Description

Sergei Prokofiev 1937 Russian Chessmen.

Offered here is a exact reproduction of the famous Sergei Prokofiev 1937 Russian Chessmen. With its long, spired finial, the Prokofiev King measures 4-5/8 tall and has a 1-3/4” Base. This is the equivalent of a 4-1/4” tall King with a standard Formeé cross. This set features the miter-less Bishops, typical of period Russian Chess Set designs. The pieces are heavily weighted and each of the chessmen is cushioned atop a green baize base pad. This set of chessmen includes an extra pair of Queens to assist during Pawn Promotion, a feature pioneered by Frank Camaratta in 1995.  The pieces play and display best on chessboards with 2-3/8″ or 2-1/2” squares.

In 1937 a match was arranged between the great composer, Sergey Prokofiev, and legendary violinist, David Oistrakh. Ten classical games were to be played at the Master of Art Club in Moscow, with Grandmaster Vladimir Alatortsev arbitrating. It was the peak of the chess rivalry between the two music titans. The Sergei Prokofiev 1937 Russian chessmen offered here are an accurate reproduction of the actual pieces used in the match, as shown in the gallery.

Background

The name Prokofiev needs little introduction. Sergei Sergeyevich Prokofiev, (1891-1953), was a Russian composer, pianist and conductor who mastered numerous musical genres and is regarded as one of the greatest composers of the 20th century, which include Igor Stravinsky, and Sergei Rachmaninoff. Among his best-known works are the 3rd Piano Concerto, the third and fifth symphonies, as well as composed family favorites, such as the ballet Romeo and Juliet. As to David Oistrakh, his virtuosity as a violinist ranked alongside Fritz Kreisler and Jascha Heifetz.

Prokofiev was also a passionate chess player who became friends with world chess champion José Raúl Capablanca, whom he defeated in 1914, and Mikhail Botvinnik. Former World Champion Mikhail Botvinnik had this to say about Prokofiev.

“I met Prokofiev in 1936 at the height of the Third International Chess Tournament in Moscow. He was a first-rate chessplayer himself and never missed a match. His position in the tournament was a delicate one and he maintained a strictly neutral attitude throughout, for while his sympathies were naturally with me as the young Soviet champion, he could not wish for the defeat of the ex-world champion Capablanca, who was a personal friend of his.

Sergei Sergeyevich was passionately fond of chess. He took part in the chess activity of the Central Art Workers’ Club. Moscow chessplayers still remember his rather unique match with David Oistrakh – the winner was awarded the Art Workers’ Club prize and the loser had to give a concert for the club members.

I played chess with Prokofiev several times. He played a very vigorous, forthright game. His usual method was to launch an attack which he conducted cleverly and ingeniously. He obviously did not care for defense tactics.”