Chess and the Boat Race

Discuss anything you like about chess related matters in this forum.
David Robertson

Chess and the Boat Race

Post by David Robertson » Fri Apr 10, 2015 9:26 pm

There's a chess interest in tomorrow's Women's Boat Race.

Cox in the Oxford boat is chess-playing Jennifer Ehr, 19 year old daughter of ECF CEO, Phil Ehr. We met over the board three years back in the 4NCL.

Well done to Jenny. And good luck!

Francis Fields
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Joined: Fri Apr 25, 2014 9:50 am
Location: London

Re: Chess and the Boat Race

Post by Francis Fields » Sat Apr 11, 2015 10:06 am

The problem with the boat race is that it's always the same two teams in the final!

John McKenna

Re: Chess and the Boat Race

Post by John McKenna » Sat Apr 11, 2015 11:17 am

Today is the first time the women's race will be held on the same day as the men's so there will be the same four teams.

(I bet Jennifer has a beautiful 'boat race' after reading the above endorsement by David R.)

David Robertson

Re: Chess and the Boat Race

Post by David Robertson » Sat Apr 11, 2015 2:56 pm

Like daughter, like father - steering, not rowing :P

Mike Truran
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Joined: Wed Apr 11, 2007 3:44 pm

Re: Chess and the Boat Race

Post by Mike Truran » Sat Apr 11, 2015 5:24 pm

...... and Jennifer leads them home in fine style.

One in the eye for "the other place". :lol:

David Robertson

Re: Chess and the Boat Race

Post by David Robertson » Sat Apr 11, 2015 5:52 pm

Yes, Jenny and her crew dominated that one. Nineteen years old, and already a winning Blue. Somehow I don't think that young woman is destined for a life making cupcakes. Proud Phil too

David Robertson

Re: Chess and the Boat Race

Post by David Robertson » Sat Apr 11, 2015 9:53 pm

I was quite moved by the race too. It's one thing, tough enough, for a bunch of well-trained male hearties to row that course. Quite another for two crews of young women. Feel a moment for the losers. Feel another for the winners who had to be fished out of the Thames last week when their boat sank. Rather beats, as an experience, squabbling on the forums.

Unwearied still....
They paddle in the cold
Companionable streams....
Their hearts have not grown old;
Passion or conquest, wander where they will,
Attend upon them still.

But now they drift on the still water,
Mysterious, beautiful;
Among what rushes will they build,
By what lake's edge or pool
Delight men's eyes when I awake some day
To find they have flown away?

Jonathan Bryant
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Joined: Sun May 11, 2008 3:54 pm

Re: Chess and the Boat Race

Post by Jonathan Bryant » Sun Apr 12, 2015 6:58 pm

David Robertson wrote:Yes, Jenny and her crew dominated that one. Nineteen years old, and already a winning Blue. Somehow I don't think that young woman is destined for a life making cupcakes. Proud Phil too
I’d happily take a life making cupcakes.

A (non-playing) friend texted me, btw, to say the BBC had announced that the Oxford cox was a chess champion.

Kevin Thurlow
Posts: 5821
Joined: Wed Apr 30, 2008 12:28 pm

Re: Chess and the Boat Race

Post by Kevin Thurlow » Mon Apr 13, 2015 8:14 am

"A (non-playing) friend texted me, btw, to say the BBC had announced that the Oxford cox was a chess champion."

In fairness, it's about the only sport BBC still shows, so a bit of hype is understandable.