T'Var gives Johnson a reassuring smile. "You are doing well," she tells him. "You have excellent position on the board and your moves thus far are sound."
The doctor then moves 6...e5
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T'Var gives Johnson a reassuring smile. "You are doing well," she tells him. "You have excellent position on the board and your moves thus far are sound."
The doctor then moves 6...e5
"Thank you", says Johnson as he looks over the board again.
7. Nb3
7...Be7
8. f3
8...Be6
Johnson considers the board a little further.
9. Qd2
9...O-O
10. g4
10...d5
Looking across the board, Johnson feels perturbed. So far the opening has gone well as could be expected, but he feels his confidence beginning to drain away, looking at Black's pieces arrayed across the board.
He calms himself and spends some time trying to follow each of the probable outcomes of a variety of moves before finally settling on. Most of them seem to work, then only to find a flaw at the last moment and most seem to give some advantage back to Black.
Eventually he decides to take the offer, wondering where it might lead next.
11. exd5
11...Nxd5
Johnson ums and ahhs over his next move, sure that T'Var has already mapped out her next five moves and is just waiting for his mistake.
12. Ne4
"A most interesting move," T'Var says with a slight smile. "I was expecting another."
The doctor then moves 12...Nxe3.
13. Qxe3
13...Bh4+
Johnson wonders if an unexpected move is still a good one.
14. Ng3
T'Var scans the board positions, then decides on 14...Qd6.
Johnson nods and moves again.
15. Bd3
T'Var frowns slightly. This was not the move she was expecting. Then again, chess is a game of adjustments.
The doctor revises her earlier plan of action and moves 15...Nd7.
Johnson wonders what must be going through a Vulcan's mind to produce such a reaction. He smiles and castles Queenside.
16. 0-0-0
Current position of the board.
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/c...pscfc8559a.gif
16...g6
Johnson takes a deeper breath than usual, too calm his nerves and hoping he hasn't missed something.
17. Bxg6
17...Qe7
18. Bxh7+
T'Var checks her current position on the board, allowing herself a slight sigh.
"Your play has improved significantly, Mr. Johnson," she says. "I am impressed."
The good doctor will take a few more minutes to work out the next best possible move for white....
18...Kxh7
"Thank you, I have a good teacher." responds Johnson.
19. Qe4+
19...Kg8
20. Qxb7
T'Var frowns slightly. Johnson has snatched yet another one of her pawns! How did she not see this potential threat and make a better move?
Perhaps something in that mineral water has dulled my senses she muses to herself.
The good doctor takes a moment to scan the board. She must renew her focus and regain the upper hand.
20...Qg5+
Johnson looks slightly perplexed by the move and then responds.
21. Rd2
21...Rfb8
22. Qc6
22...Qf4
Apologies for the delay - life's been a bit busy
23. Rg1
T'Var ponders several possible moves, then decides on what is hopefully the best one.
23...Bg5
24. Kb1
24...Bxb3
Johnson wonders what T'Var has up her sleeve...
25. Rxd7
25...Ba4
"Yeah, I fell for that one alright," mutters Johnson, wondering how he missed it.
26. Qd5
Dr. T'Var allows herself a brief smile, then makes the obvious move.
26...Bxd7
27. Qxd7
27...Rxb2+
Johnson looks at the board. There is no way that T'var has done that unless there is a guaranteed mate at the end of it.
28. Ka1
28...Qc4
Johnson looks again at the board and see the guaranteed mate at the end of it.
With a sigh, he reaches forward and topples his King over before offering his hand in resignation.
T'Var shakes Johnson's hand with a smile.
"Your chess skills continue to improve with each game," she tells him. "There were times during our game in which I was completely caught off guard and had to adjust my plans accordingly."
T'Var's smile widens. "Well done, indeed."
"Thank you, Dr T'var. I'm still obviously nowhere near your level, but one day, I hope to at least get a draw from you. " he says, shaking Dr T'var's hand. "I'm certainly trying not to rush into situations any more. Perhaps, as you won, you could tell me what I did wrong, where did it fall down and what I could do to improve further....other than playing another game of chess with you."