- 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán), 侯逸凡亮相牛津剑桥国象赛！牛津险胜！ | 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) made her début in the Oxford v. Cambridge Varsity Chess Match! Oxford wins!, Sina Sports, March 5, 2019
侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) made her début in the Oxford v. Cambridge Varsity Chess Match! Oxford wins!
A memorable Oxford v. Cambridge Chess Match
The two teams lineup & venue halls
A memorable Oxford v. Cambridge Chess Match
The two teams lineup & venue halls
A Brief Introduction
The Varsity Chess Match between Oxford and Cambridge was first proposed by Howard Staunton in 1853 and officially held in London since 1873. In 1978, organisers introduced a significant reform by adding, for the first time, a women’s board, which was used to determine the winner in case of a tie between the two teams. In 1982, women’s status was further advanced by requiring that at least one of the eight players in each team had to be female. At the same time, in order to ensure the participation of undergraduates, it was also required that at least three undergraduates for each time should take part. In the long history of more than one hundred years, Cambridge kept the lead until the 1950s, when, by its 4 – 3 victory in 1956, Oxford levelled the scores at 36 matches each. It’s worth mentioning that one of Oxford’s heroes, Mr. Henry Mutkin, who played board 1 and captained the team, is currently the organiser of the Match.
The Varsity Chess Match between Oxford and Cambridge was first proposed by Howard Staunton in 1853 and officially held in London since 1873. In 1978, organisers introduced a significant reform by adding, for the first time, a women’s board, which was used to determine the winner in case of a tie between the two teams. In 1982, women’s status was further advanced by requiring that at least one of the eight players in each team had to be female. At the same time, in order to ensure the participation of undergraduates, it was also required that at least three undergraduates for each time should take part. In the long history of more than one hundred years, Cambridge kept the lead until the 1950s, when, by its 4 – 3 victory in 1956, Oxford levelled the scores at 36 matches each. It’s worth mentioning that one of Oxford’s heroes, Mr. Henry Mutkin, who played board 1 and captained the team, is currently the organiser of the Match.
Pictured second from left is Mr. Henry Mutkin.
In the following sixty years, both teams have won and lost, and the score is nearly stalemated. After the 136th Varsity Chess Match Cambridge was leading by 59 – 55.
Venue introduction
In 1973, the inter-University Match was held for the first time at The Royal Automobile Club in London. The club, founded in 1897, moved to Pall Mall in 1911 and it’s always remained there since then. As a notable feature of the club’s cultural composition, chess and its metaphors can be traced back to 1911. Chess references appear everywhere in the halls, and, among others, an oil painting on the second floor, depicting a playing scene, is particularly eye-catching.
Venue introduction
In 1973, the inter-University Match was held for the first time at The Royal Automobile Club in London. The club, founded in 1897, moved to Pall Mall in 1911 and it’s always remained there since then. As a notable feature of the club’s cultural composition, chess and its metaphors can be traced back to 1911. Chess references appear everywhere in the halls, and, among others, an oil painting on the second floor, depicting a playing scene, is particularly eye-catching.
The man seated in the centre table with his right hand under his chin is still Henry.
Chess bulletin board in the RAC lobby.
The envoy’s chronicle
Although this year the average rating of Oxford’s players was about 200 points higher than Cambridge’s, it turned out that the outcome of a match does not depend exclusively upon the rating. At the drawing ceremony, Cambridge won the right to choose the colour by flipping coins, and they did not hesitate to pick Black on board 1 so as to surprise us. As it turned out, they prepared more targetedly thru the “reverse thinking” method, speculating that we would pick White on board 1 (ten thousand words omitted here, there’s always something to be learned).
Although this year the average rating of Oxford’s players was about 200 points higher than Cambridge’s, it turned out that the outcome of a match does not depend exclusively upon the rating. At the drawing ceremony, Cambridge won the right to choose the colour by flipping coins, and they did not hesitate to pick Black on board 1 so as to surprise us. As it turned out, they prepared more targetedly thru the “reverse thinking” method, speculating that we would pick White on board 1 (ten thousand words omitted here, there’s always something to be learned).
List of players.
The Match officially started at 12.30 local time. As usual, the first time control was forty moves in two hours; the second was one hour for the rest of the game. The first phase of the games once again reflected the preparation of Cambridge — time advantage on all eight board after the opening, but no encouraging prospects when approaching the middlegame. The battle became more and more intense as the bell of the first time control was about to ring, and, in the moment of truth, our board 8 Filip scored the first win and a very valuable point as well. Then, I drew with my opponent from Reading, while our captain Joris’s fierce French Defence eventually fell down, thus making the score even again.
Oxford’s board 2 Isaac showed his skillful technique in the second time control, finally succeeding in catching the enemy King in a mating net in a Rooks and Pawn ending. The game was awarded as the best one of the Match.
Isaac being awarded the best game prize. Seated on the right is Grandmaster Matthew Sadler, who also served as commentator. |
Unfortunately, our board 5 Benjamin was defeated at 65th move, and so after five and a half hours hard playing, the fate of the Match turned on Daniel’s game against Peter. In the end, after 92 moves, Daniel won the game and the Match, presenting the most precious gift for the 150th anniversary of the Oxford Chess Club.
The trophy of the champions.
The celebration cake for the 150th anniversary of the Oxford University Chess Club.
As a long-standing tradition, following the awards ceremony and the closing dinner, most of the participating players and other chess enthusiasts would gather in the RAC’s playroom to enjoy blitz chess until the early hours of the morning.
Conclusion
As the oldest inter-University chess fixture, the endless struggle for hegemony between Oxford and Cambridge not only does give students the opportunity of confronting each other, but also allows the seeds of chess to set down roots in the campus. From Peking-Tsinghua to Oxbridge, I felt the students’ passion and enthusiasm for the game of chess, a noble fighting spirit I saw in everyone’s eyes.
The accumulation of history cannot but reflect the long history of culture.
The editor has something to say
Thanks to 逸凡 (Yìfán) for her sharing. I hope that readers and friends will feel more inspired after reading it, and they will work harder and harder at the board, so as to be more successful in their school studies!
Conclusion
As the oldest inter-University chess fixture, the endless struggle for hegemony between Oxford and Cambridge not only does give students the opportunity of confronting each other, but also allows the seeds of chess to set down roots in the campus. From Peking-Tsinghua to Oxbridge, I felt the students’ passion and enthusiasm for the game of chess, a noble fighting spirit I saw in everyone’s eyes.
The accumulation of history cannot but reflect the long history of culture.
The editor has something to say
Thanks to 逸凡 (Yìfán) for her sharing. I hope that readers and friends will feel more inspired after reading it, and they will work harder and harder at the board, so as to be more successful in their school studies!
How many “Queens” can you see in the above picture?
Photos courtesy of:
John Saunders
Barry Martin
侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán)
John Saunders
Barry Martin
侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán)
(English translation by I, Robot)
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