1961 World Chess Championship

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1961 World Chess Championship
Compiled by Penguincw

★★★ INTRO ★★★

The 1961 World Chess Championship was between 24 year old defending champion Mikhail Tal of the Soviet Union, and 49 year old challenger Mikhail Botvinnik also of the Soviet Union. It was a re-match from the 1960 match (see Game Collection: 1960 World Chess Championship for games and more info), since Tal dethroned Botvinnik.

★★★ BACKGROUND ★★★

After winning the match 12 1/2-8 1/2, Botvinnik was allowed a re-match in 1961, no qualifications.

★★★ CONDITIONS ★★★

The match took place in Moscow. It was a best of 24, meaning that the first to 12 1/2 points would win. If it ended in a 12-12 tie, the title holder, Tal, would retain his title. The first round was played on March 15th, 1961.

★★★ FINAL ★★★

The last game (21) was played on May 13th, 1961, and was won by Botvinnik, which earned him 13 points, and the title, again.

★★★ MINI TABLE ★★★

Botvinnik 1 0 1 1/2 1/2 1/2 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 1/2 1 0 1 0 0 1/2 1 (9 wins, 8 draws, 4 losses) <61.9% score>

Tal 0 1 0 1/2 1/2 1/2 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1/2 0 1 0 1 1 1/2 0 (4 wins, 8 draws, 9 losses) <38.1% score>

★★★ OTHER LINKS ★★★

Head to Head Match up prior to 1961: http://www.chessgames.com/perl/ches... (6 wins, 13 draws and 2 losses in favour of Tal)

Previous World Championship: Game Collection: 1960 World Chess Championship

Next World Championship: Game Collection: 1963 World Chess Championship

Game 1, Botvinnik leads 1-0
Botvinnik vs Tal, 1961
(E48) Nimzo-Indian, 4.e3 O-O 5.Bd3 d5, 41 moves, 1-0
Game 2, Match tied 1-1
Tal vs Botvinnik, 1961
(B18) Caro-Kann, Classical, 45 moves, 1-0
Game 3, Botvinnik leads 2-1
Botvinnik vs Tal, 1961
(E48) Nimzo-Indian, 4.e3 O-O 5.Bd3 d5, 43 moves, 1-0
Game 4, Botvinnik leads 2 1/2-1 1/2
Tal vs Botvinnik, 1961
(B12) Caro-Kann Defense, 41 moves, 1/2-1/2
Game 5, Botvinnik leads 3-2
Botvinnik vs Tal, 1961
(E48) Nimzo-Indian, 4.e3 O-O 5.Bd3 d5, 73 moves, 1/2-1/2
Game 6, Botvinnik leads 3 1/2-2 1/2
Tal vs Botvinnik, 1961
(B12) Caro-Kann Defense, 25 moves, 1/2-1/2
Game 7, Botvinnik leads 4 1/2-2 1/2
Botvinnik vs Tal, 1961
(E24) Nimzo-Indian, Samisch, 33 moves, 1-0
Game 8, Botvinnik leads 4 1/2-3 1/2
Tal vs Botvinnik, 1961
(B12) Caro-Kann Defense, 29 moves, 1-0
Game 9, Botvinnik leads 5 1/2-3 1/2
Botvinnik vs Tal, 1961
(A23) English, Bremen System, Keres Variation, 73 moves, 1-0
Game 10, Botvinnik leads 6 1/2-3 1/2
Tal vs Botvinnik, 1961
(B12) Caro-Kann Defense, 42 moves, 0-1
Game 11, Botvinnik leads 7 1/2-3 1/2
Botvinnik vs Tal, 1961
(D14) Queen's Gambit Declined Slav, Exchange Variation, 42 moves, 1-0
Game 12, Botvinnik leads 7 1/2-4 1/2
Tal vs Botvinnik, 1961
(C18) French, Winawer, 41 moves, 1-0
Game 13, Botvinnik leads 8 1/2-4 1/2
Botvinnik vs Tal, 1961
(E85) King's Indian, Samisch, Orthodox Variation, 41 moves, 1-0
Game 14, Botvinnik leads 9-5
Tal vs Botvinnik, 1961
(B12) Caro-Kann Defense, 33 moves, 1/2-1/2
Game 15, Botvinnik leads 10-5
Botvinnik vs Tal, 1961
(E81) King's Indian, Samisch, 63 moves, 1-0
Game 16, Botvinnik leads 10 1/2-5 1/2
Tal vs Botvinnik, 1961
(B12) Caro-Kann Defense, 90 moves, 1/2-1/2
Game 17, Botvinnik leads 10 1/2-6 1/2
Botvinnik vs Tal, 1961
(E80) King's Indian, Samisch Variation, 83 moves, 0-1
Game 18, Botvinnik leads 11 1/2-6 1/2
Tal vs Botvinnik, 1961
(B12) Caro-Kann Defense, 41 moves, 0-1
Game 19, Botvinnik leads 11 1/2-7 1/2
Botvinnik vs Tal, 1961
(E81) King's Indian, Samisch, 75 moves, 0-1
Round 20, Botvinnik leads 12-8
Tal vs Botvinnik, 1961
(B12) Caro-Kann Defense, 121 moves, 1/2-1/2
Game 21, Botvinnik wins 13-8
Botvinnik vs Tal, 1961
(E80) King's Indian, Samisch Variation, 33 moves, 1-0
21 games

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