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chess
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chess

Current ELO Rating:2560
Nationality: Russia
World Chess Champion
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1961
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1958
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1954
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1951
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1948
YEAR RUNNER-UP LOCATION SCORE
 1961   Mikhail Tal   Moscow, Russia   13-8
 1958   Vasily Smyslov   Moscow, Russia   12½- 10½
 1954   Vasily Smyslov   Moscow,Russia   12-12
 1951   David Bronstein   Moscow,Russia   12-12
 1948   Vasily Smyslov   The Hague / Moscow   14-11
Mikhail Botvinnik’s Biography

Seldom there has been a man who has tried building up adversities around his own self to exercise patient and concentration. Mikhail Botvinnik was such a man who besides being a legendary chess player was also a philosopher. Botvinnik believed that everything could be done if one has self-confidence. A trainer, social worker and composer, Mikhail Botvinnik was never found giving up to any problem. “Chess is the art of analysis”…and he did that till the last move that he played. Botvinnik believed in following the best and thus always advised his students to follow master games that have been played in the history of chess.

Born near St Petersburg, Russia in the year 1911, Botvinnik started playing chess early. He learned to play chess when he was just 12 and moved on rapidly to win local tournaments. Chess was Botvinnik’s passion. He didn’t believe in playing chess for fun and was way too into it. He was noticed for the first time when he was 14 years old. It was when he defeated World Champion Jose Raul Capablanca in a match. People say that Botvinnik practiced playing with heavy smoke around him though he was not a smoker. This was just to make sure; he doesn’t lose his concentration in adverse conditions. Botvinnik was an electrical engineer by profession. It was during the Second World War that he was awarded the ‘Order of the Badge of Honour’ for his work on Power Stations located in Ural. He joined the ‘Research Institute for Electrical Energy’ in the year 1956 as a senior research scientist.

Botvinnik’s style was immensely strong in terms of pre-match and post-match analysis. His technique over tactics and endgame mastery over opening traps were class apart from his contemporary players. His strong points were his development of solid opening lines in the Nimzo-Indian Defense, Slav Defense and Winawer French Defense.

After retiring from Competitive chess, he trained young players in Russia who called him “Patriarch of the Soviet Chess School”. He had also authored few books among which the famous one is his autobiography ‘K Dostizheniyu Tseli’ or ‘Achieving the Aim’, published in the year 1978. He was also involved in politics and was a strong communist. Botvinnik died in the year 1995 of pancreatic cancer.

Botvinnik spent a lot time in his later life researching on computer chess programs. Botvinnik programmed an algorithm to find the right moves for a complicated position. The University of Ferrara in Italy honored Botvinnik with a degree in mathematics for his exceptional work on computer chess.

Early Career:

Botvinnik started his career under the training of Soviet Master and coach, Abram Model. It was under his guidance that Botvinnik started showing rapid progress in learning the skills of chess. It was in the year 1927 that he qualified for the final stage of USSR Championship and tied the match for the 5th place. He was one of youngest player in the tournament and won the title of National Master. It was in the year 1930 that he won the Leningrad Masters' tournament with a score of 6½/8. He played numerous international tournaments throughout his career. In the year 1935 he tied a match with Salo Flohr at Moscow and with Capablanca at Nottingham in the year1936. In the year 1941, he won the “Absolute Champion of the U.S.S.R” title by defeating Paul Keres and Vassily Smyslov.

World Chess Championship:

It was in the year 1948 that Botvinnik contested in the World Chess Championship held at The Hague and Moscow. He was one of the 5 players who participated in the tournament and won it with a score of 14/20 becoming the 6th WCC.

Botvinnik kept the title to himself for the next 15 years playing 7 WCC matches in that period. In the year 1951, he tied the match against David Bronstein after 24 games, in 1954, he tied the match with Vasily Smyslov after 24 games, in 1958 he won the rematch against Smyslov and he won the rematch in 1961 against Mikhail Tal held in Moscow. He lost the WCC title in the year to Tigran Petrosian for the final time in Moscow.

Books and Resources

World Chess Championship Match 1961

It was a rematch played between Mikhail Botvinnik and Mikhail Tal in the year 1961 on 23rd March to 20th May. Before this Tal won the 1960 championship but as per FIDE rules a rematch was allowed between the two. It was after 21 games that Botvinnik won the match to become the World Chess Champion. It is said that Tal’s loss was due to his poor health condition and though Tal was ready to give any excuse for his loss… “I think that I lost to him, because he beat me! He was very well prepared for the second match. Botvinnik knew my play better than I knew his.”

World Chess Championship Match1961
Game

White Vs Black
Result Move Year Opening Game Notes Video Viewer Ratings
1.Botvinnik vs Tal 1-0 41 1961 E48 Nimzo-Indian         chess   NA
2.Tal vs Botvinnik 1-0 45 1961 B18 Caro-Kann, Classical         chess   NA
3.Botvinnik vs Tal 1-0 43 1961 E48 Nimzo-Indian         chess   NA
4.Tal vs Botvinnik ½-½ 41 1961 B12 Caro-Kann Defense         chess   NA
5.Botvinnik vs Tal ½-½ 73 1961 E48 Nimzo-Indian         chess   NA
6.Tal vs Botvinnik ½-½ 25 1961 B12 Caro-Kann Defense         chess   NA
7.Botvinnik vs Tal 1-0 33 1961 E24 Nimzo-Indian, Samisch         chess   NA
8.Tal vs Botvinnik 1-0 29 1961 B12 Caro-Kann Defense         chess   NA
9.Botvinnik vs Tal 1-0 73 1961 A23 English, Bremen System         chess   NA
10.Tal vs Botvinnik 0-1 42 1961 B12 Caro-Kann Defense         chess   NA
11.Botvinnik vs Tal 1-0 42 1961 D14 Queen's Gambit Declined Slav         chess   NA
12.Tal vs Botvinnik 1-0 41 1961 C18 French, Winawer         chess   NA
13.Botvinnik vs Tal 1-0 41 1961 E85 King's Indian, Samisch         chess   NA
14.Tal vs Botvinnik ½-½ 33 1961 B12 Caro-Kann Defense         chess   NA
15.Botvinnik vs Tal 1-0 63 1961 E81 King's Indian, Samisch         chess   NA
16.Tal vs Botvinnik ½-½ 90 1961 B12 Caro-Kann Defense         chess   NA
17.Botvinnik vs Tal 0-1 83 1961 E80 King's Indian, Samisch Variation         chess   NA
18.Tal vs Botvinnik 0-1 41 1961 B12 Caro-Kann Defense         chess   NA
19.Botvinnik vs Tal 0-1 75 1961 E81 King's Indian, Samisch         chess   NA
20.Tal vs Botvinnik ½-½ 121 1961 B12 Caro-Kann Defense         chess   NA
21.Botvinnik vs Tal 1-0 33 1961 E80 King's Indian, Samisch Variation         chess   NA
World Chess Championship Match 1958

It was rematch played between Mikhail Botvinnik and to Vasily Smyslov. It was after Smyslov won the title in the year 1957 and according to the FIDE rules a rematch was played. This match was played in Moscow in the month of March. Botvinnik started by winning 3 games and after 23 games he won the WCC title with a score of 12.5 points.

World Chess Championship Match1958
Game

White Vs Black
Result Move Year Opening Game Notes Video Viewer Ratings
1.Smyslov vs Botvinnik 0-1 62 1958 B11 Caro-Kann, Two Knights         chess   NA
2.Botvinnik vs Smyslov 1-0 41 1958 E81 King's Indian, Samisch         chess   NA
3.Smyslov vs Botvinnik 0-1 66 1958 B19 Caro-Kann, Classical         chess   NA
4.Botvinnik vs Smyslov ½-½ 82 1958 D98 Grunfeld, Russian         chess   NA
5.Smyslov vs Botvinnik 1-0 41 1958 B58 Sicilian         chess   NA
6.Botvinnik vs Smyslov 1-0 49 1958 A42 Modern Defense         chess   NA
7.Smyslov vs Botvinnik ½-½ 16 1958 B58 Sicilian         chess   NA
8.Botvinnik vs Smyslov ½-½ 41 1958 E69 King's Indian, Fianchetto         chess   NA
9.Smyslov vs Botvinnik ½-½ 40 1958 B58 Sicilian         chess   NA
10.Botvinnik vs Smyslov ½-½ 44 1958 A16 English         chess   NA
11.Smyslov vs Botvinnik 1-0 24 1958 D98 Grunfeld, Russian         chess   NA
12.Botvinnik vs Smyslov 1-0 41 1958 A12 English with b3         chess   NA
13.Smyslov vs Botvinnik ½-½ 41 1958 D47 Queen's Gambit Declined Semi-Slav         chess   NA
14.Botvinnik vs Smyslov 1-0 68 1958 A16 English         chess   NA
15.Smyslov vs Botvinnik 1-0 55 1958 B12 Caro-Kann Defense         chess   NA
16.Botvinnik vs Smyslov ½-½ 36 1958 A16 English         chess   NA
17.Smyslov vs Botvinnik ½-½ 49 1958 B10 Caro-Kann         chess   NA
18.Botvinnik vs Smyslov 1-0 74 1958 A16 English         chess   NA
19.Smyslov vs Botvinnik 1-0 35 1958 B11 Caro-Kann         chess   NA
20.Botvinnik vs Smyslov ½-½ 48 1958 A30 English, Symmetrical         chess   NA
21.Smyslov vs Botvinnik ½-½ 23 1958 B32 Sicilian         chess   NA
22.Botvinnik vs Smyslov 0-1 38 1958 A95 Dutch, Stonewall         chess   NA
23.Smyslov vs Botvinnik ½-½ 41 1958 A05 Reti Opening         chess   NA
World Chess Championship Match 1954

The World Chess Championship in the year 1954 was held in Moscow. It was played between Mikhail Botvinnik and Vasily Smyslov. It was a 24 game match of which 14 were decisive. All the games were full of strong attacks and defense. The match, at laost, ended with a tie and as per the FIDE rules, Botvinnik was awarded the title again.

World Chess Championship Match1954
Game

White Vs Black
Result Move Year Opening Game Notes Video Viewer Ratings
1.Smyslov vs Botvinnik 0-1 58 1954 C18 French, Winawer         chess   NA
2.Botvinnik vs Smyslov 1-0 30 1954 E45 Nimzo-Indian         chess   NA
3.Smyslov vs Botvinnik ½-½ 41 1954 C18 French, Winawer         chess   NA
4.Botvinnik vs Smyslov 1-0 61 1954 D22 Queen's Gambit Accepted         chess   NA
5.Smyslov vs Botvinnik ½-½ 41 1954 D44 Queen's Gambit Declined Semi-Slav         chess   NA
6.Botvinnik vs Smyslov ½-½ 34 1954 D86 Grunfeld, Exchange         chess   NA
7.Smyslov vs Botvinnik 1-0 50 1954 C15 French, Winawer         chess   NA
8.Botvinnik vs Smyslov ½-½ 50 1954 D02 Queen's Pawn Game         chess   NA
9.Smyslov vs Botvinnik 1-0 25 1954 C18 French, Winawer         chess   NA
10.Botvinnik vs Smyslov 0-1 37 1954 D22 Queen's Gambit Accepted         chess   NA
11.Smyslov vs Botvinnik 1-0 41 1954 C79 Ruy Lopez         chess   NA
12.Botvinnik vs Smyslov 1-0 38 1954 D19 Queen's Gambit Declined Slav         chess   NA
13.Smyslov vs Botvinnik 0-1 41 1954 B24 Sicilian, Closed         chess   NA
14.Botvinnik vs Smyslov 0-1 33 1954 E67 King's Indian, Fianchetto         chess   NA
15.Smyslov vs Botvinnik 0-1 36 1954 B25 Sicilian, Closed         chess   NA
16.Botvinnik vs Smyslov 1-0 45 1954 E60 King's Indian Defense         chess   NA
17.Smyslov vs Botvinnik ½-½ 31 1954 A07 King's Indian Attack         chess   NA
18.Botvinnik vs Smyslov ½-½ 58 1954 E60 King's Indian Defense         chess   NA
19.Smyslov vs Botvinnik ½-½ 41 1954 C15 French, Winawer         chess   NA
20.Botvinnik vs Smyslov 0-1 72 1954 E60 King's Indian Defense         chess   NA
21.Smyslov vs Botvinnik ½-½ 38 1954 C15 French, Winawer         chess   NA
22.Botvinnik vs Smyslov ½-½ 45 1954 D83 Grunfeld, Grunfeld Gambit         chess   NA
23.Smyslov vs Botvinnik 1-0 28 1954 C00 French Defense         chess   NA
24.Botvinnik vs Smyslov ½-½ 22 1954 E69 King's Indian, Fianchetto         chess   NA
World Chess Championship Match 1951

The World Chess Championship, year 1951 was held in Moscow in the month of March. It was played between Mikhail Botvinnik and David Bronstein. It was after 23rd game that Botvinnik won and then tied the 24th. The match was tied with a score of 12 to 12 and according to the FIDE rules, Botvinnik was awarded the title of ‘World Chess Champion’.

World Chess Championship Match1951
Game

White Vs Black
Result Move Year Opening Game Notes Video Viewer Ratings
1.Botvinnik vs Bronstein ½-½ 29 1951 A91 Dutch Defense         chess   NA
2.Bronstein vs Botvinnik ½-½ 49 1951 D87 Grunfeld, Exchange         chess   NA
3.Botvinnik vs Bronstein ½-½ 67 1951 C07 French, Tarrasch         chess   NA
4.Bronstein vs Botvinnik ½-½ 47 1951 D15 Queen's Gambit Declined Slav         chess   NA
5.Botvinnik vs Bronstein 0-1 39 1951 E47 Nimzo-Indian         chess   NA
6.Bronstein vs Botvinnik 0-1 57 1951 B63 Sicilian, Richter-Rauzer Attack         chess   NA
7.Botvinnik vs Bronstein 1-0 66 1951 A94 Dutch         chess   NA
8.Bronstein vs Botvinnik ½-½ 41 1951 D49 Queen's Gambit Declined Semi-Slav         chess   NA
9.Botvinnik vs Bronstein ½-½ 41 1951 A91 Dutch Defense         chess   NA
10.Bronstein vs Botvinnik ½-½ 55 1951 A84 Dutch         chess   NA
11.Botvinnik vs Bronstein 0-1 39 1951 E17 Queen's Indian         chess   NA
12.Bronstein vs Botvinnik 0-1 40 1951 A84 Dutch         chess   NA
13.Botvinnik vs Bronstein ½-½ 56 1951 E44 Nimzo-Indian, Fischer Variation         chess   NA
14.Bronstein vs Botvinnik ½-½ 66 1951 A04 Reti Opening         chess   NA
15.Botvinnik vs Bronstein ½-½ 33 1951 C07 French, Tarrasch         chess   NA
16.Bronstein vs Botvinnik ½-½ 75 1951 A91 Dutch Defense         chess   NA
17.Botvinnik vs Bronstein 0-1 35 1951 E45 Nimzo-Indian         chess   NA
18.Bronstein vs Botvinnik ½-½ 58 1951 D45 Queen's Gambit Declined Semi-Slav         chess   NA
19.Botvinnik vs Bronstein 1-0 59 1951 D74 Neo-Grunfeld         chess   NA
20.Bronstein vs Botvinnik ½-½ 46 1951 A14 English         chess   NA
21.Botvinnik vs Bronstein 0-1 64 1951 E69 King's Indian         chess   NA
22.Bronstein vs Botvinnik 1-0 38 1951 A91 Dutch Defense         chess   NA
23.Botvinnik vs Bronstein 1-0 57 1951 E60 King's Indian Defense         chess   NA
24.Bronstein vs Botvinnik ½-½ 22 1951 D44 Queen's Gambit Declined Semi-Slav         chess   NA
World Chess Championship Match 1948

The World Chess Championship 1948 was played between Mikhail Botvinnik and Smyslov, Reshevsky, Keres and Euwe. It was held in The Hague and the final was held in Moscow. Botvinnik won the tournament against all of them and was declared the 6th World Chess Champion.

World Chess Championship Match1948
Game

White Vs Black
Result Move Year Opening Game Notes Video Viewer Ratings
1.Botvinnik vs Euwe 1-0 32 1948 D46 Queen's Gambit Declined Semi-Slav         chess   NA
2.Smyslov vs Botvinnik ½-½ 44 1948 D96 Grunfeld, Russian Variation         chess   NA
3.Botvinnik vs Reshevsky 1-0 32 1948 E40 Nimzo-Indian         chess   NA
4.Keres vs Botvinnik 0-1 58 1948 A13 English         chess   NA
5.Euwe vs Botvinnik ½-½ 40 1948 C08 French, Tarrasch         chess   NA
6.Botvinnik vs Smyslov ½-½ 79 1948 D98 Grunfeld, Russian         chess   NA
7.Reshevsky vs Botvinnik ½-½ 33 1948 A91 Dutch Defense         chess   NA
8.Botvinnik vs Keres 1-0 23 1948 E28 Nimzo-Indian         chess   NA
9.Botvinnik vs Euwe 1-0 36 1948 D49 Queen's Gambit Declined Semi-Slav         chess   NA
10.Smyslov vs Botvinnik 0-1 41 1948 B60 Sicilian, Richter-Rauzer         chess   NA
11.Botvinnik vs Reshevsky 0-1 42 1948 E29 Nimzo-Indian, Samisch         chess   NA
12.Keres vs Botvinnik 0-1 72 1948 C07 French, Tarrasch         chess   NA
13.Euwe vs Botvinnik ½-½ 29 1948 C07 French, Tarrasch         chess   NA
14.Botvinnik vs Smyslov ½-½ 80 1948 D76 Neo-Grunfeld         chess   NA
15.Reshevsky vs Botvinnik 0-1 47 1948 C18 French, Winawer         chess   NA
16.Botvinnik vs Keres 1-0 60 1948 D02 Queen's Pawn Game         chess   NA
17.Botvinnik vs Euwe ½-½ 14 1948 D02 Queen's Pawn Game         chess   NA
18.Smyslov vs Botvinnik ½-½ 17 1948 D22 Queen's Gambit Accepted         chess   NA
19.Botvinnik vs Reshevsky 1-0 41 1948 C49 Four Knights         chess   NA
20.Keres vs Botvinnik 1-0 39 1948 C15 French, Winawer         chess   NA
  Mikhail Botvinnik's Best Games
 
Game

White Vs Black
Tournament Result Move Year Opening Game Notes Video Viewer Ratings
 1.Botvinnik vs Portisch Monaco 1-0 26 1968 A22 English Opening: King's English        chess   NA
 2.Botvinnik vs Keres Moskva Alekhine-mem 1-0 27 1966 A29 English Opening: King's English        chess   NA
 3.Botvinnik vs Fischer Varna Olympiad Final ½-½ 68 1962 D98 Gruenfeld Defense        chess   NA
 4.Botvinnik vs Bronstein World Championship Match 1-0 57 1951 E60 King's Indian Defense: Fianchetto Variation        chess   NA
 5.Denker vs Botvinnik USA vs USSR radio match 0-1 25 1945 D44 Semi-Slav Defense        chess   NA
 6.Botvinnik vs Boleslavsky match-tournament 1-0 65 1941 C07 French Defense: Tarrasch Variation        chess   NA
 7.Botvinnik vs Capablanca Netherlands 1-0 41 1938 E40 Nimzo-Indian Defense        chess   NA
 8.Botvinnik vs Alekhine AVRO (07) 1-0 51 1938 D41 Queen's Gambit Declined        chess   NA
 9.Botvinnik vs Vidmar Nottingham 1-0 24 1936 D60 Queen's Gambit Declined        chess   NA
 10.Botvinnik vs Chekhover Russia 1-0 43 1935 A09 English Opening: Agincourt Defense        chess   NA
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