★★★ INTRO ★★★

The 1957 World Chess Championship was between 45 year old defending champion Mikhail Botvinnik and 36 year old challengerVasily Smyslov. Both players were from the Soviet Union.

★★★ QUALIFICATION ★★★

An interzonal tournament (see Gothenburg Interzonal (1955) for games and more info) was held, with the top 9 advancing to the candidates. Making the cut were David Bronstein (15/20), Paul Keres (13.5/20), Oscar Panno (13/20), Tigran V Petrosian (12.5/20), Efim Geller and Laszlo Szabo (both with 12/20) and Miroslav Filip, Herman Pilnik and Boris Spassky (all with 11/20). Just missing out were Georgy Ilivitsky and Ludek Pachman (each with 10.5/20). No one else played at least 500.

In the candidates tournament (see Amsterdam Candidates (1956) for games and more info), the above 9 plus Smyslov played in a 10 player double round robin. Smyslov came out on top again with 11.5/18. Keres was runner-up with 10/18 and would receive an advantage in the next WCC cycle.

★★★ CONDITIONS ★★★

The match took place in Moscow. This was the second time these players have played against one other in a championship (see Game Collection: 1954 World Chess Championship for the previous match). The conditions for the match were the same as the previous two championship matches. The match was a best of 24 games. The first player to reach 12 1/2 points would become world champion. If the match ended in a 12-12 tie, then the defending champion (in this case Botvinnik) would maintain his title. The first round was played on March 5th, 1957.

★★★ FINAL ★★★

The match concluded on April 27th, 1957. Smyslov won the match in 22 games with the score of 12 1/2-9 1/2. Smyslov had became the 7th official world champion.

★★★ MINI TABLE ★★★

Smyslov 1 1/2 1/2 0 0 1 1/2 1 1/2 1/2 1/2 1 0 1/2 1/2 1/2 1 1/2 1/2 1 1/2 1/2 (6 wins, 13 draws, 3 losses) <56.8% score>

Botvinnik 0 1/2 1/2 1 1 0 1/2 0 12 12 12 0 1 1/2 1/2 1/2 0 1/2 1/2 0 1/2 1/2 (3 wins, 13 draws, 6 losses) <43.2% score>

★★★ OTHER LINKS ★★★

See also: Botvinnik - Smyslov World Championship Match (1957)

Head to Head Record Prior to 1957: http://www.chessgames.com/perl/ches... (17 wins, 23 draws and 12 losses in favour of Botvinnik)

Previous World Championship: Game Collection: 1954 World Chess Championship

Next World Championship:
Game Collection: 1958 World Chess Championship