The 1960 World Chess Championship (Botvinnik vs Tal)
The 1960 World Chess Championship was played between Mikhail Botvinnik and Mikhail Tal in Moscow from March 15 to May 7, 1960. Botvinnik was the reigning champion, after winning the World Chess Championship 1958, while Tal qualified by winning the Candidates tournament. Tal won by a margin of 4 points.
The best of 24 game match was held in Moscow. In the event of a 12–12 tie, Botvinnik, the title holder, would retain the Championship.
Due to Tal's less impressive results against the very top players, including his three losses to Keres in the Candidates, Botvinnik was the favourite. However Tal won the match decisively, by a margin of 4 points.
An interesting game from the championship was in Game 1.
Botvinnik's adoption of the French Winawer, albeit a risky choice, is an early sign of an unfolding uncompromising struggle. Botvinnik opts for an ultra-sharp line sacrificing two kingside pawns to gain a better share of the center. Tal plays a provocatively enterprising idea from Euwe, following the Gligoric-Petrosian game from the 1959 Candidates Tournament (Round 21). Botvinnik deviates first with a cunning improvement. But Tal is in his element. In a complicated position with both kings stuck in the center, Tal intricately combines attack and defense, developing his kingside rook laterally, outplays and inflicts a heavy defeat on the World Champion. It was a majestic performance from Tal in his first over-the-board encounter with Botvinnik. An excellent sign that both players are prepared for an almighty battle.
Another highlight of the championship was in Game 6. Game 6 is particularly famous, thanks to a speculative knight sacrifice by Tal on move 21. The audience became so excited that the game was moved to a back room due to the noise.
Game 6
Against Botvinnik's old-fashioned fianchetto Tal quickly mobilizes his forces on the queenside.
Botvinnik has the opening advantage thanks to his extra space, and consolidates it to a solid
plus. But he wastes a tempo in securing his kingside. That gives Tal one chance to open lines
and co-ordinate his pieces and he seizes it with all his ingenuity. Sacrificing a knight to expose
Botvinnik's king to Tal's encroaching army. Tal handles the complications better, and Botvinnik's
choice of exchanging queens is a grevious mistake as Tal's pieces take over the board. Tal mops
up efficiently into a winning rook and pawns endgame.
For only the second time in the match does Tal stamp his authority on the game, and for the
second time reaps the full point.
