1.g3
d5
2.Nf3
c6
3.Bg2
Bg4
In many of these pawn formations (pawns on c6 and d5), Black's light squared bishop is bad, so why not just trade it off?
4.d3
Nd7
5.h3
Bxf3
6.Bxf3
White now has the "two-bishops." Is that enough to win? It is, if you are Botvinnik.
6...e5
7.Nd2
Guarding e4.
7...Ngf6
8.e4
dxe4
9.dxe4
Bc5
10.0-0
Qe7
11.c3
A key move, watching the d4-square. Certainly not c2-c4, blocking out the light squared bishop and proving black with the d4-entry square.
11...0-0
12.b4
Bb6
13.a4
Rfd8
14.Qc2
Rac8
Diagram A key position. Black's game seems satisfactory, but Botvinnik understands how to make progress.
15.Be2!
Controlling c4, activating both bishops.
15...c5
Perhaps the losing move. White now gets easy access to both c4 and d5
16.b5
Ne8
White's strategy is becoming clear. Black would be fine here after c5-c4 (prevented by the Nd2 and Be2) because c4 would open up the c5 and d3 (and b3) squares
17.Nc4
Nd6
18.Bg5
A tactical shot with positional aims. Qxf6 Nxd6 is too strong to permit.
18...f6
[18...Qxg5
19.Nxd6
Rb8
20.Bc4
; 18...Nf6
19.Ne3
Qe6
20.Bxf6
Qxf6
21.Bg4
c4
22.Nd5
Qg5
23.Nxb6
axb6
24.Bxc8
]
19.Be3
But now black has been forced to weaken the e6-square
19...Nxc4
20.Bxc4+
White's bishops are alive
20...Kh8
21.a5
Bc7
22.Rfd1
Nf8
23.Qa2
Rxd1+
24.Rxd1
Rd8
Trying to relieve the pressure, but white's advantage is structural. The exchanges of the rooks will not lessen white's advantage.
25.Rxd8
Bxd8
26.a6
Black dare not capture and permit the white queen to enter the queenside.
26...b6
But now Black's c6-square becomes another entry square.
27.Kg2
Stean writes: "White's control of the position is so great that he could inscribe his initials on the board with his king if he wanted."
27...Qd7
28.Qe2
Heading to f7!
28...Ng6
29.Bb3
Ne7
30.Qc4
h6
31.Qf7
Kh7
32.Bc4
Qd6
33.h4
Qd1
An entry square, but with no aim.
34.Qe8
The threat is Bf7, h5, and Bg6, domination on the light-squares!
34...f5
35.exf5
Nxf5
Diagram
36.Bg8+
It's mate in three
36...Kh8
37.Bf7+
[37.Bf7+
Kh7
38.Qg8#
] 1-0