chessgames.com
Members · Prefs · Laboratory · Collections · Openings · Endgames · Sacrifices · History · Search Kibitzing · Kibitzer's Café · Chessforums · Tournament Index · Players · Kibitzing

Chessgames premium membership fee will increase to $39 per year effective June 15, 2023. Enroll Now!

Mikhail Botvinnik vs Vasily Smyslov
Botvinnik - Smyslov World Championship Match (1954), Moscow URS, rd 18, Apr-24
King's Indian Defense: Fianchetto Variation. Immediate Fianchetto (E60)  ·  1/2-1/2

ANALYSIS [x]

FEN COPIED

Annotations by Stockfish (Computer).      [30467 more games annotated by Stockfish]

explore this opening
find similar games 104 more Botvinnik/Smyslov games
PGN: download | view | print Help: general | java-troubleshooting

TIP: You can get computer analysis by clicking the "ENGINE" button below the game.

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
Mar-19-08  Knight13: 12. Bxd7 Rxd7 13. d5 gets rid of White's bad bishop for black's good one. That g2 bishop barely did anything after white played 12. d5 anyway.
Mar-19-08
Premium Chessgames Member
  kasp: <Knight13>'s 12. Bxd7 Rxd7 13. d5

Maybe you meant 12.Bxb7 Rxb7

Mar-19-08  Knight13: <kasp> Yes.
Sep-10-13  zydeco: 42.Bf5!
Dec-05-13  Edeltalent: From a purely visual standpoint, the end reminds me a lot of another famous Botvinnik game: Botvinnik vs Fischer, 1962


click for larger view


click for larger view

Jan-30-14
Premium Chessgames Member
  WCC Editing Project:

"The Strange Tale of how <Vasily Smyslov> got Fifteen Extra Minutes on his Clock without Realizing it"

Botvinnik:

<"...on one occasion in our match the arbiter Opocensky had to intervene; this occurred during the 18th game. Soon after the opening Smyslov's clock stopped, which was noticed by the demonstrator only some fifteen minutes later! More precisely, the clock did not stop- it continued going, and only the minute hand stopped, and so neither I nor my opponent noticed this, since the clock continued ticking...

During play a second, electric chess clock was in use, enabling the spectators to observe the situation on our clocks. This electric clock was operated by the demonstrator, and it was he (with a delay of fifteen minutes) who drew the arbiter's attention to the fault in Smyslov's clock.

Of course, Opecensky ordered that the faulty clock should be replaced. <<<In so doing, however, he set my opponent's clock to the same time as had been shown by the faulty clock! To my bewildered question, the arbiter replied that there was no mention in the match regulations about supervisory electric clocks, and therefore he couldn't put Smyslov's clock forward, although, essentially, it was clear how long the clock had stood still.>>> I immediately accepted the arbiter's decision, although I considered it incorrect.

I decided not to approach Smyslov directly; he was so engrossed in the position that he did not notice either our discussions, which took place at the other end of the stage, or the change of clocks itself, otherwise he would undoubtedly have asked that his clock be put forward...">

-Mikhail Botvinnik, "Botvinnik's Complete Games (1942-1956) and Selected Writings (Part 2)." Ken Neat, transl., ed., (Olomouc 2012), pp.29-30

Jul-21-21
Premium Chessgames Member
  plang: Botvinnik repeates the quiet system with 6 e3 that he had used with success in Game 14. In that game Smyslov had played 7..e5; here he varies with 7..a6. Botvinnik suggestion of 12 dxe..Nxe5 13 e4..a5 looks more consistent. 17..Nh7 would have avoided the pin while preparing ..f5. After 25 Bf3, 26 g4 and 27 g5 White had a positional advantage with the more active bishop. 27..Qe7 28 Kh1..Qxg5 would just activate White's forces.

Botvinnik after 28..Ke7:
"It is only this quite unnecessary evacuation of the king, first to e7and then to d8, that gives White real winning chances. If Black put his rooks on h4 and h8, his bishop on e7 and his king on g7, then White would have to settle for a draw."

Averbakh recommended 33 d6+..cxd 34 Bg4..Qc7 35 Rgd1..Rd8 36 Rxh3 with a dangerous initiative for White.

Interesting play from both players.

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.

Featured in the Following Game Collections[what is this?]
BOTVINNIK'S BEST GAMES: VOL 2,1943-1956
by Malacha
1954 World Championship Game #18
from Road to the Championship - Vasily Smyslov by suenteus po 147
World Championship Game #18
from WCC Index [Botvinnik-Smyslov 1954] by Suenteus Po
Match Botvinnik!
by amadeus
Match Smyslov!
by amadeus
Game 18, Botvinnik leads 10-8
from 1954 World Chess Championship by Penguincw
Match Botvinnik!
by chessgain
Match Smyslov!
by docjan
BOTVINNIK'S BEST GAMES: VOL 2,1943-1956
by Okavango
BOTVINNIK'S BEST GAMES: VOL 2,1943-1956
by igiene

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 2001-2023, Chessgames Services LLC