My First Victory Over Smyslov

The ultra-talented Mark Taimanov who had been the 1956 USSR champion wrote the  following article.  I found his notes accessible and worthwhile.  So, I turned the printed pages into text and  put the descriptive notation into algebraic, adding the viewers to include some of his notes and make following them easier. This was a complex procedure. Hopefully it's error-free.  Hopefully it's interesting. All the words and variations below this point are Taimanov's.
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Each game actually begins long before the first move is made on the chessboard. As the players sit down at the table, each already has a rough idea of the forthcoming battle. The purely chessic traits of the opposing player and also many other factors are taken into consideration during preparations for a game. Some of these factors are the adversary's "athletic form," his standing in the tournament, his mood and even the results of previous encounters. It is commonly known that every chess player has certain rivals against whom he finds it exceptionally difficult to play, apparently because of "incompatibility" of testes in chess. It is an open secret, for instance, that the reigning world champion, Mikhail Botvinnik, suffered setbacks with Master Ilya Kahn for many years. Also, the former world chess king, Mikhail Tahl, has lost five games and drawn the same number in ten games against Grandmaster Viktor Korchnoi. I could mention dozens of other examples. Frankly, the toughest customer on the other side of the board for we has always been Grandmaster Vassily Smyslov. We tangled horns smite a number of times in the last ten years, but never did I enjoy the pleasure of beating him. I lost four games and drew in ten more without scoring a single victory. I don't know how to explain it, but Vassily always succeeded in drawing me into reckless operations and meted out strict punishment for the positional hlnn. ders I made in the course of struggle. Therefore, when I got ready to face the former world champion in the finals of the 29th USSR Championship in Baku, I decided to curb my chess temperament and play as reliably and soundly as possible in the opening stage and wait for a convenient moment to snatch the initiative.

This position has been encountered repeatedly in tournament practice. Relinquishing control over d4, White stabilizes the position in the center and gives himself full scope for operations on the wings. White's conventional motives for fighting for the Initiative are the pawn advances, f4 or (following appropriate preparations) b4. In his turn, Black can base his plans either on gaining possession of d4 or on building up counter operations on the same sectors where White intends to give battle. In the former plan, Black can maneuver his Knight from f6 to e8 and further to c7 and e6, an idea I tested in a game against Botvinnik In 1956. In this game, however, I decided to limit Smyalov's chances of developing his initiative and chose the latter plan.

Neither side has gained anything from this skirmish on the wing. Events now switch over to the center where White threatens to press down on the enemy by advancing his Queen Pawn.

Meeting with resistance on the Queenside an in the center, Smyslov decides to carry operations Kingside.  He gets ready to play Be3 and to follow up with f4.

At last, White has effected his program of a pawn advance, but Black is well prepared to neutralize the operation.

Strange though it may appear, this seemingly natural move brings White many unpleasant moments.  Correct is 18. gxf  which leads to a complicated game after 18...Qa7+ 19. Kh1 Rfc8.

Smyslov most likely underestimated this maneuver. Black's Knight is transferred to a strong and invulnerable position on his e5 square.  It can guide the rest of the game from this commanding height.

After this move (Qd2), Black is able to develop a decisive offensive.  White probably hasb etter chances for defense with the following continuation: 21. Qb3 Ra8 22. Qxe6 fxe6 23. Rb3.  Even in this event, though, White remains in a difficult position.

This is the decisive invasion!  Now material losses for White are inevitable.

At last I heard Smyslov say those two long awaited words: "I resign."  I won't hide the fact that it was one of the most pleasant victories for me in the last few years.

Excellent post batgirl! I really enjoyed reading this. Both interesting and informative! Thanks for taking the time to do this and post it. 

love it, thank you!!!!

That was a great game, and Taimanov's annotations are excellent.

 The other day, on some other thread, someone suggested that you only post items about US chess and women. You can post links to this and your post about Trifunovic, and I'm sure some others, if such an unfounded claim arises again. Btw, your posts about US chess and women in chess are fascinating. Some of us are very interested in the historical aspects of the game, so please keep 'em coming.

Thanks. I liked it too.

Good catch.  I guess tastes vary.

Thanks. 

Thanks for the post. Personally like the ones which have more game content, rather than purely historical, but you can never keep everyone happy. When get the time, will like to checkout how this game compares with Marin's recommended approach in his english opening theory book.