* There is no doubt that Botvinnik was a great player in his own
right. The question is whether he would have risen quite so high for
so long without state support, preferential treatment, and unethical
behind-the-scenes dealings (e.g. pressure on Keres).

* Here's a fairly relevant article by Edward Winter from 2003:

*http://www.chesshistory.com/winter/extra/pachman.html- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

A truly fascinating article, whatever one thinks of Botvinnik.
Personally, looking over "Half a Century of Chess", I find his play to
be just beautiful, at least where I semi-understand it. Was it
Bronstein who said that Botvinnik "drives huge nails into the board",
or something to that effect? Do you have the correct quote?

Regards,
zdrakec