Commentary Upon Selected Thoughts of Mikhail Botvinnik-World Champion from 1948-1957,1958-1960,and 1961-1963

The basis of this analysis was the foreword to a used copy of Botvinnik's One Hundred Selected Games that I purchased at a local bookstore.

The famous player and 6th world champion Mikhail Botvinnik authored a piece titled The Russian And Soviet School Of Chess in which he stated the following.....

"Tchigorin approached chess in the same manner as our modern Soviet players.He served the art disinterestedly and self-sacrificially." ( Note:Does he mean in a monetary sense? That would render my criticisms moot since I certainly would not judge someone for foregoing financial gain in the pursuit of chess excellence although I see nothing wrong with making money off of one's passion for the game)

I get the impression that Botvinnik's ideal player is someone who devotes themselves to chess without reaping any personal benefit.The term self-sacrificially seems to indicate that a player is sacrificing their own interests to chess instead of devoting their life to it out of passion which isn't a sacrifice since their benefiting from it.

"But even more important is that when we Soviet masters take part in tournaments and study the game we know we are performing a socially valuable,a cultural activity,that we are bringing benefit to the Soviet state"

I am uneasy with this statement because of Botvinnik's characterization of chess activity as a boon to the Soviet state since the honor of a tyranny should be of no concern.I realize what the situation of being at the subsidy and mercy of the Soviet establishment must have put him in but my criticisms stand if he genuinely views himself as a chess crusader on behalf of the Soviet regime.