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David Bronstein vs Vasily Smyslov
Budapest Candidates (1950), Budapest HUN, rd 11, May-01
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Saemisch Variation (E26)  ·  1-0

ANALYSIS [x]

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Kibitzer's Corner
Sep-13-05  Resignation Trap: Here is what Botvinnik wrote on this inconsistent game: "Nimzo-Indian Defense with a3. Smyslov employed a new plan, ...Nh5, ...g5, and ...Nf4 - 'Br' became completely rattled, stupidly played 14. d5 instead of Be3 and after this began to scheme. Generally speaking, if 'Br' had not allowed 32...f5, Vasya would not have had anything clear - but after ...f6-f5-f4 things became hopeless for White, even despite the harmless trick with the knight sacrifice on b4. Smyslov incorrectly took the knight and handed the initiative to 'Br'. With his 40th move Smyslov blundered a knight and on the resumption 'Br' very subtly squeezed Vasya. 'Br' posted his knight well at f5, cleverly sacrificed a piece, and conducted the resumption accurately - the rest was coffee house-like and weak."
Jul-29-10  Everett: Funny, I've always found Botvinnik's notes on Bronstein to be "coffee-house and weak." Also interesting is his characterization of Bronstein's mistake (stupidly) compared to Smyslov's mistake (incorrectly).

One thing is for sure; despite all this study, he failed to discover the true strength and depth of Bronstein's play.

Jul-09-12  Resignation Trap: Photo of this game during opening stage:
http://chess-school2008.narod.ru/Sm...
Jun-02-13  zydeco: Weird game with the blocked center. Very well played (notwithstanding what Botvinnik says). Bronstein's brilliant at messing up positions where he's in trouble (35.Nb4!!?). I guess Smyslov's supposed to just keep rolling with his kingside attack (maybe 35.....gxf3 36.Qxf3 Qg4 or 35.....h4). Black's king is better on c7 than d8 at the end of the time control: 40....Rb5 (to kill any ideas of b5 and Bb4+) 41.cxd6+ Kxd6 42.Rxc6+ Ke7 43.Raxa6 Rxa6 44.Rxa6 h4 and black has to be better.
Jan-10-14  celsochini: Resignation Trap Where did you find the Botvinnik's notes on Bronstein ?

Tks Celso from Brazil

Apr-17-14
Premium Chessgames Member
  WCC Editing Project: <celsochini>

Botvinnik's notes on every single game Bronstein played from the Saltsjöbaden Interzonal (1948) running up to the Botvinnik-Bronstein World Championship Match (1951) can be found here:

Mikhail Botvinnik "Match for the World Championship- Botvinnik Bronstein Moscow 1951" Igor Botvinnik ed. Ken Neat transl. (Edition Olms 2004), pp.103-113

May-21-22  cehertan: In human terms the move 35.Nb4! ought to be given about a zillion exclamation marks.


click for larger view

Before this move black has all the play, but understandably his equilibrium was completely disturbed and the unlikely sacrifice of the knight for just a pawn in this closed position proved incredibly strong when accepted. 35..h4! 36.fxg4 Nf6 should be considered but one just cannot say enough about Bronsteins creative genius and outright scary strength during this period.

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