This mighty clash between the top two Soviet Grandmasters was Botvinnik's first title defence after becoming World Champion in 1948. Amazingly, the man who had dominated Soviet and World chess was only able to defend his title by the skin of his teeth after a most ferocious and determined onslaught from his youthful challenger David Bronstein. The controversial 23rd game where a demoralised Bronstein may have resigned prematurely was the key to Botvinnik's ultimate success.

Kings of Chess

by William Winter

Published 1 February 1954
The only British chess champion ever to be arrested and imprisoned for sedition, Winter was one of the more colourful characters of the British chess menagerie - an international master and chess correspondent both for the Manchester Guardian and the Daily Worker.