chessgames.com
Members · Prefs · Laboratory · Collections · Openings · Endgames · Sacrifices · History · Search Kibitzing · Kibitzer's Café · Chessforums · Tournament Index · Players · Kibitzing
Vasily Smyslov vs Mikhail Botvinnik
USSR Championship (1951), Moscow URS, rd 7, Nov-22
Spanish Game: Closed. Kholmov Variation (C92)  ·  1-0

ANALYSIS [x]

FEN COPIED

explore this opening
find similar games 104 more Smyslov/Botvinnik games
PGN: download | view | print Help: general | java-troubleshooting

TIP: Premium members can see a list of all games that they have seen recently at their Game History Page.

PGN Viewer:  What is this?
For help with this chess viewer, please see the Olga Chess Viewer Quickstart Guide.
PREMIUM MEMBERS CAN REQUEST COMPUTER ANALYSIS [more info]

A COMPUTER ANNOTATED SCORE OF THIS GAME IS AVAILABLE.  [CLICK HERE]

Kibitzer's Corner
May-25-05  ughaibu: I guess Botvinnik was planning 39....Rd3
May-25-05  Stevens: <aw1988> he what the pin?
May-25-05  aw1988: Holy god. Deep apologies, I typed that in a rush. He *missed* the pin. Post deleted.
May-25-05  Stevens: <aw1988> ha ha! You should have left it there. I nearly *missed* myself laughing.
May-25-05  aw1988: Yes, well, embarrasing mistake. :)
Jul-15-11  AVRO38: Botvinnik was already lost after 37...Kf6?? since after 38.Nd3! black cannot prevent the loss of material and the game.
Jun-17-15  zydeco: Up to this game, Botvinnik had a record of +7-1 in tournament games against Smyslov A nice smooth win by Smyslov to start solving his Botvinnik problem.

The threat of 37.Rxd8, simplifying to a winning king-and-pawn endgame, is a big problem for black. Maybe he can tread water with 36....Kf8.

Jun-17-15  zydeco: Actually, Smyslov says that black could have held with 36....Rd5! and if 37.Ke4 Rd2.
Jan-01-16  ColdSong: This quiet system chosen by Smyslov to counter Botvinnik's Spanish Kholmov is not without venom after all.
Apr-13-18  Toribio3: This game is a masterpiece. Smyslov is one of the greatest player of all time!
Jul-11-22  cehertan: Ye olde nagging edge. Smyslov made it look easy, kind of stunning to beat MB like a baby in a simple ending.
Jul-11-22
Premium Chessgames Member
  HeMateMe: I wonder if Botvinik didn't factor in the advancing f pawn? Back in the day, less theory was published, GMs had to figure it out OTB and during adjournments.
Jul-12-22  suenteus po 147: <zydeco: Actually, Smyslov says that black could have held with 36....Rd5! and if 37.Ke4 Rd2.>

36...Rd5 is a very nice in-between move that seems superficially pointless (the white king defends the knight easily), but actually creates an opening to attack.

Since Botvinnik blundered on move 38, I wonder if maybe he was in time trouble just before the control.

NOTE: Create an account today to post replies and access other powerful features which are available only to registered users. Becoming a member is free, anonymous, and takes less than 1 minute! If you already have a username, then simply login login under your username now to join the discussion.

Please observe our posting guidelines:

  1. No obscene, racist, sexist, or profane language.
  2. No spamming, advertising, duplicate, or gibberish posts.
  3. No vitriolic or systematic personal attacks against other members.
  4. Nothing in violation of United States law.
  5. No cyberstalking or malicious posting of negative or private information (doxing/doxxing) of members.
  6. No trolling.
  7. The use of "sock puppet" accounts to circumvent disciplinary action taken by moderators, create a false impression of consensus or support, or stage conversations, is prohibited.
  8. Do not degrade Chessgames or any of it's staff/volunteers.

Please try to maintain a semblance of civility at all times.

Blow the Whistle

See something that violates our rules? Blow the whistle and inform a moderator.


NOTE: Please keep all discussion on-topic. This forum is for this specific game only. To discuss chess or this site in general, visit the Kibitzer's Café.

Messages posted by Chessgames members do not necessarily represent the views of Chessgames.com, its employees, or sponsors.
All moderator actions taken are ultimately at the sole discretion of the administration.

This game is type: CLASSICAL. Please report incorrect or missing information by submitting a correction slip to help us improve the quality of our content.

Featured in the Following Game Collections[what is this?]
Nineteenth Soviet championship, 1951
from Smyslov's Best Games of chess 1935-1957 by kashparov72c5
the rivals 2
by ughaibu
Nodreads' favorite games
by Nodreads
USSR Championship 1951
by suenteus po 147
The Ruy Lopez
by chessman95
Nineteenth Soviet championship, 1951
from Smyslov's Best Games of chess 1935-1957 by JoseTigranTalFischer
Botvinnik vs World Champions Decisive Games Smyslov
from Botvinnik vs the World Champions Decisive Games by visayanbraindoctor
Smyslov vs World Champions Decisive Games Botvinnik
from Smyslov vs World Champions Decisive Games by visayanbraindoctor
Submitted Smyslov games
by WCC Editing Project
Nineteenth Soviet championship, 1951
from Smyslov's Best Games of chess 1935-1957 by skisuitof12
Power Chess - Smyslov
by Anatoly21
zakay62's Memorized games
by zakay62
Game 43
from Veliki majstori saha 22 SMISLOV (Marovic) by Chessdreamer
5
from C92-93 (Romanishin, Byhovskij) by Chessdreamer
Nineteenth Soviet championship, 1951
from Smyslov's Best Games of chess 1935-1957 by Retarf
Nineteenth Soviet championship, 1951
from Smyslov's Best Games of chess 1935-1957 by nakul1964
Nineteenth Soviet championship, 1951
from Smyslov's Best Games of chess 1935-1957 by nakul1964
Nineteenth Soviet championship, 1951
from Smyslov's Best Games of chess 1935-1957 by hakkepof
Spanish Game: Closed. Kholmov Variation (C92) 1-0 Stockfish
from RLC Round Up by Fredthebear by fredthebear

Home | About | Login | Logout | F.A.Q. | Profile | Preferences | Premium Membership | Kibitzer's Café | Biographer's Bistro | New Kibitzing | Chessforums | Tournament Index | Player Directory | Notable Games | World Chess Championships | Opening Explorer | Guess the Move | Game Collections | ChessBookie Game | Chessgames Challenge | Store | Privacy Notice | Contact Us

Copyright 2001-2023, Chessgames Services LLC