Botvinnik was undoubtedly a very strong and talented player and probably the first truly modern grandmaster. However, he made a lousy champion, not once winning a match as champion and often losing by wide margins. Let's examine the record...
1951 - drew a match with Bronstein
1954 - drew a match with Smyslov
1957 - lost to Smyslov by 3 points (only to win the title back through the patently unfair rematch clause - where was champion Smyslov's rematch?)
1960 - lost to Tal by 4 points (again relying on the rematch clause to win the title back)
1963 - lost to Petrosian by 3 points
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