chessgames.com
Members · Prefs · Laboratory · Collections · Openings · Endgames · Sacrifices · History · Search Kibitzing · Kibitzer's Café · Chessforums · Tournament Index · Players · Kibitzing
Mikhail Botvinnik vs Tigran Petrosian
Botvinnik - Petrosian World Championship Match (1963), Moscow URS, rd 4, Mar-30
English Opening: Symmetrical. Two Knights Variation (A35)  ·  1/2-1/2

ANALYSIS [x]

FEN COPIED

explore this opening
find similar games 30 more Botvinnik/Petrosian games
PGN: download | view | print Help: general | java-troubleshooting

TIP: If you find a mistake in the database, use the correction form. There is a link at the bottom that reads "Spot an error? Please suggest your correction..." Avoid posting corrections in the kibitzing area.

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
Apr-04-08  Knight13: Haha both players messing around with their dark-squared bishops.

11...Ne7 12. Qb4.

Jul-16-09  nymsso: I think both players are playing positionally so the games results in somewhat drawish endgame type of games...
Dec-27-13
Premium Chessgames Member
  offramp: A crucial game. Petrosian was well aware that Botvinnik began many of his matches with a huge burst, +3 =1 being a common score after 4 games. Botvinnik had won the first game as black, had a strong initiative as white in game 2 (Botvinnik vs Petrosian, 1963), drawn without too many scares in game 3 and now played this game 4.

This game ended up as a huge disappointment for MB.

He plays 8.Qb3...


click for larger view

and black takes the knight on c3. However, Botvinnik does not recapture. He has prepared a very good novelty: 9.Bf1-c4!


click for larger view

Petrosian now shows why and how he was a defensive genius. He plays all the right moves. After 10.b2xc3, Botvinnik had expected 10...Na5.


click for larger view

MB says he would now have played 11.Bb5+ Bd7 12.Qa4 Nc6 13.d5!! exd5 14.0-0 <with a strong attack>:


click for larger view

What do you think?

Botvinnik is perturbed by Petrosian's unexpected defence. Was he wondering if there had been a spy watching his home analysis? He repeats moves and we come to this position:


click for larger view

Black has only one piece in play. Surely a player like Tal would knock over the black position pretty quickly? Yes, he would! Tal vs H Pohla, 1972 where Tal played 12.0-0. Simple!

Mar-10-14  zydeco: Botvinnik thinks he could have held on to an advantage with 17.Bxc6 Bxc6 18.Ne5 Qd5 19.f3
Mar-10-14  RookFile: offramp is right that the position screams for 12. 0-0.
Mar-10-14
Premium Chessgames Member
  perfidious: <offramp: Botvinnik is perturbed by Petrosian's unexpected defence. Was he wondering if there had been a spy watching his home analysis?>

Paranoia will destroy ya.

Mar-10-14  Petrosianic: Yeah, but in this case, it's offramp's paranoia, rather than Botvinnik's.
Apr-21-14
Premium Chessgames Member
  offramp: <Petrosianic: Yeah, but in this case, it's offramp's paranoia, rather than Botvinnik's.> I don't think anyone <was> passing on information about Botvinnik's opening preparation - but Botvinnik might have thought that someone was.

But Botvinnik's preparation was not really very good. Tal found a better continuation (12.0-0) - it doesn't look too hard to find, but Botvinnik missed it. Mind you, Pohla did not play very well, but at least Tal set him more difficult problems.

I thought it was a fact that Botvinnik distrusted some of his assistants during these championship matches.

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.

<This page contains Editor Notes. Click here to read them.>

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