Back to Players

Mikhail Botvinnik, USSR, 1948-57, 58-60, 61-63

Botvinnik was the first player to rise to prominence under the former Soviet system (as distinct from Russian). He learned chess at age 12. By age 15 he was one of the strongest players in the USSR, and by age 19 he had won the national title.

His first international tournament win abroad, 1st at Nottingham in 1936 made him a national hero. He telegrammed thanks to Pravda, the Soviet newspaper, in which he thanked the nation, the Communist Party, and Stalin.

During W.W.II Botvinnik worked at power plants in the Ural Mountains. Eventually he was given some time off to devote to chess. When Alekhine died in 1946, the championship was left vacant, and FIDE organized a title match with six of the top players, though Keres did not attend. Botvinnik won by an astounding three-point margin over his closest rival Smyslov.

Botvinnik lost the title to countrymen in 1957, 60, and 63. He was a force to be reckoned with in chess on the international level for 15 years.

He worked very hard as chess player. He was an intense critic of his own games. He was the first tournament player to add exercise to his preparation regimen.

He also hated tobacco. But since so many players smoked, he had his coach smoke during preparation so that he would not be bothered during important games.