"Die Niederlage Smyslows hatte einen psychologischen Hintergrund - er unterschätzte seinen erfahrenen Gegner"- Mikhail Botvinnik
All the games with excellent notes from three world championships between Botvinnik and Smyslov. Most games are commented by Botvinnik, some by Smyslov and other top GMs.
The 1954 match ended in a tense 12-12 draw, enabling Botvinnik to retain his title. In 1957 Smyslov was clearly superior and beat the champ convincingly (12,5-9,5). But, as Botvinnik himself remarked, Smyslov underestimated him a year later and thus he regained his title in the 1958 revenge match (12,5-10,5)!
This book is a translation from a 2003 Russian edition. There is no English edition. Also, this is the first book on the 1957 match, and the first with all three matches together.
Included are also two trademark Botvinnik "notebooks", containing opening finds, his preparation plans for the second match, plus his conclusions on the 1958 match!
