BRITBASE - British Chess Game Archive
Tournament: 42nd Varsity Match • Venue: City of London CC, London • Date: Monday 23 March 1914
Download PGN • List of Varsity Matches • Back to 1913 • Forward to 1919 • last edited:
Monday May 26, 2025 6:02 PM
The 42nd Varsity Chess Match between Oxford University and Cambridge University was held at the City of London Chess Club, 7 Grocers' Hall Court, London E.C. on Monday 23 March 1914. Three game scores from the match, plus 4 stub games, are available.
| 1913« 1914 Varsity Chess Match »1919 | |||
| Bd | Oxford University | 1914 | Cambridge University |
| 1b | Franklin Ferriss Russell (Brasenose) | ½-½ | Eric Augustus Coad-Pryor (Trinity) |
| 2w | Percy Andrew Morris MacMahon (Hertford) | 0-1 | Edward Kingsley Wakeford (Trinity) |
| 3b | Godfrey Davies (Pembroke) | 1-0 | Hyman Weisberg (Christ's) |
| 4w | George Carruthers (Merton) | 0-1 | Ephraim Meyer Maccoby (St John's) |
| 5b | Frank Colin Bryan (Jesus) | 1-0 | George Ernest Smith (St John's) |
| 6w | Harry Marsden Smith (Corpus Christi) | 1-0 | Henry Clifford Care (St John's) |
| 7b | Walter Roland Tracy Whatmore (Christ Church) | 1-0 | John Owen Iles (Caius) |
| Venue: City of London CC | 4½-2½ | Date: 23 March 1914 | |
Sources: Oxford-Cambridge Chess Matches (1873-1987), compiled by Jeremy Gaige, Philadelphia 1987; The Field, 28 March 1914; BCM, April 1914, ppn 151-152; The Times, 24 March 1914; The Times, 25 March 1914; Oxford Chronicle and Reading Gazette, 27 March 1914; Oxford Times, 4 April 1914; Ancestry.com; FindMyPast.co.uk;
Notes:
(1)
match referee and adjudicator was Amos Burn.
(2)
Coad-Pryor was president of CUCC.
(3)
Boards 1 and 7 were adjudicated.
(4)
The Cambridge team included three Wranglers from the Mathematical Tripos, Part 2, in 1913—Weisberg, Maccoby and Care—while Wakeford achieved a 1st in Mathematics, Part 1. Iles recorded a 2nd in Mathematics Part 1 in that year.
(5)
Arnold Gordon Patton (St Johns; 1893-1960) was the Cambridge reserve player (Oxford Chronicle and Reading Gazette - Friday 20 March 1914).
(6) "Messrs. A M Smith (Corpus) and L B Hibbs (Exeter) will accompany the [Oxford] team to London, and one of them will secure the 7th and last board against Cambridge." (Oxford Chronicle and Reading Gazette, 13 March 1914; typo for H[arry] M[arsden] Smith who in fact played on board six - JS). So the Oxford travelling reserve was Lawrence Bosdet Hibbs (2 June 1894 - 21 March 1916), educ. Victoria College, Jersey, won a scholarship to Exeter College, Oxford, in 1913 for modern history. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 7th Royal Irish Rifles in 1914. He died at Lapugnoy, France, on 21 March 1916, after a very short illness.
BCM, April 1914, ppn 151-152
"The Universities' Week.—The annual tour of Oxford and Cambridge was this year even more interesting than usual, owing to the excellent record of Oxford, who had defeated every visiting team throughout the season. Unfortunately examination requirements prevented the Oxford contingent from being at full strength until the end of the week and, on actual figures, the Cambridge men did better during the trial matches. Still, it was quite evident that the standard of play was considerably higher than the average, and Mr. Amos Burn expressed the opinion that the Universities were stronger than ever before. We should not like to say that either of this year's teams was better than the Oxford team in G. E. Wainwright's time, or than the Cambridge teams led by either H. E. Atkins or C. E. C. Tattersall, but we do not think that there has ever before been a University match in which both sides have been so powerful.
"The trial matches, in which Past and Present play side by side, resulted as follows:
1914 Universities Matches
| Date | Oxf/Cam | Score | Opponents | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday 16 March 1914 | Combined Universities | 5-8 | Lud-Eagle | Gambit Café, Budge Row, London |
| Tuesday 17 March 1914 | Combined Universities | 5½-12½ | Hampstead | Stanfield House, Hampstead, London |
| Wednesday18 March 1914 | Combined Universities | 6½-13½ | City of London | 7 Grocers' Hall Court, London EC |
| Thursday 19 March 1914 | Combined Universities | 12½-7½ | Insurance | The Cabin, 6 Old Jewry, London EC |
| Friday 20 March 1914 | Combined Universities | 10½-9½ | Metropolitan | Mecca Café, 54 Gresham St, London |
| Saturday 21 March 1914 | Combined Universities | 11-4 | London University | University College, Gower St, London |
| Monday 23 March 1914 | Oxford University | 4½-2½ | Cambridge University | 7 Grocers' Hall Court, London EC |
| Tuesday 24 March 1914 | Combined Universities | 9½-½ | House of Commons | House of Commons |
n.b. full results of the above matches may be found in the Oxford Chronicle and Reading Gazette, 27 March 1914, p4. Note that Edward Lasker appeared for both Hampstead and Metropolitan clubs in these matches. Both game scores are available - see below.
"The University match was played on Monday, 23rd March [1914], by invitation of the City of London Chess Club, at 7, Grocers' Hall Court, E.C., and among the onlookers were a number who took part in the match in days gone by, including Messrs. Tattersall, Stoney, Snowden, Goulding Brown, Greenhalgh, Paice and Foster. It was soon seen that the Cambridge men were making a much better show than they did last year, and, Mr. MacMahon being early in difficulties, for a long time the match appeared to be in the balance. The tide turned, however, as the games progressed, and at the call of time Oxford was leading by 3 to 2, the top and bottom boards being unfinished. Mr. Amos Burn, who acted as umpire, found that the position on Board 1 was intricate enough to deserve further investigation, and it was only after long and careful analysis that the result of these two games, and of the match, could be decided.
"The Oxford team has been largely made what it is by the influence and example of Mr. Russell, whose loss will be greatly felt when he returns to his native air, and the hearty good wishes of all his English chess friends will go with him. Mr. MacMahon, though he did not "come off" in the match, made a sensational first appearance in the team in the Metropolitan match, and the game he played against Dr. Schumer is one of the most brilliant tit-bits of over-the-board play seen in London for years [see below]. Mr. Davies is steadily improving as a match player, and, in spite of health handicap, is now difficult to beat. Mr. Carruthers and Mr. Bryan seemed to be a little bit "stale," but they both possess the match-playing temperament. Mr. Whatmore has a good record in the University match, but has not quite realised the high expectations we formed of him two years ago. Mr. H. M. Smith, the only newcomer in the team, promises well, having a quick sight of the board and admirable enthusiasm.
"Mr. Coad Pryor seemed to feel the weight of his responsibility in leading Cambridge against such doughty opponents, and did not show his true form during the week, but he rose to the occasion in the match itself. Mr. Wakeford is developing rapidly, and played some fine chess during the tour. Mr. Weisberg has got rid of some of his nervousness, and played in better style altogether. Mr. Iles suffered from lack of practice, but his quick grasp of position counterbalanced this to some extent. Of the new men, Mr. Maccoby showed some excellent end-game strategy; Mr. G. E. Smith would be all the better for a little more enterprise, and Mr. Care, though outplayed in the match itself, was the most successful player of the week." (BCM)
The Times, 24 March 1914
UNIVERSITY CHESS MATCH. The annual chess match between Oxford University and Cambridge University was contested at the City of London Chess Club, Grocers' Hall-court, E.C., yesterday. When time was called, Oxford had won three games and lost two. The games at Boards 1 and 7 were left over for adjudication by Mr. Amos Burn. Cambridge had the move at the top board.
The Times, 25 March 1914
Mr. Amos Burn has given his decision in tho two games left over for adjudication yesterday. The game at Board 1, between Mr. F. F. Russell (Oxford) and Mr. A. E. [sic] Coad-Pryor, was drawn. At Board 7, Mr W. R. T. Whatmore (Oxford) won against Mr. J. D. Iles (Cambridge) Thus Oxford won the match by 4½ to 2½.
Oxford Times, 4 April 1914
"THE UNIVERSITIES IN LONDON.
In the series of practice matches Oxford and Cambridge lost to Lud-Eagle by 5 to 8; to Hampstead by 5½ to 12½, and to the City of London Chess Club by 6½ to 13½. They beat the
Insurance Chess Club by 12½ to 7½, the Metropolitan by 10½ to 9½, and London University by 11-4.
"The 42nd annual Inter-University match was played at the City of London Chess Club on Monday, the 23rd ult. Mr. Amos Burn was referee and adjudicator. Oxford, who have had an extraordinarily successful season, were considered the strong side; but Cambridge gave them a good match, and a high standard of play was reached. Cambridge won the toss and had the white pieces at Boards 1, 3, 5 and 7. The openings were: Board 1, Max Lange attack; Board 2, Queen's Gambit Declined; Board 3, King's Gambit Declined; Board 4, Sicilian Defence; Board 5, Ruy Lopez; Board 6, Queen's Gambit Declined; and Board 7, Queen's Pawn opening. [table of results]
"The Universities of Oxford and Cambridge scored an easy victory over the House of Commons in a 10 boards match in Committee Room 15 on Tuesday, March 22." [table of results]
Combined Universities v House of Commons, 24 March 1914
Belfast News-Letter, 19 March 1914
"The Commons at Chess.
Mr. Bonar Law and Mr. [Reginald] McKenna1 have had to decline invitations to play for the Commons in the chess match against the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge next Tuesday through pressure of work. The teams are to be 10 a side, and that to represent the Commons is being selected strictly on the merits of the players. Members are now engaged in a tournament in the Chess Room at the House in order to secure the strongest possible team. The Commons are not sure of their ability to beat the Universities, but they hope to give them a good game."
1 Reginald McKenna (1863-1943) was the first winner (in 1901/02) of the trophy which Bonar Law donated for the House of Commons Chess Championship.
Oxford Chronicle and Reading Gazette, 27 March 1914
| Bd | Combined Universities | 1914 | House of Commons |
| 1b | Franklin Ferriss Russell (Brasenose, Oxford) | 1-0 | William Watson Rutherford |
| 2w | Eric Augustus Coad-Pryor (Trinity, Cambridge) | 1-0 | Sir John Randles |
| 3b | Edward Kingsley Wakeford (Trinity, Cambridge) | 1-0 | William Clough |
| 4w | Godfrey Davies (Pembroke, Oxford) | 1-0 | Leif Jones |
| 5b | George Carruthers (Merton, Oxford) | 1-0 | Handel Booth |
| 6w | Hyman Weisberg (Christ's, Cambridge) | 1-0 | Col. Edward Pryce-Jones |
| 7b | Ephraim Meyer Maccoby (St John's, Cambridge) | 1-0 | Dr. Christopher Addison |
| 8w | Frank Colin Bryan (Jesus, Oxford) | 1-0 | Sidney Robinson |
| 9b | Walter Roland Tracy Whatmore (Christ Church, Oxford) | ½-½ | George James Wardle |
| 10w | George Ernest Smith (St John's, Cambridge) | 1-0 | Col. William Baring du Pré |
| Venue: Committee Room 15, House of Commons | 9½-½ | Date: 24 March 1914 |
"On Tuesday the Combined Universities played the Chess Circle of the House of Commons, and were afterwards entertained by them to dinner. The match captains were Mr. A. W. Foster (St John's, Cambridge) and Mr. J. Walter Russell (City of London Chess Club). The umpire was Mr. Amos Burn.
"The Universities have thus won for the year the Challenge Cup presented by Mr. Bonar Law. The standard of chess among the University players is distinctly higher this year than in former years, as Mr. Burn said when returning thanks to a vote of thanks at the City of London Club on Saturday. This is easily noticed by their victories against some of the very strongest London combination during the week."
Games from 1914 Combined Universities matches
The following game seems not to have been published on the internet previously and I've not come across it in printed sources other than in the newspaper where I found it. It's not in the same class as Ed.Lasker-G.Thomas, the famous skittles game from 1912, and Lasker was dead lost at one stage—the queen sacrifice is simply a bluff—but it is very entertaining - JS
File updated
| Date | Notes |
|---|---|
| 21 March 2022 | First uploaded. |
| 25 May 2025 | Added further details, stub games, etc. |