1958 World Chess Championship

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1958 World Chess Championship
Compiled by Penguincw

★★★ INTRO ★★★

The 1958 World Championship match was a re-match between 47 year old challenger Mikhail Botvinnik of the Soviet Union and 37 year old defending world champion Vasily Smyslov also of the Soviet Union.

★★★ BACKGROUND ★★★

The WCC was a re-match from 1957, since Botvinnik was dethroned by Smyslov (see Game Collection: 1957 World Chess Championship for games and more info).

★★★ CONDITIONS ★★★

It took place in Moscow. The match was a best of 24, so the first to 12 1/2 points (draws counting) would win. If the match ended in a 12-12 tie, Smyslov would retain his title. The first game was played on March 4th, 1958.

★★★ FINAL ★★★

The last round was played on May 9th, 1958. Botvinnik won 12 1/2-10 1/2.

★★★ MINI TABLE ★★★

Botvinnik 1 1 1 1/2 0 1 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 0 1 1/2 1 0 1/2 1/2 1 0 1/2 1/2 0 1/2 (7 wins, 11 draws, 5 losses) <54.3% score>

Smyslov 0 0 0 1/2 1 0 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1 0 1/2 0 1 1/2 1/2 0 1 1/2 1/2 1 1/2 (5 wins, 11 draws, 7 losses) <45.7% score>

★★★ OTHER LINKS ★★★

Head to Head Record Prior to 1958: http://www.chessgames.com/perl/ches... (20 wins, 37 losses and 18 losses in favour of Botvinnik)

Previous World Championship: Game Collection: 1957 World Chess Championship

Next World Championship: Game Collection: 1960 World Chess Championship

Game 1, Botvinnik leads 1-0
Smyslov vs Botvinnik, 1958
(B11) Caro-Kann, Two Knights, 3...Bg4, 62 moves, 0-1
Game 2, Botvinnik leads 2-0
Botvinnik vs Smyslov, 1958
(E81) King's Indian, Samisch, 41 moves, 1-0
Game 3, Botvinnik leads 3-0
Smyslov vs Botvinnik, 1958
(B18) Caro-Kann, Classical, 66 moves, 0-1
Game 4, Botvinnik leads 3 1/2-1/2
Botvinnik vs Smyslov, 1958
(D98) Grunfeld, Russian, 82 moves, 1/2-1/2
Game 5, Botvinnik 3 1/2-1 1/2
Smyslov vs Botvinnik, 1958
(B58) Sicilian, 41 moves, 1-0
Game 6, Botvinnik leads 4 1/2-1 1/2
Botvinnik vs Smyslov, 1958
(A42) Modern Defense, Averbakh System, 49 moves, 1-0
Game 7, Botvinnik leads 5-2
Smyslov vs Botvinnik, 1958
(B58) Sicilian, 16 moves, 1/2-1/2
Game 8, Botvinnik leads 5 1/2-2 1/2
Botvinnik vs Smyslov, 1958
(E69) King's Indian, Fianchetto, Classical Main line, 41 moves, 1/2-1/2
Game 9, Botvinnik leads 6-3
Smyslov vs Botvinnik, 1958
(B58) Sicilian, 40 moves, 1/2-1/2
Game 10, Botvinnik 6 1/2-3 1/2
Botvinnik vs Smyslov, 1958
(A16) English, 44 moves, 1/2-1/2
Game 11, Botvinnik leads 6 1/2-4 1/2
Smyslov vs Botvinnik, 1958
(D98) Grunfeld, Russian, 24 moves, 1-0
Game 12, Botvinnik leads 7 1/2-4 1/2
Botvinnik vs Smyslov, 1958
(A12) English with b3, 41 moves, 1-0
Game 13, Botvinnik leads 8-5
Smyslov vs Botvinnik, 1958
(D47) Queen's Gambit Declined Semi-Slav, 41 moves, 1/2-1/2
Game 14, Botvinnik leads 9-5
Botvinnik vs Smyslov, 1958
(A16) English, 68 moves, 1-0
Game 15, Botvinnik leads 9-6
Smyslov vs Botvinnik, 1958
(B12) Caro-Kann Defense, 55 moves, 1-0
Game 16, Botvinnik leads 9 1/2-6 1/2
Botvinnik vs Smyslov, 1958
(A16) English, 36 moves, 1/2-1/2
Game 17, Botvinnik leads 10-7
Smyslov vs Botvinnik, 1958
(B10) Caro-Kann, 49 moves, 1/2-1/2
Game 18, Botvinnik leads 11-7
Botvinnik vs Smyslov, 1958
(A16) English, 74 moves, 1-0
Game 19, Botvinnik leads 11-8
Smyslov vs Botvinnik, 1958
(B11) Caro-Kann, Two Knights, 3...Bg4, 35 moves, 1-0
Game 20, Botvinnik leads 11 1/2-8 1/2
Botvinnik vs Smyslov, 1958
(A30) English, Symmetrical, 48 moves, 1/2-1/2
Round 21, Botvinnik leads 12-9
Smyslov vs Botvinnik, 1958
(B32) Sicilian, 23 moves, 1/2-1/2
Game 22, Botvinnik leads 12-10
Botvinnik vs Smyslov, 1958
(A95) Dutch, Stonewall, 38 moves, 0-1
Game 23, Botvinnik wins 12 1/2-10 1/2
Smyslov vs Botvinnik, 1958
(A05) Reti Opening, 41 moves, 1/2-1/2
23 games

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