Botvinnik-Keres, Soviet Championship, Moscow 1952
The final stages of the Soviet Championships were traditionally very strong round robin tournaments, with up to 23 qualified players competing. The Estonian Grandmaster Paul Keres became Soviet Champion of two consecutive editions in 1950 and 1951, but the year of 1952 saw Botvinnik claiming the title back, after winning it last time in 1945.
The presented game is a classic example of White's play in the centre, in the typical pawn structure of the Exchange Variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined. It is impressive to see how Botvinnik switches from the intended minority attack to the plan in the centre, subtly making use of little changes in the position. After completing the play in the centre by placing a dominating knight in the opponent's camp, Botvinnik finishes the game with a direct attack against the king.