![the botvinnik semi-slav the botvinnik semi-slav](https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/blog/215284.55c923be.5000x5000o.9ed14e94d3de.gif)
> As far as avoiding the Botvinnik or not, thats up to you. > Still, by looking at your profile I am far below your strength, but nobody ever reached such endgames in my games. > A nightmare to defend in my eyes, only white can win or make a draw. > Stuff like black being up a piece but white having 2 connected past pawns with or without rooks etc. The ending positions seems dang hard to defend for black, often by way of pure theory, black ends up in objectively drawn positions where there is material unbalances (and black usually have no real winning chances). > But objectively if white is more prepared, it is just very difficult for black. > Though I personally believe more so in practical terms for black as the middle game is super hard to navigate for white, as the far advanced queenside pawns and blacks activity is immensely strong. > I am not sure about the highest levels, but as far as I understand it is playable. If you like a tactical slugfest where dynamics rule, you will find no better place. But it all again depends on what you like. Some believe or say more quiet lines, give black more winning chances then pure heavy theoretical lines such as the Botvinnik.
![the botvinnik semi-slav the botvinnik semi-slav](https://www.modern-chess.com/admin/img/2016-03/img_4822792934_7089ccbca0.jpg)
(To be fair, black needs to know a boatload of theory to survive also, but personally I feel its easier as it usually all revolves around direct play with the far advanced queenside pawns and activity before everything, usually white at some points must sacrifice a piece for those pawns ending up in said endgames.)
![the botvinnik semi-slav the botvinnik semi-slav](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/eZxVkTJicRo/maxresdefault.jpg)
Realistically these super drawn computer endgames, you will very rarely face as reaching them is not trivial for white and white needs to know tons of variations of 30+ and even some closing in to 40+ moves. It is by far one of the most (if not the most) tactical and wild variation in all of chess. Still, by looking at your profile I am far below your strength, but nobody ever reached such endgames in my games.Īs far as avoiding the Botvinnik or not, thats up to you. Stuff like black being up a piece but white having 2 connected past pawns with or without rooks etc.Ī nightmare to defend in my eyes, only white can win or make a draw. Though I personally believe more so in practical terms for black as the middle game is super hard to navigate for white, as the far advanced queenside pawns and blacks activity is immensely strong.īut objectively if white is more prepared, it is just very difficult for black. I am not sure about the highest levels, but as far as I understand it is playable.