In Round 12 of the Linares tournament, the game of the day was the Norwegian teenager, 17- year-old Magnus Carlsen, versus former FIDE world champion Topalov. In the first half of the tournament Carlsen had defeated Topalov in an Alekhine Defence game in Mexico. Naturally, Topalov was seeking revenge. Carlsen achieved nothing from the opening, a reverse Sicilian. But with aggressive and enterprising play, he managed to turn the tables on his opponent.

Anand still leads after 12 rounds but Carlsen is within half a point striking distance from the world champion.

Carlsen, M (2733) – Topalov, V (2780)

XXV SuperGM Morelia/Linares MEX/ESP (12), 4.3.2008

1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.d3 d5 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.e4 Nb6 7.Be2 Be7 8.0-0 0-0 9.a4 Be6 10.Be3 Nd7 11.d4 exd4 12.Nxd4 Nxd4 13.Qxd4 c6 14.a5 Nc5 15.Qe5 Nb3 16.Ra4 Bd6 17.Qh5 g6 18.Qh6 Be5 19.Bg5 Qc7 20.Be3 Nxa5 21.f4 Bg7 22.Qh4 Bb3 23.Rd4!? Rad8 24.e5 Rxd4 25.Bxd4 c5 26.Be3 f6 27.Nb5 Qd8 28.f5 fxe5 29.Bg5 Qb6

White is two pawns down and struggling to show what he has for them. Magnus Carlsen goes on the attack: 30.f6 c4+ 31.Kh1 Qxb5 32.fxg7 Rxf1+ 33.Bxf1 Kxg7?! 34.Bd8 Nc6?? Incredible: this allows a forced mate. 35.Qf6+ Kg8 36.Qe6+ Kf8 37.Bg5 threatening 38.Bh6#, so 37…Kg7 38.Qf6+ Kg8 39.Bh6 followed by 40.Qg7 mate. 1-0. BLACK RESIGNS!