This was the position after White's 12th move in Botvinnik-Bronstein (the 11th game of the 1951 match--one of the best matches ever, by the way):
I read somewhere (though who said it, I unfortunately don't remember) that this was very astute psychology on Bronstein's part, since Botvinnik--although known as a marvelous strategist--would likely be uncomfortable in the sort of position where making a speculative pawn sac would be commonplace. Had Bronstein tried something like this against, say, Tal, he would probably have been doing his John the Baptist impersonation in short order. Anyway, it was a mixture of great chess savvy and provocation--reminding me a lot in that regard of the 3rd game of the 1990 K vs K match; and yet I've never seen this game appear anywhere outside of a book on the 1951 match.
Good game? I think white lost too much material. Anyway.
Botvinnik was a world champion. I'm sure that your astute observation on how he 'lost too much material' would be greatly appreciated by him. Too bad you weren't there with him in 1951. His elo would go way up.
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