For the first time this year, there was also a faculty component of the rivalrous match (though the results did not count toward the final 12-0 score). Representing Harvard was celebrated math professor Noam Elkies. His opponent was Yale economics professor John Geanakoplos. Both are masters. Elkies, perhaps infused with Harvard's winning spirit, won the match 2-0.

Harvard, having won the match, gets to keep the traveling Wolff Cup for another year. The Wolff Cup is named after Patrick Wolff '96, the only grandmaster to have played on both sides of the Harvard-Yale Match. The Wolff Cup is a beautiful, silver Paul Revere Bowl on which the winners' names since 1986 are engraved. The Cup was endowed last year by Professor Andrew Metrick, Professor Chris Avery, Danny Edelman, and Chris Chabris, all match alumni.

While the history of the Match apparently dates back to 1906, 1997 marks the 12th consecutive Match since Harvard Chess Club member Chris Avery and Yale Chess Club president Andrew Metrick arranged the 1986 Match. Victory bounced back and forth in the first six years, with Harvard winning in 1986, 1988, and 1990, and Yale winning in 1987, 1989, and 1991. Harvard has now won in 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1997.

Congratulations to the Harvard Team!

Summary provided by Daniel Benjamin '99.