7
Comment: After giving up a bishop for knight it seems he would want to use c2-c4 to add extra force on the light square d5. I guess he decided that with Bc6 he shouldn't O-O, so he's going to want Pc2 when he has played O-O-O.

Move 8 Bg5 (black to move)
FEN: r2qkb1r/pp2pppp/2bp1n2/6B1/3QP3/2N2N2/PPP2PPP/R3K2R b KQkq - 3 8
Comment: This prevents Black's ideal development: ...g7-g6 and ...Bf8-g7.

Move 9 O-O-O (black to move)
FEN: r2qkb1r/pp3ppp/2bppn2/6B1/3QP3/2N2N2/PPP2PPP/2KR3R b kq - 1 9
Comment: After this White will be able to force doubled pawns on Black at f6 (unless Black foolishly plays ...e6-e5) , but the cost is further simplification.

Move 12 Bh4 (black to move)
FEN: r2q1rk1/pp2bpp1/2bppn1p/8/3QP2B/2N2N2/PPP2PPP/1K1RR3 b - - 1 12
Comment: So, if White can't force a weakness on Black then it appears Black has equalized. That isn't entirely true yet. Black has to show a way to activate his other pieces without White's already-developed forces having a major impact.

Move 13 Qd2 (black to move)
FEN: r4rk1/pp2bpp1/2bppn1p/q7/4P2B/2N2N2/PPPQ1PPP/1K1RR3 b - - 3 13
Comment: preparing Nf3-d4 with the threat of Nc3-d5 to force a trade of that knight for Be7 to weaken Pd6 & Nf6

Move 14 Qh5 (white to move)
FEN: r4rk1/pp2bpp1/2bppn1p/7q/4P2B/2N2N2/PPPQ1PPP/1K1RR3 w - - 4 14
Comment: This is a surprising move (though Fritz7 likes it) because Black rarely finds the king-side to be a safe place for the queen in a Sicilian Defense. This particular position isn't like most others. With Nf3 and Bh4 in front of the pawns there's much less chance for White to threaten to entrap Qh5.

Move 14 h3 (black to move)
FEN: r4rk1/pp2bpp1/2bppn1p/7q/4P2B/2N2N1P/PPPQ1PP1/1K1RR3 b - - 0 14
Comment: Not only does White threaten g2-g4, but g4-g5 would open the g-file for great benefit.

Move 16 e5 (white to move)
FEN: r4rk1/pp2bp2/2bp1n1p/4p1pq/4P3/2N2NBP/PPPQ1PP1/1K1RR3 w - - 0 16
Comment: Timman couldn't have been too dissatisfied with this situation. Black has weakened d5 and his king's position and has self-trapped Qh5. But, the next question is how to exploit those factors; and that one is hard to answer.

Move 16 Qd3 (black to move)
FEN: r4rk1/pp2bp2/2bp1n1p/4p1pq/4P3/2NQ1NBP/PPP2PP1/1K1RR3 b - - 1 16
Comment: With this move he doesn't give away his offensive plan. He is still thinking prophylaxis and prevents ...b7-b5 and over-protects Pe4, a la Nimzovitch. More direct might have been Nf3-h2, f2-f3, Nh2-g4 or Bg3-f2-e3 (intending g2-g4 and later h3-h4 to pry open the dark-squares near Kg8) . Fritz7 likes Nd5 and Qd3 a little better than Nh2.

Move 17 Rad8 (white to move)
FEN: 3r1rk1/pp2bp2/2bp1n1p/4p1pq/4P3/2NQ1NBP/PPP2PP1/1K1RR3 w - - 2 17
Comment: Fritz7 preferred ...Rf8-d8, but I suspect Topalov was anticipating a need for Rf8 to support the advance of Pf7. Perhaps Topalov's idea was a bit over-optimistic.

Move 17 Nd2 (black to move)
FEN: 3r1rk1/pp2bp2/2bp1n1p/4p1pq/4P3/2NQ2BP/PPPN1PP1/1K1RR3 b - - 3 17
Comment: He's certainly being cautious, but his position could be turned to offensive purposes as Nd2-f1-e3-f5 isn't at all prevented. There are numerous maneuvers and plans which could produce good results.

Move 18 d5 (white to move)
FEN: 3r1rk1/pp2bp2/2b2n1p/3pp1pq/4P3/2NQ2BP/PPPN1PP1/1K1RR3 w - - 0 18
Comment: Apparently White didn't have this thematic move prevented as well as he'd thought. Black blows up the position and makes all White's caution irrelevant; of course, the cost of this is that White's pieces can come to life in the open position too, meanwhile Qh5 isn't really in play. Why was it possible for all those White positional advantages to simply evaporate(?) ; Piece Activity(!) . After Nf3-d2 Black's piece activity in the center turned out to be a little better (or at least no worse) than White's.

Move 22 f5 (white to move)
FEN: 5rk1/pp2b3/2b4p/3r1ppq/3Bp3/4Q2P/PPPN1PP1/1K1RR3 w - - 0 22
Comment: And just like that Black is overwhelming White's pieces with an avalanche of pawns and it doesn't hurt Black that he has the two bishops. It's an amazing turn of events.

Move 24 Rxd4 (white to move)
FEN: 3r2k1/pp2b3/2b4p/5ppq/3rp3/2P1QP1P/PP1N2P1/1K1RR3 w - - 0 24
Comment: Topalov doesn't shy from the exchange sacrifice as long as his pawns grow into monsters!

Move 25 Qb3+ (black to move)
FEN: 3r2k1/pp2b3/2b4p/6pq/3Ppp2/1Q3P1P/PP1N2P1/1K1RR3 b - - 1 25
Comment: according to Fritz7

Move 27 e3 (white to move)
FEN: 3r2k1/pp2b3/7p/3b2pq/3P1p2/4pP1P/PPQN2P1/1K1RR3 w - - 0 27
Comment: Pe3 is huge and only the c-file is open to White's queen and rooks, though there won't be any entry squares at c7 or c8. Black is in charge.

Move 28 Qf7 (white to move)
FEN: 3r2k1/pp2bq2/7p/3b2p1/3PNp2/4pP1P/PPQ3P1/1K1RR3 w - - 2 28
Comment: threat: ...Bxa2+

Move 29 d5 (black to move)
FEN: 3r2k1/pp2bq2/4b2p/3P2p1/5p2/2N1pP1P/PPQ3P1/1K1RR3 b - - 0 29
Comment: Fritz7; giving Rd1 more room to breathe and forcing Black's Be6 to another square. If Pd5 could move one square further up the board there would be a chance for the White rooks to move onto the d-file, but it's very iffy because Pe3 always threatens to advance. White's job is to cut off the other Black pieces from supporting Pe3. Fritz7 apparently would've chosen a different approach, based on leaving Pd4, Qc2-a4, Re1-e2-c2 and then who knows what.

Move 31 Rxd5 (white to move)
FEN: 6k1/pp2bq2/7p/3r1bp1/4Np2/4pP1P/PPQ3P1/1K1RR3 w - - 0 31
Comment: Fritz7; White tried the only thing possible and he's lost a pawn. It looks bad for White.

Move 33 Ka1 (black to move)
FEN: 6k1/pp2b3/4q2p/5bp1/4Np2/4pP1P/PPQ3P1/K2R4 b - - 3 33
Comment: Fritz7 thinks Black's advantage is growing slightly, though it still gives only =+

Move 35 Qa4 (black to move)
FEN: 8/pp2bk2/4q3/5bpp/Q3Np2/P3pP1P/1P4P1/K2R4 b - - 2 35
Comment: White's best chance now might be to catch Black's king in a perpetual check. Black has to advance his plan with some caution.

Move 36 fxe4 (black to move)
FEN: 8/pp2bk2/4q3/6pp/Q3Pp2/P3p2P/1P4P1/K2R4 b - - 0 36
Comment: This is unavoidable and it makes Pf4 more mobile; the Black pawns look unstoppable.

Move 37 Bf6 (white to move)
FEN: 8/pp3k2/4qb2/6pp/Q3Pp2/P3p2P/1P4P1/K2R4 w - - 1 37
Comment: Black will happily trade Pa7 for Pe4.

Move 38 Qc6 (white to move)
FEN: 8/pp3k2/2q2b2/6pp/4Pp2/P3p2P/1PQ3P1/K2R4 w - - 3 38
Comment: White doesn't want a queen trade when his last hope is a perpetual check. In this particular instance White wouldn't even get to play Rd1-d5 since a Pc6 would control that square and Pe3 could advance to promote.

Move 41 Qe6 (white to move)
FEN: 8/pp3k2/4qb2/8/4Ppp1/P2Qp3/1P4P1/1K1R4 w - - 2 41
Comment: It might have been a move to complete the time control, but he's defended Pg4 and keeps Kf7 safe. Getting directly behind Pe3 might have been a factor in this choice. He could've also been thinking about ...Qe6-e5 to threaten ...Qxb2#. A better move is hard to find.

Move 41 g3 (black to move)
FEN: 8/pp3k2/4qb2/8/4Ppp1/P2Qp1P1/1P6/1K1R4 b - - 0 41
Comment: Fritz7; Has White suddenly found a way to break open the position? Has Black done something wrong to allow this? I'm not certain.

Move 43 Qg5 (black to move)
FEN: 8/pp3k2/4q3/4b1Q1/4P1p1/P4pP1/1P6/1K1R4 b - - 2 43
Comment: At this point passive defense would be the wrong choice. The more the position opens around Kf7 the more White should look for offense, even if it only leads to a perpetual check.

Move 44 Qh5+ (black to move)
FEN: 8/pp3k2/4q3/7Q/4P1p1/P4pb1/1P6/1K1R4 b - - 1 44
Comment: The checks stop Black's offense.

Move 47 Ka1 (black to move)
FEN: 8/pp4k1/4q3/7Q/4P1p1/P4pb1/1P6/K2R4 b - - 7 47
Comment: Why? Does he believe there's a checkmate? If not then this is just stupid.

Move 51 Be5 (white to move)
FEN: 8/pp4k1/4q3/4b2Q/4P1p1/P7/1P3p2/K6R w - - 6 51
Comment: according to Fritz7; This should put an end to any checkmate threats as the bishop will guard g7 and h8. There is also some possibility of a ...Bxb2+ when Black could force a queen trade with a cross-check and then the Black pawns would march to promotion.

Move 52 Qxb7 (black to move)
FEN: 5k2/pQ6/4q3/4b3/4P1p1/P7/1P3p2/K6R b - - 0 52
Comment: At 12 ply this is the only move Fritz7 "thinks" isn't -+.

Move 54 Qc4 (white to move)
FEN: 5k2/pQ6/8/4b3/2q1P3/P5p1/1P3p2/K1R5 w - - 2 54
Comment: a nice touch to block out the White rook; Rxc4 is met by ...f2-f1=Q+ and ...Qxc4

Move 56 Bc7 (white to move)
FEN: 8/Q1b1k3/8/8/2q1P3/P5p1/1P3p2/K1R5 w - - 1 56
Comment: That's two awful needless losses by Timman I've documented. I wonder how he felt about his performance?