Johnson thinks back over the books he read and hopes the next move is correct in the opening.
3. Nf3
Printable View
Johnson thinks back over the books he read and hopes the next move is correct in the opening.
3. Nf3
"You have been studying your openings, Mr. Johnson," T'Var says with a smile.
The doctor then moves 3...b6
"If it involves playing you not playing the Sicilian Defence, then yes, I have been studying." Johnson returns the smile as he makes his next move
4. g3
4...Ba6
Johnson looks at the early attack and considers the best way to fend it off.
5. b3
"A most logical move," T'Var tells Johnson.
The doctor quickly scans the board then moves 5...d5
Johnson decides to decline for the moment
6. Bg2
T'Var considers several options based on Johnson's last move. She then makes the choice that seems best.
6...dxc4
Johnson looks at the board again and wonders if he is already about to go down a pawn, even at this early a stage of the game.
7. Ne5
7...Bb4+
8. Bd2
8...Qxd4
9. Bxb4
9...Qxa1
Johnson looks at the board, wondering how Dr T'Var had suddenly gone through his pieces like that. It certainly wasn't what he had been expecting and the openeing had gone completely.
But, he still needed to play on and after some considerable consideration move again.
10. Nxf7
T'Var frowns while scanning the board. Did Johnson not notice her blunder or his chance to move ahead in the game?
The doctor then moves a most logical 10...Kxf7
"Doctor, If I do make a stupid move or there is a better move I could have made or a mistake I should have picked up on, please could you let me know at the end of the game." asks Johnson noticing the frown and taking the rook at the same time.
11. Bxa8
"My apologies, Mr. Johnson," T'Var replies. "I was concerned that I would offend you if I mentioned your blunders -- and my own -- during our game."
T'Var sighs softly, then moves 11...Qxa2
"My blunder -- I failed to notice your Bishop at d2 and allowed you to then capture my Bishop." The good doctor shakes her head, clearly disgusted with herself for losing focus during this game.
"Your blunder -- Moving your Knight into danger at f7 when the best move was to capture my rook at that point. The loss of your Knight for a pawn was not necessary."
"Doctor T'Var, I'm here to learn as much as to play, so your comments are most welcome, however you seem a little distracted by something." Johnson responds.
"You forked my Rook and Knight. If I had taken your Rook then, your next obvious move would be to take the Knight on e5 with the black Queen. Leaving me in a worse off position, I believe. You haven't blundered, but played an excellent Bishop Sacrifice. And once again, I'm left scrambling to stop you...again," he says with a smile before moving.
12. Kd2
"Of course, if you can be distracted Sir, I may have to make some Vulcan fruit pastries."
Just been looking at the timeline and I would hazard a guess at this match taking place before the mission to the Sakathian Station probably just before the Yorktown gets to Morra III.
D'Oh - Thanks WES, :smack:
11. Nd2
T'Var sighs heavily. "I must be distracted," the good doctor admits. "I did not notice the fork at all." The Vulcan sighs again. "My apologies for a lack of concentration during this game. I will endeavor to pay more attention from this point on."
T'Var then moves 12...Rd8
Johnson looks back across the table at Dr T'Var, "We can always put the game on hold for a day or so and come back to it when you are feeling more inclined. Would a cup of Spice Tea and friendly ear be of more use."
"Perhaps some Spice Tea would help," T'Var says with a smile. "Excellent idea, Mr. Johnson."
T'Var get herself a cup and takes a sip. "I believe we can continue on with our game, however. Thank you for your concern."
The good doctor gestures at the board, indicating that it is Johnson's move.
Johnson has continued looking over the board and nods to the Doctor as she returns. "You're welcome, sir."
13. bxc4
13...Qb2
Apologies for the delay, its been busy.
Johnson looks over the board wondering where it went wrong. Its not a great position he is in, and looking back over it might help later but for the moment he needs to move.
After a lot of consideration, he slowly reaches out and moves, although nothing seems to lead to a position where the good Doctor is going to lose.
14. Qa4
Apologies for the delay, its been busy.
Johnson looks over the board wondering where it went wrong. Its not a great position he is in, and looking back over it might help later but for the moment he needs to move.
After a lot of consideration, he slowly reaches out and moves, although nothing seems to lead to a position where the good Doctor is going to lose.
14. Qa4
14...c5
15. Qa3
T'Var looks over the board, then frowns slightly. She fixes her gaze upon Johnson.
"As you have welcomed instruction regarding your chess skills, I was wondering if you would like to reconsider your latest move?"
The good doctor pauses a moment. "I do not wish to offend you by asking during a game. However...."
"No offence given at all. Before taking my move back, if indeed I should, would it be possible to first run through what my current thoughts are on the pieces I have and what can be played and from there you can perhaps give guidance as to what I might have missed."
Johnson looks back at Dr T'Var.
"Certainly," the doctor replies. "Perhaps we should start with your reasons for moving Qa3. Then I might better explain why this may not be the best move."
Johnson looks at the board and begins, "Ok, my reasons for moving the queen are because it appears to be the least bad move I can make given the circumstances. I'm still going to be down a Bishop or a Knight but it is also likely to result in a Queen exchange and given your undoubted skill with the queen, its not necessarily a bad thing. You can't take the Knight or Bishop outright without losing the queen, and even if your likely response is rook takes knight, as I said earlier I'm going to be down just the one piece and probably a couple of pawns."
"So, given that here are my thoughts about the other pieces. Bishop on B4, while moving it to a5 seems like a good move, if you take it, I can attack the rook and protect the knight, it isn't. Black queen to c1 is checkmate. Moving it to c3 leaves it unprotected and taking the pawn loses both bishop, knight and follows to a rook exchange."
"The knight on d4. Moving it loses the bishop, pens my queen in. It's only safe square is f3 and most moves lead to a quick checkmate."
"The bishop on a8, likewise, to the knight, safe square on f3 and doesn't develop any form of defense or attack. It's just moving a piece out of the way.
Johnson looks round the board at the rest. "Moving a pawn, not really, castling, well it loses the bishop and then the knight straight after. Technically more defensive, but..actually maybe not, castling might be better, even if you take the bishop the knight can be moved to f3 and its perhaps a slightly better position although by no means good."
"Is that then the better move?"
Johnson looks across at T'Var wondering what words of wisdom will be coming his way.
T'Var smiles at Johnson. "A well thought out explanation of your reasoning," she tells him. "However...."
The doctor then moves the pieces on the board to show her opponent why 15. Qa3 might not be the best move....
15. Qa3 (leads to) ...Rxd2
16. Qxb2 ...Rxb2
(which wins a Q for a K)
"Of course, I am assuming your moves based on what I plan to do," T'Var says. "In your place, I would choose to castle. It is a good defensive move and frees your rook to enter the battle."
Johnson smiles back at T'Var and nods along as she moves the pieces on the board. "Yes, that is the obvious passage of play if I was to move the White queen there. However, at the time, I couldn't see anything better. It also stops you using the Black Queen as well. I lose a Knight but keep a Bishop."
Johnson stops and examines the board again. " Sir, perhaps you might be able to explain why castling would be preferable option. True, the rook comes into play, but the bishop is lost and the chances of a promoted pawn for black is much higher. Not to mention that the White queen is effectively trapped. Is the extra I gain from the White Rook worth it?"
T'Var begins moving pieces once again.
"After white's castle, here are the logical moves to follow...."
The doctor then moves 15...Q x B
16. Q x Q ...p x Q
17. Kf3 ... Kg8
18. Rc1 ...b3
19. Ke5 ...b2
20. Re1 ...Rd2
"At this point," T'Var says as she gestures to the new board position, "Black's attack potential is lessened. The pressure on white's King is gone. You cannot avoid losing a Queen and Bishop for a Queen, however."
T'Var puts the pieces back where they should be after 14...c5. "Black's attempt to promote the pawn is thwarted by this line of play -- which is what I was trying to do -- advance a passed pawn."
Johnson looks back over the board and the moves again, before shaking his head.
"I can understand why white would castle, but why not the following..."
15. 0-0 ...p x B
"White still logically has to move ..."
16. Nf3
so why not follow this path or is this more complicated than it looks?
"Your reasoning is sound for the most part," T'Var replies. "However, black has two viable options after white's castle. Black can play Q x B -- which I prefer as it forks white's knight and queen -- or I can play c x b4."
The doctor rearranges the pieces to reflect this possible scenario. "After c x b4, the most logical move for white is most definitely Nf3. I am then assuming the following moves as such:"
16. Nf3 ...Rd7
17. Bc6 ...Rc7
18. Bb5 ... Qxp
19. Kg2 ... BxB
20. pxB
"Of course, I do not really know what your moves will be, so this is mere speculation on my part. This particular set of moves proves advantageous to black for these reasons:"
1. White's offensive potential greatly weakened.
2. White's pawn structure also weakened.
3. Threat to White's King is increased somewhat.
4. Threat to Black's King is lessened somewhat.
T'Var replaces the pieces to their current position as of 14...c5
"It is difficult to decide on the best move in any chess game -- largely because one never knows which move their opponent will make in response. This is the challenge -- and the true enjoyment of chess."
"Thank you, that answers a few questions. I won't win, but at least I'm learning. So, shall we start again." Johnson smiles back at Doctor T'Var and promptly castles.
15. 0-0
"If you don't mind that is? I can always play my previous move if you prefer."
"You may move as you wish," T'Var assures Johnson. "The fact that we are both learning something during this game is most gratifying."
The doctor then moves:
15...Qxb4
Johnson responds as expected.
16. Qxb4
T'Var also responds as expected:
16...cxb4
"This looks familiar", grins Johnson.
17. Nf3
T'Var nods and smiles. "Indeed."
The doctor then moves:
17...Nbd7
Johnson shakes his head and smiles ruefully, "I was waiting for something like that to occur."
18. Ra1
T'Var returns the smile. "Perhaps something different," she says, then makes her latest move.
18...Bxc4
Despite the familiar sinking feeling he gets during the endgames of his matches with Dr T'Var, Johnson still manages to smile.
19. Rxa7
19...Bxe2
20. Nd4