Mikhail Botvinnik vs Mikhail Tal (1960)

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Mikhail Botvinnik vs Mikhail Tal
Botvinnik - Tal World Championship Match (1960), Moscow URS, rd 2, Mar-17
Benoni Defense: Uhlmann Variation (A61) · 1/2-1/2

ANALYSIS [x]

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Sep-08-03		bunti: This is 2nd match of 1960 World Championship after Tal had won the first match. At the time, Tal's 10th move Nf6-h5 was considered a theoretical innovation. Tal offered a draw after 21. Be2xb5 but wanted to wait until Tal's next move. AFter Tal moved b6 Botvinik refused. However, Tal's active play with his king eventually forced Botvinik to agree to a draw.

Sep-08-03		Kenneth Sterling: There was one match, a rather famous one, in 1960. There was one match, a rather infamous one, in 1961.

Sep-14-03		drukenknight: can you elaborate on the '61 match, KS?

Feb-16-07		chk12: This was the 2nd game of the 1st match (1960). I am currently reading Tal's 'Tal-Botvinnik 1960' (an excellent book).

Feb-16-07		offramp: Tal was a prolific journalist but he didn't write many books; I can only think of two - the one <chk12> mentions and the Life & Games one.

Jun-19-07		plang: Tal had outplayed Botvinnik with interesting complications in game 1. Here, Botvinnik tries to avoid complications and gets a positional advantage but is unable to get the win. Tal recommended 21..a6 followed by 22..b5. After 21..b6 his position becomes passive. Tal felt that after 31 b4 Botvinnik would have had good winning chances but after he misses this Tal's unusual king maneuver 31..Kh7, 32..Kg6 and 33..h5 he gets enough kingside play to hold the draw.

Oct-26-07		talisman: tal was working on "attack with michail tal" when he died.he also co-wrote a book "chess scandals" about the 78 WC Match.tal offered botvinnik a draw after botvinnik's 21st move.B asked him to make his move and after 21...b6 declined the offer.tal gives b6 a ?.

Jun-06-14		zydeco: A few other notes from Tal's book on the match: 17....Qxe5 is inaccurate, blocking the bishop's path. Tal missed 19.Ra2! which frees the knight. Tal suggests 20.Bb5 when he would have played 20.....Qe8 21.Qd3 Bxc3 22.Bxd7 Qxd7 24.Qxc3 Qf5 with a tiny advantage for white. Tal says he got complacent from move 21 to 28 and, at move 28, suddenly realized that white had significant chances with a central pawn push followed by b4. 31.Rd3 is a costly inaccuracy. This was white's chance for 31.b4. In the final position black is actually slightly better. If 45.gxf5 Rxc4. If 45.Bc2 fxg4+. Tal has been defending for a long time and agrees to a draw. I have a feeling that if positions were reversed, Botvinnik would try to grind down his opponent for at least a few more moves.

May-26-20		seneca16: What happens on 39 b4 intending to exchange pawns and, depending on how black recaptures, penetrate on the b file or push the d pawn?

May-26-20		Nerwal: <What happens on 39 b4 intending to exchange pawns and, depending on how black recaptures, penetrate on the b file or push the d pawn?> 39. b4 ♖d8! intending to recapture with the d pawn to target d5 and set up a dark squares blockade.

May-08-23		Sally Simpson: Tal relaxed when it came to opposite coloured Bishops and offered an expected draw. Botvinnik asked to see to see Tal's next move. 21...b6 he declined. Tal soon realised he was in a spot bother and tried to hold his position together. Then he guessed Botvinnik's game plan. Tie down Black, hit move 41 seal and come up with the winning plan at home. Tal went active the only way he could by charging up the board with his King. It was enough to rattle Botvinnik. This comments abridged from Tal's book of the event. More instructive than a lot Tal's wham bangs sacs.

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