chessgames.com
Members · Prefs · Laboratory · Collections · Openings · Endgames · Sacrifices · History · Search Kibitzing · Kibitzer's Café · Chessforums · Tournament Index · Players · Kibitzing
Mikhail Botvinnik vs Mark Taimanov
USSR Championship Playoff (1953), Moscow URS, rd 4, Jan-31
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal. Taimanov Variation (E40)  ·  1-0

8
7
6
5
4
3
2
a
1
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
White to move.
ANALYSIS [x]
Notes by Stockfish 9 v010218 (minimum 6s/ply) 9...g5 10.Nd3 Ne4 11.O-O Nxc3 12.bxc3 f5 13.Qc2 Be6 = +0.24 (22 ply) ⩲ +1.42 (21 ply)better is 11.g5 Nd7 12.Nxe6 fxe6 13.Bg4 e5 14.h4 Nb6 15.f4 exf4 ⩲ +1.19 (22 ply)= +0.49 (24 ply)better is 14.g5 Ne8 15.e4 dxe4 16.Nxe4 Nc6 17.Be3 g6 18.Qd3 Ng7 ⩲ +0.75 (21 ply)better is 14...g6 15.b3 c6 16.Qe2 Nf7 17.g5 Nh5 18.Nd1 a5 19.Nf2 = +0.25 (22 ply)better is 15.Qc2 Nd6 16.g5 Nfe4 17.Nxe4 Nxe4 18.Re1 Qc6 19.Qxc6 ⩲ +0.75 (25 ply)better is 15...Nd6 16.Qe2 a5 17.b5 Nfe4 18.Bb2 Nxc3 19.Bxc3 c6 = +0.15 (23 ply) ⩲ +0.70 (22 ply)better is 17.a4 Nfe4 18.Nxe4 Nxe4 19.g5 c6 20.bxc6 Qxc6 21.Bd2 b6 ⩲ +0.71 (24 ply)= +0.11 (21 ply) after 17...Rac8 18.Qh3 Nfe4 19.a4 c6 20.Nxe4 Nxe4 21.Bb2 g6 21...Nfe4 22.Bb2 b5 23.Nxe4 dxe4 24.Bxe4 Nxe4 25.Qxe4 = +0.02 (26 ply) ± +1.52 (25 ply)better is 23...Kg6 24.Nxd5 Ra6 25.Nb4 Ra5 26.Nd3 Raf5 27.Qg2 Qb5 ⩲ +0.84 (24 ply) ± +1.51 (28 ply) 27.f5 Qg7 28.fxe6 Rc8 29.Rg2 f5 30.Kh1 Rc7 31.Bd2 Rf6 ⩲ +1.32 (23 ply) 27...Kxg7 28.Rg2+ Kf7 29.Bd2 Ke8 30.Bb4 Be7 31.Qh5+ Nf7 -+ -2.75 (22 ply)+- +5.91 (27 ply)42...Rxe8 43.Rxc7 Kxg7 44.Rxb7 Ra8 45.Rb6 Rh8 46.Kg3 Rd8 +- +3.57 (26 ply)1-0

rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 1
FEN COPIED

Annotations by Stockfish (Computer).      [35437 more games annotated by Stockfish]

explore this opening
find similar games 11 more Botvinnik/Taimanov games
sac: 22.Bxh7+ PGN: download | view | print Help: general | java-troubleshooting

TIP: Some games have annotation. These are denoted in the game list with the icon.

PGN Viewer:  What is this?
For help with this chess viewer, please see the Olga Chess Viewer Quickstart Guide.
PREMIUM MEMBERS CAN REQUEST COMPUTER ANALYSIS [more info]

THIS IS A COMPUTER ANNOTATED SCORE.   [CLICK HERE] FOR ORIGINAL.

Kibitzer's Corner
Jun-23-08  Marmot PFL: Couldn't Taimanov play 27...Kxg7 and escape by Kf7-e8? Or if 28.Qh5 Rf7 and Kf8 and it's not clear how white's attack will succeed.
Jun-24-10  xombie: The Bot was a god. 24. Nxd5!. His whole attack goes in clockwork fashion mostly.
Jul-11-15  zydeco: <Marmot PFL> Good point. I think white meets 27....Kxg7 with 28.f5 and 29.e4. If the dark-squared bishop is involved, white's attack is pretty dangerous -- but that's definitely a viable defensive idea for black.

By the way, I think Botvinnik may have been very innovative with maneuvers like 10.g4 and 12.0-0. That kind of thing (pushing pawns on the same side of the board as the castled king) is a staple of contemporary chess but would have looked somewhat odd in 1953.

Apr-15-16
Premium Chessgames Member
  wwall: Botvinnik annotated this game for a book called Botvinnik's Creative Work in Chess, edited by Baturnsky. He wrote that 27.g7 Re8 was a rare case of mutual blindness. It was only after the game that it was established that Black could take the pawn with his king, but in the heat of the moment, this seemed too risky to both players. He analyzed 27 g7 Kxg7 28.Rg2+ Kf7 or 28.Qh5 Rf7. He wrote that best was 28.f5! Kf7 29.e4 Ke7 30.Bd2 and White would have some practical drawing chances (but Black can still play 30...Bb6 for a better game - Wall). He also wrote that if he had played 27.Re1, then Black loses by force. But after 27.Re1 f5 and 28...Qg7, it looks like Black is winning. In his line 28.f5 Kf7 29.e4, stronger than 29...Ke7 seems 29...Bb6 (threatening 30...Bxd4+). If 30.Bd2, then 30...exf5 looks like a win for Black. If 30.fxe6+ Qxe6 31.Qxe6+ Kxe6 should win for Black. Instead of 27.g7? or 27.Re1, perhaps best for White is 27.d5, threatening 28.Qxe6. After 27.d5 Re8 28.Bb2 now looks strong for White.
Jan-24-23  andrea volponi: 22bxh7= (f5! ⩲): 23...kg6!=-nxd5 ra6!? ⩲ .

NOTE: Create an account today to post replies and access other powerful features which are available only to registered users. Becoming a member is free, anonymous, and takes less than 1 minute! If you already have a username, then simply login login under your username now to join the discussion.

Please observe our posting guidelines:

  1. No obscene, racist, sexist, or profane language.
  2. No spamming, advertising, duplicate, or gibberish posts.
  3. No vitriolic or systematic personal attacks against other members.
  4. Nothing in violation of United States law.
  5. No cyberstalking or malicious posting of negative or private information (doxing/doxxing) of members.
  6. No trolling.
  7. The use of "sock puppet" accounts to circumvent disciplinary action taken by moderators, create a false impression of consensus or support, or stage conversations, is prohibited.
  8. Do not degrade Chessgames or any of it's staff/volunteers.

Please try to maintain a semblance of civility at all times.

Blow the Whistle

See something that violates our rules? Blow the whistle and inform a moderator.


NOTE: Please keep all discussion on-topic. This forum is for this specific game only. To discuss chess or this site in general, visit the Kibitzer's Café.

Messages posted by Chessgames members do not necessarily represent the views of Chessgames.com, its employees, or sponsors.
All moderator actions taken are ultimately at the sole discretion of the administration.

This game is type: CLASSICAL. Please report incorrect or missing information by submitting a correction slip to help us improve the quality of our content.

Home | About | Login | Logout | F.A.Q. | Profile | Preferences | Premium Membership | Kibitzer's Café | Biographer's Bistro | New Kibitzing | Chessforums | Tournament Index | Player Directory | Notable Games | World Chess Championships | Opening Explorer | Guess the Move | Game Collections | ChessBookie Game | Chessgames Challenge | Store | Privacy Notice | Contact Us

Copyright 2001-2025, Chessgames Services LLC