T'Var scans the board carefully. Obviously, she must move her Bishop out of harm's way. But where? After a bit more thought, the doctor moves:
20...Bc4
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T'Var scans the board carefully. Obviously, she must move her Bishop out of harm's way. But where? After a bit more thought, the doctor moves:
20...Bc4
He's behind but not down and out...yet. Johnson smiles as he makes his next move.
21. Nc6
21...Rc8
22. Nxb4
Johnson smiles, its a small victory of a skirmish, but no doubt Dr T'Var will have a cunning and incisive move up her sleeve.
T'Var takes a bit longer than usual to decide upon her next move. There are several possibilities. Which one is best?
The doctor moves:
22...Bb5
Johnson looks over the pieces wondering which ones he should move if at all. After following through a moves and realising how close to being in checkmate he is, he shakes his head slightly and shrugs as he tries to find a move which won't immediately put him into trouble. Of course, he smiles this is Dr T'Var so every move puts him deeper into trouble.
Seeing one obvious line of attack, he decides to defend against it.
23. Na2
T'Var scans the board, then gives Johnson the briefest of smiles.
"Na2 is a good move. It prevents my Rook from checking your King."
23...Nd5
Johnson looks back down at the board surprised he got a smile out of Dr T'Var at this stage. Actually just generally surprised to get a smile out of a Vulcan.
He can't really move his bishop or knight, the rook is probably better off where it is and there is likely to be an exchange shortly anyway. That leaves the king and pawns really. Hmmm, why not. Give the king an escape and at least block the pawn coming down.
24. f4
T'Var makes what she considers to be the next logical move:
24...Kg6
Johnson watches the king move away and his position unravel, well unravel further. Then again, he smiles, 25 moves again.
25. Bxd5
25...exd5
26. Nb4
26...Rc1+
27. Kg2
T'Var has several options to choose from at this point. She looks over the board, then decides to push the passed pawn.
27...d4
Johnson has far fewer options, but moves anyway.
28. Nd3
28...Rc2+
Johnson looks over the board and considers the two options, and realises that attack or defend the game is still very much Dr T'Var's to lose, which means that she won't. But, as far as Johnson was concerned, better to actually try something than not.
29. Kf3
29...Bc6+
30. Kg4
"You have successfully made it to Move 30, Mr. Johnson," T'Var says as she quickly scans the board. "Well done." The good doctor then moves:
30...h5+
"Thank you Ma'am. It's as much a surprise to me as it is to anyone," Johnson replies before moving
31. Kh3
"Not a surprise, Mr. Johnson. It was inevitable that your chess skills would improve with time and practice."
31...Bf3
"Well I may have successfully made it through to 30 moves, but I don't think I will make it through to 35." acknowledges Johnson as he looks across the board, "but between the bishop and the rook, even if I put you in check with the Knight right now, it's checkmate in three."
He nods at the board, a rueful smile across his face. "Maybe next time." he says as he topples his King in resignation and offers a hand in defeat to Doctor T'var.
T'Var shakes Johnson's hand with a nod and a smile. "As always, it was a pleasure. I enjoy our games of chess very much."
"Thank you for both the game and the lesson and I look forward to the next, as and when you may be interested," Johnson replies.
It had been a very long day in Sickbay for Dr. T'Var. She entered the Mess Hall with the sole intention of a relaxing cup of Vulcan spice tea and then an evening of meditation.
When she noticed Mr. Johnson sitting alone at one of the tables, she decided that a stimulating game of chess might be a better idea.
T'Var grabbed her cup of tea and walked over to Johnson, hoping he might be interested in a game of chess as well.
"May I join you?" the doctor asked.
Johnson looks up from the datapad containing various details of how to bake bread for fifteen different species and not manage to poison at least three of them.
"Ma'am, good to see you again, it's been a while, please do." He rises slightly as the Doctor sits down and then seats himself again. "Research, attempting to bake bread and hopefully not send anyone your way." Johnson says, waving the datapad slightly before putting it down on the table.
"So Ma'am. An order for more Vulcan pastries or a game of chess, maybe both. I believe you're White this time."
T'Var allows herself a brief smile. "I am gratified that you remembered my enjoyment of those pastries," the doctor says.
"And a game of chess would be most enjoyable as well."
The doctor retrieves the familiar board and pieces from a nearby storage cabinet, then sets everything up.
1. Nf3
Johnson assists in setting up and waits for the opening move before responding
1. ...c5
2. c4
2. ...e6
T'Var eases into the familiar territory of the Reti Opening. It is good to relax with a game of chess once again.
3. Nc3
3. ...Nf6
T'Var quickly scans the board. She has several options at this early stage of the game. The first ten moves are the most important.
The doctor is not as confident when playing white, so she decides the most logical move at this point is to play it safe.
4. e4
Johnson mulls over his next move, trying to remember that it's White's job to attack, not Black's.
4. ...Nc6
T'Var continues to move in the most logical way possible.
5. Be2
Johnson wonders how T'Var's openings always seem to go smoother than his.
5. ...Be7
6. d4
JOhnson mulls over a few options before accepting.
6. ...cxd4
7. Nxd4
7. ...Bb4
T'Var is gratified with the smooth progression of the game so far.
8. Nxc6
Johnson looks up from the board at the attentive Dr T'Var, her play a lot more aggressive than he was expecting.
He smiled as he looked back down, perhaps this would make for a quick game after all, so much for 25 moves. "Why not", he murmurs.
8. ...Bxc3+
"Check", Johnson calls across quietly.
"A most interesting -- and unexpected -- move, Mr. Johnson," T'Var replies. She scans the board. Only one move seems logical to her.
9. bxc3
"Unexpected? You say that like you didn't see it coming Ma'am. I'm shocked." Johnson grins.
Given the couple of options open, Johnson is sure he's probably taking the wrong one, but it's his choice.
9. ...bxc6
T'Var says nothing, but returns Johnson's grin with a smile of her own.
10. 0-0
Johnson stops and stares at the board. T'Var...T'Var just castled?
Trying to see if he is walking into a trap and given his opponent he probably is.
10. ...Nxe4
11. Qd4
11. ...Nf6