From: hwr@intercal.com (Hanon W. Russell)
Subject: Botvinnik Autobiography, Game 29
Organization: Chessnews list (chessnews-request@tssi.com)
Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1992 16:32:10 GMT


No. 29  Queen's Gambit
M. Botvinnik-A. Batuev
Leningrad Championship 1930/31

1 d2-d4       d7-d5
2 c2-c4       e7-e6
3 Nb1-c3      Ng8-f6
4 Bc1-g5      Bf8-e7
5 e2-e3       0-0
6 Ng1-f3      Nb8-d7
7 Bf1-d3      ...

This position has been encountered in game No. 20 where it was noted that 
the most common reply is 7...dc (Black had played the weaker 7...a6). This 
is the way the current game continues, thus taking on characteristics of 
the Queen's Gambit Accepted.

7 ...         d5xc4
8 Bd3xc4      c7-c5

The continuation selected by Black evidently gives him an equal game. The 
preparatory 8...a6 is even better, and then on 9 a4 - 9...c5.

9 0-0         c5xd4
10 e3xd4      ...

After 10 Nxd4 a symmetrical pawn position has arisen but White has an 
obvious advantage in development. I however preferred Tarrasch's 
recommendation taking on an isolated center pawn. This plan has more 
justification in view of the fact that the Black Knight cannot exert 
pressure on the center and White easily mobilizes his forces.

10 ...        Nd7-b6
11 Bc4-b3     Nb6-d5

This signifies Black's intentions to develop the Bishop on b7, so White 
takes steps to prevent 12...b6. Black could have played 11...Bd7 followed 
by Bd7-c6, which would have been a better decision.

12 Nf3-e5     ...

White gets a clear advantage with other moves too: 12 Qe2 (irrespective of 
Black's fianchettoing the Queen Bishop) 12...b6 13 Nxd5 ed 14 Rfe1 Be6 15 
Ne5 (Korchnoy-deGreif, 1963).

12 ...        Nf6-d7

A natural try to simplify the position: The exchange of the black-squared 
Bishop weakens the pawn on d4. 12...Bd7 was also possible.

13 Bg5xe7     Nd5xe7
14 Qd1-e2     ...

White could have begun to play against the weakened black squares in his 
opponent's camp with 14 Ne4.

14 ...        Nd7-f6
15 Rf1-d1     b7-b6
16 Ra1-c1     Bc8-b7
17 f2-f3!     ...

What is the point of this move? First, a secure square on e4 is obtained 
for the Knight on c3; second, the scope of the Bishop on b7 is limited. By 
the way, notice that the standard Knight sacrifice on f7 does not work: 17 
Nxf7 Rxf7 18 Qxe6 or 18 Bxe6 - 18...Ned5.

17 ...        Ra8-c8

Having place the Rook on c8, Black now jumps from the frying pan into the 
fire, as the aforementioned sacrifice now wins for White. Nevertheless, 
Black had the opportunity to obtain an approximately equal game after 
17...Ned5 18 Ne4 Rc8 19 Rxc8 Bxc8.

18 Ne5xf7!    Rf8xf7
19 Qe2xe6     ...

The point is that now the a2-g8 diagonal cannot be closed: 19...Ned5 20 
Nxd5 Nxd5 21 Bxd5 Bxd5 22 Rxc8 and Black can lay down his arms.

19 ...        Qd8-f8
20 Nc3-e4     ...

A result of White's 17th move.

20 ...        Rc8xc1
21 Rd1xc1     ...

Now the threat is to take twice on f7 and then check with the Knight on d6 
or 22 Rc7 followed by 23 Qxe7 Qxe7 24 Rxe7. Black's last remaining hope is 
to limit the scope of the White Bishop. 21...Nxe4 22 fe, opening the 
f-file is not good.

21 ...        Nf6-d5
22 Ne4-d6     Bb7-a8
23 Rc1-e1!    ...

This quiet move decides the game.

23 ...        g7-g6
24 Nd6xf7     Qf8xf7
25 Qe6xe7     Resigns

Copyright 1988, 1992 Hanon W. Russell
All Rights Reserved

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