THE BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE

London, England

May 1897

(pages 179 - 182)

THE CHESS WORLD.

BOAT-RACE CHESS.

Boat-Race week has been with us again, and, of course, we have had the usual chess events, which form a part of the doings of the ’Varsities men during the week.

The first match of the week took place on Monday 29th March, when the United Universities played the Metropolitan. The first game went to the gownsmen, but they could not maintain their advantage, and ultimately the Metropolitan won easily, the final score being Metropolitan 13 ½, United Universities 6 ½.

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The players had a rest on the Thursday, the actual Inter-University match being fixed for Friday, 2nd April. It was played, as is customary, at the rooms of the British Chess Club, which were tastefully decorated with drapery of the two colours of the Universities dark and light blue. There was a good attendance of spectators, and the proceedings were watched with much interest. As is now customary, seven players represented each side, and Oxford winning the toss had the first move on four boards. The Oxford team contained three new men, Messrs. A. H. W. George, G. H. Stoker, and R. Hancock; whilst the Cantabs put in four new men, Messrs. C. E. C. Tattersall, L. McLean, L. Stainer, and A. Fotheringham; the other seven players took part in last year’s match.

Oxford led from the first, for Mr. Spencer Churchill (the Oxonian captain) was the first to secure a win against Mr. Crowley. The latter defended with a Petroff, but a weak move or two enabled the Oxonian to get a somewhat commanding position. Appended is a diagram showing position after White’s 18th move (R—K 6).

The game now proceeded 18..., Kt—B 3?; 19 R x R ch, R x R; 20 B x P, P—Q Kt 3; 21 R—K Kt sq, R—K 2?; 22 B—Kt 8 ch, Kt—Q sq; 23 B x P, and with the loss of the second Pawn, Black’s game is hopeless, though Mr. Crowley struggled on to the 32nd move.

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The following is the full score:—