Botvinnik: Move by Move

by Cyrus Lakdawala

Mikhail Botvinnik was a three-time World Chess Champion and is widely regarded as one of the World's greatest ever players. Botvinnik possessed a universal, all-round style with an emphasis on logic and strategy. He loved to attack but, in contrast to – for example – Mikhail Tal, his attacks did not appear out of nowhere. They were the result of a systematic build up and developed naturally from earlier strategic gains. Botvinnik’s games include numerous instructive masterpieces and a methodical analysis of his games is essential for any aspiring chess player. In this book, former American Open Champion Cyrus Lakdawala invites you to join him in a study of his favourite Botvinnik games. Lakdawala examines Botvinnik's renowned skills in the key areas of attack and defence, initiative, exploiting imbalances, accumulating advantages and endgame play. He demonstrates clearly how we can all improve by learning from Botvinnik's play. Move by Move provides an ideal platform to study chess. By continually challenging the reader to answer probing questions throughout the book, the Move by Move format greatly encourages the learning and practising of vital skills just as much as the traditional assimilation of knowledge. Carefully selected questions and answers are designed to keep you actively involved and allow you to monitor your progress as you learn. This is an excellent way to improve your chess skills and knowledge.

Genres: Chess

400 pages, Paperback

First published September 4, 2013

Reviews

[Alberto · Rating 3 out of 5]

As usual, the writing is execrable, but Lakdawala’s books usually have good analysis to compensate. However, the analysis in this one is decidedly sub-par. The only chapter worth reading is chapter 6, on the endgame. Three stars is probably generous.

(Note that only 9 of the 60 games are ones that can’t be found in the standard books on Botvinnik.)

[globulon · Rating 1 out of 5]

The writing in this is awful. I will give him the benefit of the doubt that at least he means it to be funny rather than serious, but it's just so bad it completely ruins the enjoyment of the games. The problem is that most of his comments are these kind of "color commentary" pieces instead of explanations.

Also, I'm not sure what the standards are for citation in chess literature, but I was looking up the games in chessbase and it seems that a bunch of the analysis is the same as in the commentary there, only there's no reference in Lakdawala's book. This is despite the fact that the chessbase commentaries are careful to list the author of each line that's used in many cases.

[Mark Tritchler · Rating 2 out of 5]

Botvinnik: Move by Move by Cyrus Lakdawala is undoubtedly one of the worst chess books I have ever read despite a broad selection of 60 of Botvinnik's finest games - some incredibly well known (i.e., his win against Capablanca at the AVRO tournament in 1938, his win against Alekhine from the same tournament, the draw against Fischer at the 1962 Varna Olympiad, as well as wins over Bronstein, Smyslov, Tal, and Petrosian from his multiple World Championship matches) as well as some less well known gems spanning his long career. While the games sparkle with originality, insight, and an iron will, the commentary and analysis were bizarre, at best, and ridiculous, at worst. Constant use of inane metaphors and allegories (such as the following examples that were selected at random) add no real value to understanding the games and are often simply confusing:

"The unbelieving king, who up until now had only seen the inside of churches and temples via funerals and weddings, decides to engage upon spiritual matters."
"White adds a log to the fire of his pawnless, queenside attack, until it spits and crackles to life."
"Through dark powers the shaman, in death, transfers his spirit into the body of the black queen, who rises to take up the battle once again."

Variations were slightly better despite being either admittedly generated by an engine (Houdini) or from Lakdawala's own work on an assortment of openings. Unfortunately, the variations frequently run too long to be of much use to a mid-level player like me.

I've read that Lakdawala's writing style is an acquired taste - like drinking Jägermeister or eating tripe. Although I tried, I could not warm to it, which left me feeling increasingly disappointed and sad with each game. I had high hopes for this collection when I started. As I progressed, however, I found myself increasingly looking forward to the end. There are so many better chess writers. I would definitely not recommend Botvinnik: Move by Move to anyone unless you have already acquired a taste for the Lakdawala style.

[Serge Pierro · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is close to a five star book and is easily the best book that I've read by Lakdawala. I usually find his writing style to be quite annoying and it detracts from the quality of the games, however, in this book his "Lakdawalaisms" are less than usual and Botvinnik's genius is allowed to shine. An excellent collection of games, with much to learn from. There's a reason why Botvinnik is held up in high regards amongst the panthenon of chess giants. An excellent book on one of the all-time greats!