Looking at some information about Botvinnik's chess playing ability this is what I found. His play was based on correctness rather than intutive or spactular play. Technique over tactics. Endgame mastery over opening traps.What is correctness of play or technique? How can correctness of play or technique win over tactical play? It is impossible to deny that Botvinnik beat Tal. Tal is the greatest intutive tactical player ever?
Originally posted by gambit3It is also impossible to deny that Tal beat Botvinnik:-) The good side of the game is that both "science" and "art" approaches are applicable. I think that Botvinnik would be stronger correspondence player than Tal. OTB probably they both were equally great. By the way Botvinnik had many beautiful games too - Botvinnik vs. Capablanca is the gem.
Looking at some information about Botvinnik's chess playing ability this is what I found. His play was based on correctness rather than intutive or spactular play. Technique over tactics. Endgame mastery over opening traps.What is correctness of play or technique? How can correctness of play or technique win over tactical play? It is impossible to deny that Botvinnik beat Tal. Tal is the greatest intutive tactical player ever?
I think Botvinnik has to get a little black mark since there were times other Soviet GMs were made to understand that beating him would be a VERY bad career move...
Still, he was a great player, and I think positional players in general tend to be underrated. Reshevsky and Karpov are in the same boat.
One funny thing about Tal - people assume he peaked early, but his highest career rating was in 1979 (2748 according to chessmetrics.com), when he was 3rd in the world behind Karpov and Korchnoi.
Originally posted by lloydkI disagree with Botvinnik getting a bad mark. The bad mark goes to the Russian chess authorities. They cheated Fischer and Keres. They made a joke of the FIDE chess title. Was Botvinnik a great chess talent? I am doubting his chess greatness, but his beating Tal was a awesome accomplishment. Only Spassky and Petrosion have good records vs. Tal? The Russian have been cheating for more than 40 years to keep the chess title in their control.
I think Botvinnik has to get a little black mark since there were times other Soviet GMs were made to understand that beating him would be a VERY bad career move...
Still, he was a great player, and I think positional players in general tend to be underrated. Reshevsky and Karpov are in the same boat.
One funny thing about Tal - people assume he peak ...[text shortened]... 748 according to chessmetrics.com), when he was 3rd in the world behind Karpov and Korchnoi.