English Opening,GM Spassky

Symmetrical English Botvinnik System vs Botvinnik System

Here is a relatively unknown game by Ex-World Champion Boris Spassky.

Black used the Botvinnik structure to defend against white's initially passive formation but later white also adopted the Botvinnik formation for an equal game.

11.e4

The Ex-World Champion Spassky used his patience and experience in a long defence to outlast his opponent. Spassky did nothing special except adopt a solid formation and keep the position equal. When black tried to make something happen Spassky hung tough and made no additional weaknesses.

Spassky,Boris V (2545) - Zhu Chen (2480)
Symmetical English Mutual Botvnnik System[A36]
Cancan Veterans-Women Roquebrune (1), 07.09.1998

Position 1

The position looks quite equal. What do you recommend for white?

White to Play

71...Bb4