[Event "Moscow"] [Site "?"] [Round "0"] [White "Smyslov"] [Black "Botvinnik"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C70"] [Opening "Spanish: 4.Ba4"] {31. SMYSLOV (Born 1921) A study of Smylov's games forces one to admit that it is not easy to say just where his special strenght lies. This Russian Grandmsater attaches little importance to complex opening variations. He builds up his games by simple means, and in the middlegame his play is just as simple and sound. This is not to say that he is averse to combinative play - there are many excellent examples of beautiful combinative games by Smyslov on record. But his greatest strength seems to be in the art of making "something out of nothing". He will maneuver patiently for hours at a time without ever relaxing for one moment; he seems to be steathily stalking his opponent. There is indeed something of the assassin about him, for all at once, when least expected, he will strike. Since moreover his endgame technique is just about perfect, the smallest advantage in his hands is likely to win} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 Be6 { Black essays an idea which originated from the great Russian Master Chigorin} 10. d4 Bxb3 11. Qxb3 Qd7 12. Bg5 h6 13. Bxf6 Bxf6 14. d5 {White sets up a light square central pawn-chain in order to emphasize the limite scope of Black's Bishop} 14... Na5 15. Qc2 c6 { Otherwise White will play Nbd2 followed by Pc4} 16. dxc6 Qxc6 17. Nbd2 Rac8 18. Rac1 {Smyslove commented that this prevent ... Pb4 (which would be met by Pc4), overprotects c3, and prepares, if the opportunity presents itself, to play Pc4. These strategems are in the style of Nimzowitsch} 18... Rfd8 19. Nf1 Nc4 20. b3 Nb6 21. Ne3 d5 {Superficially it would seem this central advance activates Black's game. But as we shall soon see, Smyslov has taken critical factors into account} 22. Ng4 d4 (22... dxe4 23. Nfxe5 Bxe5 24. Nxe5 Qb7 25. Rxe4 $1 $16 Rxc3 (25... Nd5 26. Rd4 Rxc3 27. Qxc3 Nxc3 28. Rxd8+ $18) 26. Qxc3 Qxe4 27. Qc7) 23. Nxf6+ Qxf6 24. Qb2 dxc3 25. Rxc3 Nd7 26. Rec1 Rxc3 27. Qxc3 Qd6 $1 28. Qc6 Nf6 {Black has defended well, but White still has the initiative} 29. Qxd6 Rxd6 30. Nxe5 Nxe4 31. f3 Ng5 32. f4 Ne6 33. f5 Nd8 34. Rc8 Kf8 35. Kf2 Ke7 36. Ke3 (36. Rxd8 Rxd8 37. Nc6+ {gives Black a chance to draw}) 36... Rd1 $2 (36... Rd5 $1 37. Ke4 Rd2) 37. Ra8 $1 Kf6 (37... Rd6 38. Rxd8 Kxd8 39. Nxf7+ { A won king and pawn ending}) (37... Re1+ 38. Kd4 Re2 39. Rxa6 Rxg2 { some drawing chances}) 38. Nd3 $1 {Nwo Black's position collapses} 38... Nc6 39. Rxa6 1-0