★★★ INTRO ★★★

The 1963 World Chess Championship was between 51 year old defending champion Mikhail Botvinnik of the Soviet Union and 33 year old challenger Tigran Petrosian also of the Soviet Union.

★★★ QUALIFICATION ★★★

To determine a challenger for Botvinnik, first an interzonal tournament was held (see Stockholm Interzonal (1962) for games and more info). However, only 3 players (maximum) per country were allowed to compete in the Candidates tournament. Bobby Fischer won it, scoring 17.5/22. Also making it were Efim Geller and Tigran Petrosian (both 15/22) and Miroslav Filip and Viktor Korchnoi (both 14/22). However, 3 players (Pal Benko, Svetozar Gligoric and Leonid Stein) tied for 3rd, all scoring 13.5/22 with one spot remaining. To determine who would get that spot, a double round robin was held (see Stockholm Interzonal Playoff (1962) for games and more info). Stein won with 3/4 (with Benko, 2/3 and Gligoric, 0/3 following, last game not played), however, since only 3 players/country could make it to the Candidates, Stein qualified as a reserve (so if anyone didn't participate, he would play for them) and Benko made it.

In the Candidates tournament (see Curacao Candidates (1962) for games and more info), Mikhail Tal and Paul Keres received automatic seeding to make it 8 players (due to their previous performances). It was an 8 player, quadruple round robin. Korchnoi appeared in the Candidates tournament for the first time in his career (it would be the first of eight). Petrosian emerged victorious, winning 17.5/28. Keres and Geller placed in second (each with 17/24), so played an eight game match (see Keres - Geller 2nd place Candidates Playoff (1962) for games and more info) for automatic seeding into the next Candidates tournament. Keres won 4 1/2-3 1/2. In 4th was Fischer (14/28), followed by Korchnoi (13.5/28), Benko (12/28), and Tal and Filip (each with just 7/28).

★★★ CONDITIONS ★★★

The match took place in Moscow. It was a best of 24, meaning that the first player to reach 12 1/2 points, would be champion. If the match ended in a 12-12 tie, then Botvinnik (the title holder), would win (by default). The first round was played on March 23rd, 1963.

★★★ FINAL ★★★

The last round (22), was played on May 20th, 1963. In an effortless draw, Petrosian earned the 12 1/2 points he needs to clinch the title and become the 9th world champion. Afterwards, FIDE disallowed the world champion an automatic re-match. This made Botvinnik retire from the world champion title, and made Petrosian not worry about a 1964 rematch.

★★★ MINI TABLE ★★★

Petrosian 0 1/2 1/2 1/2 1 1/2 1 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 0 1 1/2 1/2 1 1 1/2 1/2 1/2 (5 wins, 15 draws, 2 losses) <56.8% score>

Botvinnik 1 1/2 1/2 1/2 0 1/2 0 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1 0 1/2 1/2 0 0 1/2 1/2 1/2 (2 wins, 15 draws, 5 losses) <43.2% score>

★★★ OTHER LINKS ★★★

See also: Botvinnik - Petrosian World Championship Match (1963)

Head to Head Record Prior to 1963: http://www.chessgames.com/perl/ches... (1 win, 3 draws and 1 loss for both players)

Previous World Championship: Game Collection: 1961 World Chess Championship

Next World Championship: Game Collection: 1966 World Chess Championship