Mikhail Moiseyevich Botvinnik – György Szilágyi
6th IBM International Chess Tournament; Amsterdam, July 5, 1966
Réti Opening A07
6th IBM International Chess Tournament; Amsterdam, July 5, 1966
Réti Opening A07
Notes by Grandmaster Michael Francis Stean, “Simple Chess: New Algebraic Edition”, New York, Dover Publications, 2002, pp. 3-7.
1. g3 d5 2. Nf3 c6 3. Bg2 Bg4 4. d3 Nd7 5. h3 Bxf3 6. Bxf3 e5 7. Nd2 Ngf6 8. e4 dxe4 9. dxe4 Bc5 10. 0-0 Qe7 11. c3 0-0. The position may at first sight seem quite good for Black. His pieces occupy good squares in the center, his King is very safe and he has a lead in development having already connected his Rooks on the back rank while White is a long way from doing so. However, positionally he has problems arising from the exchange of his Queen’s Bishop for a Knight. In the long run he will find difficulty in defending his White squares. We shall see what this means in more tangible terms as the game progresses. 12. b4. A space-gaining move. The center is fixed and White does not want to advance on the Kingside for fear of exposing his own monarch, so the logical zone for expansion is on the Queenside. 12. ... Bb6 13. a4 Rfd8. Black dare not hit back with 13. ... a5 because of 14. Ba3 followed by Nd2-c4 or Nd2-b3 with lots of dangerous possibilities on the a3-f8 diagonal. 14. Qc2 Rac8. Black already finds himself lacking a good plan. A better idea has 14. ... Nf8 followed by ... Nf8-e6 and ... a7-a5 trying to get a grip on c5 or d4. Black’s difficulties stem from the fact that he has no good outpost for his pieces. 15. Be2. In contrast Botvinnik’s advance has given him a nice square on c4 which he can occupy with either a Knight or a Bishop. 15. ... c5?? Two question marks for a move which does not actually lose any material may seem a bit harsh, but I want to emphasize the point that before 15. ... c5 Black merely had problems, but now he is lost. 16. b5! Why is Black lost? Material is equal and White hasn’t got a piece beyond the second rate. The answer lies in the Pawns. White has two beautiful squares on c4 and d5, plus a mobile Pawn roller on the left flank, whereas Black’s Pawns constrict his own pieces terribly, particularly the Bishop. Botvinnik now treats us to a vigorous exhibition of technical chess as he converts these advantages into a win. 16. ... Ne8 17. Nc4 Nd6
1. g3 d5 2. Nf3 c6 3. Bg2 Bg4 4. d3 Nd7 5. h3 Bxf3 6. Bxf3 e5 7. Nd2 Ngf6 8. e4 dxe4 9. dxe4 Bc5 10. 0-0 Qe7 11. c3 0-0. The position may at first sight seem quite good for Black. His pieces occupy good squares in the center, his King is very safe and he has a lead in development having already connected his Rooks on the back rank while White is a long way from doing so. However, positionally he has problems arising from the exchange of his Queen’s Bishop for a Knight. In the long run he will find difficulty in defending his White squares. We shall see what this means in more tangible terms as the game progresses. 12. b4. A space-gaining move. The center is fixed and White does not want to advance on the Kingside for fear of exposing his own monarch, so the logical zone for expansion is on the Queenside. 12. ... Bb6 13. a4 Rfd8. Black dare not hit back with 13. ... a5 because of 14. Ba3 followed by Nd2-c4 or Nd2-b3 with lots of dangerous possibilities on the a3-f8 diagonal. 14. Qc2 Rac8. Black already finds himself lacking a good plan. A better idea has 14. ... Nf8 followed by ... Nf8-e6 and ... a7-a5 trying to get a grip on c5 or d4. Black’s difficulties stem from the fact that he has no good outpost for his pieces. 15. Be2. In contrast Botvinnik’s advance has given him a nice square on c4 which he can occupy with either a Knight or a Bishop. 15. ... c5?? Two question marks for a move which does not actually lose any material may seem a bit harsh, but I want to emphasize the point that before 15. ... c5 Black merely had problems, but now he is lost. 16. b5! Why is Black lost? Material is equal and White hasn’t got a piece beyond the second rate. The answer lies in the Pawns. White has two beautiful squares on c4 and d5, plus a mobile Pawn roller on the left flank, whereas Black’s Pawns constrict his own pieces terribly, particularly the Bishop. Botvinnik now treats us to a vigorous exhibition of technical chess as he converts these advantages into a win. 16. ... Ne8 17. Nc4 Nd6
18. Bg5! A surprise tactical shot, but its aims are positional. 18. ... f6. The point of the combination. Black is forced to weaken yet another White square (e6) in the heart of his position. Refusal to fall in with White’s plans is even more unpalatable: (i) 18. ... Qxg5 19. Nxd6 Rb8 20. Bc4; (ii) 18. ... Nf6 19. Ne3 followed by Ne3-d5. 19. Be3 Nxc4 20. Bxc4+ Kh8 21. a5 Bc7 22. Rfd1 Nf8. An exchange of Rooks will not heal Black’s wounds. On the other hand, neither will anything else. 23. Qa2 Rxd1+ 24. Rxd1 Rd8 25. Rxd8 Bxd8 26. a6. Conquering yet another White square (c6) and simultaneously releasing the Queen from her defense of the a Pawn in preparation for more active service. 26. ... b6 27. Kg2. White’s control of the position is so great that he could inscribe his initials on the board with his King if he wanted. Being rather less self-indulgent, Botvinnik contents himself with one preparatory King move before embarking on the winning process. On general principles, his King will feel safer on a White square. 27. ... Qd7 28. Qe2 Ng6 29. Bb3. At last an attack, but there’s no need for any excitement. The outcome is a mere formality. With a Bishop having the mobility of a tortoise with rheumatism, Black is in no position to offer any real resistance. 29. ... Ne7 30.Qc4 h6 31. Qf7! Kh7. 31. ... Qxb5 loses a piece to 32. Qf8+ Kh7 33. Qxd8 Qxb3 34. Qxe7. 32. Bc4 Qd6 33. h4. Botvinnik now weaves a mating net on the White squares. 33. ... Qd1 34. Qe8. With the threat of Bc4-f7, h4-h5, followed by Bf7-g6+, etc. There’s no defense. 34. ... f5 35. exf5 Nxf5 36. Bg8+ Kh8 37. Bf7+ and mates next move. 1 : 0.
Mikhail Moiseyevich Botvinnik (R.) vs. György Szilágyi
Photo: Andre van der Heuvel/ANP
Photo: Andre van der Heuvel/ANP
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