Timeline Mikhail Botvinnik

Mikhail Botvinnik 4

• 1948 – 1957 Botvinnik first World Champion reign Patriarch of Soviet chess Botvinnik won the 1948 FIDE World Championship tournament — held after Alekhine's death — and began his era of dominance. He championed scientific preparation and founded the Soviet chess school.
• 1957 – 1958 Botvinnik loses and regains title vs Smyslov First use of rematch right Smyslov defeated Botvinnik for the title in 1957, but Botvinnik exercised his right to a rematch and won it back in 1958 — the first of three times he would use this rule.
• 1960 – 1961 Botvinnik loses and regains title vs Tal Defeats the Magician from Riga Mikhail Tal defeated Botvinnik in 1960, but Botvinnik reclaimed the title in the 1961 rematch with a dominant performance, exploiting Tal's health problems.
• 1963 Botvinnik loses title to Petrosian Final world championship match Tigran Petrosian defeated Botvinnik convincingly in 1963. This time FIDE had abolished the rematch rule, ending Botvinnik's championship era for good.