Botvinnik – Smyslov World Championship Match 1958

dates: 4 March–9 May 1958
location: Moscow, Soviet Union
score: 12½–10½ (Botvinnik–Smyslov)
winner: Mikhail Botvinnik

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

Botvinnik exercised his right to a return match after losing the championship to Smyslov in 1957. This was the third successive title meeting between the same pair.

Botvinnik won the first three games and held a lead through the remaining rounds. Seven wins, five losses and eleven draws gave him a 12½–10½ victory after twenty-three games. He thereby regained the world title.

All 23 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 1958 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	Points
Mikhail Botvinnik	1	1	1	½	0	1	½	½	½	½	0	1	½	1	0	½	½	1	0	½	½	0	½	12½
Vasily Smyslov	0	0	0	½	1	0	½	½	½	½	1	0	½	0	1	½	½	0	1	½	½	1	½	10½

Each game column shows the score earned by that player. 1 = win, ½ = draw, 0 = loss. Points are out of 23.

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Game 1: Game 1: Botvinnik wins in 62 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 c6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Nf3 Bg4 4.h3 Bxf3 (ECO B11). Mikhail Botvinnik won with Black after 62 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 62...b2. 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 22th	1958	62	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 2: Game 2: Botvinnik wins in 41 moves

The opening moves were 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 (ECO E81). Mikhail Botvinnik won with White after 41 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 41.Ne4. 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 22th	1958	41	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 3: Game 3: Botvinnik wins in 66 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 c6 2.Nc3 d5 3.d4 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 (ECO B19). Mikhail Botvinnik won with Black after 66 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 66...Nd7+. The running points score became 3–0 (Botvinnik–Smyslov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Vassily Smyslov – Mikhail Botvinnik 0-1	World Championship 22th	1958	66	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 4: Game 4: a draw after 82 moves

The opening moves were 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7 (ECO D98). The players drew after 82 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 82.b4. The running points score became 3½–½ (Botvinnik–Smyslov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Mikhail Botvinnik – Vassily Smyslov 1/2-1/2	World Championship 22th	1958	82	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 5: Game 5: Smyslov wins in 41 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 (ECO B72). Vasily Smyslov won with White after 41 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 41.Kd3. The running points score became 3½–1½ (Botvinnik–Smyslov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Vassily Smyslov – Mikhail Botvinnik 1-0	World Championship 22th	1958	41	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 6: Game 6: Botvinnik wins in 49 moves

The opening moves were 1.c4 g6 2.e4 Bg7 3.d4 d6 4.Nc3 a6 (ECO E81). Mikhail Botvinnik won with White after 49 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 49.Kf3. The running points score became 4½–1½ (Botvinnik–Smyslov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Mikhail Botvinnik – Vassily Smyslov 1-0	World Championship 22th	1958	49	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 7: Game 7: a draw after 16 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 (ECO B72). The players drew after 16 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 16.Qb3. The running points score became 5–2 (Botvinnik–Smyslov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Vassily Smyslov – Mikhail Botvinnik 1/2-1/2	World Championship 22th	1958	16	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 8: Game 8: a draw after 41 moves

The opening moves were 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e5 3.g3 c6 4.Nf3 d6 (ECO E69). The players drew after 41 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 41.Kd3. The running points score became 5½–2½ (Botvinnik–Smyslov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Mikhail Botvinnik – Vassily Smyslov 1/2-1/2	World Championship 22th	1958	41	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 9: Game 9: a draw after 40 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 (ECO B72). The players drew after 40 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 40...Rh4. The running points score became 6–3 (Botvinnik–Smyslov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Vassily Smyslov – Mikhail Botvinnik 1/2-1/2	World Championship 22th	1958	40	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 10: Game 10: a draw after 44 moves

The opening moves were 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.cxd5 Nxd5 4.g3 g6 (ECO A16). The players drew after 44 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 44.Ra7. The running points score became 6½–3½ (Botvinnik–Smyslov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Mikhail Botvinnik – Vassily Smyslov 1/2-1/2	World Championship 22th	1958	44	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 11: Game 11: Smyslov wins in 24 moves

The opening moves were 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7 (ECO D99). Vasily Smyslov won with White after 24 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 24.Nc6. The running points score became 6½–4½ (Botvinnik–Smyslov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Vassily Smyslov – Mikhail Botvinnik 1-0	World Championship 22th	1958	24	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 12: Game 12: Botvinnik wins in 41 moves

The opening moves were 1.c4 Nf6 2.g3 c6 3.Nf3 d5 4.b3 Bf5 (ECO A12). Mikhail Botvinnik won with White after 41 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 41.Nxe5. The running points score became 7½–4½ (Botvinnik–Smyslov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Mikhail Botvinnik – Vassily Smyslov 1-0	World Championship 22th	1958	41	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 13: Game 13: a draw after 41 moves

The opening moves were 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 (ECO D47). The players drew after 41 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 41.f4. The running points score became 8–5 (Botvinnik–Smyslov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Vassily Smyslov – Mikhail Botvinnik 1/2-1/2	World Championship 22th	1958	41	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 14: Game 14: Botvinnik wins in 68 moves

The opening moves were 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.cxd5 Nxd5 4.g3 g6 (ECO A16). Mikhail Botvinnik won with White after 68 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 68.f4. The running points score became 9–5 (Botvinnik–Smyslov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Mikhail Botvinnik – Vassily Smyslov 1-0	World Championship 22th	1958	68	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 15: Game 15: Smyslov wins in 55 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.f3 e6 4.Nc3 Nf6 (ECO B12). Vasily Smyslov won with White after 55 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 55.Kg1. The running points score became 9–6 (Botvinnik–Smyslov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Vassily Smyslov – Mikhail Botvinnik 1-0	World Championship 22th	1958	55	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 16: Game 16: a draw after 36 moves

The opening moves were 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.cxd5 Nxd5 4.g3 g6 (ECO A16). The players drew after 36 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 36...h5. The running points score became 9½–6½ (Botvinnik–Smyslov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Mikhail Botvinnik – Vassily Smyslov 1/2-1/2	World Championship 22th	1958	36	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 17: Game 17: a draw after 49 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 c6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Nf3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nf6 (ECO B10). The players drew after 49 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 49...Qb8+. The running points score became 10–7 (Botvinnik–Smyslov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Vassily Smyslov – Mikhail Botvinnik 1/2-1/2	World Championship 22th	1958	49	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 18: Game 18: Botvinnik wins in 74 moves

The opening moves were 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.cxd5 Nxd5 4.g3 g6 (ECO A16). Mikhail Botvinnik won with White after 74 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 74.Kg7. The running points score became 11–7 (Botvinnik–Smyslov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Mikhail Botvinnik – Vassily Smyslov 1-0	World Championship 22th	1958	74	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 19: Game 19: Smyslov wins in 35 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 c6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Nf3 Bg4 4.h3 Bxf3 (ECO B11). Vasily Smyslov won with White after 35 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 35.Bb1+. The running points score became 11–8 (Botvinnik–Smyslov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Vassily Smyslov – Mikhail Botvinnik 1-0	World Championship 22th	1958	35	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 20: Game 20: a draw after 48 moves

The opening moves were 1.c4 c5 2.Nf3 f5 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6 (ECO A30). The players drew after 48 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 48.Ne6+. The running points score became 11½–8½ (Botvinnik–Smyslov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Mikhail Botvinnik – Vassily Smyslov 1/2-1/2	World Championship 22th	1958	48	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 21: Game 21: a draw after 23 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 (ECO B34). The players drew after 23 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 23.Nd1. The running points score became 12–9 (Botvinnik–Smyslov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Vassily Smyslov – Mikhail Botvinnik 1/2-1/2	World Championship 22th	1958	23	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 22: Game 22: Smyslov wins in 38 moves

The opening moves were 1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 e6 4.Nf3 Be7 (ECO A95). Vasily Smyslov won with Black after 38 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 38...c5. The running points score became 12–10 (Botvinnik–Smyslov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Mikhail Botvinnik – Vassily Smyslov 0-1	World Championship 22th	1958	38	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 23: Game 23: a draw after 41 moves

The opening moves were 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.g3 g6 3.b4 b6 4.Bb2 Bb7 (ECO A05). The players drew after 41 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 41.Qb3. The running points score became 12½–10½ (Botvinnik–Smyslov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Vassily Smyslov – Mikhail Botvinnik 1/2-1/2	World Championship 22th	1958	41	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Sources and image credits

By IgniteChess Editorial Published 2026-10-13

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