The Pearl Of Wijk
The Pearl Of Wijk · Kasparov–Topalov, Wijk aan Zee 1999 - short version (from move 24) 2026 · move 24 · sung from White's side
Verse 1
Grey sea wind at Wijk aan Zee,
his king on a7 thinks he's free,
my queen on f4, my knight on a5,
what would you play to come alive?
Chorus
Rook takes on d4, let it go 24.Rxd4 cxd4
rook to e7 with check, the second goes 25.Re7+ Kb6
his king on a7 must leave his home,
dragged out in the open, all alone.
Verse 2
Queen takes on d4 with check 26.Qxd4+ Kxa5
then pawn to b4 with check again 27.b4+ Ka4
his king is chased up to a4,
rook to a7 hunts him then 28.Ra7
Chorus
Rook takes on d4, let it go 24.Rxd4 cxd4
rook to e7 with check, the second goes 25.Re7+ Kb6
his king on a7 must leave his home,
dragged out in the open, all alone.
Bridge
But if his queen takes e7 25...Qxe7
my queen takes d4 with check 26.Qxd4+ Kb8
queen to b6, knight to c6 27.Qb6+ Bb7 28.Nc6+ Ka8
queen to a7, the mate is set 29.Qa7#
Chorus
Rook takes on d4, let it go 24.Rxd4 cxd4
rook to e7 with check, the second goes 25.Re7+ Kb6
his king on a7 must leave his home,
dragged out in the open, all alone.
Outro
His king on b6 out in the cold,
the pearl of Wijk forever told.