(1) Botvinnik,Mikhail - Alekhine,Alexander [D41]
AVRO Holland (7), 15.11.1938
[Kasparov]

1.Nf3 d5 2.d4 Nf6 3.c4 e6 4.Nc3 c5 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.e3 [Botvinnik wisely decided to avoid 6.e4 Nxc3 7.bxc3 cxd4 8.cxd4 Bb4+ which was tested in the rematch Alekhine-Euwe, and instead went for a less-known type of position (at the time).] 6...Nc6 7.Bc4 cxd4 8.exd4 Be7 9.0-0 0-0 10.Re1 Positions with isolated pawns always belonged to Botvinnik's favourites. Thanks to his efforts to reveal all opportunities that were present in such positions, chess players have lost their almost mystical fear of playing with isolated pawns in the centre. This fear had been pervasive since Steinitz' impressive victories over Zukertort and the powerful logical arguments the first World Champion put forth against creating unnecessary weaknesses. Botvinnik was the first to prove constantly that active piece play with pressure in the centre very often more than compensates for a slight defect of the pawn structure. 10...b6?! A very dubious decision. This move is playable after an exchange on c3. [10...Nxc3 11.bxc3 b6 12.Bd3 Bb7 13.h4! Bxh4 (otherwise 14.Ng5 is unpleasant) 14.Nxh4 Qxh4 15.Re3 with a very strong initiative for the sacrificed pawn, as was proved in later practice.; The best alternative is probably 10...a6 ] 11.Nxd5! exd5 12.Bb5 Despite the symmetrical pawn structure Black is now doomed to a passive defence. Weaknesses on the c-file and a slight discoordination of the black pieces give White an easy game in which he can develop his initiative. 12...Bd7? Now after the inevitable exchange of the light-squared bishops the black position becomes even more vulnerable. [12...Bb7 13.Qa4 Rc8 (or 13...Qd6 offered much better chances for a successful defence.) 14.Bf4 a6! ] 13.Qa4 Nb8 A sad retreat, but after [13...Rc8 14.Bf4 Black has problems with his next move, while Ra1-c1 is threatening to finish him off.] 14.Bf4 Bxb5 15.Qxb5 a6 16.Qa4 Keeping the knight on b8 in its misery. 16...Bd6 In order to relieve pressure. 17.Bxd6 Qxd6 18.Rac1 Ra7 19.Qc2 Re7 [Black's position looks reasonable, but unfortunately for him all the weaknesses remain permanent, e.g. 19...Nd7 20.Qc6 Qxc6 21.Rxc6 and the endgame does not promise any sweet moments;; or 19...f6 20.Qf5 heading again for a queens' exchange.] 20.Rxe7 Qxe7 21.Qc7 Qxc7 22.Rxc7 After these useful exchanges the white rook penetrates the black ranks. But Alekhine rightly estimated that this rook alone was not able to cause serious damage. 22...f6! 23.Kf1 [Because after 23.Rb7? Rc8! 24.Kf1 b5 Black has taken control of the c-file and is out of any danger. So the white rook is pushed away from the seventh rank.] 23...Rf7 24.Rc8+ Rf8 25.Rc3! Going back into the bushes, to pounce again at the right moment. The pawn symmetry shouldn't fool anyone - Black is not able to restore the co-ordination of his pieces. In case of... (below) 25...g5 A smart idea - pushing his pawn on the kingside Alekhine reduces the importance of the seventh rank, which will sooner or later be dominated by his opponent's rook. [In the event of 25...Nd7 ; or 25...Kf7 the rook reappears in his camp with resounding effect.] 26.Ne1 h5

[26...h6 27.Nc2 Kf7 28.Ne3 Ke6 29.g4 is hardly satisfactory, but after the text move this line is playable, because the white knight doesn't get a stronghold on f5. Alas the problem comes from a different side.] 27.h4!! Forcing new weaknesses on the kingside. Now Black's defensive lines are breaking apart, his passive pieces cannot operate effectively all over the board. 27...Nd7 [27...gxh4 28.Nf3 cannot be considered seriously;; 27...Kf7 may have been the better option, though after 28.hxg5 (less clear is 28.Nf3 g4 29.Ne1 Re8! 30.f3 (but even here 30.g3 Re4 31.Ng2 Rxd4 32.Rc7+ Ke6 33.Nf4+ Kd6 34.Rh7 the h-pawn gives White excellent chances) 30...gxf3 31.gxf3 Re6! and with the knight back in the game Black is still kicking.) 28...fxg5 29.Nf3 Kf6 30.Ne5 and the difference in the knights' positions make a draw a miracle result.] 28.Rc7 Back in full control. 28...Rf7 29.Nf3! g4 30.Ne1 A pendulum manoeuvre, preparing the square f4 to collect the bonuses - the pawns on d5 and h5. 30...f5 31.Nd3 f4 The key square is temporarily under control, but the pawn on f4 is added to the long list of objects for White to attack. 32.f3 [32.Nb4 was winning a pawn, but with mathematical precision Botvinnik fixes the new weakness. He knows: material benefit is just a short-term affair.] 32...gxf3 33.gxf3 a5 34.a4 Kf8 35.Rc6 Ke7 36.Kf2 Rf5 37.b3 There is no need to hurry. 37...Kd8 38.Ke2 Nb8 desperately trying to activate the poor steed: 39.Rg6! No way! One cannot escape one's destiny. [39.Rxb6? Kc7 and 40...Nc6 gives Black counter-chances.] 39...Kc7 40.Ne5 Making sure its counterpart will not participate in the game. 40...Na6 41.Rg7+ [41.Rg5 was winning a bit quicker, the rook exchange leading to the promotion of the white pawn: 41...Rxg5? 42.hxg5 Kd6 43.g6 Ke7 44.g7 But in fact the way to win the position is a matter of taste.] 41...Kc8 42.Nc6 Rf6 43.Ne7+ Kb8 44.Nxd5 At last! 44...Rd6 45.Rg5 Nb4 46.Nxb4 axb4 In the end the two knights, with such different histories, both disappear together. But it gives Black no satisfaction, since the rook endgame is absolutely lost. 47.Rxh5 Rc6 [47...Rxd4 48.Rf5 Kc7 49.h5 and the weak pawns are still around.] 48.Rb5 Kc7 49.Rxb4 Rh6 50.Rb5 Rxh4 51.Kd3 resigned. Black has had enough. "Of the 14 games I played in this tournament only once did I feel that my opponent outplayed me - it was the game with Botvinnik in round seven" said Alekhine later. No further comments are needed! 1-0