The Expression "The Great Game" Referred to The

The expression "the Great Game" referred to the:

A) rivalry between the British and the French in developing African client states.
B) maneuvering, and occasional open hostilities, between Russia and Japan in the Far East.
C) spying, maneuvering, and support of friendly puppet governments by Russia and Britain.
D) race between several British corporations to complete the "Cape-to-Cairo" railway.
E) rivalry between the British and the Americans in developing colonies in the Pacific.