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BOTVINNIK
TAL

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.s'LJ 15

Match Table

(/) .::s:. .::s:.

,_ Q) c: c:
a.> >·
·· c:
c:
..0 0
0. Date Opening E� ::;
......
·
::;
......
·

::::::�_ 0 0
z 0 � CD � . ·. "CD
.
'

1 15March Nimzo-lndian Defence 41 0 1 0 1

,. ,

2 17March Caro-Kann Defence 45 1 0 1 1

3 20-March Nimzo-lndian Defence 43 0 1 1 --· 2. ..

4 1 22March Caro-Kann Defence 41 Y2 Y2 1Y2

-
2%

5 24-25 March Nimzo-lndian Defence 73� Y2 % · 2 3

6 27March Caro-Kann Defence 25 Y2 Y2 _2% 3%

7 29March Nimzo-lndian Defence 33 0 1 2Y2 . 4Y:·2 '

-

8 31- March Caro-Kann Defence 29 1 0 3Y2 -- 4%'

i" - ·:
9 7-8 April English Opening 73 0 1 "'
3%.,. 5Y2
-
.,

10 10 April '· Caro-Kann Defence 42 0 1 .. ·•

3% .
6%· .
-�
11 12 April Slav Defence 42 0 ·1 3Ye 7%

12 14 April ·French Defence 40 1 0 4% 7Y2

13 17 April Kin�}' � Indian Defence 41 0 1 ·4% 8Y2

14 19,April Caro-Kann Defence 33 Y2 Y2 5 9

,, ' ,, "'
-

15 21-22 Agril King's Indian Defence 63 0 1 5 � 10

-
16 24-25 April 1, Caro-Kann Defence 90" Y2 Y2 5V2 10%
�

17 29 April. King's Indian Defence· 83 1 0 6% 10%.

18 4May Caro-Kann Defence 41 0 1 6% 11Y2

-

19 5-6May King's Indian Defence 75 1 0 7112 11Y2

_, "'

"
20 8-10May Caro-l(ann Defence t21 % Y2 8 12
'.':
21 1� May King's Indian Defence 33 0 1 8 13

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16 � GAME 1 BOTV I N N I K - TAL

1 5th M arch 1 961 - Game 1 The most active continuation.

10 lt:Jxd6
Botvinnik - Tal 1 0 dxe5, which occurred in the game
Nimzo-l ndian Defence l livitsky-Lipnitsky ( 1 952) , seems more logi­
Notes by Mikhail Botvinnik cal.
10 . . . �xd6!
1 c4 tDf6
The right way! After 1 0 . . . cxd6 1 1 dxe5 l2Jxe5
2 l2Jc3 e6
( 1 1 . . . dxe5 1 2 'iVxd8 .:xd8 1 3 l2Jg5) 1 2 i.e2
3 d4 i.. b4 White has the advantage . But now the
4 e3 0-0 exchange on e5, which he cannot avoid,
5 i.d3 d5 involves the loss of castling and of several
6 a3 dxc4 tempi.
7 i.xc4 11 dxe5 'ii'xd1 +
It is well known that 7 i.xh7+ 'it>xh7 8 axb4 12 �xd1 l2Jg4
tDc6 does not give White any advantage. 13 �e2 l2Jcxe5
7 i.d6 14 �d5
As was shown by my games with Barcza Played in order to hinder . . . b7-b6 if possi­
(Budapest 1 952) and Furman (Moscow ble.
1 955) , after 7 . . . i.xc3+ 8 bxc3 c5 9 i.b2 14 . . . c6
White has a clear advantage.
15 ..te4 i.e6
8 l2Jf3
White is behind in development and , de­
8 f4, which was tried in the game Botvinnik­ spite having the two bishops, his position is
Balashov (Hastings 1 966/67) , proves un­ clearly inferior. He could of course have
successful after the energetic reply 8 . . . c5. played for a draw: 1 6 tDxe5 tDxe5 1 7 f4
8 l2Jc6 i.c4+ 1 8 \!tf2 liJd3+ 1 9 i.xd3 �xd3 20
9 tDbS i.d2, but in this variation he is completely
A rather na"ive attempt to refute the varia­ deprived of counterplay. Naturally, he choos­
tion . Correct here is 9 b4. es a more complicated continuation .

8 8 8

7 7

6 6 6 6

5 5 5 5

4 4 4 4

3 3 3 3

2 2 2 2

a c e g a c e g

9 e5 16 liJd2 !!adS
 GAME 1 BOTVI N N I K - TAL
' " �- - � ;··:: -- -�-- · -:,_:_ =---- �---�_..:."":"::l:::-:::r-:-- �---- ::-- ==-.:__
ctJ 17
_.__ -_: __ _.::___ � �- •

White nevertheless has a pawn majority in
itle centre, and in order to hinder its
exploitation, Black should definitely have
played 1 6 . . .f5. Then in some cases he
would also have been threatening . . . f5-f4,
which would have been highly u npleasant
How the position has changed within just a
couple of moves! Black has been left with
weak pawns, and the ending (with or
without the rooks) will be difficult for him.
Now it would perhaps have been best to try
and restrict the enemy knight by 24 . . .� d5 .

for White in view of the dangerous position 24 .. . i.. fS

of h is king in the centre. 25 4:Jb3 �d3+
Now, however, making use of the respite
A temporary and insignificant achievement.
afforded him , White completes his develop­
It is clear that the bishop will soon be forced
ment, and in the approaching endgame the
to retreat.
position of his king is transformed from a
26 �e1 b6
negative factor into a positive one.
17 h3 4:Jf6 27 !!ac1 �e4
1 8 i.. c 2 l:ld7 28 f3
1 9 b3 .:td8 It is possible that 28 k!xd7 �xd7 29 �e2
20 .:td1 (but not 29 f3 in view of 29 . . . .l:d3) 29 . . . i.d3+
30 Wf3 was even stronger. White, however,
It only remains for i.. b2 to be played, and
decided to exchange both pairs of rooks,
Black will be in difficulties. Therefore Tal is
since he assumed (not without reason) that
forced to exchange the bishop at c2 .
in the ending with knight against bishop his
20 4:Jd3
winning chances would be considerable.
21 �xd3 J:.xd3
28 l:txd1 +
22 i.b2 l'13d7
29 .:.xd1 �xd1 +
Of cou rse, not 22 . . . ii.xb3, which would have
lost a piece, but the move in the game also 30 �xd1
indicates that Black is underestimating the And so, the planned exchange of heavy
dangers of his position. 22 . . . c5 was essen­ pieces has taken place.
tial , activating his queenside pawns and
fixing the weakness of the b3 pawn.
23 �xf6 gxf6
24 b4

30 �dS
The last chance was 30 . . . .i.f5, in order to
defend the c6 pawn from d7. Now the knight
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18 � GAME 2 TAL - BOTV I N N I K

breaks into Black's position and begins 4 ltJxe4 .its

wreaking havoc there. 5 ltJg3 i..g 6
31 ltJd4 c5 6 .tc4 e6
32 e4 was threatened. 7 ltJ1 e2 lLlf6
32 bxc5 bxcS This move order occu rred in the 1 7th game
33 ltJbS a6 of the previous match between the same
Or 33 . . . as 34 ltJc3 i.c6 35 'it'd2, and the opponents. As became clear from the
white king penetrates unhindered to c4. experience of previous games, 7 . . . i.d6 is
34 ltJc7 ..tc4 weaker in view of 8 h4 h6 9 ltJf4, and Black
has to reply 9 . . .i.xf4 with an inferior game ,
35 t.Uea ts
.

since 9 . . i.h7 is u nfavourable due to 1 0

.

36 h4 �ta ltJfh5.
37 ltJd6 .tf1 8 ltJt4 .i.d6
38 g3 9 o-o
All Black's pawns are isolated, and his
bishop is unable to defend them. Before
beginning the 'gathering of the harvest',
White places nearly all his pawns on dark
squares.
38 �e7
39 ltJxf5+ <&te6
40 e4 'it'es
41 <itd2
Black resigns.

1 7th March 1 961 - Game 2 Following the game Simagin-Fiohr, played

in a semi-final of the 28th USSR Champion­
ship, White completes his development and
threatens a possible piece sacrifice on e6.
Tal - Botvinnik
After 9 . .'it'c7 there can follow 1 0 "ii"f3, and if
.

Caro-Kann Defence
1 0 . i.xc2 1 1 ltJfh5 with the initiative for
. .

Notes by Vasi/y Smys/ov White.

9 tl:JdS
1 e4 c6 This is Botvinnik's idea. Black blocks in
The theoretical dispute continues. As be­ good time the dangerous diagonal with his
fore, Botvinnik chooses solid defensive set­ knight.
ups, one of which is the Caro-Kann De­ 10 ltJghS
fence.
Would it not have been better to play 1 0
2 d4 dS ltJxg6 hxg6 1 1 h3 with the obvious intention
3 ltJc3 dxe4 of continuing 1 2 ltJe4 ? It would appear that
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�::.._ � -- .2_-_:o,...:;;_�_d-��,:;�,:...,____
GAM E 2 TAL - BOTV I N N I K ctJ 19

the manoeuvre undertaken in the game 20 c5

does not promise White any benefit. 21 .:lcd1 \lWc7
10 0-0 22 dxc5 bxc5
11 iLb3 ctJd7 23 tLle4 ttJxe4
12 tLlxg6 hxg6 24 iVxe4 ctJf6
13 ctJg3 'i¥h4 25 'iVe2 :xd1
26 .:lxd1 lidS
27 :xdS+ 'iVxdS
8 8 2S i.c4!
7 7

6 6

8
5 5

7
4 4

6
3 3

5
2

a c e 9 3

The outcome of the opening is advanta­

geous to Black. He has completed his
development and now he undertakes activi­
ty on the kingside.
The opening of the central file has led to the
14 'i¥d3 :adS
disappearance of the rooks. True, White's
1 4. Jdj5f6 1 5 h3 c5 was preferable, carrying chances in the resulting ending are prefera­
out unhindered the important . . . c6-c5 ad­ ble, thanks to his pawn majority on the
vance. queenside. But this advantage is largely
15 :e1 ctJ7f6 theoretical and can hardly be exploited if
16 h3 iLf4 Black defends accu rately. The text move
Black is aiming to exchange pieces. Appar­ has the aim of playing the bishop to f1 ,
ently Botvinnik is relying on his refined where it will cover the king against checks
endgame technique. and also assist the advance of the white
17 c3 b6 pawns.
1S 'fif3 iLxc1 2S ifbS

19 :axc1 iff4 29 'i¥d2 'i¥c7

20 \lWe2 30 iLf1 �fS

By avoiding the exchange of queens, Tal 31 b4 cxb4

strives to retain the tension. Black's position 32 cxb4 ctJd5!
has no obvious weaknesses, and therefore
i n the given situation it is not easy to
complicate the play. (see next diagram)
20 � GAM E 3 BOTVI N N I K - TAL

Black a piece.
8 39 a6
7
40 bS axbS
41 a6
6

4
8

The knight has taken up a key position in the

centre, where it forestalls White's offensive
actions. If now 33 a4, then 33 . . . 1Vc3, and in
the event of the exchange of queens,
Black's knight and king will be able to
neutralise the white pawns.
41 'ifas
33 a3 "Yi'c3
The sealed move. On the resumption there
34 "Yi'gS 'i¥'f6
fol lowed:
34 . . .f6 35 Vi'xg6 'i¥xa3 was simpler. Now
42 a7 b4
White does not achieve anything with 36
�b5 'iVc1 + 37 �h2 'iff4+ or 36 b5 'iVc5 37 43 �c4 f6
h4 0Je7, and Black defends successfully. Black has no useful moves available. But
35 'iVg3 'Yi'f4 now the position of his ki ng is significantly
weakened.
36 'ik'd3 'ifc1
44 �bS b3
37 a4
If 44 . . . 'i¥a3, then 45 iVc5 'ira1 + 46 <i£th2
Tal resou rcefully exploits a favourable op­
�h7 47 i..c6 0Jc7 48 Vi'b6 etc.
portunity to activate his pawns. Black can­
not take on b4 in view of the obvious mate. 45 'i¥a4
37 ... � g8? Black resigns.
It is fundamentally incorrect to move the
king away from the main part of the
battlefield. Black could have held the posi- 20th M a rch 1 961 - Game 3
tion by 37 . . . 'ifc3 38 'ifa6 'fic7. Now 39 b5
fails to 39 . . . 0Jb4, while if 39 'Yi'b5 there
follows 39 . . . 0Jc3 40 'ifa6 CiJd5 with a Botvinnik - Tal
repetition of moves. Nimzo-l ndian Defence
38 aS 'ii'e 1 Notes by Mikhail Botvinnik

39 'ifd4!
The decisive breakthrough. White finally 1 c4 CiJf6
creates a passed pawn, which will cost 2 0Jc3 e6
 - : ,_- ----c_--=-_ �
GAME 3 BOTV I N N I K - TAL
====·-
=-=-
ttJ .
21
".'--':;'·

3 d4 i.b4 In the 5th game I chose a more logical

4 e3
5 �d3
6 a3
7 �xc4
It was no accident that Tal employed this
variation of the Nimzo-l ndian Defence
against me. Black gives up his pawn centre,
aiming for piece play.
8 liJf3
9 b4
The simplest way of developing the queen's
bishop. I ncidentally, White does not achieve
any advantage with either 9 liJbS (as I
played against Tal earl ier in the first game of
the match), or 9 i.b5. In order to appreciate
how old this variation is, I should remind you
that this latter move (9 �b5) occurred back
in the game Capablanca-Ragozin (Moscow
1 936) . Only, there the white queen was
already at b3, thanks to the fact that the
bishop had reached c4 not in two moves,
but in one.
0-0 continuation - 1 1 dxe5 ttJxe5 1 2 i.e2, but
d5 here I was testing my pre-match prepara­
tions (incidentally, instead of 1 1 . . . ttJxe5,
dxc4
Alexander Konstantinopolsky recommend­
i.d6 ed 1 1 . .. .-txeS for Black) .
11 ltJe7
12 h3 �d7
1 2 . . . � h5 would have led to more complicat­
ed play, but, since Tal guessed that I was
ltJc6
prepared for this variation , he chooses a
less obvious move. In addition, Black is
aiming to play his knight to g6, and in this
case the position of the bishop at h5 will be
unsuitable in view of g2-g4.
13 ltJg5
Temporarily gaining control of the e4 sq uare
and setting the opponent a simple trap. Tal ,
however, was so convinced of the artless­
ness of his opponent, that he promptly fell
i nto it.
13 ...
While the knight was at e7, Black could
have safely made the prophylactic move
1 3 . . . h6. Now, however, White carries out a
tactical operation , exchanging the enemy
light-square bishop and gain ing a significant
positional advantage.
6

5
8
4
7
3
6
2
5

4
a c e 9
3

9 e5 2

10 .ll.b2 ..tg4
After 1 0 . . . a6 1 1 ..te2 White would have
retained some advantage (Botvinnik-Hecht,
Belgrade 1 969) . 14 ltJe6 fxe6
11 d5 15 dxe6 �h8
22 � GAME 3 BOTVINNIK- TAL

With the knight at e7, here the bishop would 25 "ii"g4 "i'e8
have been able to move. 26 g3 ltJh6
1 6 exd7 'iixd7 There is no way for Black to achieve any
11 o-o 'iff5 activity. If, for example, 26 . . . c6 27ltJe3 ltJf6,
18 ltJd5 then 28 'O'f3.
By offering the exchange of knights, White 27 "ifhS tbg8
aims to gain control of the important 28 'i!fe2 tb6e7
squares d5, e4 and g4, which will suppress 29 lt:Je3!
the activity of the opponent's pieces. White now avoids the exchange of knights
18 . . . ltJg8 on d5, since the exchange of the same
For the same reason, Black avoids the pieces on g4 is even more favourable for
exchange. him.
19 ifg4 'ifc2 29 ... lt:Jh6
Black, of course, avoids the exchange of 30 tbg4! tbxg4
queens, since in the endgame White's This is equivalent to suicide, since it opens
advantage would be obvious. the h-file. 30 . . . 'ifh5 31 �g2 (31 tbxe5
20 'iVe2 'iff5 'ii'x h3) 31 . . . tbc6 really would have been
21 'i:Yg4 'ifc2 better.
22 'i'e2 iff5 31 hxg4 tbc6
23 e4 32 Wg2 i.e7

An important move, restricting still further 33 .idS!

the opponent's pieces. White can easily The exchange of rooks would have hin­
defend the f4 square, and if Black wants to dered White's attack on the enemy king.
transfer a knight to d4, which has been left 33 ... tbd4
without pawn control, an exchange on this Tal was unable to refrain from this 'activity' ,
square may merely increase White's posi­ but the resulting opposite-colour bishops
tional advantage. are in White's favour, since Black has no
23 'i:Yd7 way of opposing the activity of the light­
24 l:tad1 l:tad8 square bishop.
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GAME 4 TAL - BOTV I N N I K ttJ 23

34 .txd4 exd4 22nd March 1 96 1 - G a m e 4

35 .i.c4!
The simplest. It only remains for White to
play .i.d3, f2-f4, �h 1 and e4-e5 . Tal - Botvinnik
35 ... c5 Caro-Kan n Defence
After this Black has some slight consolation: Notes by Lev Aronin
two connected passed pawns, but they are
blockaded.
In the first three games of the match there
36 b5 ..tf6
had been a purposeful battle, characterised
37 f4 d3 by a mutual striving for victory. In these
Black sacrifices a pawn, in order to ex- games Botvinnik had managed to gain an
change one pair of rooks. advantage, and so it was quite natural to
38 .:txd3 :x d3 expect that the world champion would make
39 ii.xd3 i.d4 determined efforts to level the scores in this
40 e5 g6 game.
41 .i:.h1 1 e4 c6
It was not hard to guess that it would be a
Caro-Kann Defence: in this second match
both players continue to uphold the virtues
of this opening, Tal - for White, and
Botvi nnik - for Black. The only thing that
was impossible to anticipate was precisely
what new active paths Tal would try to seek.
2 d4 d5
3 e5
This distinguishes the opening of this game
from other meetings between the same
players. The comparatively rare continua­
tion 3 e5 has, of course, been played many
times.
3 c5
The afore-mentioned plan has been carried
Botvinnik thought over this move for more
out unhindered, and now with every move
than ten minutes and, as we see, he
the threats intensify.
avoided the 'most theoretical' 3 ... i.f5. The
41 1;g7 reasons why a particular move was made or
42 'i'ie4 b6 was not made remain , up to a certain time,
43 i.c4 known only to the participants themselves.
The sealed move. After 43 . . . 'iid 7 White After the conclusion of the match both
wins by 44 li'c6 'i'xc6+ 45 bxc6 l::tc 8 46 e6, grandmasters will probably report on much
while if 43. . . 'i'e7 44 g5 l:Ic8 (otherwise 45 that for the moment cannot be fully dis­
'iic6 and 46 1Wf6+) 45 f5 gxf5 46 l:ixh7+ closed .
�xh7 47 'iVh4+ �g7 48 1i'h6 mate. Black However, the move 3 . . . c5, aiming for an
resigns. immediate attack on the white centre, has,
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24 � GAME 4 TAL - BOTVI N N I K
along with 3 ... i.f5, every right to exist.
Moreover, one can recall games where this
move led, in the end, to success for Black.
That is what happened, for example, in the
game Spassky-Kotov (22nd USS R Cham­
pionship).
4 dxc5 e6
It is not hard to see that this position could
have arisen from the French Defence (1 e4
e6 2 d4 dS 3 es cS 4 dxc5) with , of course,
the significant difference that in the above
variation it is Black to move , whereas in the
present game it is White . Should it be
concluded from this, that such play a tempo
down is unacceptable for Black? No. The
point is that the early capture on cs in the
French Defence is rarely recommended,
and normally it leads to an easy game for
Black.
4 e6
In the event of the natural 4 . . .CZJc6 White
should not reply 5 CZJf3 on account of
5 . . . �g4, but 5 i.b5 ! , after which it is not
easy for Black to regain the pawn.
5 CZJc3
The knight is developed at c3, rather than
d2 as often happens in such positions, in
order to have the possibility of CZJc3-b5.
5 CZJc6
6 i.f4
For the moment White does not hu rry with
the development of his g1 knight, intending
if 6 . . . .txc5 to reply 7 'i¥g4, which is very
unpleasant for the opponent.
6 CZJge7
7 CLJf3 CZJg6
8 .ie3
A very unusual turn of events. I n such
positions White usually retreats his bishop
to g3, intending h2-h4-h5. Tal, however,
seriously sharpens the play; he gives up his
central pawn (which always involves a
definite risk) , retaining in return his cS pawn
and thereby creating a pawn majority on the
queenside. I n addition , after Black captures
the eS pawn , White gains the opportunity to
qu ickly complete the mobilisation of his
forces. Thus we see that Tal chooses a
continuation which , while affording the op­
ponent certain gains, at the same time
promises a sharpening of the play.
8 l.UgxeS
9 l.Uxe5 tt:JxeS
10 'ii' h 5
A useful active move, putting the oppo­
nent's kingside under fire.
10 . .. CZJc6
�e7
11 0-0-0
Perhaps the immediate 1 1 . . . g6 would have
been better here, and in reply, say, to 1 2
'i¥e2 (or 1 2 'i¥f3) - 1 2 . . . Ag7. After 1 3 CLJb5 it
is true that Black has to castle kingside (but
this is also not bad). I n the mutual sharp
attacks on the flanks, that are possible in
this case, Black's chances look fully equiva­
lent. I n playi ng 1 1 . . . i.e7, Botvinnik evidently
thought it advisable to retain control of the
d6 square (in the event of a possible CLJbS),
and to create a possible threat to the cs
pawn.
12 f4
Not only impeding the black pawns in the
centre, but also creating the threat of f4-f5.
 GAME 4 TAL - BOTV I N N I K ttJ 25

12 g6
13 'iVh6 �f8
14 �g5!
Again an interesting decision. It is true that
there is no longer any other acceptable
queen move, but it is obvious that all this
was planned by Tal beforehand. White goes
in for the removal of yet another of his
pawns from the centre, after which it soon
becomes even inevitable that Black will
create two connected passed pawns. In
return , however, White gains new possibili­
ties.
14 ... 'i¥xg5 22 i.xd8
Would it not have been better to continue In the heat of the battle, almost without
developing with 1 4... �d7, leavi ng White thinking, the world champion snatches the
h imself to decide what to do with his queen? rook. As shown by Botvinnik's subsequent
15 fxg5 play, which up to a point is impeccable, this
natural captu re was a mistake, leading to a
Now the th reat of tt:Jbs becomes very
decisive strategic advantage for Black.
serious, together with a possible c2-c4.
Meanwhile, by continuing 22 b5 ltJb8 23 a4
Therefore Botvinnik makes the following
e5 24 .l::re 1 ! f6 25 g3! and then 26 Ag2 White
move, after which Black is practically forced
could have set h is opponent very serious
to sacrifice the exchange. However, as will
problems.
become clear from what follows, Tal should
not have been in too much of a hu rry with 22 <;t>xd8
the winning of this exchange. 23 b5 ltJb8
15 h6 Now it is hard for the four white pawns on
16 tt:Ja4 the queenside to make any progress,
i.d7
whereas the advance of Black's passed
17 �f4! a6 pawns is irresistible.
Since . . . e6-e5, weakening the black pawns 24 �e2 f5
in the centre, is obviously unacceptable,
25 �f3
Botvinnik ensures the win of the g-pawn in
return for the exchange, which he is ready to It is hard to offer Wh ite any better advice. He
give up. All his calculations for the future are is aiming to clear lines on the queenside,
associated, of course, with the creation of since he has two rooks in reserve, but with
two connected passed pawns in the centre accurate play Botvinnik achieves a winning
- a factor which almost decides the out­ position.
come in his favour. 25 axb5
18 ltJb6 .l:d8 26 cxb5 ..ixb5
19 �c7 hxg5 27 ..txb7
20 c4 d4 28 a4
21 b4 �g7 After 28 ..tf3 the reply 28 . . . g4 would have
26 � GAME 4 TAL - BOTVI N N I K

been i mmediately decisive, while if 28 i.. a 8, Not only defending against 33 . . . �f4+, but
then 28 . . . tt:Ja6. also i ntending to advance the king.
28 . . . i.. xa4 33 . . . � as
29 tt:Jxa4 �xb7 But now after this move Black is no longer
The position has simplified . The black king winning. Meanwhile, by continuing 33 . . . .tc7,
has acquired the excel lent square c6, the c5 he would stil l have had every justification for
pawn is sooner or later doomed, and the counting on a win, since 34 �xd4, immedi­
black pawns are stil l enormously strong. ately or after 34 :b6+ �xb6 35 cxb6+ �d6
Despite the world champion's exceptional 36 <iit x d4, is not possible on account of
mastery in creating complications and find­ . . . l:.h4+.
ing tactical resources, it seemed improbable 34 �b6+! l'bxb6
that White would be able to save the game. 35 cxb6+ �d7
30 �d2 tt:Jd7 Or 35 . . . 'it'b5 36 llc5+ and 37 llxe5, while if
31 �b1 + �c6 35 . . . <it>d6, then 36 b7 l:tb8 37l'bc5. 2
32 �hc1 36 l'bc5+ �e7
37 :e1 lla3+
Of cou rse, not 37 . . . Wf6 on account of 38 b7
:b8 39 llxe5. 3
38 �c4 l:c3+
If immediately 38 . . . lle3, then 39 �xe3 dxe3
40 <it>d3! is evidently sufficient for a d raw.
39 �b5 l:le3
40 l:a1 ..txh2
41 I:la7+

8 8

Another i nteresting moment. The natural 6

move 32 . . . �a8 suggests itself, and appar­
5
ently it was in fact the most clear-cut way to
win . I ndeed, 33l'bb6 is parried by 33 . . . �a2+ 4

and then 34 . . .l'bxc5, while if 33 l:.b6+ Black 3

wins after 33 . . l'bxb6
. 34 cxb6+ �d6 35 b7
2
l:ib8 36 :b1 i..f8 37 �d3 e5 38 l:.b6+ �c7
39 :xg6 :xb7, and if 40 l:xg5, then
40 . . . �b4 41 �xf5 �d6 and White loses his c d e g h

knight. 1
However, the move made by Botvi nnik in The game was adjourned i n this position
the game is also good enough to win . and Botvinnik sealed the move 41 ... �e8.
32 ..tes The king could not go to f6, since after 42
33 �d3 l:.h7 White would even win.
 GAME 5 BOTV I N N I K - TAL tZJ 27

After 41 . . . Wf8 the simplest is 42 ctJd7+ thoroughly analysed as the 'Four Knights
(42 . . . �g7 43 g4!) with a d raw. But after Game'. From this it fol lows that outward
41 . . . �e8, the move sealed by Botvinnik, similarity and formal indications in an open­
White forces a d raw by 42 l:h7 ..tf4 43 ctJd7 ing cannot characterise its essence.
d3 44 ctJf6+ when he g ives perpetual check. 6 a3 dxc4
Therefore, without resuming the game, the 7 kxc4 i.d6
grandmasters agreed a draw.
8 tt:Jf3 tt:Jc6
9 b4 e5
10 .i.b2 i.g4

24th-25th M a rch 1 96 1
Game S

Botvinnik - Tal
Ragozin Defence
Notes by Vyachesla v Ragozin

1 c4 ctJf6
2 tt:Jc3 e6
3 d4 i.b4 11 dxe5
4 e3 0-0 In the third game Botvinnik played 1 1 d5,
5 .i.d3 d5 but, despite the pleasant memories, he
employs a new contin uation, avoiding any
Only now is the character of the openi ng
prepared surprise on the part of his oppo­
determined. After the first move it could
nent.
have been said - 'English Opening', after
11 tt:Jxe5
the third - 'Nimzo-l ndian Defence' , but now
we see on the board a Queen's Gambit with 12 i.e2 'ile7
the development of the bishop at b4, which I n view of Black's better development, it is
in theory is recognised under the name of advantageous for him to maintain the piece
'Ragozin Defence' . I am forced to enter into tension in the centre. White has not yet
a defence of my own Defence, since in ·solved the problem of where to place his
numerous newspaper articles, and also in king. Therefore Botvi nnik embarks on the
the special match bulletin (the first and third path of simplification.
games) , for some reason the heading 13 ctJb5 �fd8
'Ni mzo-l ndian Defence' is given. I am sure 14 'ifc2 aS
that after the moves 1 e4 e5 2 ctJf3 tt:Jc6 3
15 tt:Jxd6 cxd6
.i.b5 ctJf6 4 tt:Jc3 it would not occur to
anyone to call this position a Ruy Lopez,
since in theory this continuation has been (see next diagram)
28 c;i;? GAME 5 BOTV I N N I K - TAL

Although Black now has an isolated pawn , it Botvinnik has carried out his plan. Thanks to
is not a weakness, since it supports his a series of exchanges the battle is taking a
pieces in the centre. In addition , the open c­ quiet course . It appears that peace will soon
file secures him the initiative. be concluded.
16 'iVd1 23 l:tc2 l2Jed6
Avoiding a weakening of the kingside, si nce 24 l:d1 :dd8
if 1 6 0-0 there would have followed There was no need for such caution - Black
1 6 . . . �xf3. reinforces his back rank. Meanwhile, signifi­
16 l:ac8 cantly stronger was 24 ....:dc7 with the
17 0-0 l2Je4 th reat of . . . l2Jxb2. If i nstead 25 :tdc1 , then
18 etJd4 25 . . . l2Je8.
Botvinnik continues his plan of simplifying 25 etJb3 l2Jxb2
the position. New exchanges are inevitable. 25 . . . etJb5 would also have led to an equal
Here Botvinnik declined h is opponent's offer game.
of a draw, although the two sides' chances 26 :xb2 l2Jc4
are equal . 27 .:ta2 b6
18 ... i..xe2 28 �f1 f6
19 'i¥xe2 l2Jc4 29 a4 ttJes
The black knights occupy very favou rable 30 b5 Itc3
positions. Now White's dangerous bishop,
31 etJd4 lias
situated on the long d iagonal , is neutralised.
32 l!da1 aS
20 :ac1 d5
33 :ld1
21 'iVg4 �d7
White's only chance is an attack on the
22 'ii' xd7 .:xd7
weak dS pawn , but Black has sufficient
counterplay in view of the active placing of
his pieces . I n addition, White's a4 pawn also
(see next diagram) needs defending.

(see next diagram)

 GAME 5 BOTVI N N I K - TAL � 29

a b c d e g h

33 .:ac8 The plans of the two sides are clear: Wh ite

The effect of time trouble, or an oversight? concentrates his efforts on the kingside,
Tal voluntarily gives up a pawn, although he whereas Black creates threats on the
could have fought to hold on to it and not queenside.
without success. For example: 33 . . . ttJd3 34 48 l:te6+ �ta
ttJc6 �f7 35 :ad2 ttJb4 36 ttJxb4 axb4 37 49 l:td6 �e8
:xd5 .:txa4 with a probable draw.
50 .:e6+ �fa
34 ttJf5 .l:.8c7
51 �g3
35 :xd5 <it>f7
Preparing :e?, which was not possible
36 :d1 �e6
immediately on account of . . . ct:Je5+.
37 ttJd4+ �f7
51 l:txa4
38 �e2 l:t7c4
White's task would have been more difficult
39 h3 l:.b4 after the preparatory 51 . . . h5.
40 ttJc2 :bc4 52 l:te7 tt:Jcs
41 .:d2 53 :xh7 ttJe4+
The game was adjourned in this position . 54 �h2
White has a n undisputed advantage, but
The only quiet shelter. The play has become
Black has counterplay on the queenside,
sharper. Black has created counterplay, but
and this leads to a sharp struggle.
his king's position is less secure than
41 �e7
White's.
42 ttJd4 g6
54 ctJd6
43 l:td1
It is essential to prevent l:.b7.
It is possible that 43 l:.a 1 would have been
55 :h8+
stronger, with the same idea.
With this move White releases the black
43 ttJd7
king and thereby loses his advantage. 55
44 ttJc6+ �ea ct:Je7 came into consideration (apparently
45 l:td6 :c2+ 55 :d7 would also have given winning
46 :xc2 :xc2+ chances) .
47 �f3 :a2 55 �f7
30 � GAME 6 TAL - BOTV I N N I K

56 .:bs lt:Jc4 70 h5 gxh5

57 .:tea 71 gxh5 lt:Jxe3
72 h6 .Ug2+
73 �h1 �g3
8 8 Draw.
7 7

6 6

5 5

3
27th March 1 96 1 - Game 6
2 2

a b c d e 9 h Tal - Botvinnik
Caro-Kann Defence
57 ctJd2 Notes by Evgeny Sveshnikov
With the unpleasant threat of 58 . . . lt:Jf1 + 59
� g 1 lla1 . 1 e4 c6
58 g4 l!a2 2 d4 d5
59 lib8 lt:Je4 3 e5!? c5! ?
60 l::tx b6 .:txf2+ The alternative for Black i s 3 . . . i..f5 ! , to
61 �g1 which Botvinnik turned in the 1 9th game of
The white king has ended up in the same the match.
position as Black's a few moves ago. A draw 4 dxc5 e6
is now inevitable. After this opening duel between Tal and
61 J:tb2 Botvinnik, in later years Black more often
62 lt:Jxa5 lt:Jd2 played 4 . . ..�Jc6, in order after 5 lt:Jf3 to
63 lt:Jc6 develop his bishop at g4. But, of course,
White does not play 5 ctJf3? ! , but 5 AbS ! ,
White h urries to play h is knight to d4.
retaining the advantage, since it takes Black
63 lt:Jc4 a considerable time to regain the pawn.
64 .l:tb7+ <it>e6 In evaluating the opening stage of the
65 h4 game, it can be mentioned that the position
The last chance! after 4 . . . e6 is very similar to a variation of
65 �d5 the French Defence with 3 eS. The only
66 l:.d7+ �c5 difference is that even if White plays very
simply - 5 ctJf3, 6 i.. d 3 and even 7 c3, all the
67 :d3 �xb5
same he will have an extra tempo, and this
68 ttJd4+ Wc5 is of considerable importance in the open­
69 ctJf3 �e2 ing. Therefore it can be concluded that the
Tal conducts the concluding part of the variation 1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 e5 cS? ! 4 dxcS
game very confidently. e6? ! can hardly be good for Black, and it is
 GAME 6
no accident that the move 4 . . . e6 rarely
occurs nowadays, but even the superior
4 . . . ltJc6 does not give equality. It is not
surprising that later Botvinnik played 3 . . .
i.f5 ! .
5 'ii'g4!?
I n the fou rth game Tal , on encountering this
position for the fi rst time, reacted with the
unfortunate 5 ltJc3, and after 5 . . . ltJc6 6 i.. f4
ltJge7 7 liJf3 ltJg6 8 i.e3 ltJgxe5 9 ltJxe5
ltJxe5 1 0 �hS ltJc6 1 1 0-0-0 i.e? Black
successful ly solved all his problems, taking
play into an endgame.
On this occasion the young champion
brings out his queen to an active position,
after wh ich Black has problems with the
development of his kingside. Modern expe­
rience suggests that 5 i.e3!? is also very
strong: 5 . . . ltJh6!? (probably Black's best
option) 6 c3 liJfS 7 i.d4 i.d7 8 ltJf3 ltJc6
9 i¥d2 f6 (9 . . . a5 1 0 i.d3!? ltJh4 1 1 ltJxh4
�xh4 1 2 i.e2±) 1 0 b4 aS 1 1 exf6 gxf6 1 2 bS
ltJcxd4 1 3 cxd4 eS 1 4 ltJc3 e4 1 5 ltJg 1 ! ?
(inferior is 1 5 g4? ! ltJe7 1 6 ltJg 1 i.xg4
1 7 �f4 f5 1 8 h3 i.hS 1 9 b6 with an un­
clear game, Nijboer-Giek, Groningen 1 997)
1 5 . . . i.h6 1 6 'it'd 1 a4 1 7 b6 0-0 1 8 ltJge2
ltJe7 1 9 g3± .
5 ltJ d7
It is remarkable that, purely on practical
grounds, Botvinnik ventured this variation
once more in the 8th game of the return
match, but by then Tal was fully prepared for
it: 5 . . . ltJc6 6 liJf3 file? 7 i.b5 i.d7 8 i.xc6
fl/xc6 9 i.e3 ltJh6 1 0 i.xh6 gxh6 1 1 ltJbd2
'ii'x c5 1 2 c4 0-0-0 1 3 0-0 and White had a
clear advantage. For an objective evalua­
tion of the position, Black's strongest reply
5 . . . hS! m ust be studied.
(see next diagram)
TAL - BOTV I N N I K CtJ 31
Now White does not achieve anything with 6
1i'g3 h4 7 1Vg4 ltJh6 8 i.xh6 :xh6 9 liJf3
ltJd7 1 0 i.b5 �g6 1 1 'i'h3 a6 1 2 i.d3 l:h6
1 3 0-0 ltJxc5 1 4 liJbd2 i.d7 1 5 ltJb3 ltJxd3
1 6 cxd3 i.a4 1 7 'iVg4 i.b5 with chances for
both sides (Khalifman-Kachiani, Bayern
1 997) , therefore 6 'i'f4!? i.xcs 7 i.. d 3 'ii' b 6
8 c3! (this is stronger than 8 ltJh3t) 8 . . . as
(inferior is 8 . . . g5!? 9 'i'xg5 i.xf2+ 1 0 �f1
i.xg 1 1 1 l:txg 1 ltJe7 1 2 ltJa3 �g8 (or
1 2 . . .liJfS 1 3 i.xfS exfS 1 4 1Vg7! �f8 1 5 i.h6
ltJd7 1 6 l:te1 ± and there is nothing that
Black can move!) 1 3 'ifxhS i.d7 1 4 1Ve2!
ltJg6 1 5 i.e3 Wile? 1 6 i.d4±) 9 liJh3 (9
liJd2t) 9 . . .ltJe7 (9 . . . ltJc6 1 0 0-0 liJh6 1 1
'iVgS �f8 1 2 'ifxh5±) 1 0 ltJd2t.
6 ltJf3
A natural move, yet 6 i.bS! was better,
making it difficult for Black to equalise the
material.
6 ltJe7
7 i.g 5
Again White misses the chance to keep his
pawn after 7 i.b5 ! , and if 7 . . . ltJf5 8 b4, while
if 7 . . .ltJc6, then 8 i.e3 W/c7 9 'ii g 3± or 9
t2Jc3 ltJdxe5 1 0 ltJxe5 'iix eS 1 1 0-0-0 with
an attack.
7 h6
7 . . . ltJxc5! ? looks more natural.
8 i.xe7
The alternative was 8 i.e3!? liJfS 9 i. b5
32 � GAME 6 TAL - BOTV I N N I K

lt:Jxe3 1 0 fxe3 'Wic7 1 1 0-0 .ixc5 1 2 'iix g7 12 lt:Jd4 .i.d7

�xe3+ 1 3 'ii? h 1 .l:it8 1 4 lt:Jc3 a6 1 5 .i.d3. I n 13 h4 o-o-o
any case Black's problems would have Of course, the black king slips away to the
been g reater. q ueenside, but the immediate 1 3 . . . l:Ic8 was
8 'Wixe7 also interesting .
9 lt:J c3 'ii'xc5 14 l:Ih3 Wb8!
10 o-o-o a6! Safety, above all!
15 f4
It was worth tying Black's forces to the
defence of the f7 pawn after 1 5 'iVt4!? �e8.
15 lieS
16 h5 �g8

Prophylaxis against Tal ! Botvinnik sensed

intuitively that it was dangerous to take the
pawn , and variations confirm this: 1 0 . . .
'iVxt2? ! 1 1 lbb5 tt:Jxe5 1 2 'Wit4 lt:Jg6 1 3 lt:Jc7+
�e7 ( 1 3 . . . Wd8 1 4 'i'xt7±) 1 4 lt:Jxd5+ exd5
1 5 'i¥c7+ Wf6 1 6 'ii'c 3+ �e7 ( 1 6 . . . We6 1 7
�c4! with an attack) 1 7 'i¥c7+ with perpetu­ After this it is evident that Black has solved
al check. his opening problems, since it is not appar­
ent how White can strengthen his position,
11 �b1
and the possession of the two bishops
1 1 'iVg3 is not in Tal's style. means that Black need not tear any opening
11 lt:J b6 of the game.
By defending the important d5 square and 17 ctJb3 'VJilc7
preparing to evacuate his king to the 18 �d3 ctJc4
queenside, Botvinnik skilfully continues his
19 i.xc4 i¥xc4
tactics of restraining the opponent's attack­
20 lt:Jd4
ing possibilities.
The control of the blockading square d4
Again in the event of 1 1 . . . 'iVxt2 White's
compensates tor Black's possession of the
initiative would have been sufficient com­
two bishops.
pensation tor the pawn: 1 2 �d3 b5 1 3 l:.ht1
�b6 and now White has a choice between 20 .ie7
1 4 .i.g6 and 1 4 'i'h5!? l:Ia7 ( 1 4 . . . b4 1 5 21 l:. hd3 'Wic7
lt:Jxd5 with an attack) 1 5 lt:Jh4. 22 'ii'e2 'ifb6
 Free ebooks ==> www.Ebook777.com
GAME 7 BOTVI N N I K - TAL CiJ 33

23 'i'g4 'illc7 which had occurred several times in the

24 'ii'e2 games from our previous match.
4 ..5i.xc3+
5 bxc3 b6
8 8 Black avoids 5 . . . ltJe4 6 e3 f5 7 1i'h5+
(Botvinnik-Tal , 20th match game, Moscow
7
1 960). A good alternative is 5 . . . c5, as
6 played, for example, in the game Botvinnik­
Budo (Leningrad 1 938) and the training
game Kan-Botvinnik (Nikolina gora 1 952). 4
6 f3 �a6
7 e4
2

A tacit offer of a draw.

24 'ii' b6
25 'i¥g4 'iic7
Draw.
The commentators unanimously judged this
game to be a brief respite after five rounds
of tense struggle. However, if in the opening
Tal had played 5 ltJf3 or 6 i.b5, Black's
problems would have been much more
difficult.
7 d5
This move can be considered a positional
mistake , since it allows White to immediate­
29th March 1 96 1 - Game 7 ly get rid of his weak c4 pawn. I have to
adm it that already then I knew that 7 . . . ttJc6
gives Black a good game, and after 8 i.. d 3
Botvinnik - Tal ttJa5 9 'i¥e2 d6! followed by . . . 'ii'd7-a4 (or
c6) his position is perfectly sound.
Nimzo- l ndian Defence
One gains the impression that, from the
Notes by Mikhail Botvinnik
standpoint of opening preparation, my op­
ponent had not made very fruitful use of the
1 c4 ltJf6 ten months separating our second match
2 ltJc3 e6 from the first.
3 d4 �b4 8 cxd5
4 a3 Another plan was carried out in the game
I n the earlier games of the return match I Alekhine-Eiiskases (1 933/34) : 8 i.. g 5 h6
chose 4 e3. Now I decided to check what my 9 i.. h 4 i..xc4 1 0 ..txc4 dxc4 1 1 'ii'a 4+.
opponent had prepared in this variation, 8 �xf1
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34 � GAME 7 BOTVIN N I K - TAL

9 <i1t>xf1 exd5 12 ... dxe4

10 �g5 A highly dubious decision. The opening of
A plan typical of such positions, which I lines in the centre merely assists the
employed, for example, against Tal in the development of White's initiative.
4th game of our fi rst match, although in a 13 �e1 g5
somewhat different situation . This is now forced .
10 . . . h6 14 i.f2
The pawn exchange 1 0 . . . dxe4 1 1 fxe4 The only move. In the event of the routine
would have given White predominance in 1 4 i.g3 Black's position would not have
the centre and the possibility of convenient­ been so bad after 1 4 . . . 'i¥d5. But now if
ly developing his pieces at f3. 1 4 . . . 1i'd5 there can follow 1 5 c4 (the d4
Tal tries to complicate matters with a pawn pawn is defended) 1 5 . . . 1i'e6 1 6 'i¥c2 (1 6
sacrifice (1 1 �xf6 'ifxf6 - of course, not fxe4 tt:Jxe4 1 7 'i¥c2 f5 1 8 g4 is unconvincing
1 1 . . . gxf6 - 1 2 exd5 0-0, with a comfortable on account of 1 8 .. /�i'd8! 1 9 gxf5 \i'xc4+ 20
game for Black) . True to my match tactics, I 'iixc4 lt:Jd2+) and 1 7 fxe4 with a decisive
declined the pawn sacrifice, so as not to advantage for Wh ite.
concede the initiative to my opponent. This is the subtle point of the manoeuvre,
1 1 \i'a4+ begun with 1 2 i.h4.
14 ... 'V/Jie7
15 tLle2
But not 1 5 fxe4 in view of 1 5 . . . tt:Jxe4 1 6 'ii'c2
f5 1 7 g4 tLld7 1 8 gxf5 ctJdf6.
15 b5
16 'i¥c2 �xa3
If 1 6 . . . e3, then 1 7 .i.xe3 lt:Jd5 1 8 �c1 .
Convinced that the positional battle is lost,
Black tries at least to retain a material
advantage.
17 h4
a c e g

11 c6 8 8

Avoiding the endgame, since after 1 1 . . .'�d7 7 7

1 2 'ii'x d7+ tLlbxd7 1 3 �xf6 (or 1 3 .i.h4 dxe4
6 6
1 4 .:te1 ) 1 3 . . . tLlxf6 1 4 e5 White's advantage
is obvious. But the course chosen by Black 5 5

leads to a difficult middlegame. Now the 4 4

bishop can be retained, and Black will have
3 3
no time to think about occupying c4 with one
of his knights . 2 2

12 .th4
Of course, here too White avoids 1 2 �xf6 a c e g
�xf6 1 3 exd5 o-o.
 GAME 7 BOTVI N N I K - TAL ttJ 35

White aims as quickly as possible to bring 23 lla1 'Wie7

i nto play h is last reserve, the rook at h 1 . If 24 �xa7 'iYxe4
now 1 7 . . . g4 1 8 fxe4, and g4 remains The exchange of queens does not weaken
inaccessible to the black knight. After White's attack.
1 7 . . . �g8 (as should have been played) 1 8
25 'i¥xe4 llxe4
hxg5 hxg5 White's ki ng's rook is immediate­
ly activated. Black's reply also allows the 26 .l:.a8+ ctJb8
bishop to come into play with decisive Of course, not 26 . . .�c7 27 i.. g 3+.
effect. 27 i.g3 �b7
17 gxh4 28 � ha1
18 i..x h4 ttJbd7
19 ttJg3 0-0-0
On the queenside too the king will not find a
quiet refuge, and loss of material for Black
becomes inevitable.
20 tt:Jxe4

28 lieS
Defending against the th reat of 29 l:1 a7+
�b6 30 i.e? mate.
29 li8a7+ �b6
30 i.. xb8
Again threatening mate (31 � 1 a6) . Black
20 . . . tt:Jxe4 is not possible on account of 21 loses a piece.
'ii'xe4 with two threats: 22 �xc6+ and 22 30 b4
i.xd8. Therefore Black offers a piece sacri­ 31 i.d6 bxc3
fice.
32 i.c5+ �b5
20 ... :he8
33 .:1 a4
21 c;t>t2!
Black resigns.
White is not in a hu rry to gain material . After
From the character of the play, one might
21 ttJxf6 �xe1 + 22 Wxe 1 'iVa1 + 23 'ii'd 1
i magine that it was Tal playing White, and
'iVxc3+ 2 4 �f1 ttJe5 some complications
Botvinnik playing Black.
would have arisen. It is more important to
retain the initiative.
21 tt:Jxe4+
22 fxe4 f6
36 \t> GAME 8 TAL - BOTV I N N I K

3 1 st M a rch 1 96 1 - G a m e 8 subsequent pawn storm on the kingside.

The immediate counter in the centre effec­
tively takes the play into one of the varieties
Tal - Botvinnik of the French Defence.
Caro-Kann Defence 4 dxc5 e6
Notes by Alexander Kotov 5 'ifg4

1 e4 c6
When an notating this game, I made this
move on the board and thought: how the
fate of this opening has changed! At one
time the Caro-Kann Defence was regarded
as u n reliable, uninteresting and cowardly. It
will be remembered , for example, how
much criticism grandmaster Flohr had to
end u re from the commentators, for the fact
that he invariably employed this opening
'where you cannot squeeze out more than a
d raw' .
But i n 1 958 Botvinnik employed this open­
ing for the first time in his career in his return
After h is experiment with 5 lt:Jc3 i n the fou rth
match with Smyslov. Its success, as is
game, Tal decided in favou r of this queen
known, was stunning. Botvinnik gained
sortie. The idea of the move is correct -
several wins with the Caro-Kann and th is
White ties down the f8 bishop to the defence
old defence immediately revived; now it is
of the g7 pawn and makes it hard for the
played in every tou rnament.
opponent to regain the c5 pawn.
2 d4 d5
5 lt:Jc6
3 e5
I n the sixth game Botvinnik played 5 . . . lt:Jd7
This is how they tried to refute this opening and gained a comfortable position. The
in the initial period of its existence. Then development of the kn ight at c6 allows
ways were suggested with 3 lt:Jc3, 3 exd5 White to eliminate this i mportant piece and
cxd5 4 c4, and finally 2 lt:Jc3 d5 3 lt:Jf3. to set the opponent difficult problems, again
Supporters of the Caro-Kann Defence found associated with the regain i ng of the c5
adequate rejoinders agai nst all these at­ pawn.
tempts. Before the return match Tal joked
6 lt:Jf3 'ifc7
that he had 'refuted' the Caro-Kann De­
fence. But perhaps this was not a joke , and 7 �b5 i.d7
the world champion considered the impetu­ 8 �xc6 'ii'xc6
ous 3 e5 to be a dangerous continuation? 9 .i.e3
3 c5 The same direct strategy. Tal does not allow
At any event, for the third time Botvinnik his opponent to capture the c5 pawn
avoids the theoretical reply 3 ... i.f5 . Possi­ i mmediately and forces him to carry out an
bly he was afraid of new ways of playing for additional operation in order to do this. If
White, associated with 4 c4 or 4 lt:Je2 and a now Botvinnik had played 9 . . . lt:Je7, there
 GAME 8
cou ld have followed 1 0 lt:Jbd2 lt:Jts 1 1 lt:Jb3
lt:Jxe3 1 2 fxe3 and White's position is very
active.
9 lt:Jh6
A move which has its pluses and minuses.
By ruining his kingside pawns, Botvinnik
allows his opponent many tactical th rusts
associated with the weakening of the d6
and f6 squares. However, in return Black
gains two dangerous bishops, which - alas!
- in the present game are not in fact
destined to expand.
10 �xh6 gxh6
11 lt:Jbd2 'ifxc5
12 c4!
White displays an excellent understanding
of the position . Since it is dangerous to take
on c4 in view of the possible march by the
knight via e4 to f6 or d6, he gains the
opportunity to attack Black's central sup­
ports . White may be able to take on d5, or
else advance his c-pawn further, cramping
the black pieces.
12 0-Q-0
Many grandmasters, analysing this game in
the press centre, recommended that Black
should nevertheless have taken on c4. They
had rothing to fear, they were not playing
the game themselves, and therefore the
TAL - BOTVI N N I K l2J
_-- -----·;,-:-.·:- �--;:·:
37
··--·-:::
most daring decisions could be suggested.
From the practical point of view, even if the
capture on c4 was possible, it is hard to
condemn Botvinnik for the fact that he
avoided this seemingly risky move.
13 0-0 <it>bS
14 :td1
A move which was not easy to find. The
immediate concentration of White's forces
on the c-file suggests itself - 1 4 :fc1 . Tal
carries out a more profound plan: he places
his rooks on d1 and c1 , which enables him
to create the maximum dangerous pressure
on the entire enemy centre.
14 �b6
A tactical oversight. Botvinnik thought that
with 1 5 . . . i.c5 he would be able to begin a
counterattack against the f2 square and
succeed in completing the mobilisation of
his pieces. However, Tal's reply deprives
Black of this hope. The immediate 1 4 . . . i.e7
was correct, in order to begin counterplay
on the g-file as soon as possible.
15 'iVh4!
Preventing the development of the bishop
both at e7, and at c5 (in the latter case 1 6
lt:Jb3 is good) . I n addition, at h4 the queen is
dangerously active, threatening to i nvade at
f6 and (if the bishop moves from f8) at h6.
15 a5
38 � GAME 8 TAL - BOTV I N N I K

I n games between Botvinnik and Tal one

feature is noticeable. The former world
champion tries to suppress the slightest
possibility of boundless complications, not
amenable to calculation. He carefully sup­
presses every possible tactical thrust by Tal .
Thus here he securely prevents White's b2-
b4.
Even so, this move cannot be considered
good. 1 5 . . Jic8 should have been played .
16 :ac1 �98
Black's position is difficult. He does not
have sufficient counterplay and his bishops
occupy extremely passive positions. I n
Wh ite's plan is simple: relying on the strong
addition, all the time Black has to reckon
position of his knight at d4, he is aiming for a
with the weakness of his kingside pawns
rapid pawn offensive on the queenside.
and to defend them.
20 . . . axb3
17 tLlb3!
21 axb3 'iVd8
I ntending to play this knight to d4, and also
to advance the c4 pawn or capture on d5. Black hopes to ease his defence by ex­
Botvinnik now faces a difficult choice. changing queens. However, even after the
Possibly it would have been better to simplification of the position, the impetuous
prevent the advance of the c5 pawn and Tal continues his fierce onslaught. Black's
play 1 7 . . . �c8. In this case 1 8 cxd5 l:.xc1 1 9 position is already hopeless and soon the
tLlxc1 exd5 20 �xd5 is not dangerous for inevitable catastrophe ensues.
Black, si nce after 20 . . . �c6 his b ishops gain 22 'ifxd8 llxd8
scope and become extremely active. 23 b4 l:. g4
17 ... a4 24 b5 :c8
After this Black is condemned to lengthy 25 c6!
passivity and can only await the opponent's A highly u npleasant thrust. To take on c6
offensive. 1 7 . . . dxc4 should have been means completely exposing the king. How­
played . ever, after the retreat of the bishop Black's
18 c5! Wlic7 pieces are helpless .
19 tLlbd4 l:. c8 25 i.. e 8
20 b4 26 .:tc2 i.g7
There is no longer any defence. After
26 . . . b6 White calmly bui lds up the pressu re
by doubling rooks on the a-file. Botvinnik
(see next diagram) attempts somehow to complicate the play
and al lows the world champion to conclude
the game with a spectacular stroke.
27 Zia1 �xeS
28 tLlxe5 l:.xd4
 GAME 9 BOTVI N N I K - TAL � 39

4 ctJf3 e4
5 ctJd4 d5
6 cxd5 'iVb6
At that time this was almost an innovation. It
had been played not long before this match
by Mikenas against Taimanov ( 1 960). In
that game there followed 7 lt:Jc2, which is
more common even now, although the
continuation chosen by me is sound enough.
7 ctJb3 cxd5
8 jLg2

29 ctJd7+ !
Black resigns. He has a dismal choice:
29 . . . �c7 30 b6+ �dB 31 cxb7, or 29 . . . �xd7
30 cxd7 :ds 31 �c8+! :xeS 32 :aS+ ! . In
both cases a new white queen appears on
the board .
An excel lent win by the world champion . His
play in the complicated middlegame posi­
tion creates a strong impression.

8 a5
7th-8th Apri l 1 96 1 - Game 9 I n view of Black's retarded development, he
had no justification for wasting two tempi on
this and the further advance of his pawn.
Botvinnik - Tal Such an 'initiative' can be parried without
English Open ing difficu lty.
Notes by Mikhail Botvinnik The correct plan of development was dem­
onstrated in the game Reshevsky-Keres
1 c4 ctJf6 ( 1 963) : 8. . . �f5 9 d3 �b4 1 0 0-0 �xc3 1 1
2 CZJc3 e5 bxc3 o-o 1 2 jLe3 Wile?, but the quiet play
resulting after 8 . . . i.f5 evidently did not suit
3 g3 c6
the world champion.
A well-known conti nuation of Keres. Al­
9 d3 a4
though White can hope for an opening
advantage, the play becomes sharp, which 10 �e3 iVb4
always suits Tal . 11 ctJd4 a3
M y opponent was in a fighting mood, since No better was 1 1 .. ."i5xb2, to which the
in the preceding game of our match he had si mplest reply would be 1 2 o-o.
won in good style. 12 l2Jc2!
40 � GAME 9 BOTV I N N I K - TAL

An obvious refutation of the rook's pawn's 17 ltJc6

swift advance. 18 dxe4 dxe4
12 ... 'iVxb2 19 ltJxe4
13 .i.d4 i.b4 After 1 9 lbd5 "i¥d4 20 lbc7+ �e7 21 lbxa8
Only in this way can the 'wou ld-be-attacker' (the outcome would also be unclear after 21
queen be saved. l:Ixc6 'iix d 1 22 :xe6+ fxe6 23 !:Ixd 1 llhd8)
14 ltJxb4 21 . . .'�xd 1 22 kifxd1 ltxa8 23 i.. xe4 i.xa2
Naturally, White avoids 1 4 l:.b1 .i.xc3+ 1 5 the passed a-pawn would have caused
'it>f1 .i.xd4, since the queen is won at too White considerable problems.
high a cost. 19 ... .txa2
14 ... 'iVxb4 The boldness of desperation . Otherwise
15 i.xt6 Black would simply have been a pawn down
and in a difficult position.
Of cou rse, not 1 5 dxe4 ltJc6.
20 lbd6+ 'it>ts
15 gxt6
21 ltJxb7 ltJe5
16 0-0
22 lbc5 l:.b8

The diagram demonstrates clearly the fail­

ure of Black's play.
16 ... i.e6
17 l:tc1
1 7 'i¥c1 , suggested by Bronstein, would
seem to be more logical, in order to use the
rook on the b-file (e.g. 1 7 . . .ltJc6 1 8 kib1
ile7 1 9 dxe4 dxe4 20 ltJxe4, and the threat
of 21 :xb7 can hardly be parried). However,
White would have had to reckon with the
possible reply 1 7 . . . �b2.
At the same time, as will be seen from what
follows, the move in the game by no means
throws away the win.
22 . . . k!.c8 was completely bad in view of 23
'il'd6+ �g8 24 ltJe6 'ii'b 8 25 :xc8+ 'iVxc8 26
lbf4, creating numerous threats (27 'ii'xa3,
27 'il'xf6 etc.). I n a difficult position Tal finds
a clever chance. The main aim of the move
is not only to move the rook away from the
attack by the bishop , but also to defend the
queen in the variation 23 'iid6+ �g7 24
lbe6+.
23 lba6
The tempting 23 f4 lbg4 24 e4 (or 24 lbd7+
'it>g7 25 lbxb8 :xb8! ) 24 . . . lbe3 25 �d6+
�g7 26 e5 did not hold any great danger for
 GAME 9 BOTV I N N I K - TAL ltJ 41

Black, since instead of 24 . . . lt:Je3 he would 29 i.e4 .:e8

reply 24 . . . h5!. White takes the correct If 29 .. .Ct:Jc4 White would have won by 30
decision to go i nto an endgame, where he �c3! (30 . . . li:Jd2+ 31 .:txd2) .
has every chance of wi nning, since the a3 30 l:.a4 .:.e7
pawn is doomed.
31 ..tf5 lic7
23 ... �b3!
32 l:.h4
White cannot avoid the exchange of queens.
Forcing a weakening of the h-pawn.
24 lt:Jxb4 i..xd 1 32 h6
25 l:tfxd1 .:txb4 33 l:.a4 �c5
26 .:ta1 34 h3 tt:Jc4
35 ..td3 lt:Je5
The repetition of moves is explained by the
fact that Black's knight has no convenient
strong-point other than e5. White, natu rally,
is aiming to reach the time control, to avoid
taking any committi ng decisions before
home analysis.
36 i.e4 lt:Jc4
37 i.d3 lt:Je5
38 i.. e4 lt:Jc4
39 �e1
The incautious 39 i.d3 would have led after
39 . . . lt:Je5 to the position being repeated
three times, and so to a draw.
26 l!b2 39 lt:Je5
Was it possible to make things more difficult 40 l:.ad4 l:tc3
for White, by aiming to give up the a3 pawn
41 l:.1 d2 l:tc1 +
at the cost of the exchange of minor pieces?
42 �d1 l:.c3
After all, in a rook ending the conversion of
a material advantage is not easy when the 43 f4 f5
pawns are all on one wing. It tu rns out that
White could have avoided such simplifica­
tion , for example 26 . . . �a4 27 f4 lt:Jc4 28
�d4 (but not 28 lid7 li:Je3) 28 . . . �g7 29 i.c6
l:.b4 30 i.. e 4! (threatening 31 l:.xa3) 30 . . . �a4
31 i.c2 l1b4 32 ..td3 .l:.c8 33 lixa3.
Therefore Black gives up the a3 pawn
without a fight, and the game enters a
purely technical phase, which, however,
lasts a further 45 moves. But in such
positions is it worth hurrying?
27 �f1 �g7
28 lixa3 l:tc8
42 � GAME 9 BOTV I N N I K - TAL

A rather surprising move, especially since it

was apparently planned by Tal in his home 8 8
analysis. 43 . . .lt:Jc4 would have offered a
7 7
more tenacious resistance.
6 6
44 i.xf5 lt:Jc4
It can only be assumed that, when he gave 5

up the pawn, Tal had in mind 44 . . . ttJf3+ 45 4

exf3 Ite3+ 46 �f1 �xf3+ 47 � g 1 l:txg3+ 48
3 3
� h 1 , but not without reason he avoided it,
since Black has no compensation for the 2 2

piece. Or perhaps he hoped that I would be

afraid of this continuation? a b c d e g h

45 l:t4d3 ncc2
46 i.g4 l:ta2 The black rooks have finally left the second
47 :b3 �g6 rank, in order to hinder the advance of the
48 <itf2 ctJd2 white pawns. But at the same time this
lt:Jc4 relieves the white pieces of any concern
49 l:te3
about the e2 pawn.
50 �b3 ctJd2
63 .ig2
The two extra pawns guarantee White a
64 :d1 .:la3
win. He only needs to be careful not to make
a mistake, and for this it is useful to gain 65 i.. d5 .l:.a4
time for thought. 66 �e1 :d4
51 .:le3 lt:Jc4 67 i.g2
52 :tea The pin inevitably leads to the exchange of
52 I:tb3 would have led to a repetition, one pair of rooks, which is useful for the
al lowing Black to claim a draw. conversion of the material advantage.

52 ctJd2 67 ctJb3
68 :txd4 'tJxd4
53 l:te5 Wf6
69 �f2 lt:le6
54 l:tf5+ �g 6
70 i.e4 .a:b2
55 :te5 �f6
71 lU5+ �g7
56 �h5 l:tc3
72 l:td5 �f6
The next time control has been reached ,
and White , after cal m reflection, can begin 73 �f3
advancing his pawns, without which he Black resigns.
cannot get by. Tal satisfied himself that White was not
57 h4 :c4 intending to make any error. Besides, from
58 i.f3 l:tcc2 the 73rd move the two players had each
gained an extra hour on the clock, and in
59 �d5 .:la4
addition, the advance g3-g4-g5 can no
60 i.f3 :aa2 longer be avoided. These are more than
61 ge1 .:a4 sufficient reasons for Black to curtail his
62 h5 �c3 resistance.
 GAM E 1 0 TAL- BOTV I N N I K ctJ 43

1 Oth Apri l 1 961 - Game 1 0

Tal - Botvinnik
Caro-Kann Defence
Notes by Mikhail Botvinnik

1 e4 c6
2 d4 d5
3 e5
For many years this continuation was a c e g h
considered to be harmless for Black. White's
next move reveals that it has some position­
6 c5
al basis.
7 c3 li:)c6
3 i.f5
8 i.h3 e6
4 h4 h6
9 i.e3
4 . . . h5, which looks more active, is also often
played , as, for example, in the 1 4th game of Inconsistent, to say the least. 9 f4 came into
the return match . However, the text move is consideration, to place the knight at f3, from
quite logical. Black wants to play . . . e7-e6, where it would have secu rely defended the
after which he will be out of danger. central d4 pawn.
Therefore it is not surprising that White 9 \lib6
immediately takes vigorous action. 10 �b3
5 g4 Usually Tal avoids the exchange of queens,
Here Boleslavsky recommended the quieter but here he changed his habit, and wrongly
continuation 5 i.d3 i.xd3 6 'Vi'xd3 e6 7 h5. so, since i n the given situation the exchange
5 i.d7 favou rs Black.
10 cxd4
After 5 . . . i.h7 6 e6 fxe6 White would have
. . .

had a certain compensation for the pawn, 11 'i¥xb6

which was confi rmed , in particular, i n the
game Gufeld-Spiridonov ( 1 961 ): 7 i.d3
i.xd3 8 'i¥xd3 'ii'd 6 9 f4.
6 h5
This too is useful , in order to prevent . . . h6-
h5. However, in the 1 8th game Tal refrained
from this move , restricting himself to the
prophylactic 6 c3, while in the same year
Bronstein played 6 c4 against Portisch .
Now Black m ust not delay his attack o n the
centre.
(see next diagram)
After 1 1 cxd4 .ib4+ 1 2 ctJc3 li:)xd4 1 3 'ii'd 1
i..c5 White would have lost a pawn.
11 axb6
12 cxd4
(see next diagram)
12 li:)a5
But now, of course, Black avoids the win of
a pawn ( 1 2 . . . li:)b4 1 3 �d2 Itxa2 1 4 Itxa2
li:)xa2) , since then the initiative would have
passed to the opponent. Instead of this he
rapidly advances his b-pawn, i mitating the
plan that Capablanca demonstrated in his
44 <t> GAME 1 0 TAL - BOTVI N N I K

16 tbf3 tbc4
Again rejecting, and not without reason , the
win of the a2 pawn (1 6 . . . tbb3 1 7 l't.b1
:xa2), si nce it would be hard for Black to
bring his bishop at fB into play.
17 i.xc4 dxc4
18 tbd6 i.xd6
There was no point in sacrificing the
exchange (1 8 . . . �c6 1 9 tbxf7+ �e8 20
tbxhB i..xf3 etc.), since in any case Black's
position is good enough .
19 exd6 �c6
20 tbes
encounter with Janowski ( 1 91 6). This game
White appears to be creating complications,
was given by the third World Champion in
but in the end it all reduces to further
his book My Chess Career.
simplification, and this is merely playing into
1 3 tbc3 b5
Black's hands .
1 4 i.f1 b4
The white knight proves to be out of play in
1 4 . . . tbc4 could also have been played , but
Black's territory, and in general the world
Black has no objection to the white knight
champion's pieces become disunited .
occupying an insecure position at b5 and
even penetrating to d6. All this will merely 20 i.xh1
assist the mobilisation of Black's forces. 21 CL\xt7+ �ea
1 5 tb b5 �d8 22 tbxh8 ..ie4
A rather rare occurrence, when by the 1 6th There is the unpleasant th reat of 23 . . . c3 24
move none of the kingside pieces of both a4 c3, which is not parried by 23 ..id2 on
White , and Black, have left their initial account of 23 . . . c3 24 bxc3 b3. White is
squares. therefore forced to give up a pawn, so that
It is true that the white bishop left its post at his bishop can participate in the blocking of
f1 for a short time, but then thought it best to Black's queenside pawns.
return .

8 8 8

7 7 7 7

6 6 6 6

5 5

4 4 4 4

3 3 3 3

2 2

a c e g a c d e g h
 - - -- ·- -
GAME 1 1 BOTV I N N I K - TAL ttJ 45

23 d5 exd5 through of his pawns on the q ueenside ,

24 i.. d 4 lDf6 which White is unable to avoid.
25 �d2 <it>d7 39 'Df7+ �d7
26 lDf7 �e6 40 'Dxg5 'De7
27 lDe5 �xd6 41 f4 'Dc6
Here we can take stock: Black is a pawn up 42 'Df3 <iii d 6
and has the better position . Tal's subse­ This last move was sealed by Black. White
quent clever attempts to complicate the play resigned, without resuming the game.
are unable to change the cou rse of events.
28 f3 �h7
29 g5 hxg5
30 h6 gxh6
31 lDf7+ �e6
32 lDxh6 lDg8
33 �e1 + was th reatened, when Black loses 1 2th A p r i l 1 96 1 - G a me 1 1
a piece.
33 lDg4 i.f5
Botvinnik Tal
34 lDe3
-

�g6
Slav Defence
35 lDg4 �f5
Notes by Mikhail Botvinnik
Now all Black's thoughts are aimed at safely
escaping from time trouble.
1 d4 lLlf6
36 'De3 �g 6
37 ltJg4 2 c4 c6
�d 6
3 l2Jc3 d5
38 'Des ..tf5
A psychological mistake. After losing the
two preceding games, Tal apparently decid­
ed to take a breather and make a quick
8 draw. I n so doing, he quite reasonably
7
assumed that White would not avoid the
Exchange Variation of the Slav Defence, but
6
he failed to appreciate that it is not so easy
5 for Black to gain a d raw even in this
4 variation, if he does not have a prepared
plan of action.
3
4 cxd5 cxd5
2
5 lLlf3 ltJc6
6 �f4 i.. f5
Two experts on the Slav Defence, Emanuel
Lasker and Vasily Smyslov, used to prefer
Black unhesitatingly gives up his g5 pawn, 6 . . . e6, although in this case too Black does
since the passed f3 pawn is not dangerous. not have an easy game.
,
The outcome will be decided by the break- 7 e3 e6
46 � GAME 11 BOTV I N N I K - TAL

12 bxc3 'iWxc3
Black continues to stick to his di rect d rawing
tactics. However, it should be mentioned
that Pomar's attempt to improve Black's
play by 1 2 . . . l:tc8 did not prove satisfactory
in view of 1 3 c4 with the threat of c4-c5
(Botvinnik-Pomar, Amsterdam 1 966) .

8 .tb5
The system associated with this move was
one that I prepared back i n 1 946 , i.e. 1 5
years before the present game, but I had
never managed to employ it in practice.
Only late in 1 947 could I have played this
against Trifunovic in the Chigorin Memorial
Tou rnament, but I refrained: the tournament
situation was such that I was quite happy 13 'iWc1 !
with a draw. There I played 8 'ifb3 i.b4 9 Now the exchange of queens is i nevitable,
.tbs 0-0, and the chances quickly became since if 1 3 ... .i.c2 there follows 1 4 .:.b1
equal. followed by 1 5 :b2 or 1 5 l:tb3 5• Because of
It should be added , only, that 8 .tb5 is by no this, the white rook moves to the c-file with
means a new move. A game i n which it gain of tempo.
occurred was given i n Grunfeld's Taschen­ 13 ... �xc1
buch der Eroffnungen im Schach. There
14 :uxc1 o-o
8 . . . ctJd7 was recommended, and if 9 "ii'a4
This leads to a further deterioration of
.:t.c8, after which Black's position is not
Black's position . His main defensive trump
worse, since the acceptance of the sacrifice
is the centralised position of his king. After
(1 0 i.. xc6 :xc6 1 1 'i'xa7 'iWc8) is not without
removing it to the wing, apart from anything
its dangers for White . All this was estab­
else he will have to reckon with the threat of
lished long ago, but I not u n reasonably
tt:Jxc6, ctJe7+ and lt:Jxf5. Therefore 1 4 ... lt:Jd7
thought that my opponents would avoid the
was preferable.
pawn sacrifice, since White was apparently
ready to go in for this variation. 15 f3 h6
16 tt:Jxc6 1Ife8
This assumption proved justified . . .
17 a4
8 ..tb4
Exploiting his spatial advantage, White
9 tt:Je5 �as
selects the a7 pawn as a target, since it will
10 .txc6+ bxc6 not be easy for the black bishop to come to
11 o-o ..txc3 its aid .
 GAME 11 BOTV I N N I K - TAL [tJ 47

17 t2Jd7 25 �f2 .MaaB

18 ..td6 CLJb6 26 �e3 :tebB
27 .Mac3 .Mea
28 g4
After strengthening the placing of his pieces
and pawns on the queenside and in the
centre, Wh ite intends to open up the game
on the kingside, in the hope of either
penetrating with his rooks into the oppo­
nent's rear, or of creating another passed
pawn.
28 l:.abB
29 h4 l:.c6
30 h5

19 �c5
After Black has prepared to occupy c4 with
his knight, the th reat of tbe7+ and ct:Jxf5 has
lost its strength , since White would have
problems over the defence of his e3 pawn .
However, for the moment 1 9 . . . t2Jc4 is unfa­
vou rable on account of 20 e4 i.g6, and now
either 21 exd5 exd5 22 tbe7+ and 23 t2Jxd5,
or simply 21 i.xa7. Black also has a difficult
game after 1 9 . . t2Jc8 20 l:ta3 ! . This means
.

that he has to agree to the loss of a pawn ,

but at least he is able to give it up in such a
way as to provoke the exchange of knights.
Then the only minor pieces left on the board Now White's plan becomes apparent: to
will be opposite-colour bishops. play e4-e5 and exchange on f6, after which
19 i.d3 the advance of the f- and g-pawns will
20 t2Jxa7 �xa7 enable him to achieve his goal .
21 il.xb6 :as 30 . .. l:.bcB
Although it is natu ral that Black should want 31 e5 g6
to blockade the passed a-pawn, the rook is Passive waiting is not to Tal's liking, but the
not well placed on this square. move played merely assists White's inten­
22 aS i.c4 tions.
23 :§:a3 f6 32 hxg6+ 'litxg6
This decision also cannot be approved. The 33 .l:3c2 fxe5
development of Wh ite's initiative would After this the white bishop also gains the
have been hindered by 23 . . . f5. opportunity to participate in the play on the
24 e4 'fiif7 kingside.
 Free ebooks ==> www.Ebook777.com
48 � GAME 1 2 TAL - BOTVI N N I K

34 dxe5 �h8 sharp position White's chances are prefera­

35 �h2 :cc8 ble.
Of cou rse, not 35 . . . h5 36 :ch 1 . 7 'i1lg4
36 �d2 .i. b3 The more modest 7 lt:Jf3, as played by
Smyslov, cannot claim to refute the varia­
But now the a-pawn will be able to advance
tion, since the position is largely blocked ,
directly to a7.
the weakness of the dark squares i n Black's
37 a6
position is not so sensitive , and his counter­
38 a7 play on the c-file gives him good cou nter­
39 J:.a1 liaS chances .
40 i.e3 7 f5
It only remains to play : b 1 -b8 or l;Iah 1 , but
Black's next move - his last in time trouble ­
leads to a different outcome.
40 llb7
41 1Ixh6+ �g7
42 i:tah1 llb2+
Black resigns.

1 4th Apri l 1 96 1 - Game 1 2

Tal - Botvinnik
French Defence As mentioned above, 7 . . . ltJe7 8 'iVxg7 :g8
Notes by Evgeny Sveshnikov 9 'li'xh7 is advantageous to White. This is
how the play can develop: 9 . . . cxd4 1 0 tt:Je2
lt:Jbc6 1 1 f4 i.d7 1 2 'iVd3 dxc3 1 3 lt:Jxc3! ?
1 e4 e6
(1 3 i.e3 ! ? ; 1 3 l:.b1 ; 1 3 ifxc3; 1 3 lt:Jg3) .
Botvinnik reverts to his favourite move,
8 �g3
although, if the 1 960 match is remembered,
it brought him considerable troubles. The alternative is 8 'ii' h 5+ g6 9 'iY'd1 .
However, White has to be prepared to play
2 d4 d5
the endgame after 8 . . . 'iVf7 9 'iVxf7+ �xf7 1 0
3 ltJc3 i.b4 lt:Jf3. It was evidently because of this last
4 e5 c5 variation that Tal chose 8 'i¥g3.
5 a3 i.. x c3+ 8 lt:Je7
6 bxc3 Wic7 I n the event of the preparatory exchange
The alternative is 6 . . .Ct:Je7 7 'iVg4!. Accord­ 8 . . . cxd4 9 cxd4 fi:Je7 White can choose
ing to Boleslavsky, the queen should attack between the simple 1 0 i.. d 2 0-0 1 1 .id3 b6
the weakened (by the absence of the 1 2 lt:Je2 ..ta6 1 3 fi:Jf4 'iVd7 and Keres's old
bishop) kingside. 7 . . . ltJbc6 (after 7 . . . 0-0 8 recommendation 1 0 c3 0-Q 1 1 h4!? b6 1 2
i.d3! f5 9 exf6 lixf6 White stands slightly h5 lt:Jec6 1 3 h6 g6 1 4 ctJh3 i.a6 1 5 i.gS - in
better) 8 'i¥xg7 :lg8 9 �xh7 and in this both cases White stands slightly better.
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 GAME 1 2
8 . . ..�:Jc6 comes into consideration, provok­
ing 9 lt:Jf3, and only then 9 . . . cxd4 1 0 cxd4
lt:Jge7, after which White cannot play 1 1
'i'xg7 on account of 1 1 . . .l:lg8 1 2 'irxh7
lt:Jxd4 ! , and therefore he has to turn to
'trench warfare' with 1 1 i.d2 or 1 1 i.e2.
9 'i¥xg 7!
In the fourteenth game of the 1 957 world
championship, Smyslov played against
Botvinnik the more modest 9 �d2 0-0 1 0
.td3 b6 1 1 ctJh3 ..ta6 1 2 ctJf4 'iVd7 1 3 h4
i.. x d3 1 4 cxd3 l2Jbc6 1 5 .ii. e 3 cxd4 1 6 cxd4
Itac8 1 7 h5 lt:Ja5 and Black achieved a
good position.
The move made by Tal must be deemed
more critical and , what is most important,
objectively stronger.
9 l:lg8
10 'iVxh7
cxd4
11 �d1 ! .i.d7
An amazing position! How to evaluate it?
What reference poi nts should be used?
David Bronstein, annotating the 1 2th game,
devoted a whole page to the position,
without giving any specific variations. And
indeed , what variations can a person sug­
gest? Nevertheless, variations appeared,
and not only a few years later, when dozens
of games had been played . Thus, by
TAL - BOTVI N N I K LtJ 49
studying the experience of his predeces­
sors, a person solves irrational positions. It
is another matter with the computer - for it
all positions are normal .
It is curious that this position (or more
precisely, this type of position) has played
an important role in my chess fate. In my
younger days, when I was a master, I played
3 l2Jc3! followed by 7 'ifg4! against the
French, but after capturing the g7 pawn I
suffered several painful defeats; the posi­
tion did not lend itself to my home analysis
and in those years I was not yet able to work
with the games of masters. Therefore on
practical grounds I began playing 3 e5! ? ,
since 3 li:Jd2? ! contradicts opening princi­
ples.
It should be mentioned that by playing
1 1 . . . .i.d7 Black tries to use the c-file and his
bishop at a4 for a counterattack on the
opponent's king. In the event of 1 1 . . . dxc3?!
the centre is blocked , the position of White's
king is strengthened, and his pluses be­
come more weighty.
12 'i¥h5+ �d8
A novelty. I n the first game of the 1 960
match Botvinnik played 1 2 . . . ll'lg6 1 3 �e2
d3 1 4 cxd3 j_a4+ 1 5 �e1 'iVxe5 1 6 .i.g5
�c6 1 7 d4 'i¥c7 1 8 h4 e5 1 9 Ith3 'ii'f7 20
dxe5 and in a complicated battle Tal went on
to win .
1 2 . . . Wd8 was suggested by the commenta­
tors, and the Riga grandmaster said that he
had been intending to reply 1 3 i.g5, but
there followed
13 �f3
Taking control of the central squares, where­
as for the moment the dark-square bishop
covers the king . Later games showed that
also good is 1 3 l2Je2 Jia4 1 4 ll'lf4! 11Vxe5 1 5
'irf7 i.d7 1 6 i.d3 1i'd6 1 7 l:le1 e5 1 8 a4
i.e8 1 9 'i!Ye6 1Wxe6 20 �xe6+ �d7 2 1
lt:Jc5+ �c8 2 2 :xe5 tt:Jbc6 2 3 �e2 l:txg2 24
.ii.xf5+ �d8 25 tt:Jxb7+ Wc7 26 i.f4+ ll'le5
50 � GAME 12 TAL - BOTVI N N I K

27 .:lxe5 l2Jxt5 28 .:le7+ \tc6 29 .l:.c7+ �b6

30 :b1 + �a6 31 l:c6+! ( lvkov-Portisch ,
Bled 1 961 ). Black's problems became insol­
uble after the incautious 1 3 . . . �a4? ! ; strong­
er was 1 3 . . . dxc3, after which White has to
block the position with 1 4 f4 or sacrifice his
e5 pawn in a less favourable situation.
13 ... 'ifxc3
Continuing the idea of using the bishop
before developing the b8 knight. After
1 3 . . . .i.a4 White has the satisfactory reply 1 4
i.d2, while if 1 3 . . . i.e8 - 1 4 'ii h 6 l:tg6 1 5
'ilh7.
14 .:la2
The mistake was not long in coming. It is
One would like to position the rook more improbable that Botvinnik overlooked the
actively - 1 4 �b1 !? , but then 1 4 . . . .ta4! 1 5 idea of 'i'xh8 and i.b2; it is more likely that
lt:Je1 l2Jbc6 1 6 l:xb7. I nferior is 1 6 f4? ! he was simply not afraid of going into an
:xg2! 1 7 l:tb2 (1 7 i.xg2? d3+) 1 7 . . J:Ixc2 1 8 endgame without the queens against Tal .
.:xc2 i.. xc2+ 1 9 l2Jxc2 d3 20 l2Je1 'i¥b3+ 2 1 Much stronger was 1 6 . . . 'iYa1 ! followed by
�d2 �c8� . the activation of the u nemployed rook at a8.
14 l2Jbc6 White's task would not have been easy.
15 �b2 17 'ii'x hB!
The rook has nevertheless occupied the Forced and strong.
important file, even though with a loss of 17 ... l:.xh8
tempo.
18 i.b2 �xf3+
15 . �c7
Other moves are weaker, for example:
. .

Botvin nik makes the natu ral move. Also 1 8 ... l2Jd8 1 9 ..txc3 i.. x b5 20 i.. a5+ b6 21
i nteresting was 1 5 . . . 'iha3 1 6 J:.xb7 'i¥a1 , �xb5 bxa5 22 h4±.
when it is not easy for White to develop his
19 gxf3 l2Jg6?
initiative .
16 :b5!?
Displaying 'concern' for the opponent's
8
queen . It is interesting that the analytical
programs Fritz 6, Hiarcs 7-32 and Junior 7 7 7

hardly consider this move, whereas the 6 6

commentators i nvariably accompanied it
5 5
with exclamation marks. One thing is clear:
from the purely psychological and practical 4 4

point of view it was not easy for Botvi nnik to 3 3

play this position against Tal .
2 2
16 l:.h8?

(see next diagram) a b c d e 9

 GAME 1 2 TAL - BOTV I N N I K ltJ 51

This move was universally condemned. Of

cou rse, 1 9 . . . gh4! was stronger, blocking the
h-pawn and defending the d4 pawn, where­
as the weakness of the e5 pawn will not run
away. The chances of the two sides i n this
endgame can be assessed as roughly
equal .
This is my evaluation of the endgame after
1 9 . . .l1h4! : the position is complicated and
fu ll of life, but still far from being a technical
endgame. Of the formal indicators one can
mention the exchange advantage (for White),
but for the present it is not felt, since the
white rooks are inactive and the existence
of serious pawn weaknesses in White's It is now evident that Black has no compen­
position gives Black counter-chances, for sation for the exchange.
example: 20 �c1 tt:Jxe5 21 �b3 f4. 24 �h6
20 h4! 25 i.e2 �e8
But after this strong move White's exchange 26 .l:d3 lt:Jf6
advantage is felt, and even strongly so. 26 . . . �d6 would not have been much better.
Here is a variation confirming this: 20 . . .�xh4 27 ..txd4 lt:Jxd4
21 .l:xh4 lt:Jxh4 22 f4 lt:Jg6 23 �c1 with the 28 :xd4 �x h5
idea of 24 :b3 and 25 �h3.
Ending up in a pin and allowing further
Therefore Black is forced to play differently. exchanges, but there m ight not be another
20 . . . lt:J gxe5 opportunity to get rid of the h-pawn.
21 h5! 29 �d3 �h7
Unexpectedly another factor has emerged - 30 1:tdh3 .lt g6
the very strong passed h-pawn, which 31 l:txh7+ lt:Jxh7
enables clear preference to be given to 32 l:th6 lLlfS
White.
21 lt:Jf7
It is hard to condemn Black for this move,
since after 21 . . .lt:Jxf3 22 �b3 lt:Jg5 23 f4
lt:Je4 24 �e1 his pawns cannot advance,
whereas it will be very difficult for h i m to
stop the h-pawn . Even so, knowing the
fu rther cou rse of the game, one can recom­
mend 21 . . . lt:Jxf3, although then 22 �c1 ! ?
must b e verified for White, not allowing the
manoeuvre of the knight to e4.
22 f4 lt:Jd6
23 :b3 lt:J e4
24 �e1
52 � GAME 1 3 BOTVI N N I K - TAL

Black's moves are forced . 1 7th Apri l 1 96 1 - Game 1 3

33 J:h8 ctJd7
34 1:tg8 i.f7
35 J:g7 i.e8 Botvinnik - Tal
36 :g,e7 Wd8 King's I ndian Defence
37 J:xe6 i.f7 Notes by Mikhail Botvinnik

38 l:h6 �e7
39 .i.d3 i.e6 1 d4 ctJf6
40 l:Ih5 lbt6 2 c4 g6
41 llg5 3 lLlc3 .i.g7
Black resigns. 4 e4 d6
A deserved win for Tal ! 5 f3 0-0
Botvinnik's chief mistake, in m y view, was 6 �e3 e5
that the endgame arising after 1 9 gxf3 was a Whereas after the 1 Oth game my opponent
purely calculating one, which was clearly i n was definitely aiming for a draw, after his
favour of the Riga grandmaster, and i n victory in the 1 2th game he was in an
addition its objective evaluation was never­ aggressive mood, as indicated by his choice
theless in favour of White. But had Botvinnik of opening. Taking this into account, White
played 1 6 . . .'ifa1 ! instead of 1 6 . . J�th8, the takes a psychologically correct decision: he
result of the game could have been differ­ first of all exchanges the queens.
ent. 7 dxe5
From the standpoint of opening theory, it is
Of cou rse, 7 d5 or 7 thge2 leads to more
important to answer the question: did White
interesting play.
have an advantage after 1 2 . . . �d8 ?
7 dxe5
8 iVxd8 .:Ixd8
9 lLJd5
White, natural ly, avoids 9 ctJb5 lLla6 1 0
thxa7 lLJb4 or 9 .l':.d1 l:xd 1 + 1 0 <it>xd1 i.e6,
which would have been in Black's favou r.
9 lhxd5
If 9 . . .lbeB the strongest is 1 0 0-0-0.
10 cxd5 c6
11 �c4
I nviting Black to choose the variation
1 1 . . . cxd5 1 2 .i.xd5 thc6, which was known
from the game Boleslavsky-Najdorf ( 1 953).
Alas, such a prosaic decision does not suit
Was 1 3 liJf3 the strongest move? Perhaps Tal , and he plays for complications, i.e. for
1 3 lLJe2 or 1 3 i.. g 5 would have been better? the worsening of his own position.
11 b5
12 i.b3 i.. b7
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f.«:-_-.:..:: _::;-
_-_ - ___,_
- _-.___ -.- ;- , ·:.
GAME 1 3 BOTVI N N I K - TAL
��=-
-
--

-
--
-·
--
lZJ 53

16 lLlc3 a6
Perhaps the losing move. The bishop at b7
is shut out of play for a long time, and, more
important, White is able to carry out his idea
without hindrance. Black should have played
1 6 . . . b4 1 7 l2Ja4 c4 followed by . . . �a6,
leading to u nclear complications.
17 b3 gac8
18 i.. d 3 lLlb6
19 .te2 l:. d6
This move creates the concrete threat of
20 . . . b4 21 liJb1 c4 (the knight at b6 is
defended), but the rook at d6 is no adorn­
13 o-o-o ment to the position.
If 1 3 .i:.c1 , according to analysis by Bole­
slavsky, Black gains the better game with
1 3 . . . a5! (avoiding traps such as 1 3 . . . cxd5
1 4 �c7 l:td7 1 5 :xb7, or 1 3 . . . :td7 1 4 liJe2
cxd5 1 5 ..txd5 �xd5 1 6 l:.c8+ .tf8 1 7 exd5) .
Therefore White sets a more substantial
trap - a positional one.
13 . . . c5
To my surprise, Tal makes the position a
closed one, which is not in keeping with h is
style. Of course, he should not have left
White with a protected passed pawn and
restricted the possibilities of his queen's
bishop.
After 1 3 . . . a5! 1 4 dxc6 lLlxc6 1 5 �xd8+ .Sxd8
1 6 lLle2 a roughly equal position would have 20 �b2
been reached. Now the threat is parried: in the event of
14 Ac2 20 . . . b4 21 lLlb1 c4 22 bxc4 ttJxc4+ 23 .txc4
:txc4 24 :c1 White breaks through on the
Wh ite's plan was not difficult to fi nd. It was
c-file.
successfully implemented in a similar posi­
tion in a training game Boleslavsky-Botvin­ 20 fS
nik (Voronovo 1 952) , and consisted in the 21 :tc1 :ts
preparation of an attack on the black pawn 22 a4 bxa4
chain by b2-b3 and a2-a4. It is surprising Since after 22 . . . b4 23 lLlb1 Black is left with
that, although White does not conceal his numerous weaknesses, he takes another
intentions, my opponent essentially does decision, also, however, a painful one: he
not even attempt to counter them. opens the b-file, which will soon be occu­
14 lLld7 pied by Wh ite.
1 5 ' lLle2 .t f8 23 bxa4

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54 � GAME 1 3 BOTVI N N I K - TAL

White, of cou rse, does not exchange knights d6 �cc8 35 I;txc8 Itxc8 36 :b7 there is no
(23 ltJxa4 ltJxa4+ 24 bxa4) , since the black doubt that White is winning.
knight is badly placed. 30 l:.hb1 i.xa4+
23 ... aS If 30 . . . tt:Jc8 there would now have followed
23 . . . c4 24 \t>c2 i.. b 4 25 :b1 i.. xc3 would 31 f4 - a possibility which would have been
not have changed anything, since both 26 excluded by the preparatory exchange
i.. x b6 and 26 Wxc3 tt:Jxa4+ 27 �c2 are 29 . . . fxe4 30 fxe4.
good for White. 31 l2Jxa4 l2Jxa4
24 Wc2 c4 32 �b8+
25 :!b1 i.. b4
26 tt:Ja2
Forcing Black to unblock the open file.
26 i.. c S
27 i.. xc5 :xes

32 � g7
It is already known that if 32 . . . �f8 there
would have fol lowed 33 f4.
33 J:I1 b7+ �f7
34 d6 �xb7
28 tt:Jc3
35 .l:Ixb7+ �f6
I saw that by 28 f4 I could gain a material
36 .l:Ixh7 :cs
advantage, since it is hard for Black to
defend his minor pieces (28 . . . fxe4 29 fxe5 Or 36 . . .�c6 37 d7 �d6 38 i.. xc4 ctJb6 39
l:tf2 30 �d2 1lxd5+ 31 �e3 etc.). But at this .l:If7+ �g5 40 .i.b5.
tense moment, in the fifth hour of play, I did 37 d7 lidS
not want to al low my opponent even the 38 i.xc4 tt:Jcs
slightest tactical counter-chances. 39 .l:If7+ �g5
28 ... i.c8 40 i.bS fxe4
29 l:tb2 i.. d7 41 fxe4
Slightly more tenacious was 29 . . . fxe4 30 Black resigns.
fxe4 (30 liJxe4 .i.f5) 30 . . . i.. d 7 31 �hb1
i.. xa4+ 32 tt:Jxa4 tt:Jxa4 33 klb8+ .l:If8 (in the
game on the 32nd move this could not be
played because of 33 f4). Even so, after 34
 GAME 1 4
1 9th A p r i l 1 96 1 - Game 1 4
Tal - Botvi nnik
Caro-Kann Defence
Notes by Evgeny Sveshnikov
After encountering problems in the French
Defence in the 1 2th game, Botvinnik reverts
to the Caro-Kann Defence, although the
problems were largely psychological , rather
than theoretical.
1 e4 c6
2 d4 d5
3 e5 i.f5!
The plan with 3 . . . c5? ! 4 dxc5 e6? ! has
already been analysed. Now the opening
struggle proceeds in the main direction.
4 h4!?
Tal is true to hi mself and does not seek new
paths, if only because in the 1 Oth game he
was able to obtain a promising, attacking
position.
It is curious to note how changeable
opening fashion is. In the 1 960s after the
return match White mainly played 4 h4, i n
the 1 980s - 4 tt:Jc3 e 6 5 g4 i.g6 6 tt:Jge2,
and in the 1 990s - 4 c3 e6 5 .i.e3 (or 5 tt:Jf3
TAL - BOTVI N N I K qJ 55
tt:Je7 6 .i.e2) 5 . . . 'i¥b6 6 'i¥b3.
I will not be surprised if in the 2 1 st centu ry
White again retu rns to 4 h4! ? . Very much
depends on the leader, on whether he is
able to demonstrate new ideas, or refine
and systemise old ones. Opening theory
largely develops thanks to the main experts
on a particular opening. It is staggering that
these experts, who expend enormous ef­
forts on the development of opening theory,
do not receive anything for this, si nce i n our
time new games (and this means also
ideas) immediately become the property of
all players (amateur or professional) who
have personal computers. This is u njust!
Earlier, at least for a few months, while new
games reached the readers via magazines
and books, a novelty was known only to a
narrow circle of experts and it brought the
author payment for his creative labour in the
form of several points in tou rnaments!
4 h5!
After 4 . . . h6 5 g4 it is far harder to equalise.
5 tt:Je2
The theory and praxis of the last 40 years
also suggest other ways of developing an
opening i n itiative: 5 c4! ? dxc4 (or 5 . . . e6 6
tt:Jc3 tt:Je7 7 .ig5 dxc4 8 i.xc4 tt:Jd7 9 tt:Jge2
tt:Jb6 1 0 i.b3 'iVd7 1 1 0-0 tt:Jed5 1 2 tt:Jg3
i.g6 1 3 tt:Jce4, Spassky-Lobron, Hamburg
1 982) 6 �xc4 e6 7 tt:Jc3 tt:Jd7 8 tt:Jge2 tt:Jb6 9
�d3 tt:Jh6 1 0 .i.xh6 .i.xd3 1 1 'ii'x d3 l:.xh6 1 2
0-0-0, Vasyukov-Diugy, Moscow 1 989 - in
both cases White stands a little better.
5 e6
6 tt:Jg3
Unpromising for White is 6 'Llf4?! c5! 7 dxc5
i.xc5 8 tt:Jxh5? ! �f8 ! , when Black's position
is even better, since al most all his pieces
are already in play.
(see next diagram)
56 � GAME 1 4 TAL - BOTV I N N I K

1 0 dxc5 d4 1 1 ctJd2±) 1 0 'iVd2 'ii'xd2+ 1 1

t2Jxd2 cxd4 1 2 cxd5 exd5 1 3 i.b5+ t2Jd7 1 4
ctJf3± with the better endgame?
9 'i'xd5
10 t2Jc3
David Bronstein suggests 1 0 i.gS, but after
1 0 . . . cxd4 it is not apparent how White can
develop his i nitiative, whereas his central
pawn is under a second attack.
10 'iVxd4

6 g6?
A serious mistake. Now Black's pawn
structure is impaired and the weakness of
his dark squares become appreciable. Much
stronger was 6 . . . i.g6! and now 7 i.e2
(White also does not achieve anything with
7 ltJc3 c5 8 dxc5 i.xc5 9 .i.d3 .i.xd3 1 0
cxd3 t2Jc6) 7 . . . c5 8 c3 t2Jc6, or 7 i.d3 ..txd3
8 'iVxd3 c5 - in both cases with cou nterplay.
7 t2Jxf5 gxf5
7 . . . exf5 would not have been bad , had it
been possible to manoeuvre the knight to 11 'i'f3!?
e6, but in practice it is very difficult to do Tal sacrifices another pawn . He is not
this. After the move in the game Black has a satisfied with the exchange of queens and
chronic weakness at h5. the transition into a better endgame after 1 1
8 c4 'iixd4 cxd4 1 2 ctJb5, and if 1 2 . . . .ib4+, then
It is not in Tal's style to concern himself with 1 3 We2!?. But it was also possible to play
a measly little pawn, especially as after 8 differently: 1 1 i.b5+ t2Jc6 1 2 i.xc6+ bxc6 1 3
i.e2 c5 9 c3 cxd4 1 0 cxd4 t2Jc6 1 1 i.xh5 "i¥e2 and it is clear that for the extra doubled
'iVb6 Black has excellent counterplay. pawn White has excellent compensation.
8 c5 ! ? 11 t2Jc6
I f 8 . . t2Je7 9 lt:Jc3 dxc4 1 0 i.xc4 ctJdS 1 1
. 12 ..tb5 t2Jge7
i.e2 i.e? 1 2 g3 Black has no compensation Now White is unable to spoil the opponent's
for the pawn. pawns.
9 cxd5 13 i.g5
One can understand the desire of the young There is nothing else.
champion to bring his pieces into play as 13 �xe5+
quickly as possible, not concerning himself
14 �f1
with the loss of one or more pawns , but
even so, why not 9 i.g5 'iVa5+ (9 . . . i.e7 (see next diagram)
 GAM E 1 4 TAL - BOTVI N N I K lZJ 57

17 ... :adS
A solid move, taking control of the d5
square. But Black could have played
1 7 . . . .td2! ? 1 S l:e2 �xc3 1 9 'i¥g5+ �d6
20 bxc3 'ik'd 1 + 21 l:.e1 'ik'g4 22 'Wle3 (22 'iVf6
'iVfS+) 22 . . . J:.hgS when his position is cer­
tainly no worse.

14 i.h6
After 1 1 iVf3! ? both White and Black have
made almost forced moves, but here Black
had a choice:
1 ) 1 4 . . . iVc7 1 5 :d1 a6 and if now 1 6 :h3,
then 1 6 . . . CZJg6 (or 1 6 . . . i.g7; objectively this
variation is perhaps also not bad , but
Botvinnik could not voluntarily agree to it
against Tal); 18 �h3!
2) 1 4 ... 0-0-0 1 5 i.xc6 bxc6 and now 1 6 The last reserve comes into play!
i.xe7 i.xe7 1 7 'i¥xc6+ 'Wlc7 1 S ViaS+ 'iib S 18 ... 'ild2
leads to equality, but 1 6 :e1 'Wlc7 1 7 lih3 The c5 pawn cannot be retained in view of
still enables White to fight for the initiative. the th reat of 1 9 l:d3. After 1 S . . . i.. d 2 White
15 l:.e1 ! iVd4 has the unpleasant 1 9 l:e4, and if 1 9 . . . i.xc3,
If 1 5 . . . 'i¥d6 , then 1 6 lid 1 is unpleasant, then 20 iVg5+ 'i¥f6 21 'iVxc5+ �es 22
although after 1 6 . . . �e5 it is unclear wheth­ l:.xc3±.
er White has anything more than a draw. 19 'i/xc5+ 'i'd6
20 \i'c4?!
16 .i.xe7
White has managed to regain the sacrificed
Inferior is 1 6 'i'xh5 i.xg5 1 7 'ifxg5 :gs or pawns, but now he goes wrong, allowi ng the
1 7 . . 0-0-0+ .
.
exchange of queens. After 20 \WitS ! Black
16 . . . �xe7 would still have been in difficulties, for
17 'iVxfS example: 20 . . . ltJd4 2 1 'i/e4 'i'b6 22 l:.d3 f5
23 ftJd5+ �f7 (stronger is 23 . . . l:Ixd5 24
Regaining one pawn; in addition Black has
i¥xd5 lidS 25 'i¥c4! CZJxb5 26 l:.xdS �xdS
problems with his king, and in a future
27 l:.xe6 CLJd6 2S WVc3 and White stands
endgame also with his h5 pawn. It is
only a little better) 24 'i¥xd4 i¥xd4 25 :xd4
interesting that Junior-7 evaluates the posi­
l:.xd5 26 �xd5 exd5 27 l:.e5± .
tion as equal, whereas Fritz 6 and Hiarcs 7-
32 give preference to Black. I think that 20 'tib4!
J u nior is m uch closer to the truth. (see next diagram)
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58 � GAME 1 4 TAL - BOTV I N N I K

Now 21 ttJd5+? l:lxd5 22 'iVxd5 'ii'x e 1 + is Switching to tactics. Meanwhile, 26 b3!

not possible. Perhaps it was this that looks more solid, when after 26 . . . l:Ib4 27
escaped White's attention; now the ex­ l2Jg3, 26 . . Jlb6 27 1la4, or 26 . . . ..td2 27 1ld 1 ,
change of queens is inevitable. White retains a slight advantage.
21 'ire2 \i'g4! Defending such an endgame against Tigran
22 i.xc6 'iVxe2+ Petrosian or Anatoly Karpov would have
23 l2Jxe2! been very difficult, but endgames without
queens were never Tal 's forte.
Bronstein recommends 23 :xe2 bxc6 24
l:If3 with the idea of 25 �f5, but 24 . . . i.g7 26 ... l:lxb2
parries this threat and practical ly equalises. 27 l2Jf5+ �f6
After the move in the game the rook 27 . . . �f8 is also possible.
switches from h3 to the a-file, the knight 28 l2Jxh6 l:.dd2
sets its sights on the h-pawn, and these Here it is, active counterplay!
factors, as well as the presence in Black's 29 �g1 l:Ixf2
position of weaknesses at a7 and c6
30 lif1 llxf1 +
indicate a static advantage for White in the
endgame. Black's only chance is to exploit 31 �xf1 �g7
dynamic factors , i.e. to look for counterplay 32 �xa7 �xh6
on the b- and d-files. 33 �xf7
23 ... bxc6 Draw.
24 .l:.a3 The position is completely equal.
If 24 .l:.b3 there follows 24 . . . .l:.b8 with
equality.
24 ... .:td7
25 l:la6 1lb8!?
Only active play can save Black!
26 l2Jg3?!

(see next diagram)

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 GAME 1 5 BOTVI N N I K - TAL
==�======
LtJ 59

2 1 st Apri l 1 961 - G a me 1 5 9 c5
Black takes on too great obligations. Such a
plan would have chances of success, if he
Botvinnik - Tal could compensate for the defects of his
position in the centre with piece pressure ,
King's I ndian Defence
but he has no such prospects, in view of the
Notes by Mikhail Botvinnik
fact that he is behind in development.
9 . . . lLJbd7 1 0 0-0 lLJeS 1 1 f4 l2Jxd3 1 2 'i:!Vxd3
1 d4 lLJf6 also cannot be recommended for Black.
2 c4 g6 Subsequently this variation occurred in the
3 lLJc3 ..tg7 game HObner-Giigoric (1 973), and the
4 e4 d6 Yugoslav grandmaster demonstrated the
correct method of play for Black: 9 . . . dS 1 0
5 f3 0-0
cxdS cxd5 1 1 e5 lLJfd7 1 2 f4 lLJc6.
6 i.. e3 c6
10 ..t f2 lLJc6
Avoiding the exchange of queens which
occurred in the 1 3th game after 6 . . . eS. The 11 0-0
situation in the return match obliged Tal to White ignores the threat to exchange his
think only in terms of winning. bishop ( . . . lLJc6-e5xd3) , which would merely
be playing into his hands.
7 ..td3 e5
11 a6
Usually after 6 . . . c6 Black transposes i nto
the variation involvi ng . . . a7-a6 and . . . b7- 12 �d2 ..te6
b5. This was how Smyslov played against 13 �ad1 'i¥a5
me i n the 6th game of our 1 958 return 14 b3
match, as did Larsen in Leiden in 1 970. Only after his rook has left the corner square
8 lLJge2 exd4 does White make this move, strengthening
This exchange can hardly be approved, his c4 pawn, since now the weakening of the
since White can advantageously recapture a1 -h8 diagonal is of no significance.
with his bishop. 8 . . . lLJbd7 was better. 14 gabS
9 i.xd4 15 �b1 l!fd8

8 8 8

7 7

6 6 6

5 5 5 5

4 4 4

3 3 3 3

2 2

� c e 9 h a c e 9 h
60 � GAME 1 5 BOTVI N N I K - TAL

16 f4!
At this point, when the two sides have 8 8
completed their development, White, 'as is
7
h is right' , is the first to begin active play.
There is immediately the prospect of an 6

attack on f6 (f4-f5, i. h4 etc.) . I n order to 5 5

parry it, Black decides on an exchanging
4 4
operation , as a result of which White gains
3
the advantage of the two bishops , and also
a very active position in the centre and on 2
the kingside.
It need hardly be said that the disappearance
of the queens signifies the wrecking of Tal's
plans, made in his preparations for the
24 g4
game!
White not only restricts the space available
16 i.g4
to the opponent's pieces, but he also
17 h3 .i.xe2 prepares the activation of his own king.
18 t2Jxe2 'iix d2 24 tt:Jd7
19 �xd2 :e8 25 <it>g2 li6e7
20 tLlg3 26 ctJh2 ctJf8
Naturally, Black would have been quite All Black's efforts are concentrated on
happy to exchange his d- and c-pawns for occupying the d4 square. Meanwhile, in
the white e- and f-pawns (20 e5 dxe5 21 such situations this manoeuvre does not
..txc5). To avoid this, White has to make a play any particular role, and it is unable to
rather awkward move. prevent the development of White's initia­
20 ... .if8 tive on the kingside (cf., for example,
The variation 20 . . . h5 2 1 l:txd6 h4 22 ctJh1 Botvinnik-Levenfish, 1 2th match game, Len­
t2Jxe4 23 �xe4 l:.Xe4 24 i.xc5 (or 24 i.xh4) ingrad 1 937).
would have led to the loss of a pawn; 27 i.. h 4 tLle6
therefore Black is forced to spend a tempo 28 1If1 l:.d7
defending his d6 pawn. A serious error, after which Black's position
21 .:te1 :e6 becomes difficult to defend. One can under­
22 ctJf1 stand Tal not wanting to restrict h is most
At the first opportunity the knight leaves the active piece, the bishop at g7, but 28 . . .f6
g3 square, since at the given moment it is was nevertheless necessary. Then White
not needed for the defence of the e4 pawn. would have had a choice between 29 f5
t2Jed4 30 l:.ef2 and 29 i.g3 f5, in both cases
22 ... �be8
with counterplay for Black.
23 :de2 �g7
Apparently my opponent evaluated the
White's coming offensive should have been position somewhat routinely, and did not
hindered by 23 . . . h5.
sense just how dangerous it was. Later Tal
said that he lost the return match , not
imaging that the former champion would act
so decisively.
 GAM E 1 5 BOTVI N N I K - TAL ctJ 61

!idf2 with the threat of 41 fxg6, he was

tempted into playing for 'suffocation'.
After this seemingly paradoxical move, 40 f6 b5
shutting in the bishop at h4, White forces
41 !idS bxc4
the exchange of the opponent's bishop at f6,
42 bxc4 .:tb7
after which it is doubtful whether Black can
save the game . 43 �f3 �b4
29 ... h5 This exchange sacrifice also does not save
Preventing 'Llg4 for one instant. After 29 . . . b5, Black: White immediately takes play into a
which , incidentally, Black was also free to won rook ending, rejecting a material ad­
play earlier, the development of events vantage.
would not have changed . 44 i.xb4 'Llxb4
30 gxh6 i.xh6 45 ..txh5 'Llxd5
31 'Llg4 i.g7 46 exd5 gxh5
After 31 . . . 'Llxf4+ 32 l:txf4 itxf4 33 'Llf6+
White would have won a piece.
32 'Llf6+ i.xf6
33 i.xf6 'Llg7
34 lid2 'Llh5
35 i.c3 lied8

(see next diagram)

Black has no useful moves, and he can only

passively await the outcome.
36 i.c2 Wf8
37 i.d1 �e7
38 i.g4 !ic7
39 ts �ea 47 �b1
White had only one more move to make The last move in the game that required
before the time control, and, instead of 40 accu racy!
62 � GAME 1 6 TAL - BOTVI N N I K

47 �fa 24th-25th Apri l 1 96 1

48 l:. b6 �g8
Game 1 6
49 �f4 �h7
How can Black hope to save an endgame,
in which h e has had to spend so many tempi Tal - Botvin n i k
on decentralising his king?
Caro-Kann Defence
50 �g5 I:.g8+
Notes by Vasily Smys/ov
51 �xh5 l:.g3
52 h4 I:.e3
1 e4 c6
52 . . . l:.c3 was no better on account of 53
2 d4 d5
l:txd6 I:.xc4 54 l:td7 �g8 55 i:ld8+ lt'h7 56
3 e5 .if5
IUS etc.
4 h4 c5
53 �xd6 .:te5+
In almost every game Botvinnik finds n ew
54 �g4 �g6
paths. I n the previous games of the match
55 Wf4 I:.f5+
the moves 4 . . . h6 and 4 . . . h5 were employed
56 <;t>e3 l:. h5 here. Now Black decides to begin counte r­
57 flxa6 I:.xh4 play on the q ueenside without delay. How­
58 �d3 c;t>t5 ever, this plan proves i nadequate and leads
C hecks to the white king do not help, since it to opening difficulties.
hides from them at a4. 5 dxc5 iVc7
59 l:tc6 fih2 6 lt:Jc3 lt:Jc6
60 l:.xc5 :xa2
61 l:.c7 �xf6
62 l:.d7 �e5
63 l:te7+
Black resigns. Natural ly, he could not be
satisfied with either 63 . . . c;t>f6 64 d6, or
63 . . . �d6 64 �xf7.

Both sides are aiming for rapid develop­

ment. Of cou rse, if 6 .. .'Vi'xe5+ there would
have followed 7 it.e3 and then 8 lt:Jf3,
bringing out the pieces with gain of tempo.
1 tt:Jta :da
a lt:J b5 'iWcs
9 lt:Jfd4
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GAME 1 6 TAL - BOTVI N N I K ttJ 63

9 c3 also came into consideration, and if

9 . . . i.g4,
then 1 0 'iVa4, or 9 . . a6 1 0 lt:Jbd4,
.
8
consolidating the material gain.
7
9 il.g4
6
10 f3 .td7
5
11 tt:Jxc6 bxc6
12 lt:Jd4 iVbB 4

13 'Yi'e2 e6 3

8 8
a c e 9
7

6 6 21 .td6
5 5 It was hardly worth moving the bishop from
its good position. After 21 f4 :as 22 Wf2
4 4
and 23 .td3 it would have been difficult for
3 3 Black to complete the mobil isation of his
2 forces.
21 Vi'b7
22 Q-0-0 :as
It was risky to accept the exchange sacri­
fice: 22 . . . tt:Jfs 23 .tcs Cbg3 24 'iif2 tt:Jxh 1 25
Necessary i n view of the th reat of 1 4 e6.
'i'h4 .tea 26 i.. d 3 and White gains a strong
Now White cannot hold his extra pawn, but
attack.
with a simple manoeuvre he secures for
23 g4 aS
himself a clear positional advantage.
14 lt:Jb3! i.xc5 24 'ii'f2 axb4
25 cxb4 c5!
Of cou rse, it is u ndesirable for Black to
exchange this bishop and leave himself
without a defender of the dark squares. But
how else can he complete his develop­
ment?
15 tt:Jxc5 'ifb4+
16 c3 'i'xc5
17 i.e3 'ifas
18 b4
1 8 'i¥f2 :laB 1 9 'iYg3 was perhaps a more
subtle continuation, aiming to provoke a
weakening of the kingside.
18 Wic7
19 .tcs tbe7
20 h5 h6 A subtle pawn sacrifice . In a d ifficult
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64 � GAME 1 6 TAL - BOTV I N N I K
-- ·-- ---::-- ····- - ; .:";._ - ·------ · - --"-·--'___! _ _
- ::::. _-:;_-:,.-_-- -�- -·-:-- · .:·_ _·:.::__:_-_:. _·:·__ -

situation Black resourcefully seeks ways of 37 'i¥e3 �e8

activating his game. Going into an endgame 38 'ti'd2 :c7
by 25 . . . 'i'a7 26 'i'xa7 �xa7 did not promise With limited time for thought before the
any relief in view of 27 <itb2 i.c8 28 l:tc1 etc.
control, both sides make waiting moves and
26 i.. xe7 �xe7 do not u ndertake any active measures.
26 . . .Vixb4 was inadequate in view of 27 39 f4 �d7
�d6 'i¥c3+ 28 'ii'c2 Vi'xc2+ 29 �xc2 �a4+ 40 V&'e3 �dB
30 �b2 .i.xd 1 31 .ib5+ �d8 32 �xd 1 . But
now, at the cost of a pawn, Black gets rid of
White's 'terrible' dark-square bishop.
27 'i'xc5+ �e8
28 <iii> b2 .:tea
29 'i'd4 i.a4
30 llc1 .:txc1
31 �xc1 �d7
No benefit was gained by 31 . . .V&'c6+ 32
<itd2 'ii'c2+ 33 c;t>e3, when the white king
escapes from the pursuit.
32 <itb2 .:ca
33 ii.d3

Here the game was adjourned and Tal

sealed his next move. White has managed
to retain his extra pawn, but it is not easy to
exploit this advantage in view of the possi­
ble activity of the black queen.
41 l:id1 �c8
42 'ifd3 V&'b6
43 'i'd4 'iibS
44 'ife3 \t>b7
45 �d4 'ii'f 1

a b c d e
46 a4 'iVg2+
9 h
47 .:d2 'iVf1
33 i.bS! 48 1lc2
With every move Black consistently im­ It transpires that without the exchange of
proves his position. With the exchange of rooks White cannot strengthen his position
bishops he increases his chances of a and begin advancing his queenside pawns.
successful defence in the ending with heavy To carry this out he is forced to return the
pieces. pawn.
34 l:.d1 Vias 48 l:txc2+
35 a3 i.xd3 49 �xc2 'ii'g 2+
36 .:txd3 cJ;e7 50 �b3 'ifxg4
 GAME 1 6 TAL - BOTV I N N I K ttJ 65

51 a5 'ii' d 1 +
52 \tb2 'it'f1
53 �b6+ �a a
54 'ii' c6+ �a7
55 �C7+ �a a
56 'iic 8+ �a7
57 �C7+ �as

69 'ii'c 3
This move by Tal was criticised and it was
suggested that 69 �b3 would have given
him winning chances, for example 69 . . . �a6
70 c;itc3 'ii'c 6+ 71 �b2 'ii'b 5 72 <it>b3 <t>b7 73
�c3 'i'f1 74 'i¥d3 'i¥e 1 + 75 \tb3 and the
white pieces break through into the oppo­
nent's rear.
Meanwhile, instead of 73 . . . 'iff1 Black should
58 f5! play 73 . . .1We2 ! , attacking the e5 and h5
pawns and making the move 74 'iVd3
A subtle move. White tries to tempt his
impossible, after which it is not apparent
opponent with the f5 pawn, and in return to
how White can strengthen his position .
win the d5 or f7 pawn (after 58 . . . exf5) , while
if the queen takes on f5, the white kin g hides 69 �f1
from the checks. 70 <it>a2 'iie 2+
Black takes the correct decision - to retain 71 �b3 'ii'd 1 +
his e6 pawn and control the f1 -a6 diagonal 72 ifc2 'ii'f 1
with his queen. 73 cat>a2 'i¥b5
58 'ife1 74 \ta3 'iff1
59 'ii'c 8+ \ta7 75 'i¥c3 'iVb1
60 'iVc7+ �aa 76 a6+ �xa6
61 �C8+ �a7 77 'ii' c6+ �a7
62 'i'c5+ �b7 78 ifd7+ �b8
63 'i¥b6+ ®a a 79 'ii' xe6 'ii a 1 +
64 'i'c6+ �a7 80 <it>b3 'ii'd 1 +
65 'ifc5+ �b7 81 �b2 'ii' d4+
66 'i'd4 'i¥e2+ 82 �a2 'ifxb4
67 �a3 'iib5 83 'ii' g 8+ �c7
68 fxe6 fxe6 84 'fixg7+ ®dB
66 � GAME 1 7 BOTV I N N I K - TAL

85 'iVf6+ Wlie7 2 e4 i.g7

86 'i¥f4 'i'e6 3 c4 d6
87 �b2 <it>e8 4 ttJc3 lDf6
88 ifa4+ �f7 5 f3
89 'iVf4+ �e8 Thus, by transposition of moves the familiar
90 Wc2 Samisch Variation has arisen.
Here the game was again adjou rned. 5 ttJbd7
6 i.. e3 0-0
7 i.. d 3

8
7 ltJh3 is of interest, in order subsequently
to place the bishop at e2 and the knight at
7
f2. I n this case Wh ite would have had good
6 prospects of creating active play on the
5
kingside.
7 e5
4
8 ltJge2 ltJh5
3

a b c d e g h

90 Vias
Draw.

2 8th-29th Apri l 1 96 1
Game 1 7

9 dxe5
Botvinnik - Tal 9 'i¥d2 followed by queenside castling
King's I ndian Defence suggests itself. With the move in the game,
Notes by Alexander Tolush which releases the tension in the centre,
White determines the position too soon .
This decision was apparently provoked by
1 d4 g6
the fact that for the moment the knight at h5
The absence of a wel l-studied and tested is unable to take part in the battle for
opening repertoire forces Tal to employ possession of the d4 square.
various types of experiment, merely in order
9 dxe5
to take his opponent away from familiar
paths. But Botvinnik is a rather experienced 10 o-o c6
fighter, and so he heads di rectly for devel­ 11 �d2 "V/Jie7
opment schemes prepared beforehand. 12 l:ad1 ttJc5
 GAME 1 7 BOTVI N N I K - TAL ttJ 67

13 ..tb1 ltJe6 Strong and pretty, although also forced. If

14 'ii'e 1 i. f6 22 'iit g 1 , then 22 . . . i.h4 23 ctJg3 �adB and
The start of Black's subsequent troubles. Black is excellently placed.
More consistent was 1 4 . . . b6 followed by 22 ... .i.g7
1 5 . . . .i.b7 and 1 6 . . . :ad8, aiming to establish 23 <it>g1
the knight on d4. Since White had decided to sacrifice the
The move i n the game, and especially the exchange, he shouldn't have wasted time
fol lowing one, merely help White to develop on this move. 23 'ii'g 2 tt:Jc7 24 i.. e 4 tt:Jxd5
an offensive on the kingside with gain of 25 cxd5 and 26 ltJg3 was more energetic,
tempo. Therefore it is no wonder that Black after which it would not have been easy for
soon ends up in a critical position. Black to parry the numerous threats.
15 <it>h1 ctJhf4 23 .. . l.bc7
Even now it was not to late for 1 5 . . . b6, Black wants to capture the rook with his
preparing the plan given in the previous knight, retaining his light-square bishop,
note. which may prove a powerful piece i n view of
16 g3 tt:Jxe2 the weakening of the h 1 -a8 d iagonal.
17 ltJxe2 h5 24 ltJc3
The advisability of this pawn th rust is highly 24 :d6 came into consideration, to play for
d ubious. It is obvious that the further control of the d-file. With material equal ,
advance of the h-pawn will merely be to White would still have retained the better
White's advantage. chances.
18 'i'f2 b6 24 lt:Jxd5
The time lost by Black allows White to 25 cxd5 �adS
launch immediate activity on the kingside. 26 .i.e4 ..taB
1 9 f4! exf4 27 'ii'g 3
20 gxf4 .i.b7
Of cou rse, 20 . . . i.xb2 is not possible on
account of 21 f5! .
21 e5 c5+
22 :ds !

27 b5
This leads to the loss of a pawn. Now White
gains more than sufficie nt compensation for
the sacrificed exchange.
68 � GAME 1 7 BOTVI N N I K - TAL

28 'iVf2 'iVd7 34 i!.xf6

29 i.xc5 �feB 35 i.xg6 'i¥'g4
30 'ifg3 36 'i¥d3?
30 'ii'g 2 or 30 b4 is more accu rate. It should Apparently u nder the i nfluence of time
be remembered that at this point both trouble White incorrectly assesses the sub­
players were already short of time on the sequent events. By continuing 36 i.xe8 he
clock. Therefore thei r mistakes and i naccu­ would have set Black difficult problems,
racies during the next ten moves must be whereas after the move i n the game the
put down to time trouble, which , as is picture changes sharply. The advantage
known, has ruined many a good game. passes to Black.
30 :ca 36 �g8
31 b4 �h8 37 i.e4 :ce8

32 'iVf3 38 i.f3

White misses the spectacular opportunity Better chances were offered by 38 i.d4,
32 e6 fxe6 33 'i¥'xg6 i!.xc3 34 �h 1 ! ! when to whereas after the loss of the f-pawn White's
avoid mate Black would have had to give up position becomes lost.
his queen: 34 . . . 'i'g7 35 iVxh5+ �g8 36 l:Ig1 38 ... 'i¥'xf4
etc. 39 tt:Je2
32 a6 39 i!.xh5 fails to 39 . . . iVxf1 + 40 �xf1 i!.xc3,
33 cJth1 when White has no defence against the
threats of 41 . . . i.. xd5+ or 41 . . . l:te 1 .
39 'i'h4
40 i!.f2 'i'g5

33 f5!
Black defends with great tenacity and
resourcefulness. With the move in the game
In this position the game was adjourned.
at the cost of another pawn he activates his
Analysis showed that Black has good
pieces, which soon brings success.
winning chances. However, on the resump­
34 exf6 tion the conversion of his material advan­
Forced. If 34 i!.c2 Black had the strong reply tage took a long time. Here is how this
34 . . . i!.f8 ! . happened:
 GAME 1 7 BOTV I N N I K - TAL tLJ 69

41 tt:'lg3 .l:Id8 58 tt:'le5 i.xg2

Black begins a systematic siege of the d5 59 tt:'lxd7 i.xh3
pawn, but first 41 . . . h4 looked good . so lt:Jc5 i.ca
42 i.e3 61 �f2 �h7
Of course, not 42 tt:'lxh5 on account of 62 a4 bxa4
42 . . . J:.xd5!. 63 lt:Jxa4 i. f4
42 iVe5 Now White cannot avoid the loss of a piece.
43 �d1 lig4 64 <iiff3 h3
44 a3 65 i.g1 h2
If 44 i.xg4, then 44 . . . �xd5 and wins. 66 i.xh2 i.xh2
44 i.b7 67 <iit e4 i.d7
45 i.b6 �d7 sa tt:'lc5 i.b5
46 i.e3 �h4 69 \t>d5 \t>g 6
47 tt:'lf1 J:.c4 70 tt:'le4 �f5
48 .i.g2 :g7 71 ctJc3 i.f1
49 Vi'd2 h4 72 Wc5 i.e5
50 h3 �b2 73 ctJb1
51 Vi'xb2 i.xb2
52 ..tc5 lid7
53 tt:'le3 .l:Ic1
54 :xc1 i.xc1
55 i.d4+ �g8
56 tt:'lg4 i.g5
57 Wg1

a b c d e g h

73 We6
There was a quicker win by 73 . . . i.d3 74
ctJd2 i.c3 75 ctJb3 We4 76 Wb6 i.xb4 77
ctJc5+ i.xc5+ 78 Wxc5 a5! when the pawn
cannot be prevented from queening.
74 ctJd2 ..td6+
75 Wb6 i.g2
57 i.xd5 76 ctJb3 .i.xb4
By returning the exchange, Black gains an 77 �xa6 i.f1 +
easily won ending. 78 �b6 �d6
70 � GAME 1 8 TAL - BOTV I N N I K

79 lt:Jas .i.c5+ 6 cs
80 'it>b7 i.. e2 7 .i.g2
81 lt:Jb3 i.. e 3 White aims to provoke . . . e7-e6 as soon as
82 lt:Ja5 �c5 possible, to rid him of his concerns about
83 �c7 i.. f4+ the g4 pawn . However, at g2 the bishop has
no particular futu re.
White resigns.
7 e6
So, in the centre we have a pawn formation,
typical of a variation which was employed in
the 1 9th century by Steinitz, and in the 20th
century by Nimzowitsch. The analogy can
be contin ued with the fact that now Black
does not experience any opening difficul­
ties.
8 lt:Je2
8 lt:Ja3 would perhaps have been safer, to
prevent the black bishop from reaching the
f 1 -a6 diagonal .
8 i.. bS
9 lt:Ja3
But now this is simply unfavou rable, since it
allows Black to force useful exchanges. 9
.i.e3 shou ld have been played.
9 i.. xe2

3 rd M ay 1 96 1 - Game 1 8 10 'iVxe2 cxd4

11 cxd4 i.. xa3
12 bxa3
Tal - Botvinnik
Caro-Kann Defence
Notes by Mikhail Botvinnik

1 e4 c6
2 d4 d5
3 e5 i.. fS
4 h4 h6
5 g4 i.. d7
6 c3
I n the 1 Oth game Tal played 6 h5, preventing
. . . h6-h5. But now he had evidently decided
that after 6 . . . h5 he could well accept the
pawn sacrifice. For the same reason Black A semi-open position has been reached,
prefers to avoid this continuation. where the black knights will be no weaker
 GAME 1 8 TAL - BOTVI N N I K ctJ 71

than White's bishops, which are condem ned This sets White a difficult choice: either to
to defending his numerous weaknesses allow Black to transfer his knight to c4, or to
(a3, c4, d4, g4) : exchange queens and play a cheerless
12 lt:Jc6 ending. In the latter case the doubling of the
enemy pawns cannot provide any consola­
13 i.. e 3 'iVa5+
tion, since i n the end the exchange of rooks
14 �f1 on b6 will be inevitable, and Black's pawns
For the moment White avoids the exchange will resume their normal form .
of queens, hoping to develop an attack. 19 'iVxa6 bxa6
14 .. . lt:Jge7 20 h5 �d7
Over the course of several moves Black 21 lib1 �b6
does not take the a3 pawn (and White does 22 �g3 lt:Ja5
not defend it) ; both players rightly consider
Let the move 22 . . J:lhb8 remain in reserve.
that it is more i mportant for them to
complete thei r development. 23 �xb6 axb6

15 .'S.b1 24 f4 CDC4
lib8
16 i.. h 3
A l oss of time. This square would be better
used for the rapid inclusion in the play of the
rook at h 1 .
16 . . . 'V!Va4
17 .:.d1
Of course, the d4 pawn had to be defended ,
but not in such a passive way. Therefore 1 7
'iVd2 lt:Ja5 should have been played, al­
though this continuation did not look very
tempting for White.
17 'iVxa3
18 �g2 1i'a6 !
25 i.c1
White tries to retain the two bishops, which
are his o n ly consolation in this positio n .
25 lbc6
26 .'S.d1 lbb4
27 a3 lba2
28 f5 tt:Jxc1
29 :xc1
So, White has also been deprived of his last
trump - the two bishops.
29 b5
30 �a1 cJJe7
72 � GAME 1 9 BOTV I N N I K - TAL

Just in case, Black moves his king off the 38 .1f3 ltJd2! (but not 38 . . . ltJb6 39 a5, or
diagonal on which the enemy bishop is 38 . . . l:c7 39 l:tc1 !) 39 .1xd5 l:tc3 40 i.e4 (or
operating. 40 l:td 1 I:td3) 40 . . . b3! (weaker is 40 .. Jk4 41
31 �f4 �c8 �e3 ltJxe4 42 �xe4 b3 43 �b1 �b4 44
32 g5 hxg5+ �d5, when White has drawing chances)
White would have been u nable to combat
33 �xg5 exf5
the passed b-pawn.
34 .ixf5 l:tc6
37 ... f6
38 i.f5
In time trouble White makes an error,
B B
leading to the loss of a second pawn, but,
7 generally speaking, in this position the
6
conversion of Black's material advantage is
not very difficult.
38 . .. fxe5+
4
Weaker is 38 . . . ltJxe5 39 �g1 (39 l:te1 l:tc4) .
3 39 dxe5 ltJxe5
2 40 l:td1
Or 40 .:e1 �f6 (4 1 l:txe5 .:c4+) .
40 ... �d6
41 i.e4 I:tc5
What is there for White to do in this White resigns.
position? The attempt to hold on with 35
I:tc1 is refuted by 35 . . . ltJxe5 36 lle1 f6+ 37
�f4 l:tc4, when he loses another pawn.
Therefore, having discovered the only weak-
ness in Black's position - the g7 pawn, Tal
clears the file in order to attack this pawn.
35 �f4 l:th6
The start of some mutual time trouble 5th-6th May 1 96 1 - Game 1 9
errors, which, however, do not affect the
evaluation of the position. Here, for exam-
ple, the quickest way to win was with Botvinnik - Tal
35 . . . ltJb6 followed by the invasion of the King's I ndian Defence
rook on the c-file. In trying to force the
Notes by Yuri Razuvaev
opponent to block the g-file and simultane­
ously gain time, Black al lows some compli­
cations. 1 d4 ltJf6
36 i.g4 �c6 2 c4 d6
Otherwise 37 .i.f3 ltJb6 38 l:tc1 , and White 3 ltJc3 g6
seizes the initiative. 4 e4 i.. g 7
37 l:tc1 5 f3 0-0
37 a4 was stronger. Even so, after 37 . . . b4 6 i.e3 a6
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GAME 1 9 BOTV I N N I K - TAL tZJ 73

7 'iYd2 c6 For example: 1 3 cxb5 axb5 1 4 ctJd5 l:d7 1 5

8 i.d3 e5 .txf8 ..txf8 1 6 t2Jxf6+ 'ifxf6 and Black has
9 dxe5 full compensation for the sacrificed ex­
change . Such positions were unusually
The unusual move order chosen by Black
i nteresting to analyse with Tal , but simply
apparently induced Botvinnik to try and
impossible to defend at the board.
punish the opponent for his opening care­
lessness. However, in my view this proves However, 1 2 a4! , recommended by interna­
to be a mirage. The routi ne 9 d5 was tional master Oleg Moiseev, came into
stronger, retaining an opening initiative. consideration, after which Black should
evidently continue 1 2 . . . l:.b7 with a compli­
9 dxe5
cated game.
10 tba4
12 �e6
13 'il¥xd8
White's desire to stabilise the position is
understandable: the knight at b6 lacks
support and White is aiming for the end­
game.
13 . .. l:.xd8
14 tbe2
Underesti mating the danger. 1 4 a4 was
essential - the knight at b6 needs help.
14 l:.b7
15 c5

Now it is hard for me to affirm, but it is

possible that i n his calculations Botvinnik
thought that 1 O . . . lbbd7 was obligatory, and
then after 1 1 c5 White would have fixed
Black's queenside. However, Tal liked to
stun his opponents with seemingly impossi­
ble moves.
10 ... b5! !
It is interesting that i n our day the 'silicon
friend' is also disturbed at the sight of this
move.
11 lLlb6 l:.a7
12 i.c2
15 aS!
Now it transpires that if 1 2 ttJxc8 there
follows 1 2 . . . ltd?! with a good game for This is the whole point! The c5 pawn is cut
Black. off from base and Black begins to encircle it.
And 1 2 i.c5 would have turned out to be an 16 �f2 i.f8
empty threat after the 'cold' reply 1 2 . . . i.. e 6! . 17 lihd1
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74 � GAME 1 9 BOTVI N N I K - TAL

1 7 �b3 was bad, since after 1 7 . . . .i.xb3 1 8

axb3 �d3 Black has a great advantage.
17 �xd 1
18 .:txd1 tt:Jtd7
19 lZJxd7 lZJxd7
20 i.b1 .txcs
21 ..txcS lZJxcS
22 �c1

The culmination. Now after 28 . . . b4 29 llJd5+

i.xd5 30 i.xd5 the game becomes almost
equal . Therefore Black's next move is
forced.
28 bxa4
29 :a1 i.b3
30 lZJdS+ i.xd5
31 i.xd5 .l:.d7
A technical slip. Much stronger was 31 . . . lZJb4
22 tt:Ja6! 32 ..te4 �e6 33 :xa4 l:ta7 34 �f4 lt:Jd5+ 35
i..xd5+ �xd5, when Black has every chance
Thanks to this clever move, Black retains
of winning (pointed out by Tigran Petrosian).
his extra pawn . White now faces a d ifficult
and, more i mportant, unpromising defence. 32 ..tc4 lZJb4
If 23 l:.xc6 there would have followed 33 l1xa4 l:td4
23 . . . lZJb4 24 l:tc5 i.xa2 with advantage to 34 ..ibS!
Black. White defends resou rcefully. Weaker was
23 f4 34 ..ib3 llJd5+ 35 We2 �xa4 36 ..txa4 �e6,
I n a difficult position White persistently when the win for Black is merely a question
seeks the slig htest opportunities for coun­ of time. 6
terplay, in which he succeeds! 34 �e6
23 exf4 35 J::txa5 lt:Jd5+
24 lZJxf4 cS 36 �f2 �xeS!
25 c;t>e3 Wf8 Tal rises to the occasion! The natural
26 eS ri;e7 36 . . . l:td2+ would have led to a drawing
27 i.e4 :c7 impasse: 37 �f3 l:txb2 38 ..ic4! .
28 a4! 37 ..te2 �d6
38 .Sa6+ �d7
(see next diagram) 39 l:ta7+ lZJc7
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. .. � '. :. : -.;
GAME 1 9 BOTV I N N I K - TAL l2J 75

40 b3 l:ld2 53 ... Ilb4

41 \t>f3 f5 54 l:lf6
Again bad was 54 i.xf5 <it>d5 55 l:.f6 <it>e5 56
Ile6+ Wxf5 57 Ilxd6 :lxb3+, when Black is
bound to win.
54 <it>d5
55 l:.f8 ®e5
56 .:as 'Lle4!

An instructive moment. On encountering

technical difficulties, Tal finds an interesting
plan. Fi rst Black advances his kingside
pawns, fixing the white g-pawn. Then the
knight is played to d6, after which he
creates excellent preconditions for convert­
ing his advantage.
42 h4 �c6 The start of the decisive offensive.
43 i.c4 h6! 57 l:.e8+ �d5
Black consistently strengthens his position. 58 l:ld8+ \t>e6
44 g3 .lid4 59 �f4 ctJd2+
45 ®f2 g5 60 We3
46 hxg5 hxg5 After the active 60 �g5 Tolush's suggestion
47 Ila2 g4 of 60 . . . ctJf3+ 61 <it'g6 ctJd4 is good, but the
48 J:la1 �b6 sharp 61 . . .f4 is perhaps even better.
49 .:Ie1 ctJb5 60 ... 'Llxb3
50 l:e6+ ctJd6 61 lieS+
Thus, the construction has been achieved : White fails to save the game with 61 l:.c8
the black pieces coordinate excellently and l:lb5 (61 . . . c4? 62 l:.xc4) 62 i.d3 Ila5 63
defend one another. Now the black king can .tc4+ �d7 followed by . . . 'Lld4.
advance and begin a decisive offensive. 61 �d7
51 \t>e3 \t>c7 62 l:le5 <it>d6
52 i.d3 �c6 63 Ilxf5 ctJd4
53 i.c2 64 l:f2
Forced, since the variation 53 i.xf5 �d5 54
lif6 �e5 would have led to a quick win for (see next diagram)
Black.
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76 � GAME 20 TAL - BOTV I N N I K

8 8

7 7

6 6

5 5

4 4

3 3

2 2

64 lt:Jxc2+! Here White resigned. Black wins in the

Although it is normally thought that in rook following instructive way: 76 �xg4 c2 77
endings the chances of a draw are in­ Wf4 l:.c3 78 �h8 <it>d2 79 .lah 1 c1 'iW 80 gxc1
creased, in the given instance this is the �xc1 81 g4 <it>d3 82 g5 �d4 83 Wf5 �d5 84
most clear-cut way to win. However, even Wf6 Wd6 85 g6 :f1 + etc.
now Black has to demonstrate good tech­
nique, since the win is achieved literally by
one move.
65 l:.xc2 Wd5 Sth-1 Oth M ay - Game 20
66 :h2 �e4+
67 �d2 c4
68 1i.h8 l:.d4+ Tal - Botvinnik

69 �e3 :d3+ Caro-Kann Defence

Notes by Salo Flohr and Mikhail Botvinnik
70 Wf4 c3
71 J::t dB+
Here the following pretty variation was also 1 e4 c6
possible: 71 �xg4 c2 72 �d8+ �c4 73 2 d4 d5
l:tc8+ �b3 74 l:.xc2 �xc2 75 Wf4 �d1 76 g4 3 e5 i.. f5
Wd3 77 g5 Wd4 78 �f5 Wd5 79 g6 �f1 + 80 4 h4
�g5 �e6 and Black wins. Before the start of the return match Mikhail
71 �c4 Tal declared that he had found a refutation
72 l:.c8+ Wb3 of the Caro-Kann Defence. However, if one
73 l:.b8+ �a2 sums up the results of the nine Caro-Kanns
74 !:tea Wb2 i n this event, they are quite satisfactory for
Black: +2-2=5. Where then , one might ask,
75 l:.b8+ �c1
is the 'refutation'?
After the match Tal told me that he had not
(see next diagram) been joking when he spoke of a refutation.
In my opinion, many experts were wrong to
criticise Tal for the move 4 h4. This is by no
 GAME 20 TAL - BOTV I N N I K LtJ 77

means a blank shot, but Tal's idea was , . . .lt:Jf8 and . . tt:Jts, and Black has a sound
.

apparently, insufficiently well polished . position.

4 h6 13 o-o-o
5 lt:Je2 e6 1 3 ltJg1 should have been considered ,
6 lt:Jg3 lt:Je7 since the knight stands better at f3 than at
ctJd7
e2.
7 lt:Jc3
Here Black has also played 7 . . . ..ih7 8 �d3 13 ..ih6
i.xd3 9 cxd3 lt:Ja6 1 0 0-0 �d7 1 1 .te3 ltJfS 14 Wb1 S!.xe3
1 2 ctJxfS exfS 1 3 a3 lt:Jc7 with an excel lent 15 fxe3 lt:Jh6
game. 16 e4 'Wie7
8 i.e3 i.h7
9 i.d3 i.. xd3
10 cxd3

17 exd5?
A serious mistake: After this exchange the
e6 square is vacated for the knight, and
This entire system is rather harmless for
Black is excellently placed. Tal realised this,
Black. White has no chances of an attack.
of cou rse, but he thought that Black himself
With the position closed, Black can easily
would take on e4 and then by . . . c6-c5 he
regroup, and White's idea is justified only
would be able to break up White's centre.
when Black hurries with . . . c6-c5. But
However, after 1 7 lt:Jf4 it is unlikely that
Botvinnik, a subtle strategist, does not even
Botvi nnik would have ventured 1 7 . . . dxe4 1 8
think of making this advance.
dxe4 cS , since after 1 9 dS Black's position is
10 . .. h5 worse.
Since now 1 1 lt:JxhS ltJfS 1 2 g3 cS! favou rs 17 exd5
Black, he succeeds in supporting his hS
18 'tWas lt:Jf8
pawn with . . . g7-g6.
19 l:tdf1 lt:Je6
11 tt:Jce2 g6
20 l:tf3 'i'd8
12 'Yi'd2 lt:J g8
21 'ifa4 'iib 6
Botvinnik wants to exchange the dark­
square bishops. The following way of devel­ 22 �c1 lt:Jg4
oping also came into consideration: 1 2 . . .i.g7 23 lt:Jf1
78 � GAME 20 TAL - BOTVI N N I K

30 �b3 �a7
8 31 'ii'd 6 'iVb8
7

6
8

7
4

3
5
2
4

23 o-o
An unexpected decision . Botvinnik evident­
ly decided to sharpen the play, aiming for a
win, otherwise he would have prepared 32 'ti'xb8
queenside castling. 23 . . . a5 was not bad , If Tal himself exchanges queens, this must
with the 'threat' of exchanging queens by imply that he considered his position to be
. . . 'iVb4. won after the exchange. 32 ifb4 was also
24 l.Ue3 f5 worth considering.
25 g3 32 ... .:xb8
After 25 exf6 l.Uxe3 26 l:txe3 !Ixf6 Black 33 :t1 ltJh2
would have been excellently placed. Again 'pursuing' the repetition of moves
25 ... l.Uh2 after 34 l:tf4 ltJg4, but Tal is in no way
26 Ilf4 satisfied with a draw.
To the credit of both players, it should be 34 l:tc1 �e8
said that in almost any position they find 34 . . . l.Uf3! was stronger, after which Tal had
ways to sharpen the play. After all, 2-3 in mind 35 l:txc6. But, as was shown by
moves ago it was all completely 'quiet' , Gideon Stahlberg , after this there fol lows
whereas now one grandmaster attacks a 35 . . . l.Ud2+ 36 citc2 l2Jxd4+! 37 ltJxd4 ltJxb3
rook, and the other happily gives it up. and after 38 l:txg6+ �h7 White remai ns two
Botvinnik is convinced that after, winning exchanges down . After 34 . . .ltJf3 White
the exchange, the white knights on f4 and would have had to reply 35 .:b4.
g5 will not be i nferior to the black rooks. 35 ltJgf4 ltJxt4
Therefore, instead of 25 . . . l.Uh2 it would
A typical time trouble move. 35 . . . ltJf3 was
have been better to make a more useful
correct.
move, for example 25 . . . cifth7.
36 gxf4 l2Jg4
26 .. . ltJg4
I n severe time trouble Botvinnik feared (not
27 l.Ug2 l:tae8
without reason) that after 36 . . . liJf3 37 �c2
Here too 27 . . . a5 was more useful. his knight at f3 would become entangled ,
28 'ifa3 :11 and he switches completely to defence. The
29 :c3 a6 picture has sharply changed in Tal 's favour.
 GAME 20 TAL - BOTV I N N I K ltJ 79

37 �b6 �g7 should have played 45 �c1 ! and then taken

38 .i:.h1 on c5 with his rook.
Preventing . . . g6-g5, just i n case. The most convincing variation was given by
38 ctJh6 Botvi nnik himself. This i ndicates how accu­
rately he analysed the adjourned position.
39 ltJc3 �c7
The move played by Tal suggests that he
40 ltJa4 ctJf7
did not analyse the adjou rned position
41 <it>c2 ctJd8 sufficiently deeply, assum ing that any plan
42 �d2 ltJe6 would win. 45 ltJc5? effectively transforms a
won position into a drawn one.
Botvinnik showed that White would have
won by 45 l:.c1 ! l:.a8 46 ctJc5 ltJxc5 47 :xeS,
then a2-a4 and b4-b5.
But in the event of 45 .:c1 ! 1ii e7 46 lt:Jcs
ltJxc5 White plays 47 bxc5! . The subtle
point is that now if 47 . . . :as there follows 48
!lg1 1iif7 49 e6+ and White invades on the
g-file.
45 ... ltJxc5
46 bxcS l:ia8!
In his analysis Tal must have missed this
move. White thought that he would have
time to double rooks on the b-file and to
The sealed move. Who could have thought penetrate with his king to b6 and then to a7.
that this game would be the most prolonged Now this plan is not feasible in view of
in the history of matches for the world . . . a6-a5.
championship and, which is most unexpect­ 47 <iitt d 2 <it>e6
ed, that it would end in a draw! An inaccu racy. The si mplest was 47 . . . �e7,
In this position a win for Tal was predicted, since the king is well placed at f7.
and a not very difficult one. The resumption 48 J:lg1 .:g7
would last 1 5-20 moves - those were the 49 �c3 �a7
general forecasts.
50 <it>b4 aS+
43 We3 l:id7
51 �a4
The rook must 'keep guard' on this square,
in order after 44 ctJc5 lt:Jxc5 45 dxc5 to have
the move 45 . . . d4+, vacating the d5 square
for the black pieces.
44 b4 �f7 (see next diagram)

45 ltJcS?
The fact that White has a won position - this
is clear. But what is the most accurate way
to convert the advantage? All the commen­
tators were correct in stating that White
80 � GAME 20 TAL - BOTVI N N I K

63 l::t h 1 J!txg6
8 64 :xh2 :g3
7

a b c e

51 :I aS?
This loses a pawn. It was correct to retreat
the king to f7.
52 .l:gb1 .l:a7 A new endgame begins. White is two pawns
53 � 1 b5 up, but Botvinnik displays the utmost tenac­
ity in defence, constantly setting Tal new
Here is the result of the black king's position
problems. 64 . . J'lg4 would have lost quickly
on e6. It is curious that in his analysis
to 65 llh6+ �d7 66 l:.h7+ �c8 67 e6 etc.
Botvinnik saw this possibility, but during the
game he forgot about it. 65 .:th6+ Wd7
66 :h7+ we a
53 .. . .l:g8
67 e6
54 a3 :tea
Also unconvincing is 67 :f7 .:.xd3+ 68 Wb2
54 . . . l:.ga8? was completely bad on account
�xd4, when Black should be able to save
of 55 .:b2 �b8 56 l:xc6+.
the game.
55 .a.xa5 :ea8
67 l:xd3+
56 .:xa7 �xa7+
68 �b2 �e3
57 <it>b4 g5
69 e7
The only way. Here passive play would have 69 1'117 gives White nothing, in view of the
been i nappropriate. march of the black king to a7.
58 hxg5 h4 69 �d7
59 a4 h3 70 e8'iV+ 'litxeS
60 �a3 h2 71 :xb7 �d8
61 l:.b1 :as
62 g6
In the variation 62 :h1 :hs 63 Wb4 l:h4 64 (see next diagram)
�as Jlxf4 65 � b6 it is hard to demonstrate
a win for White. Therefore Tal exchanges
the g-pawn for the a-pawn.
62 ... l:.g8
 GAM E 20 TAL - BOTV I N N I K l2J 81

72 a5 90 a7
Here there was an interesting possibility: 72 My analysis showed that the strongest
.i:tf7 l:e4 73 �c3 :xf4 74 �b4 and the white continuation was to lure the black rook to
king breaks through at b6. Or 72 l:.f7 .i:td3 73 a6: 90 :tB I:.a5+ 91 <it>b3 :xa6 92 .:xf5 �d7
a5 .:xd4 74 a6 and Black is lost. 93 l:.f6 I:.a1 94 f5 :d1 95 �c3 ltc1 + 96 <it>d2
72 I:.e2+ I:.f1 97 :f7+ Wd8 98 'i!?c3 l:tb1 .
73 �b3 I!e1 Even so, it would appear that here too Black
74 �b2 .:te2+ gains a d raw, for example: 99 f6 _g[f1 1 00
�b4 �e8, or 99 �c2 l:tb4 1 00 Wd3 l:.b3+
75 �c3 l:.a2
1 01 �e2 .l:.h3 1 02 f6 l':th4 1 03 �e3 l:.e4+
76 �b6 �c7
1 04 �d3 lif4.
77 a6 :a1
90 :la5+
78 'i!?b2 :ta4
91 �b3 <it>b7
79 �b3 l:ta1
92 l:.f8 lib5+
80 .i:tb7+ �c8
81 J:!b6
White intends to last out to the 88th move,
adjourn the game and see at home in which
position it is most advantageous to ex­
change his a-pawn for the f5 pawn, trying to
exploit his only winning chance.
81 �c7
82 l:.b7+ �c8
83 :a7 l:.b1 +
84 'i!?c3 �a1
85 l::t a 8+ �c7
86 c;t>b3 l:tb1 + a b c d e g h

87 Wc3 l:ta1
88 c;t>b3 l:b1 + It is important here to force White to decide
89 Wa2 : bs where to take his king, since it is on this that
82 � GAME 21 BOTV I N N I K - TAL

Black's further actions depend. For exam­

ple, if 93 �c3 there would have followed
93 . . . .:t.a5 , in order to attack the enemy king
from the side (93 . . . <it?xa7 94 �xf5 I:tas 95
.l:f7+ <lt>a6 96 �c7 or 95 . . . �b8 96 <it>b4
l:tb5+ 97 �a4 is bad for Black) 94 J:.xf5
<lt>xa7 95 .l:f7+ (95 .:f6 <lt>b7 96 f5 l:.a3+)
95 . . . cit?a6 96 :c7 l:ta3+ 97 �b4 .:a4+ and
the black king, and this is very important, is
not driven onto the eighth rank. White,
however, continues playing more 'naturally' .
93 cit?a4 �xa7
94 J:xf5 l:tb1
And only here did Tal notice that after 95
Now the king is safely cut off along the f-file,
:f7+ �a6 96 l:ic7, as he was intending to
and Black can wait.
play, there follows 96 . . . l:.b4+ ! ! 97 �xb4 -
stalemate. 1 00 ...�c7 1 01 l:.f7+ �d8 1 02 'it>e2 .:t4 1 03
�d3 llf3+ 1 04 <itd2 �c8 1 05 <ite2 �f4 1 06
<it>e3 l:.f1 1 07 .:t8+ �d7 1 08 :t6 �c7 1 09
f:.f7+ <itd8 1 1 0 'it>e2 l:.f4 1 1 1 �d3 l:tf3+ 1 1 2
8 8
�c2 �c8 1 1 3 f6 �d8 1 1 4 lif8+ �c7 1 1 5
7 7
Wd2 'it>b7 1 1 6 �e2 l:tf4 1 1 7 �e3 l:tf1 1 1 8
6 .:.11+ �c8 1 1 9 cit?d2 l:tf3 1 20 �c2 Wd8 1 21
llf8+ �c7 Draw
5 5

4 4

3 3
1 2th M ay 1 96 1 - Game 2 1
2 2

Botvinnik - Tal
a b c d e 9 h King's Indian Defence
Notes by Mikhail Botvinnik
There was also no longer any way of
gaining winning chances, although White 1 d4 t2Jf6
could still hope for some mistake by his tired 2 c4 g6
opponent.
3 t2Jc3 i.. g 7
95 l:tf6 �b7
Before this game Tal was stil l the World
96 f5 l:.a1 + Champion, since I only had 1 2 points and
First the king is driven away from the my opponent sti ll had theoretical chances of
queenside, so that there should be no drawing the match by winning the remaining
question of it invading at b6. fou r games. Therefore he chose a compli­
97 �b4 l:tb1 + cated opening - a draw was of no interest to
98 'it>c3 l:.c1 + him at all.
99 �d2 .:t1 4 e4 d6
1 00 �e3 5 f3 t2Jbd7
 Free ebooks ==> www.Ebook777.com
GAME 21
I n avoiding simplification , Tal chooses a not
very successful variation. It should also be
mentioned that we had spent three days on
the previous game, in which for a long time
he had been hoping to win, and after I had
saved it he was, naturally, rather depressed.
6 .tea e5
7 l2Jge2 o-o
8 d5
White accepts the challenge and goes in for
a complicated game. However, there was
no particular risk in this, since Tal did not
like closed positions. The Encyclopaedia
considers 8 'ird2 to be stronger.
8 ctJh5
9 'ifd2
White avoids the win of a pawn (9 g4 l2Jf4 1 0
l2Jxf4 exf4 1 1 .ixf4) , which after 1 1 . . . f5 1 2
exf5 gxf5 1 3 g5 would have handed the
initiative to Black.
9 f5
1 0 o-o-o a6
Played to control the b5 square for counter­
play with . . . b7-b5, and also to free the
q ueen from having to defend the c7 pawn in
view of a possible l2Jb5. Even so, 1 O . . l2Jc5
. White's attack becomes virtually irresistible.
is probably stronger ( Boleslavsky-Keres,
1 952).
1 1 �b1 l2Jdf6
Black intensifies the pressure on the central
e4 pawn, and in view of the threatened
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BOTVI N N I K - TAL ttJ 83
. . . b7-b5 White is practically forced to
exchange on f5.
1 2 exf5 gxf5
1 3 l2Jg3
Now Black does not have a great choice. If
1 3 ... f4 1 4 l2Jxh5 fxe3 1 5 ct:Jxf6+ 'iix f6, then
White emphasises his positional advantage
by 1 6 'i¥c2, avoiding the double-edged play
after 1 6 'i¥xe3 e4! 1 7 fxe4. The manoeuvre
1 6 'iic 2 (instead of 1 6 'i'xe3) was one that I
later carried out in the game Botvinnik­
Medina (Tel Aviv 1 964) . The exchange of
knights on g3 leads to the opening of the h­
file, and that says everything.
13 'i'e8
14 .id3! l2Jxg3
I n the spi rit of the position was the pawn
sacrifice 1 4 . . . e4 ( 1 5 l2Jxh5 followed by
fxe4) , although it could hardly give sufficient
compensation, as Black's pieces are not
mobilised. 1 4 . . . f4 would still have not
achieved anything, while after 1 4 . . . 'ii'g 6 1 5
l2Jxh5 'iix h5 1 6 h3 the u npleasant g2-g4
cannot be avoided. Even so, it is hard to
agree with Black's decision. In the game
1 5 hxg3 c5
A standard advance in the King's I ndian
Defence, after wh ich the . . . b7-b5 counter­
blow could have gained in strength. Howev­
er, White's offensive develops more quickly.
84 � GAME 21 BOTV I N N I K - TAL

1 6 i.h6 'iVg6
1 7 g4 bS
1 8 i.xg7
Of course, it was tempting to exchange the
bishop defending the enemy king, but the h6
square should not have been given up
without a fight. The preparatory 1 8 l:h4 was
more consistent.
18 . . . <iit x g7
1 9 l:h4 bxc4
Now White sacrifices a pawn (by retreating
his bishop) , but on the other hand his king
will be completely safe. However, the alter­
natives 1 9 . . .t�Jg8 20 gxf5 i.xf5 21 l:.g4 and Position after 23. . . fxg4
1 9 . . . e4 20 gxf5 i.xf5 21 fxe4 were equally
hopeless. Other replies were equally hopeless: 27 . . . �f7
20 .i.c2 h6! 28 l:xf7+ <iitxf7 29 tt:Je4, or 27 . . . �d8 28 ltJe4
Cleverly played . Black covers the h6 square (but not 28 �xf6? �xf6 29 �g8+ and 30
and forces the exchange of queens, which, �xa8 on account of 30 . . l:f1 +) 28 . . . ctJd7 29
.

alas, can no longer halt White's attack. It �xf8+ ltJxf8 30 tt:Jxd6.

becomes clear why White should not have 28 tt:Je4 ctJd7
been in a hurry to exchange the dark-square The white knight is immune because of 29
bishops (cf. the note to White's 1 8th move). i.a4+.
21 l:dh1 'ii'g S 29 tt:Jxd6+ <iit d 8
22 �xg5+ hxg5 30 l:xf8+ ltJxf8
23 �h6 31 tt:Jxc4 i.d7
This is the whole point. White controls the 32 J:tf7 <iit c 7
g6 square, which is of decisive importance .
33 d6+
23 . . . fxg4
Even so, Black should not have given up the
b 1 -h7 diagonal without a fight. After, for
example, 23 . . . e4 24 gxf5 i.xf5 25 fxe4 i.h7
he could still have held the position. Howev­
er, even in this case White had the decisive
continuation 24 fxe4 tt:Jxg4 25 �xd6.

(see next diagram)

24 fxg4!
The simplest. The pressure on the f-file will
be i rresistible.
24 .i.xg4
25 l:g6+ �f7
26 �f1 �e7 Here Black resigned the game, and with it
27 �g7+ �e8 the title of World Champion.

Translator 's Notes*
1 8
(Game 4 , note to 32 �hc1 , p .26)
White can save his knight by 42 l:U7+
�c6 (or 42 . . . �b8 43 11d7) 43 l::t a7 �b5
44 l2J b2.
2 9
(Game 4, note to 35 . . . <itfd7, p.26)
Black can play 37 . . . �f4 38 l!c2 �d5 with
a winning advantage.
3 10
(Game 4, note to 37 . . . l::t a 3+, p .26)
After 38 b7 better is 38 . . . :a3+ (instead of
38 . . .'=: b8). However, 38 ctJd7+ (instead of
38 b7) wins i nstantly.
4
(Game 7 , note to 5 . . . b6, p.33)
There is some confusion here. I think that
the games the author is referring to are
Botvinnik-Kan ( 1 1 th USSR Champion­
ship. Leningrad 1 939) and the training
game Botvinnik-Furman ( Nikolina gora
1 960) .
5
(Game 1 1 . note to 1 3 'irc1 ! , p.46)
Black looks aJright after 1 4 . . . 4Je4 1 5 l::tb 2
.la4 1 6 f3 "iixc1 1 7 �xc1 ctJd6. I nstead
1 4 f3. denying the black knight the e4
square. looks stronger: 1 4 . . . ctJh5 ( 1 4 . . .
!: b8 1 5 -2.g6) 1 5 :. t2 l2Jxt4 1 6 :xc2 f6
( 1 6 :� 1 7 -2:xc6) 1 7 �xc3 4Je2+ 1 8
. .
�f2 Gc1 1 9 .!;\ xc6.
6
(GBJTl€ 1 9. note to 34 �b5 ! , p.74)
After 34 .i.b3 Black can simply play
34 _'!:' d3+ and 35 . .:.Xb3 .
. . . .
7
(First Notebook, Meran, p .9 1 )
Instead of 2 3 . . ."0"a3 there is 23 . . .'�xd2+
24 itxd2 hxgS 25 �xd6 l2Je4+.
* A computer was used to help in checking the
ltJ 1 25
(Fi rst Notebook, .i.c4 Variation , p.92)
This doesn't make sense. Perhaps 1 8 . . .
ext5, i ntending . . . b5-b4 and . . . lt:Je4 is
i ntended?
(First N otebook, French, p.97)
1 5 . . . �d7 loses outright to 1 6 i.. b 5+
.i.xb5 1 7 'ii'f 7.
(First Notebook, Sicilian Dragon, p . 1 02)
There appears to be a move missing for
each side here - perhaps 1 8 .S:d 1 'iVe6 ?
11 (Second Notebook, Nimzo-lndian, p . 1 03)
I n stead of 1 3 lbh5=, 1 3 lbg6 appears to
win.
12 (Second Notebook, Variation with 4 e3
b6, p . 1 04)
This note does not make sense. Perhaps
the following was i ntended: 5 . . . cxd4 6
exd4 d5 7 c5 lbe4 8 .i.d2 ctJxd2 9 'iVxd2
b6 1 0 a3 �xc3 1 1 ttJxc3 bxc5 1 2 dxc5 aS
1 3 tLla4! lbd7 (or 1 3 . . .0-0 1 4 �c1 ) 1 4
'ifc3! 0-0 1 5 b4. Later a note appeared:
look at 1 3 i.b5+ i.. d 7, Averbakh-Panno.
13 (Second Notebook, Samisch c6 variation,
p . 1 09)
1 6 �c5 can be met by 1 6 . . .'1Wh4, but 1 6
e6 looks very strong.
14
(Second Notebook, Variation with g3,
p. 1 1 1 )
After 22 l::txd5 Black wins with 22 . . . �xh3
23 'ifxa8 �b 1 + 24 �h2 i..xg2 25 <i!lxg2
'i!Ve4+. I think that 20 'i'e8+ (instead of 20
l::td 1 ) 20 . . . �g7 21 l::tc 1 is better for White.
analysis.
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1 26 � TRANSLATOR'S NOTES

15 (Second Notebook, Variation with g3 and 18 (Second Notebook, French Defence, p.1 1 4)
l2Jc6-a5, p. 1 1 1 ) It would seem that White can avoid the
2 1 . . .'i¥xg5 should at least be considered, perpetual attack on his queen by 1 6 'ir'f6,
e.g. 22 "filc7 �e5 23 .:ic1 d5. e.g. 1 6 . . . 'iVd8 1 7 lDg5 l:g6 1 8 lDf7.

16 (Second Notebook, Slav Defence, p . 1 1 3) 19 (Second Notebook, French Defence,

1 7 . . .lt)as looks clearly better, and if 1 8 p . 1 1 4)
'iixe6 'ik'c4+. As on p.97, 1 5 . . . Wd7 loses to 1 6 i.b5+
i.xb5 1 7 1i'f7.
17 (Second Notebook, From Taimanov, p . 1 1 4)
Why not keep the knight defended by
1 6 . . .'ii'g 6 ?

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