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
Botvinnik - Smyslov World Championship Match (1957), Moscow URS, rd 2, Mar-07
Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer. Neo-Modern Variation Early deviations (B62)  ·  1/2-1/2

ANALYSIS [x]

FEN COPIED

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

TIP: To see the raw PGN for this game, click on the PGN: view link above.

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
Mar-19-08  Knight13: Rauzer-Richter without f4 and kingside attack. Boring!
Sep-05-13
Premium Chessgames Member
  offramp: Played on 7th & 8th March. Botvinnik got a shock with 11.Bc5! He had totally missed it. 9...Ng4 is not a good move.
May-05-16  zydeco: 11.Bc5 was played in the Soviet championship in 1947, so Botvinnik probably knew the move.

Black ends up in an ugly but defensible position (he has to work around his light-squared bishop).

Nov-19-16  ughaibu: The results, in the database, after 11.Bc5, are even: Games Like Smyslov vs Botvinnik, 1957
Mar-28-25
Premium Chessgames Member
  plang: The line with 9..Ng4?! had been played once before in Goldenov-Aronin 1947 USSR Championship but, apparently, Botvinnik was not familiar with it as he spent more than half an hour on 11..Bb7; Aronin had played 11..Qg5 and was able to draw an inferior endgame. After 15..Bd6 White has the better endgame due to Black's weak queenside pawns and ineffective queen bishop. 20 g3 might have been an improvement. White had to be a little careful: eg. 34 Kd3..Bd7 35 Ke4..h5 36 Rd3+..Kc7 37 Kxe5..hxg and 38 f4? would lose to 38..Re8+. Also 35 Ke3 could be met by 35..e4! and then 36 Kxe4?..Re8_ leads to mate.

Although the ending resulting after 11 Bc5 is certainly dreary for Black it is not clearly losing; Botvinnik drew without too much difficulty.

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.

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 2001-2025, Chessgames Services LLC