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Tournament: 93rd Varsity Match • Venue: Christ's College, Cambridge • Date: 22 March 1975
Download PGN • List of Varsity Matches • Back to 1974 • Forward to 1976 • last edited:
Tuesday December 23, 2025 10:35 AM
The 93rd Varsity Chess Match between Oxford University and Cambridge University was held at Christ's College, Cambridge, on 22 March 1975. Match arbiter was probably Harry Golombek. Two game scores from this match is available - can anyone supply any others?
| 1974« 1975 Varsity Chess Match »1976 | |||
| Bd | Oxford University | 1975 | Cambridge University |
| 1b | Jonathan Simon Speelman (Worcester) | 0-1 | Michael Frank Stean (Trinity) |
| 2w | Graham Andrews (Merton) | 0-1 | Andrew Jonathan Mestel (Trinity) |
| 3b | James Burnett (University) | 0-1 | John Grantley Cooper (Caius) |
| 4w | Anthony Lewarne Hosking (Balliol) | 0-1 | Paul Edwin Littlewood (Christ's) |
| 5b | Michael Cyril Truran (Oriel) | 1-0 | Johann Peter Sommerville (Caius) |
| 6w | Keith Leslie Howells (Wadham) | 0-1 | John Graham Nicholson (Pembroke) |
| 7b | Michael John Pitt (Brasenose) | 0-1 | Andrew Colin Cooper (Trinity Hall) |
| 1-6 |
Sources: Oxford-Cambridge Chess Matches (1873-1987), compiled by Jeremy Gaige, Philadelphia 1987; The Times, 24 March 1975; BCM, May 1975, p208; Mike Truran
Notes
"From Harry Golombek, Chalfont St Giles, Bucks - Cambridge University fielded a very strong team in their Annual Match against Oxford at Christ's College [Cambridge] and it was no surprise when they scored an overwhelming 5-1 victory, with one game for adjudication." (BCM, May 1975, p208)
"... On top board Michael Stean had little difficulty in beating Speelman. Three more losses for Oxford followed in quick succession, on boards seven, four and six, so that Cambridge won the match more than half an hour before the end of play." (The Times, 24 Mar 1975)
n.b. Michael J Pitt is often confused with a player of the same name, Michael J Pitt (12 May 1945 – 10 May 2015), who was a half-brother of FM Andrew P Smith, studied classics at Cambridge University and was a stalwart of Lewisham CC for many years.
Two-page list (PDF) of Cambridge University Chess Club members' BCF grades in 1974/75
File Updated
| Date | Notes |
| 2018 | First uploaded |
| 29 May 2019 | Edited info about Michael J Pitt (not to be confused with the Lewisham player of the same name) |
| 30 May 2019 | Added the game Sommerville-Truran. Thanks to Mike Truran for providing the score. |
| 29 September 2021 | Added the game Hosking 0-1 Littlewood. Thanks to Paul Littlewood for providing the score. |