A poem on a chess game

There are not many poems about the game of Chess. Here is a rare one, by A A Milne, (1882-1956), Editor of Punch, Creator of Winney the Pooh. It is preceded by the Author's modest disclaimer.

The author cannot lay claim to any technical knowledge of chess, but he fancies that
he understands the spirit of the game. He feels that, after the many poems on the Boat Race,a few bracing lines on the Inter-University Chess Match would be a welcome change.The Ballad of Edward BrayThis is the ballad of Edward Bray,
Captain of Catherine's, Cambridge Blue -
Oh, no one ever had just his way
Of huffing a bishop with KB2.

The day breaks fine, and the evening brings
A worthy foe in the Oxford man -
A great finesser with pawns and things,
But quick in the loose when the game began.

The board was set, and the rivals tossed,
But Fortune (alas!) was Oxford's friend.
'Tail' cried Edward, and Edward lost:
So Oxford played from the fireplace end.

We hold our breath, for the game's begun -
Oh, who so gallant as Edward Bray!
He's taken a bishop from KQ1
And ruffed it just in the Cambridge way!

Then Oxford castles his QBKnight
(He follows the old, old Oxford groove;
Though never a gambit saw the light
That's able to cope with Edward's move.)

The game went on, and the game was fast,
Oh, Oxford huffed and his King was crowned,
The exchange was lost, and a pawn was passed,
And under the table a knight was found!

Then Oxford chuckled; but Edward swore,
A horrible, horrible oath swore he;
And landed him one on the QB4,
And followed it up with an RQ3.

Time was called; with an air of pride
Up to his feet rose Edward Bray.
'Marker, what of the score?' he cried,
'What of the battle I've won this day?'

The score was counted; and Bray had won
By two in honours, and four by tricks,
And half of a bishop that came undone,
And all of a bishop on KQ6.

Then here's to Chess: and a cheer again
For the man who fought on an April day
With never a thought of sordid gain!
England's proud of you, Edward Bray!

Unquote.