Botvinnik – Smyslov World Championship Match 1954

dates: 16 March–13 May 1954
location: Moscow, Soviet Union
score: 12–12 (Botvinnik–Smyslov)
winner: Mikhail Botvinnik retained the title

Mikhail Botvinnik in 1933, before his world championship reign. This portrait is not from the match. Photo: Unknown photographer.

Vasily Smyslov earned the right to challenge Botvinnik by winning the 1953 Candidates tournament. Their first championship meeting was scheduled for twenty-four games in Moscow.

The match ended 12–12, so Botvinnik retained the title. Each player won seven games and ten games were drawn. Their balanced result led to another championship meeting three years later.

All 24 played games appear below in match order. The game records preserve the archive’s player names, round numbers and dates, including unknown date components. Select either player in the embedded trainer to work through the decisions from that side. A drawn game remains a complete exercise for both players.

Mikhail Botvinnik's Profile Vasily Smyslov's Profile

Match results

Botvinnik – Smyslov World Championship Match 1954 final standings and game-by-game scores
Player	Game 1	Game 2	Game 3	Game 4	Game 5	Game 6	Game 7	Game 8	Game 9	Game 10	Game 11	Game 12	Game 13	Game 14	Game 15	Game 16	Game 17	Game 18	Game 19	Game 20	Game 21	Game 22	Game 23	Game 24	Points
Mikhail Botvinnik	1	1	½	1	½	½	0	½	0	0	0	1	1	0	1	1	½	½	½	0	½	½	0	½	12
Vasily Smyslov	0	0	½	0	½	½	1	½	1	1	1	0	0	1	0	0	½	½	½	1	½	½	1	½	12

Each game column shows the score earned by that player. 1 = win, ½ = draw, 0 = loss. Points are out of 24.

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Game 1: Game 1: Botvinnik wins in 58 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e5 c5 (ECO C17). Mikhail Botvinnik won with Black after 58 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 58...Rf5. The running points score became 1–0 (Botvinnik–Smyslov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Vassily Smyslov – Mikhail Botvinnik 0-1	World Championship 20th	1954	58	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 2: Game 2: Botvinnik wins in 30 moves

The opening moves were 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 b6 (ECO E45). Mikhail Botvinnik won with White after 30 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 30.Rdc3. The running points score became 2–0 (Botvinnik–Smyslov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Mikhail Botvinnik – Vassily Smyslov 1-0	World Championship 20th	1954	30	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 3: Game 3: a draw after 41 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e5 c5 (ECO C17). The players drew after 41 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 41.Be3. The running points score became 2½–½ (Botvinnik–Smyslov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Vassily Smyslov – Mikhail Botvinnik 1/2-1/2	World Championship 20th	1954	41	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 4: Game 4: Botvinnik wins in 61 moves

The opening moves were 1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.Nf3 a6 4.e3 Bg4 (ECO D22). Mikhail Botvinnik won with White after 61 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 61.Kc4. The running points score became 3½–½ (Botvinnik–Smyslov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Mikhail Botvinnik – Vassily Smyslov 1-0	World Championship 20th	1954	61	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 5: Game 5: a draw after 41 moves

The opening moves were 1.c4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 (ECO D44). The players drew after 41 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 41.Kxf6. The running points score became 4–1 (Botvinnik–Smyslov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Vassily Smyslov – Mikhail Botvinnik 1/2-1/2	World Championship 20th	1954	41	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 6: Game 6: a draw after 34 moves

The opening moves were 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 (ECO D86). The players drew after 34 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 34.Rd6. The running points score became 4½–1½ (Botvinnik–Smyslov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Mikhail Botvinnik – Vassily Smyslov 1/2-1/2	World Championship 20th	1954	34	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 7: Game 7: Smyslov wins in 50 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.a3 Bxc3+ (ECO C15). Vasily Smyslov won with White after 50 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 50.Rd2. The running points score became 4½–2½ (Botvinnik–Smyslov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Vassily Smyslov – Mikhail Botvinnik 1-0	World Championship 20th	1954	50	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 8: Game 8: a draw after 50 moves

The opening moves were 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Bf5 3.c4 e6 4.Qb3 Nc6 (ECO D06). The players drew after 50 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 50...Ne3+. The running points score became 5–3 (Botvinnik–Smyslov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Mikhail Botvinnik – Vassily Smyslov 1/2-1/2	World Championship 20th	1954	50	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 9: Game 9: Smyslov wins in 25 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e5 c5 (ECO C17). Vasily Smyslov won with White after 25 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 25.h6. The running points score became 5–4 (Botvinnik–Smyslov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Vassily Smyslov – Mikhail Botvinnik 1-0	World Championship 20th	1954	25	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 10: Game 10: Smyslov wins in 37 moves

The opening moves were 1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.Nf3 a6 4.e3 Bg4 (ECO D22). Vasily Smyslov won with Black after 37 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 37...Rc8. The running points score became 5–5 (Botvinnik–Smyslov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Mikhail Botvinnik – Vassily Smyslov 0-1	World Championship 20th	1954	37	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 11: Game 11: Smyslov wins in 41 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 (ECO C73). Vasily Smyslov won with White after 41 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 41...Kf5. The running points score became 5–6 (Botvinnik–Smyslov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Vassily Smyslov – Mikhail Botvinnik 1-0	World Championship 20th	1954	41	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 12: Game 12: Botvinnik wins in 38 moves

The opening moves were 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 (ECO D18). Mikhail Botvinnik won with White after 38 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 38.Rg4. The running points score became 6–6 (Botvinnik–Smyslov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Mikhail Botvinnik – Vassily Smyslov 1-0	World Championship 20th	1954	38	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 13: Game 13: Botvinnik wins in 41 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 (ECO B24). Mikhail Botvinnik won with Black after 41 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 41...axb5. The running points score became 7–6 (Botvinnik–Smyslov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Vassily Smyslov – Mikhail Botvinnik 0-1	World Championship 20th	1954	41	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 14: Game 14: Smyslov wins in 33 moves

The opening moves were 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.g3 Bg7 4.Bg2 O-O (ECO E68). Vasily Smyslov won with Black after 33 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 33...Nc6. The running points score became 7–7 (Botvinnik–Smyslov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Mikhail Botvinnik – Vassily Smyslov 0-1	World Championship 20th	1954	33	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 15: Game 15: Botvinnik wins in 36 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 (ECO B25). Mikhail Botvinnik won with Black after 36 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 36...f5. The running points score became 8–7 (Botvinnik–Smyslov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Vassily Smyslov – Mikhail Botvinnik 0-1	World Championship 20th	1954	36	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 16: Game 16: Botvinnik wins in 45 moves

The opening moves were 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.g3 Bg7 4.Bg2 O-O (ECO E61). Mikhail Botvinnik won with White after 45 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 45.Nf6+. The running points score became 9–7 (Botvinnik–Smyslov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Mikhail Botvinnik – Vassily Smyslov 1-0	World Championship 20th	1954	45	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 17: Game 17: a draw after 31 moves

The opening moves were 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.g3 g6 3.Bg2 Bg7 4.O-O O-O (ECO A04). The players drew after 31 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 31.Kg2. The running points score became 9½–7½ (Botvinnik–Smyslov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Vassily Smyslov – Mikhail Botvinnik 1/2-1/2	World Championship 20th	1954	31	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 18: Game 18: a draw after 58 moves

The opening moves were 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.g3 Bg7 4.Bg2 O-O (ECO E61). The players drew after 58 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 58.Kg3. The running points score became 10–8 (Botvinnik–Smyslov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Mikhail Botvinnik – Vassily Smyslov 1/2-1/2	World Championship 20th	1954	58	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 19: Game 19: a draw after 45 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.a3 Bxc3+ (ECO C15). The players drew after 45 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 45.Rd6+. The running points score became 10½–8½ (Botvinnik–Smyslov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Vassily Smyslov – Mikhail Botvinnik 1/2-1/2	World Championship 20th	1954	45	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 20: Game 20: Smyslov wins in 72 moves

The opening moves were 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.g3 Bg7 4.Bg2 O-O (ECO E61). Vasily Smyslov won with Black after 72 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 72...Rh2+. The running points score became 10½–9½ (Botvinnik–Smyslov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Mikhail Botvinnik – Vassily Smyslov 0-1	World Championship 20th	1954	72	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 21: Game 21: a draw after 40 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.a3 Bxc3+ (ECO C15). The players drew after 40 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 40.Re6+. The running points score became 11–10 (Botvinnik–Smyslov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Vassily Smyslov – Mikhail Botvinnik 1/2-1/2	World Championship 20th	1954	40	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 22: Game 22: a draw after 45 moves

The opening moves were 1.c4 Nf6 2.d4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Bf4 Bg7 (ECO D83). The players drew after 45 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 45...Ra1+. The running points score became 11½–10½ (Botvinnik–Smyslov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Mikhail Botvinnik – Vassily Smyslov 1/2-1/2	World Championship 20th	1954	45	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 23: Game 23: Smyslov wins in 28 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 e6 2.d3 c5 3.Nd2 Nc6 4.g3 g6 (ECO A04). Vasily Smyslov won with White after 28 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 28.Rxf8+. The running points score became 11½–11½ (Botvinnik–Smyslov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Vassily Smyslov – Mikhail Botvinnik 1-0	World Championship 20th	1954	28	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 24: Game 24: a draw after 22 moves

The opening moves were 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.d4 d6 (ECO E69). The players drew after 22 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 22...Ra6. The running points score became 12–12 (Botvinnik–Smyslov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Mikhail Botvinnik – Vassily Smyslov 1/2-1/2	World Championship 20th	1954	22	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Sources and image credits

By IgniteChess Editorial Published 2026-10-13

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