Mikhail Botvinnik vs Vasily Smyslov (1946)

Mikhail Botvinnik vs Vasily Smyslov
Groningen (1946) · Gruenfeld Defense: Russian. Smyslov Variation (D98) · 1-0

To move:

Last move:

Never given; click here to play! [what's this?]

explore this opening	find similar games	105 more Botvinnik/Smyslov games
	PGN: download \| view	Help: general \| java-troubleshooting

TIP: Premium members can suggest a game for Guess-the-Move with the Guess-the-Move Suggestion Queue.

For help with this chess viewer, please see the Pgn4web Quickstart Guide.

Oct-16-06		McCool: Great technique from the future World Champion. Notes on this game: 7. ..Bg4 <this move was Smyslov's idea.> <13...cxd 14.e5! Black's queenside is under pressure.> 20.dxc?! <an inaccuracy; correct was 20.e5!.> 21. ..Nh6? <Black misses: 21...Rac8! e.g., 22.Bh3 h5 23.f3 Ne3!! with equality.> 26.Rc4! <showing great patience about winning Black's P/b6.> 38.b4 <better is 38.Nc5!>

Aug-11-07		wolfmaster: Smyslov was not quite ready to challenge in 1946, but a decade later he was a star.

Sep-13-09		King.Arthur.Brazil: McCool: is very hard to see benefits of defensive move like Nc5, when you have 2 passed P to promote. White tried toa void Smyslov's nights checks and couter-play at same time move P to win.

May-29-10		whiteshark: Here is a game-related photo, Botvinnik thinking about <41.h3> (sealed move ?) http://www.tabladeflandes.com/zenon... (standing aside: Stolz and Yanovsky)

Feb-04-12		plang: The Smyslov System, characterized by 8..Nfd7, had not yet been developed; after the inferior 8..Nc6?! Botvinnik obtained a solid plus. 10 dxc could have been answered by 10..b5! with equality. 11..c6 led to a poor position after 13 Bg2 as 13..cxd would have been answered by 14 e5..Ne8 15 Bxd5. Botvinnik thought that 20 e5 at once would have been stronger and if 20..c5 21 a4 with, in effect, an extra pawn and the stronger position. Smyslov's error 21..Nh6? led to material loss; better was 21..Rac1 22 Bh3 (22 Rxd8+..Rxd8 23 Bxc6 and Black has compensation with counterplay on the d-file)..h5 23 f3..Ne3 24 Bxc8..Nxe1 25 Rxd1..Rxc8 26 Rd7 with some endgame advantage foe White. Smyslov counterplay on the kingside was never close to compensating for the strength of Whites a and b pawns.

Feb-04-12		RookFile: You get the feeling that Botvinnik was humoring Smyslov for much of this game. It was like: "Yeah, this is all nice - see those queenside pawns? They are your doom."

Times Chess Twitter Feed

NOTE: You need to pick a username and password to post a reply. Getting your account takes less than a minute, totally anonymous, and 100% free--plus, it entitles you to features otherwise unavailable. Pick your username now and join the chessgames community!

If you already have an account, you should login now.

Please observe our posting guidelines:

No obscene, racist, sexist, or profane language.
No spamming, advertising, or duplicating posts.
No personal attacks against other users.
Nothing in violation of United States law.

See something which violates our rules? Blow the whistle and inform an administrator.

NOTE: Keep all discussion on the topic of this page. This forum is for this specific game and nothing else. If you want to discuss chess in general, or this site, you might try the Kibitzer's Café.

Messages posted by Chessgames members do not necessarily represent the views of Chessgames.com, its employees, or sponsors.

Spot an error? Please submit a correction slip and help us eliminate database mistakes!
This game is type: CLASSICAL (Disagree? Please submit a correction slip.)

Featured in the Following Game Collections [what is this?]

Game 365
from Guess-the-Move Chess: 1940-1959 (Part 1) by Anatoly21

Think Like A Grandmaster
by StuporMoundi

Mikhail Botvinnik's Best Games
by KingG

Groningen Candidates Tournament Game #3
from Road to the Championship - Vasily Smyslov by suenteus po 147

Groningen Candidates Tournament Game #3
from Road to the Championship - Mikhail Botvinnik by suenteus po 147

BOTVINNIK'S BEST GAMES: VOL 2,1943-1956
by Malacha

the rivals 2
by ughaibu

Grunfeld, Russian Variation
by KingG

Round 3
from Groningen 1946 by number 23 NBer

Botvinnik "100 Selected Games"
by uglybird

GOOD STILL TODAY
by Imohthep