1961 World Chess Championship

1961 World Chess Championship
Compiled by Penguincw

★★★ INTRO ★★★

The 1961 World Chess Championship was between world champion Mikhail Tal (24) of the Soviet Union, and Mikhail Botvinnik (49) also of the Soviet Union. It was a re-match from the 1960 match (see: Game Collection: 1960 World Chess Championship for games and more info), since Tal dethroned Botvinnik.

★★★ BACKGROUND ★★★

After winning the match 12 1/2-8 1/2, Botvinnik was allowed a re-match in 1961, no qualifications.

★★★ WHERE & WHEN ★★★

The match took place in Moscow. It was a best of 24, meaning that the first to 12 1/2 points would win. If it ended in a 12-12 tie, the title holder, Tal, would retain his title. The first round was played on March 15th, 1961. The last round was played on May 13th, 1961.

★★★ FINAL ★★★

The last game (21) was played on May 13th, 1961, and was won by Botvinnik, which earned him 13 points, and the title, again.

★★★ MINI TABLE ★★★

Botvinnik 1 0 1 1/2 1/2 1/2 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 1/2 1 0 1 0 0 1/2 1 (9 wins, 8 draws, 4 losses) <61.9% score>

Tal 0 1 0 1/2 1/2 1/2 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1/2 0 1 0 1 1 1/2 0 (4 wins, 8 draws, 9 losses) <38.1% score>

★★★ OTHER LINKS ★★★

Head to Head Match up prior to 1961: http://www.chessgames.com/perl/ches...

Previous World Championship: Game Collection: 1960 World Chess Championship

Next World Championship: Game Collection: 1963 World Chess Championship

Game 1, Botvinnik leads 1-0
Botvinnik vs Tal, 1961
(E48) Nimzo-Indian, 4.e3 O-O 5.Bd3 d5, 41 moves, 1-0
Game 2, Match tied 1-1
Tal vs Botvinnik, 1961
(B18) Caro-Kann, Classical, 45 moves, 1-0
Game 3, Botvinnik leads 2-1
Botvinnik vs Tal, 1961
(E48) Nimzo-Indian, 4.e3 O-O 5.Bd3 d5, 43 moves, 1-0
Game 4, Botvinnik leads 2 1/2-1 1/2
Tal vs Botvinnik, 1961
(B12) Caro-Kann Defense, 41 moves, 1/2-1/2
Game 5, Botvinnik leads 3-2
Botvinnik vs Tal, 1961
(E48) Nimzo-Indian, 4.e3 O-O 5.Bd3 d5, 73 moves, 1/2-1/2
Game 6, Botvinnik leads 3 1/2-2 1/2
Tal vs Botvinnik, 1961
(B12) Caro-Kann Defense, 25 moves, 1/2-1/2
Game 7, Botvinnik leads 4 1/2-2 1/2
Botvinnik vs Tal, 1961
(E24) Nimzo-Indian, Samisch, 33 moves, 1-0
Game 8, Botvinnik leads 4 1/2-3 1/2
Tal vs Botvinnik, 1961
(B12) Caro-Kann Defense, 29 moves, 1-0
Game 9, Botvinnik leads 5 1/2-3 1/2
Botvinnik vs Tal, 1961
(A23) English, Bremen System, Keres Variation, 73 moves, 1-0
Game 10, Botvinnik leads 6 1/2-3 1/2
Tal vs Botvinnik, 1961
(B12) Caro-Kann Defense, 42 moves, 0-1
Game 11, Botvinnik leads 7 1/2-3 1/2
Botvinnik vs Tal, 1961
(D14) Queen's Gambit Declined Slav, Exchange Variation, 42 moves, 1-0
Game 12, Botvinnik leads 7 1/2-4 1/2
Tal vs Botvinnik, 1961
(C18) French, Winawer, 41 moves, 1-0
Game 13, Botvinnik leads 8 1/2-4 1/2
Botvinnik vs Tal, 1961
(E85) King's Indian, Samisch, Orthodox Variation, 41 moves, 1-0
Game 14, Botvinnik leads 9-5
Tal vs Botvinnik, 1961
(B12) Caro-Kann Defense, 33 moves, 1/2-1/2
Game 15, Botvinnik leads 10-5
Botvinnik vs Tal, 1961
(E81) King's Indian, Samisch, 63 moves, 1-0
Game 16, Botvinnik leads 10 1/2-5 1/2
Tal vs Botvinnik, 1961
(B12) Caro-Kann Defense, 90 moves, 1/2-1/2
Game 17, Botvinnik leads 10 1/2-6 1/2
Botvinnik vs Tal, 1961
(E80) King's Indian, Samisch Variation, 83 moves, 0-1
Game 18, Botvinnik leads 11 1/2-6 1/2
Tal vs Botvinnik, 1961
(B12) Caro-Kann Defense, 41 moves, 0-1
Game 19, Botvinnik leads 11 1/2-7 1/2
Botvinnik vs Tal, 1961
(E81) King's Indian, Samisch, 75 moves, 0-1
Round 20, Botvinnik leads 12-8
Tal vs Botvinnik, 1961
(B12) Caro-Kann Defense, 121 moves, 1/2-1/2
Game 21, Botvinnik wins 13-8
Botvinnik vs Tal, 1961
(E80) King's Indian, Samisch Variation, 33 moves, 1-0

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