Step into the mind of one of chess history’s greatest pioneers with ''Learn From The Best - Mikhail Botvinnik Part I: 1927–1938''. This meticulously crafted book offers an immersive journey through the early career of Mikhail Botvinnik, the Soviet grandmaster whose revolutionary approach to chess laid the foundation for modern competitive play. Covering a formative period from 1927 to 1938, this collection showcases hand-picked games that highlight Botvinnik’s ascent as a strategic genius and his profound influence on the game. What sets this book apart is its unique approach to game analysis. Rather than merely presenting a dry sequence of moves or overwhelming readers with endless variations, the author delves deeply into the logic behind each decision. Every game is a story of ideas, plans, and strategic battles, with a focus on unraveling the thought processes that guided Botvinnik’s play. Why did he choose a particular move? What was the broader plan he pursued?...
As a teenager Mikhail Botvinik loved to play the Cambridge-Springs and his results were n't bad at all. Here is a fine strategic game by him where masterfully exploited White's inaccuracies. Zaslavsky, A. - Botvinnik, Mikhail Leningrad-5ch sf Leningrad, 1926 Queen's Gambit declined, D52 (Interactive board at the end of the post) 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 d5 4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. Bg5 c6 6. e3 Qa5 This was Botvink’s favourite system back in those years. Black is going to put pressure on the dark squares on the queenside with …Bb4 and …Ne4. Moreover the queen from a5 supports a possible …b7-b6 followed by …Ba6 exchanging the traditionally "bad" Black bishop for White’s "good" bishop. 7. Nd2 Bb4 8. Qc2 O-O 9. Nb3?! As a general rule one should never move the same piece twice in the opening neglecting development , yet White moved this knight for a third time (!) and we can safely assure that Black is going to equalise now for sure. 9...Bxc3+ 10. bxc3 Qa4...