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Tournament: 15th Varsity Match • Venue: St. George's Chess Club, 47 Albemarle St, Piccadilly • Date: Thursday 24 March 1887
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Monday December 11, 2023 10:59 PM
The 15th Varsity Chess Match between Oxford University and Cambridge University was held at St. George's Chess Club, 47 Albemarle St, Piccadilly, London, on Thursday 24 March 1887 with Johannes Zukertort adjudicating unfinished games. Start 2.00pm, end 6.00pm.
| 1886« 1887 Varsity Chess Match »1888 | ||||
| Bd | Oxford University | Game 1 | Game 2 | Cambridge University |
| 1w | Richard Whieldon Barnett (Wadham) | 0-1 | ½-½ | Herman George Gwinner (Trinity) |
| 2b | Alexander George Gordon Ross (New) | 1-0 | ½-½ | Richard Stoney Topham (Christ's) |
| 3w | Francis George Newbolt (Balliol) | 0-1 | ½-½ | George Adolphus Schott (Trinity) |
| 4b | William Stoney (Christ Church) | 1-0 | Cecil Warburton (Christ's) | |
| 5w | Charles Millar Grace (Queen's) | ½-½ | Henry Edwin Robinson (Non-Coll.) | |
| 6b | Sidney James Buchanan (New) | 1-0 | 0-1 | Hubert Morgan-Browne (Trinity Hall) |
| 7w | Frederick Bernard Gunnery (Christ Church) | 0-1 | 0-1 | Edward Hungerford Duke (Pembroke) |
| 5-7 | ||||
Sources: Oxford-Cambridge Chess Matches (1873-1987), (compiled by Jeremy Gaige, Philadelphia 1987); BCM, April 1887, ppn 174-175 & BCM, May 1887, ppn 216-217; Morning Post, 25 March 1887; The Field, 26 March 1887; The Chess-Monthly, 1887, ppn 225-228; Sergeant, Philip W, A Century of Chess (London 1934), (ref'd as PWS); FreeBMD & other statutory records; Ancestry.com; FindMyPast.com; Who Was Who 1897-2007; Wikipedia. Four of the 12 games played, plus five adjudication positions, are available in the download.
Notes: Last match played at the St George's Chess club for 16 years (PWS). Zukertort adjudicated six unfinished games at the end - boards 2-7 inclusive.
BCM, April 1887, ppn 174-175: Of course the great event so far as Chess is concerned during Boat-race week, is the Inter-University match itself. This took place on Thursday, 24th March, at the St. George’s Chess Club, Albermarle Street, W., play commencing at 2 p.rn. with seven competitors a side. Oxford drew “first blood” at 4-30 by Mr. Ross defeating Mr. Topham, and this was speedily followed by a second victory for the “Dark-blues” by Mr. Buchanan unhorsing Mr. Morgan Brown. With two games up the score looked comfortable for Oxford, but a glance round the remaining boards showed that Cambridge was not likely to be easily beaten. And this was soon proved by Mr. Duke (Cambridge) defeating Mr. Gunnery (Oxford), whilst the “Light-blue” Captain, Mr. Gwinner, scored against Mr. Barnett, leader of the “Dark-blues,” and at 5 o’clock Mr. Schott (Cambridge) defeated Mr. Newbolt (Oxford), making the score Cambridge, 3, Oxford, 2, with two games of the first round still unfinished.
Meanwhile the second games had been started on those boards whereon the first round had been completed, but of these only one game was completed, and this—between the two Captains—ended in a speedy draw. At 6 o’clock time was called, when no less than 6 games (two of the first round and four of the second) were left for the adjudication of the umpire, Herr J. H. Zukertort. On boards No. 2 and 3 the umpire gave draws, whilst at board No. 4 he gave a win for the “Dark-blue” player Mr. Stoney, and the score was, Cambridge, 3½; Oxford, 3½; and matters were therefore again balanced. This balance was continued at the next board, when after a considerable investigation of a critical position Mr. Zukertort pronounced for a draw. At the remaining two boards, however, victory decidedly was on the side of the Cantabs, and so the final score was Cambridge, 7; Oxford, 5.
I think that in such an important match as the Inter-Universities it is a pity that such a great proportion of games as 6 out of 12 should have to come under the fiat of the adjudicator. But what else could be expected when four hours were only open to play, and two games on each board were expected to be got through? As a matter of fact only about an hour was left for the second round, and certainly the shortness of the time would naturally tend to hurried play. I trust that in future matches between the Universities the “one board one game” plan will be adopted. I must reserve further remarks on the play till next month.
This is the fifth annual match between the two Universities, and of these Cambridge has won 10, Oxford 4, and 1 has been drawn.
At 7 p.m. the united teams dined at the Criterion as the guests of the St. George’s Chess Club. The Earl of Dartrey occupied the chair and was well supported. The noble Chairman in proposing the toast of the evening, “Success to University Chess,” said that he had had personal opportunities of testing the strength of some of the University players, and could testify to their undoubted talent. He saw among the rising players several who would in the future be competent to take leading places in the Chess world when the present leaders had withdrawn from the arena. Other toasts followed, the last of which, “the health of the Chairman,” was very warmly received.
Morning Post, 25 March 1887: "The 15th annual match between Oxford and Cambridge Universities was played at the St. George’s Club yesterday, resulting in a victory for Cambridge by 7 games to 5. This makes the 10th match won by Cambridge, against 4 won by Oxford and 1 tie. Play commenced yesterday at 2 p.m. The first game was scored by Mr. Ross for Oxford at 4.30, and a victory by Mr. Buchanan followed shortly afterwards, but matters were soon equalised by Messrs. Duke and Gwinner scoring their games for Cambridge. Mr. Gwinner played an almost obsolete variation of the Two Knights Defence, but Mr. Barnett erroneously transposing the moves for the attack, and afterwards missing a promising opportunity, allowed Mr. Gwinner to gain an advantage which resulted in his victory. Just before five o’clock Mr. Schott defeated Mr. Newbolt, making Cambridge one game ahead. Mr. Barnett then drew with Mr. Gwinner, and it then being six o’clock, the remaining games were adjudicated by Dr. Zukertort, who had no difficulty in giving draws on Boards 2 and 3, and a victory for Oxford on No. 4, thus equalising the score. An animated discussion arose as to the result of the game on Board 5, which Dr. Zukertort eventually decided to be drawn. There was no doubt that Cambridge had a substantial superiority on boards Nos. 6 and 7, and the umpire decided accordingly. —A dinner was held at the Criterion in the evening, Lord Dartery, who presided, in proposing the toast of the evening, said that he had had personal opportunities of testing the strength of some of the University players, and could testify to their undoubted talent. He saw among the rising players several who would in the future be competent to take leading places in the chess world when the present leaders had withdrawn from the arena.—There were several other toasts, followed by “The health of the Chairman," which was cordially received." ["Lord Dartery" - misspelling for Lord Dartrey, Richard Dawson, 1st Earl of Dartrey (1817-97), who has a few extant chess games given with the name 'R Cremorne' (he had previously been Lord Cremorne, son of the 2nd Baron Cremorne). Anglo-Irish liberal politician. He was president of St George's Chess Club. Played Morphy in a blindfold simul in 1859.]
The Field, 26 March 1887: "THE UNIVERSITIES CHESS MATCH. The fifteenth annual match between the sister universities took place yesterday, at the St George's Chess Club. Play commenced at two o'clock and continued with the exception of a few minutes interval between the commencement of a second game, until six o'clock p.m, when the unfinished games were adjudicated by the umpire, Dr Zukertort. The contest was fought very stubbornly on both sides. Oxford made strenuous efforts to wrest the victory from Cambridge , who were the favourites this year, and the score was pretty evenly balanced during the first half of the contest; but during the second half Cambridge drew ahead, and the decision of the umpire on the unfinished games left no doubt as to the result. The pace was unusually slow, chiefly owing to the absence of clocks, especially so on board no.6. Messrs Grace and Robinson only managed to get through two-thirds of one game. The position was very complicated, and of such a doubtful nature that it required the most minute analysis of the umpire before he could give his verdict. The conditions which governed the previous matches remained in force, with the exception of the play commencing at an earlier hour." [The Field gives Oxf. bd 7 as "T.B.B. Gunnery (Ch. Ch.)"]
"Cambridge is, therefore, six matches and nineteen games ahead. According to the conditions, no competitor is allowed to play more than five times for his university. Three new men on each side took part this year... At 7.30 the competitors dined with the St George's at the Criterion. The Earl of Dartrey, president of the club, was in the chair, supported on either side by the presidents of the University Chess Clubs, Messrs Topham and Newbolt. After the loyal toasts, Lord Dartrey proposed "the Universities," to which Messrs Topham and Newbolt replied; Gen. Maguire proposed "the Umpire," and Dr Zukertort replied; Mr Gwinner proposed the "St George's Chess Club," Mr Minchin replied; Mr Gattie proposed "Chess and the Press," Mr Hoffer replied; and finally Mr Barnett gave the health of the noble chairman, which was acknowledged by the president."
Chess-Monthly, April 1887, ppn 225-228: The Universities Chess Match.—The fifteenth annual match between the sister Universities took place on Thursday [24 March 1887], at the St. George's Chess Club. Play commenced at two o’clock, and continued, with the exception of a few minute's interval between the conclusion of the first and the commencement of a second game, until six o’clock p.m., when the unfinished games were adjudicated by the umpire, Dr. Zukertort.
The contest was fought very stubbornly on both sides. Oxford made strenuous efforts to wrest the victory from Cambridge, who were considered the favourites this year, and the score was pretty evenly balanced during the first half of the contest; but during the second half Cambridge drew ahead, and the decision of the umpire on the unfinished games settled the result that way.
The pace was unusually slow, chiefly owing to the absence of clocks, especially so on board No. 6. Messrs. Grace and Robinson only managed to get through two-thirds of one game. Tho position was very complicated, and of such a doubtful nature that it required the most minute analysis of the umpire before he could give his verdict. The conditions which governed the previous matches remained in force.
The Dark Blues having won the toss, Mr. Barnett opened the ball on board 1 with the usual 1 P to K 4. We need not dwell on any of the incidents of the fight of the two captains as we give the game in full. On the second board the president of the Cantabs, A. S. Topham [sic], Christ’s, opened with a Ruy Lopez against A. G. G. Ross, New. The game was continued in a somewhat irregular way, neither side obtaining any important advantage, when Mr. Topham permitted the Dark Blues to score first, by leaving a Rook en prise, and, of course, resigned at once.
On board 3 the president of the Oxford Club, F. G. Newbolt, Balliol, opened with a variation of the Vienna Opening, 1 P to K4, P to K4, 2 Kt to QB3, Kt to QB3, 3 P to B4 [1 e4 e5 2 Nc3 Nc6 3 f4], which promised a lively Gambit. His opponent, however, G. A. Schott, Trinity, avoided all complications with 3...P to Q 3 [3...d6]. We give in another department the game in full. It will be seen from it that the Cantab., notwithstanding his inferior opening, soon came out with a good position, and finally won in very good style, but at the time (4.45) the Oxonians had already carried off a second victory on board 6, when S. J. Buchanan, New, had adopted a French Defence against H. Morgan-Brown, Trinity Hall, and had successfully outplayed him.
On board 4, C. Warburton, Christ's, vs. W. Stoney, Ch. Ch., a Ruy Lopez was played, and was not finished when time was called for adjudication. The same happened on board 5—C. M. Grace, Queens, v. H. E. Robinson, St. Catherine’s. The opening was 1 P to Q4, P to K3, 2 P to QB4, P to QB3(?), 3 P to K4, P to KR3(?), 4 Kt to KB3, P to Q4 [1 d4 e6 2 c4 c6 3 e4 h6 4 Nf3 d5], and after four hours' play the game had proceeded twenty-three moves only! This incident proves sufficiently that the Universities must make in their annual trials of strength time-limit obligatory.
The last quarter of the third hour of play witnessed the second victory of the Oxonians, the first of the Cantabs, on board 3, their second on the first board, and also their third on board 7, where F. B. B. Gunnery, Ch. Ch., succumbed to E. H. Duke, Pembroke, in a rather irregular Queen's Gambit declined—1 P to Q4, P to Q4, 2 P to QB4, Kt to KB3, 3 Kt to QB3, P to KR3 [1 d4 d5 2 c4 Nf6 3 Nc3 h6]—by losing early in the game a piece.
On all the five boards where the first games were concluded, a second was started within regulation time, prior to five o’clock. The fight between the two captains, a French Defence, was speedily given up as a draw, and at six the score stood, Oxford 2½, Cambridge, 3½. The award of the umpire is illustrated in the department of onr endings from actnal play, and it led to the result that Cambridge scored the fifteenth annual match with seven games to five.
[table showing the 15 match scores from 1873 to 1887]
Cambridge, is, therefore, six matches and nineteen games ahead. According to the conditions, no competitor is allowed to play more than five times for his University. Three new men on each side took part this year...
At 7.30pm the competitors dined with the St. George's at the Criterion. The Earl of Dartrey, President of the Club, was in the chair, supported on either side by the presidents of the University Chess Clubs, Messrs. Topham and Newbolt. After the loyal toasts, Lord Dartrey proposed "the Universities," to which Messrs. Topham and Newbolt replied; Gen. MncGwire proposed "the Umpire,” and Dr. Zukertort replied; Mr. Gwinner proposed the "St. George’s Chess Club;” Mr. Minchin, in his reply, observed that a club had been established which bids fair to become the home of English Chess, viz, the British Chess Club, and it occurred to him that it would be a fit place to offer to the Universities better accommodation for evening play. The members of the St. George’s are old gentlemen who are quite enthusiastic in supporting any movement to advance our noble game, but most of them are family men, and “henpecked” to dine at home. (Laughter.) Mr. Gattie proposed "Chess and the Press;" Mr. Hoffer, in replying to the toast, said that it was the wish of the members of the British Chess Club to receive the Universities with due éclat, but he would never have broached the subject had not Mr. Minchin done so. They would never compete with the St. George’s except in friendly rivalry. Finally, Mr. Barnett gave the health of the noble chairman, which was acknowledged by the president. Both teams repaired to the British Chess Club, and passed the remainder of the evening with Chess, billiards, whist and music until a late hour.
1887 Universities' Week
Tuesday 22 March - Combined Universities 11½, City of London 'Seconds' 8½
Wednesday 23 March - Oxford University 7, St George's CC 8
Wednesday 23 March - Cambridge University 4, British CC 6
Friday 25 March - Combined Universities 2½, Brighton 5½
Oxford Past vs Oxford Present, 5 March 1887, Oxford
| Bd | Oxford University Past | Game 1 | Game 2 | Oxford University Present |
| 1b | George Edward Wainwright (University) | 1-0 | 1-0 | John Drew Roberts (Hertford) |
| 2w | Rev. Charles Edward Ranken (Wadham) | ½-½ | ½-½ | Richard Whieldon Barnett (Wadham) |
| 3b | Rev. John Coker (New) | 1-0 | 1-0 | Francis George Newbolt (Balliol) |
| 4w | Rev. Francis John Eld (St John's) | 1-0 | 0-1 | Alexander George Gordon Ross (New) |
| 5b | Rev. William Grundy (Worcester) | 0-1 | William Stoney (Christ Church) | |
| 6w | Rev. John Francis Welsh (Christ Church) | 0-1 | 0-1 | Charles Millar Grace (Queen's) |
| 7b | Rev. Edward Herring Kinder (Brasenose) | 1-0 | Frederick Bernard Gunnery (Christ Church) | |
| 8w | Charles Cotterill Lynam (Hertford) | ½-½ | ½-½ | Sidney James Buchanan (New) |
| 9b | Arthur Troyte Griffith (Oriel) | 1-0 | 1-0 | John Bretland Farmer (Magdalen) |
| 10-6 | ||||
BCM, 1887, p156: A match, of which we append the score, was played at Oxford on March 5th, between old and present members of the University Club. An exceptionally strong team was brought up for the occasion by Messrs. Ranken and Welsh, in which there were no less than five headmasters of Colleges or Schools, but they had as their opponents most of the winners of last year against Cambridge, including Mr. Barnett the Irish Champion, and in addition Mr. Roberts, erst of Dublin, who as a youth displayed such precocity in Chess some years ago. On this occasion, however, he did not shine, as he lost both his games to Mr. Wainwright. Mr. Coker played in excellent form, and twice defeated the Secretary of the O. U. C. C. After the match the visitors were entertained at dinner by the Club in Balliol College, and in the evening Mr. Ranken played with the members simultaneously 12 games in all, of which he lost 2, won 9, and left one unfinished.
File updated
| Date | Notes |
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| 30 March 2022 | Original upload. |