One of the unique volumes in the My Great Predecessors series delves into the life and chess career of Mikhail Botvinnik, one of the 20th century’s most influential and impactful chess players. In this book, world champion Garry Kasparov provides a detailed analysis of Botvinnik’s strategy, games, and contributions to the development of chess. Botvinnik’s name is synonymous with the founding and rise of the Soviet chess school, which produced numerous world champions.The book showcases Botvinnik’s playing style, characterized by strict logic, strategic thinking, and profound positional understanding. Kasparov meticulously analyzes some of Botvinnik’s iconic games, in which he built his victories with impressive patience and precision. Botvinnik won the world championship title three times (1948, 1958, 1961) and had a profound impact on chess education, with many of his students later becoming world champions themselves.This volume appeals not only to chess enthusiasts but also to those interested in learning more about the founder of the Soviet chess school and its influence on the global development of chess. Botvinnik’s disciplined, methodical style serves as an example to many, and Kasparov’s analyses help readers understand why he is considered one of the greatest chess players in history. This book is an exciting and insightful read, not only for chess players but also for fans of strategic thinking.
