Botvinnik-Smyslov: Three World Chess Championship Matches: 1954, 1957, 1958 - Softcover

Botvinnik's comments to the games are still just great. His famously clear, logical approach of the game is highly instructive (..) What I found even more interesting are the psychological comments Botvinnik makes. But the real treat of the book are the two notebooks (1957 and 1958) in which Botvinnik wrote down his opening ideas for these matches. --Arne Moll, ChessVibes

It is not only a great historical document, presenting 69 deeply annotated games between two giants, but it also reveals the secret notes Botvinnik made in preparation for the matches played in 1957 and 1958. --Lubos Kavalek, The Washington Post

A book which I can recommend highly (..) gives remarkabe insights into Botvinnik's own thoughts concerning these three matches. --Raymond Keene, The Times (London)

World Champion Mikhail Botvinnik writes the story of his three clashes for the world title with fellow Russian Vasily Smyslov. Botvinnik, one of the greatest chess players of all time, analyses all the games, reveals his match strategy, and comments on the strategic choices of his opponent. Not only an important historical document on the pinnacle of chess of the mid-20th century, but also a fascinating and highly instructive report.