|
These two men were more famous as musicians than chess players, but they were both chess nuts. They agreed to a 10-game match, loser having to give a free public concert. This is one of the games. [The match was abandoned halfway through: both men gave the concert.] |
|
|
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4
|
Prokofiev has converted Oistrakh's Sicilian into almost a mirror-reversed Caro-Kann. |
  1 comment
|
| |
|
|
4... Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7
|
Oistrakh has now cleared the way for castling. |
1 comment
|
| |
|
|
7. Be2 a6 8. Qd2
|
Clearing the back row. Prokofiev has an advantage in time, as Oistrakh has yet to complete his development. |
1 comment
|
| |
|
|
8... Ng4 9. Bxg4 Bxg4 10. f3 Bd7 11. Bh6
|
Whether Oistrakh captures or guards, K-side castling will not be an option. However, the exchange eases his defensive task. |
1 comment
|
| |
|
|
11... Rg8 12. Bxg7 Rxg7 13. Qh6 Kf8
|
The only way to avoid loss of material. |
2 comments
|
| |
|
|
14. O-O-O Nc6 15. Nxc6 bxc6 16. Rhe1 Rb8
|
Aiming down the half-open file at the White King's position. |
1 comment
|
| |
|
|
17. e5 d5 18. Qf4
|
Releasing the pin on the Rook, easing Black's position. |
2 comments
|
| |
|
|
18... Kg8 19. Rd4 e6 20. Red1 Qb6 21. b3
|
Neutralizing the threat down the QN file. |
1 comment
|
| |
|
|
21... Be8 22. Rd4d2 Qc7 23. Qe3 Qe7 24. Re1 Kh8 25. Kb2
|
The game slows down as both men maneuver for positional advantage. |
1 comment
|
| |
|
|
25... Rg8 26. Qf4 Bd7 27. Qf6+ Qxf6 28. exf6
|
With the Queens gone, a drawn-out ending looms. Oistrakh has a "bad" Bishop against a Knight, but Prokofiev has doubled KBP's. |
1 comment
|
| |
|
|
28... Rb7 29. g4 g5
|
"Artifically" isolating the advanced White Pawn. |
|
| |
|
|
30. h4 gxh4 31. Rh2
|
Trying to regain the Pawn he just sacrificed. |
1 comment
|
| |
|
|
31... Rg6 32. Rxh4 Rxf6 33. Reh1 Kg8 34. Rh1h3 Kf8 35. Rh4xh7
|
Prokofiev's doubled Rooks threaten to penetrate the Black position. |
2 comments
|
| |
|
|
35... Rb4 36. Ne2 e5 37. Kc3 c5
|
Oistrakh begins surging his own Pawns forward on the Q-side, hoping to generate a passed Pawn. |
|
| |
|
|
38. Rh7h6 d4+ 39. Kd2 Rbb6 40. Rxf6 Rxf6
|
The position simplifies, increasing the chances of a draw. Oistrakh has a slight advantage with his now-freed B and advanced Q-side Pawns. |
|
| |
|
|
41. Rh5 e4 42. fxe4 Bxg4 43. Rg5 Bf3
|
Thrust and counterthrust. |
|
| |
|
|
44. Rxc5 Bxe4
|
Oistrakh gets the first passed Pawn, but it has a long way to go. |
|
| |
|
|
45. Nxd4
|
Prokofiev counters by obtaining his own passed Pawn. |
|
| |
|
|
45... Bg2 46. a4 Ke7 47. b4 Kd7
|
Rushing his King to the defense of the Q-side. |
|
| |
|
|
48. Ke3 Rd6 49. b5 Rd5 50. Rxd5+ Bxd5 51. bxa6
|
Prokofiev relies on his advanced Pawns to neutralize the advantage of Oistrakh's minor exchange. |
|
| |
|
(1564)