The writings of Mikhail Moiseevich Botvinnik (1911 - 1995) are legendary. And Botvinnik's
legacy is deeply imprinted in the DNA of every grandmaster today says Andy Soltis in his
foreword to this book. 'The Patriarch' took professionalism in chess to a new level and was the
first to emphasize preparation: what a player does before a game plays an enormous if not
decisive role in what happens during a game. In this book Botvinnik writes the story of the
three clashes with his compatriot Vasily Smyslov matches full of tension between two virtually
equal opponents and his match with Tigran Petrosian which marks the end of an era: the mighty
Botvinnik lost his world title fifteen years after he conquered the highest crown for the first
time. The first part of this book gives Botvinnik's view of three World Championship matches
and how he prepared for them. The matches were as great a clash of personalities as in any
world championship as much as Karpov versus Kasparov. While Botvinnik played the role of a
stern father Smyslov was like the smiling easy-going uncle. Botvinnik was proud of what he
called his 'hard character'. Smyslov seemed to get along with everyone. His attitude was to try
to do his best and let fate decide. The last part of the book is the gripping account of a
heroic battle. The ageing Botvinnik desperately tries to bounce back after his Armenian
opponent Tigran Petrosian has taken an early lead but ultimately The Patriarch fails. Mikhail
Botvinnik one of the greatest chess players of all time analyses many of the games reveals
his match strategy and comments on the strategic choices of his opponent. This important
historical document also features annotations and writings by Smyslov Petrosian and other top
grandmasters the games of a secret training match by Botvinnik and Botvinnik's legendary
notebooks including the final one containing his preparation for a match with Bobby Fischer in
1969 - a match that was never to be.
