Game summary
Hikaru Nakamura and Veselin Topalov drew in 39 moves in round 1 of Riga FIDE Grand Prix 2019 in Riga, Latvia, on 12 July 2019. The opening was the Ruy Lopez (C88).
- White
- Hikaru Nakamura
- Black
- Veselin Topalov
- Result
- Draw (½-½)
- Place
- Riga, Latvia
- Date
- 12 July 2019 (2019.07.12)
- Round
- 1.1
- Opening
- Ruy Lopez (C88)
- Length
- 39 moves (77 plies)
All moves of Nakamura, Hi vs Topalov, V (PGN move text)
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 O-O 8.a4 Bb7 9.d3 d6 10.Nbd2 Nd7 11.c3 Nc5 12.axb5 axb5 13.Rxa8 Qxa8 14.Bc2 b4 15.d4 bxc3 16.bxc3 Nd7 17.Nf1 Bf6 18.d5 Ncb8 19.h4 Qa1 20.Re3 Nc5 21.c4 Qa6 22.N1d2 Qb6 23.Ra3 Bc8 24.Nb3 Nba6 25.Nxc5 Nxc5 26.Qe1 Bg4 27.Nh2 Bd7 28.g3 Rb8 29.Nf3 h6 30.Be3 Qb2 31.Qc3 Qxc3 32.Rxc3 Ra8 33.Bxc5 dxc5 34.Rb3 Bg4 35.Kg2 Bxf3+ 36.Kxf3 Be7 37.h5 Bd6 38.Bd1 g6 39.Kg2 1/2-1/2
About This Game
A middlegame battle in which Nakamura, Hi was paired against Topalov, V at Riga FIDE Grand Prix 2019 in Riga LAT in 2019. The game dates from the contemporary engine era.
The game opened with Ruy Lopez (C88), classical development and rapid piece play. Such positions test classical principles: quick development, central control, and king safety.
Lasting 39 moves, the game was settled in the middlegame. This is the phase where piece activity, pawn breaks and king safety all collide, and replaying it slowly is a good way to train your own middlegame judgement.
Nakamura, Hi is one of the grandmasters featured in the RamaChess archive, where you can browse their complete game collection, favourite openings and notable wins. Studying many games by a single strong player is one of the fastest ways to understand practical chess decisions.
Games such as this one are useful at every level. Beginners can follow the opening principles, club players can study the middlegame plans, and stronger players can examine the finer endgame and decision-making points.
After the contest, the game was drawn between Nakamura, Hi and Topalov, V. Replay the full game move by move above, analyse it with the engine to find the turning points, and use Practice mode to play out the critical positions yourself.
Frequently asked questions
Who played this game?
This game was played between Nakamura, Hi (White) and Topalov, V (Black), at Riga FIDE Grand Prix 2019 in 2019.
What opening was played?
The game used Ruy Lopez (ECO code C88). Classical development and rapid piece play.
What was the result?
The game was drawn between Nakamura, Hi and Topalov, V.
How long was the game?
The game lasted 39 moves (77 plies).
Can I replay this game move by move?
Yes. Use the interactive board on this page to step through every move, or open the analyser for engine evaluation and Practice mode to play the positions yourself.
Where can I find more games like this?
Browse the full Ruy Lopez collection, Nakamura, Hi's complete game archive, and thousands more grandmaster games in the RamaChess archive.