132nd Varsity Match, Saturday 8th March

[Eoin Devane]

The 132nd Varsity Match between Oxford and Cambridge will take place this Saturday, 8th March, at the RAC Clubhouse on Pall Mall, London. The match is again being generously sponsored by Henry Mutkin. Spectators, appropriately attired in suit and tie, or equivalent for women, are most welcome.

The Opening Ceremony will be at 12 noon, and the games will then begin at 12:30. The time control is 2 hours for 40 moves, followed by a 1 hour quickplay finish.

The scheduled board pairings are:

Code: Select all

    Cambridge                                 Oxford
1   IM Yang-Fan Zhou [ENG] (2476,234)         FM David Zakarian [ARM] (2406,232)
2   FM Sam Franklin [ENG] (2309,215)          Dominic Foord [ENG] (2094,207)
3   FM Rafe Martyn [ENG] (2258,203)           Devkaran Bhatry [IND] (2087,-)
4   Richard Weaving [ENG] (2250,224)          CM Howard Chiu [SIN] (2067,202)
5   Jean-Luc Weller [ENG] (2195,209)          Gordon Scott [ENG] (2064,191)
6   Andrew McClement [SCO] (2176,205)         Rhys Cumming [ENG] (2038,188)
7   Bram van der Velden [NED] (2170,-)        Michael Rabbitte [ENG] (1982,178)
8   Anna York-Andersen [ENG] (f) (1813,153)   Nicole Miranda [CHI] (f) (1961,155)

Reserve players are Adam Scibior [POL] for Cambridge and Klemen Ziberna [SLO] for Oxford.
Team captains are Robert Starley [ENG] for Cambridge and David Zakarian [ARM] for Oxford.

[Roger de Coverly]

The 132nd Varsity Match between Oxford and Cambridge will take place this Saturday, 8th March, at the RAC Clubhouse on Pall Mall, London.

Given the disrespect shown by a blogger ( the other one), perhaps if the composition of limericks still continues, the participants should attempt a few.

http://streathambrixtonchess.blogspot.c ... chess.html

On paper, if International ratings are to be believed, Cambridge start favourites.

[Eoin Devane]

On paper, if International ratings are to be believed, Cambridge start favourites.

Indeed. Though the rating advantage has seemingly been of little benefit a number of times over recent years ...

[Jonathan Rogers]

On paper, if International ratings are to be believed, Cambridge start favourites.

Indeed. Though the rating advantage has seemingly been of little benefit a number of times over recent years ...

Yes, that's a relevant point. History matters too, it seems, in the Varsity. Even so this match looks more one-sided than usual and if Yang-Fan is to play White (is he? or are colours not yet drawn?) then I don't see him being troubled by Zakarian's ropey Sicilian, so that would be a likely loss on one of the few boards where there is any kind of proximity in ratings and gradings. 5.5-2.5 to Cambridge would be my guess, at least if they are White on odds.

[Eoin Devane]

There will be a coin toss to decide the colours shortly.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

On paper, if International ratings are to be believed, Cambridge start favourites.

Indeed. Though the rating advantage has seemingly been of little benefit a number of times over recent years ...

Yes, that's a relevant point. History matters too, it seems, in the Varsity. Even so this match looks more one-sided than usual and if Yang-Fan is to play White (is he? or are colours not yet drawn?) then I don't see him being troubled by Zakarian's ropey Sicilian, so that would be a likely loss on one of the few boards where there is any kind of proximity in ratings and gradings. 5.5-2.5 to Cambridge would be my guess, at least if they are White on odds.

Hmm. Hassocks for a county match or central London for the Varsity Match? Best of luck to all the players.

[Eoin Devane]

Oxford has won the toss and will play white on the odd boards.

[Eoin Devane]

There is a webcam steam available at www.2seeitlive.com, for anyone interested.

[Sean Hewitt]

There is a webcam steam available.

Tell them to turn the heating down a bit then.

[JustinHadi]

Any live game streams, Eoin?

[JustinHorton]

Penguin there yet?

[Eoin Devane]

No live games I'm afraid. Hopefully John Saunders will be as efficient as ever with posting the games once completed though!

[Jonathan Rogers]

No live games I'm afraid. Hopefully John Saunders will be as efficient as ever with posting the games once completed though!

Are we expecting an instant Varsity report then, while his report on the February 4NCL remains some three weeks late?

[Jonathan Rogers]

Oxford has won the toss and will play white on the odd boards.

I do think that quite important, if they are to stand any chance.

[JustinHorton]

They'd have a better chance with White on the odd and even boards.