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Tournament: 31st Varsity Match • Venue: St George's Chess Club, 87 St James's Street, London • Date: Monday 23 March 1903
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Saturday May 17, 2025 12:09 PM
The 31st Varsity Chess Match between Oxford University and Cambridge University was held at St George's Chess Club, 87 St James' Street, London, on Monday 23 March 1903. Harry Nelson Pillsbury acted as match umpire (substituting for Leopold Hoffer).
| 1902« 1903 Varsity Chess Match »1904 | ||||
| Bd | Oxford University | vs | Cambridge University | Opening |
| 1 | Harold Francis Davidson (Exeter) | 0-1 | Herbert Anthony Webb (Trinity) | Philidor's Defence, 28 moves |
| 2 | Henry Delacombe Roome (Merton) | 0-1 | Harry Bateman (Trinity) | Centre Gambit, 26 moves |
| 3 | Thomas Herbert Bumpus (St John's) | ½-½ | Bertram Goulding Brown (Trinity) | Queen's Gambit Declined (adj) |
| 4 | William Mitchell Grundy (All Souls') | 1-0 | George Leathem (St John's) | French (adj) |
| 5 | Hugh Taylor (Balliol) | 0-1 | Otto Glauert (Clare) | French, 47 moves |
| 6 | Adolph Christian von Ernsthausen (Balliol) | 0-1 | Lai Hee Goh (Emmanuel) | Centre Counter, 37 moves |
| 7 | Samuel Nevile Foster (Worcester) | 0-1 | Thomas Lodge (Trinity) | King's Gambit, 51 moves |
| Venue: St George's Chess Club, London | 1½-5½ | Date: Monday 23 March 1903 | Game colours not known | |
Main sources: Oxford-Cambridge Chess Matches (1873-1987), (compiled by Jeremy Gaige, Philadelphia 1987); Sergeant, Philip W, A Century of Chess (London 1934, referred to in the text as PWS); BCM, April 1903, p164; The Times, 24 March 1903; Westminster Gazette, 24 March 1903; Morning Post, 24 March 1903; The Sportsman, 24 March 1903; London Daily Chronicle, 24 March 1903; Daily News (London), 24 March 1903; Sporting Life, 25 March 1903; The Field, 28 March 1903; Ancestry.com; FindMyPast.com; Who Was Who 1897-2007; Wikipedia. No games are available from this match, nor is it known what the game colours were.
Notes:
(1) no games available as yet
(2) None of the reports seen to date mentions who won the toss so it is not even known which side had white on odd boards. Goulding Brown favoured 1 e4 but the obituary by Milner-Barry tells us that he sometimes played 1 d4 so that is not conclusive. See the evidence given below for some circumstantial evidence which may point towards Cambridge having had White on odds.
(3) boards 3 and 4 were adjudicated by Harry Nelson Pillsbury. The absence of Hoffer may explain the absence of game scores; also the proximity of the GB v US Universities match which received more press attention.
(4) Club presidents/captains: Davidson (Oxford), Webb (Cambridge)
(5) The Centre Gambit, played on board 2, is 1 e4 e5 2 d4 exd4 3 Bc4 according to an article in BCM, August 1898, p324.
The Field, 28 March 1903: "OXFORD v. CAMBRIDGE. This annual chess match took place on Monday last, the 23rd inst., at the St. George’s Chess Club, St. James's-street. Of these contests, which were started in 1873, Cambridge has, up to the present, won a considerable majority, and on this occasion they again proved victorious. The first game finished, and scored by Cambridge, was that between the two captains of the respective teams. Very soon afterwards a second win, on board No. 2, went to Cambridge, and the Cambridge representatives were also successful on boards Nos. 5, 6, and 7. Mr H. N. Pillsbury, the American champion, who acted as adjudicator, then gave a win to Oxford on board No. 4, and a draw on board No. 3." [board results, plus openings played by the players as shown above]
BCM, April 1903, p175: Oxford v. Cambridge.—The annual match between the Universities was contested at St. George’s Chess Club, St. James’ Street, W., on March 23rd, and resulted in an easy victory for the Cantabs by 5½ to 1½. At the close of time allotted for play two games were still in progress, and these were adjudicated by Mr. H. N. Pillsbury. Last year the match resulted in a draw. [board results - no indication of who won the toss or the game colours]
The Times, 24 March 1903: "CHESS. OXFORD V. CAMBRIDGE. The annual match, between the Universities was played yesterday afternoon, at the St. George’s Chess Club, St. James’s-street, with the usual number of seven players a side. When time was called, Cambridge had scored 5 wins to 0. Mr. Pillsbury, who adjudicated, gave one of the two unfinished games a draw, and the other he awarded a win for Oxford. Cambridge have a majority of wins in the proportion of 2 to 1 to their credit since 1873, when the first match was played." [board results - no indication of who won the toss or the game colours]
The Sportsman - Tuesday 24 March 1903: "CHESS. THE UNIVERSITIES' MATCH. Yesterday this annual contest took place at the St. George's Chess Club in St. James's-street. Cambridge was the favourite, and speedily assumed the lead in the score, the Oxford captain, H. T. Davidson, being promptly defeated by the leader of the Cantabs, H. A. Webb, in 28 moves. The next victory for Cambridge followed immediately, H. D. Roome losing to H. Bateman in a smartly-played centre gambit. On Boards Nos. 5, 6, and 7 victory also declared for the Cambridge representatives.
"Mr H. N. Pillsbury, the celebrated American chess player, who had been engaged as adjudicator, gave a victory to Oxford on Board No. 4 and a draw on Board No. 3 between Messrs Brown and Bumpus. The score, therefore, was 5½ games to Cambridge and 1½ games to Oxford. Since these matches were started in 1873 Cambridge has always held the leading position, and the total score now is nearly two to one in their favour. Below is the full score, with the openings adopted. Both teams are invited this evening to the Prince of Wales' Theatre by Mr George Edwardes." [board results plus openings played and no. of moves on board 1 - identical report in Cambridge Daily News - Tuesday 24 March 1903 - and the Saffron Walden Weekly News, 27 March 1903]
Morning Post - Tuesday 24 March 1903: "UNIVERSITY CHESS MATCH. The annual chess match between Oxford and Cambridge Universities was played yesterday at the St. George's Chess Club, 87 St. James's-street. This is the oldest of the Metropolitan chess clubs, and it has long associations with the match, though for some years until yesterday the university players had been accustomed to hold their encounter at the British Chess Club. The last-named institution has, however, ceased to exist as a separate organisation, and the match yesterday acquired additional interest through the renewal of a relationship intimately connected with the past history of the St. George's and the Oxford and Cambridge Clubs.
"This was the thirty-first encounter between the Universities, and like the majority of the previous contests it resulted in a win for the Cambridge team, who made a total of 5½, while Oiford only scored 1½ out of the seven games played. Cambridge has now won twenty matches, representing an aggregate of 168 points, while Oxford has won nine matches and has a score of 134 points. Two matches, those of 1883 and last year, were drawn. The easy victory of Cambridge yesterday is the more surprising in view of the close scoring of last year and of the good form shown by the Oxford players in recent matches. The Cambridge University Club has, however been very energetic of late, and its success is no doubt in a great measure due to the marked accession of zeal on the part of its members.
"The combined universities will play a match by cable on Friday and Saturday with the universities of America. The English side will be accommodated at the Criterion, Piccadilly-circus, and visitors will be admitted to witness the games."
London Daily Chronicle, 24 March 1903: "The Oxford and Cambridge Match. The annual match was played yesterday at the St George's Chess Club, St James's Street, with the usual number of seven players a side. The first to win was the Cambridge Captain, Mr. H. A. Webb (Trinity). The Light Blues did well all down the line, and when time was called they had scored five win to nil. Mr Pillsbury, who adjudicated, gave one of the two unfinished games a draw, and the second he awarded a win for the losing side. [board results - no indication of who won the toss or the game colours]
Daily News (London), 24 March 1903: "OXFORD v. CAMBRIDGE. The annual match between the Universities was played yesterday afternoon at the St. George's Chess Club, St. James’s-street, with the usual number of seven players aside [sic]. The first to win was the Cambridge captain, Mr. H. A. Webb (Trinity). The Light Blues did strikingly well all down the line, for when time was called Cambridge had scored five wins to nil.
"Mr Pillsbury, who adjudicated, gave one of the two unfinished games a draw, and the second he awarded a win for the losing side. The Oxonian who thus secured the only win scored by the Dark Blues is Mr. W. M. Grundey [sic]. Cambridge have a majority of wins in the proportion of two to one to their credit since 1873, when the first match was played. [board results - no indication of who won the toss or the game colours]
Sporting Life, 25 March 1903: "THE OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE CHESS MATCH. This annual match was decided on Monday at the rooms of the St. George's Chess Club, S. James's-street. Play commenced at noon, and it was evident early in the proceedings that the star of Cambridge was in the ascendant, Mr. H. A. Webb defeating Mr. H. F. Davidson in a Philidor's Defence in 28 moves on Board No. 1. Oxford soon suffered another misfortune, Mr. H. D. Roome succumbing in 26 moves in a centre gambit.
"On Boards 5, 6, and 7 Cambridge also scored victories, Mr. O. Glauert winning from H. Taylor in 47 moves, Mr. S. H. Goh from O. Von Ernsthausen in 37 moves, and T. Lodge beating S. N. Foster in 51 moves.
"On the two remaining Boards, Nos. 3 and 4, stubborn fights were proceeding, and at the call of time these were adjudicated by the American champion, H. N. Pillsbury.
"A draw was the verdict on Board No. 3, T. H. Bumpus v. B. G. Brown, and W. M. Grundy was awardod a win against G. Leathem, the Cambridge representative.
"Appended is the full score, Cambridge winning by 5½ to 1½. The teams will be the guests of Mr. George Edwardes, at the Prince of Wales’ Theatre this evening.
"These matches have now been played for thirty years, and the Light Blues have a long lead in the score. [board results - no indication of who won the toss or the game colours]
UNIVERSITY WEEK RESULTS
Thursday 19 March - Combined Universities 8½, West London 11½
Friday 20 March - Combined Universities 9½, City of London 11½
Monday 23 March - Cambridge University 5½, Oxford University 1½
Friday 27 March / Saturday 28 March - Combined Universities 3½, US Universities 2½ (Cable Match)
BCM, April 1903, p164: "Oxford University v. Wilts Oxonians.—This annual match between the University Chess Club and a team of Old Oxonians from Wilts, arranged by the Rev. J. F. Welsh, took place at Oxford, on March 5th. The visiting team, who were entertained to lunch before the match at the Japanese Café, in the 'High,' where the club now meets, were glad to find the ’Varsity team so strong this year and its prospects so good. Score:—"
| 1903 Oxford University v Wiltshire Oxonians | |||
| Bd | Oxford University | vs | Wiltshire Oxonians |
| 1 | Henry Delacombe Roome (Merton) | ½-½ | Rev. Alexander George Gordon Ross (New) |
| 2 | Harold Francis Davidson (Exeter) | ½-½ | Rev. John Francis Welsh (Christ Church) |
| 3 | Thomas Herbert Bumpus (St John's) | 1-0 | Arthur Schomberg (Oriel) |
| 4 | Hugh Taylor (Balliol) | ½-½ | Rev. Richard Edward Coles (Pembroke) |
| 5 | Adolph Christian von Ernsthausen (Balliol) | 0-1 | Rev. E Wells (Exeter) |
| 6 | Samuel Nevile Foster (Worcester) | 1-0 | P Rowlands |
| 7 | Edward Paice (Merton) | 1-0 | William Cecil Wigan (St John's) |
| Venue: Oxford | 4½-2½ | Date: Thursday 5 March 1903 | |
Notes
(1) Rev. Richard Edward Coles (1840 – 1922). Matric. 1858, Pembroke College, Oxford; scholar, 1858; B.A., 1862. Rector of Corsley, Warminster, from 1886.
(2) William Cecil Wigan (18 March 1876 – 21 December 1966). Matric. 16 Oct., St John's College, Oxford. B.A., 1901. Educ. Charterhouse. Doctor, worked for a long time in Nyasaland.
BCM, July 1903, pp300-301: "THE MUZIO GAMBIT. We are indebted to Mr. W[illiam]. N[icolaas]. Macfarlane, of University College, Oxford, for the following analysis of an attack in the Muzio Gambit. The point of interest is White’s 6th move, Bxf7+, followed by 7 Qxf3!, against which Mr. Macfarlane says he cannot find any adequate reply. The variations submitted have the merit of being selected from a number of games played either for Oxford University or at the University Club, to test the endurance of the attack. In view of the recent revival of the Muzio in the Vienna Gambit Tournament, our readers will no doubt appreciate Mr. Macfarlane’s article and notes." [The analysis given below, much of it unconvincing, includes at least three actual game scores played around this time at Oxford, or for Oxford teams. No names of players are supplied. However, one can assume that none of them comes from the 1903 Varsity match itself since only one King's Gambit was played in that match, and won by the Cambridge player - JS.]
Q. What were the 1903 Oxford vs Cambridge match colours?
A. We don't know! None of the sources found to date tell us who won the toss or what colours the players had. However, we can perhaps sift some of the circumstantial evidence. The only hard information we have are the openings played on each board, as reported in two newspapers. We can compare that information with openings played by the players in other games.
Board 1 - Philidor's Defence (1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 d6) - I have eight of Webb's game scores and four of Davidson's. In Webb's three games with White he played 1 e4. He did not play Philidor's Defence in the three games he played with Black where his opponent opened 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3. Davidson opened his two White games with 1 e4. In the USA-GBR cable match played four days after the 1903 Varsity match he defended 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 with 3...Nc6. However, in the 1901 Varsity match he defended 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 with 2...d6 - Philidor's Defence. That provides a degree of circumstantial evidence that Webb (Cambridge) had White against Davidson.
Board 2 - Centre Gambit (an old name for 1 e4 e5 2 d4 exd4 3 Bc4, or perhaps 3 Qxd4) - I have two game scores where Roome (Oxford) had White. In one, his opponent defended with 1...e6, in the other, a 1905 match for the Combined Universities he did indeed play the white side of 1 e4 e5 2 d4 exd4 3 Bc4. With Black, I have four of his games, in each of which his opponent opened 1 e4 - he replied 1...e5 in three of them and 1...d5 in the other. Of Bateman's games, I have three with White in which he opened 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 and one in which he opened 1 e4 e5 2 f4. I have six of Bateman's games with Black; he tended to reply to 1 e4 with 1...e5 though there was one 1...c5. That points towards the Oxford player having White on board two, which ties in with Cambridge having had White on board one.
Board 3 - Queen's Gambit Declined - dealing with the Cambridge player, Bertram Goulding Brown, first, I have 24 of his games with White. The first ten of them, in chronological order, between 1901 and 1914, start 1 e4 and there is no record of him playing 1 d4 until 1929 in an informal game vs Milner-Barry. I have three of Bumpus's games with White; in the 1905 Varsity match and a game in 1907 he opened 1 e4, but chose 1 c4 in the 1904 Varsity match, which became a Symmetrical English. With Black, Bumpus defended a QGD five days after the 1903 Varsity Match. Goulding Brown also defended the QGD on occasion. Conclusion: no strong evidence either way.
Board 4 - French Defence (1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5) - I have two of the Oxford player Grundy's games, both Black and in both cases he answered 1 e4 with 1...e5. I have two of Leathem's games, in both of which he was White and both began 1 e4. Conclusion: no evidence.
Board 5 - French Defence - (1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5) - I don't have any games played by Glauert. I have two games played by Taylor, both with White in which he opened 1 e4. Conclusion: negligible evidence.
Board 6 - Centre Counter (1 e4 d5) - Von Ersthausen (Oxford) - one game with White (1 e4) and two with Black (1 e4 e5, 1902 Varsity match, and 1 e4 c5, 1904 Varsity match). Lai Hee Goh - no games. Conclusion: negligible evidence.
Board 7 - King's Gambit (1 e4 e5 2 f4) - Foster (Oxford), in the one game I have, opened 1 e4 in the 1904 Varsity match but his opponent replied 1...c5. Lodge (Cambridge) opened 1 e4 in the 1904 Varsity match but his opponent replied 1...e6. Playing Black in the 1905 Varsity match he replied to 1 e4 with 1...e5. Conclusion: no evidence.
Overall conclusion: slightly more likely that Cambridge had White on odds, based mainly on the evidence of the Oxford boards one and two's repertoire.
File updated
| Date | Notes |
|---|---|
| 17 April 2022 | Original upload. Still some biographical details and match reports to be added later. |
| 02 May 2022 | Further updates applied. |