12. Ba3
12. Ba3
12. ...d5
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
T'Var continues with her plan of attack....
13. cxd5
13. ...cxd5
Johnson waits to see what the next move is.
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
14. Rab1
14. ...Qc7
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
15. Rfe1
A pawn ahead but positionally not so good, Johnson wasn't honestly sure if he was ahead of behind, but after 15 moves, he was still well in this game. Looking across at T'Var didn't help, she looked as impassive as usual.
There were a couple of moves he could make and protecting the king looked so tempting, but what if T'Var decided to attack kingside...hmm. Johnson decided on something a little more positive.
15. ...Rb8
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
16. Rxb8
Johnson replies as expected.
16. ...Qxb8
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
T'Var maintains a neutral expression as she makes her next move.
17. Qc5
Yeah, I'd look neutral too if I had that many chances of checkmate in a couple of moves as well.
Johnson nods politely at the move and responds in kind.
17. ...Qb7
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
18. Ba6
There is short sharp intake of breath when Johnson sees T'Var's move and realises that although he is up a pawn at the moment that situation is not going to last...at all. He has well and truly been outmanoeuvred by his Vulcan opponent.
Drumming his fingers for a moment, he decides that the least he could do is go down honestly.
18. ...Qxa6
"So Ma'am. How many of those Vulcan pastries would you like delivered to your quarters?" he enquires politely
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
19. Qe7#
"Perhaps we could share those pastries with our crewmates," T'Var says. "Would you be interested in helping me plan an evening of chess for any members of the Yorktown who might be interested?"
Johnson reaches across and topples his King over on the board with a sigh.
"I'd...I'd love to help out, Ma'am. It might require more than a few Vulcan Pastries though, but I should be able to put something together." Johnson nods and smiles back across the board, "Whatever you need Ma'am, you've only to ask?"
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
Johnson makes a few notes on a datapad, before looking back across. "This might take a couple of nights to arrange Ma'am, and I'd suggest talking to Lt Thalen as well, but it could certainly be something different for the ship's crew to do."
Johnson looks back down at the board and then back up again at Dr T'Var. "While we are thinking about it Ma'am, would you like another game of chess?", he says with a smile before resetting the pieces, "I believe I have the pleasure of being white this time."
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
T'Var nods in the affirmative. "Another game would be most gratifying, Mr. Johnson."
Johnson smiles back to the doctor and starts again.
1. d4
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
T'Var moves quickly.
1...Nf6
and Johnson continues.
2. c4
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
2...Nc6
3. Nf3
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
T'Var takes a bit longer to make her third move. For some reason, she is having trouble concentrating on this game.
3...e6
Johnson looks across. " Ma'am, would you like a cup of something?"
4. a3
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
T'Var looks over the board. "I am not thirsty at the moment, but thank you for asking," she tells Johnson.
Her lack of concentration continues as she makes her next move.
4...d6
Johnson looks at the board seeing at least three or four moves he could continue with. Eventually he settles on what he thinnks is the most sensible of them.
5. Nc3
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
5...g6
6. g3
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
T'Var looks over the board a bit longer than usual. Seems as if they are both playing more defensively than in the last game. Perhaps another draw in the making?
6...Bg7
7. Bg2
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
7...0-0
8. 0-0
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
T'Var looks over the board a bit pensively. She has several move options. Which to choose.... Does she play for the victory? A draw?
8...e5
Johnson had waited to see what T'Var would do next and it looked like she was having to go on the offensive. Not always her favourite state.
9. d5
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
9...Ne7
Johnson isn't sure if that last move was a good or bad tell for him, but moves quickly, hoping to keep the pressure on.
10. e4
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
10...c5
Ten moves each and no captures. Johnson was mildly surprised, although T'Var was no doubt biding her time before she would strike.
No, he couldn't resist any further.
11. b4
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
11...Qc7
Johnson was perhaps expecting the capture, but it was never that easy with T'Var.
12. Qb3
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
12...Bd7
T'Var awaits Johnson's next move. She is patient -- scanning the board for any opportunity to gain an advantage. Her opponent's skills are increasing much more quickly than she anticipated. She must be ready. She must focus. She must prepare herself for defeat -- if and when it comes this game.
Johnson studies the options, before deciding. 13th move, unlucky for some, but for him... or T'Var.
13. bxc5
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
And so it begins, T'Var thinks to herself. She responds in kind.
13...Qxc5
14. Be3
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
T'Var looks over the board and sighs. She has no clear advantage in this game. Perhaps a slightly better positioning of her pieces, but that is only one of many factors when it comes to victory. T'Var makes the next logical move.
14...Qc7
Johnson nods at the expected move and thinks on a pair of options before deciding on the less aggressive.
15. Rab1
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
15...b6
16. Qb4
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
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