Dr. T'Var plays some chess

The Vulcan doctor maintains her focus on the chessboard, listening intently to Onsott's information and directions. She makes her latest move.

Onsott confirms that the Doctor's attempt is good. "White to move."

"Capture on f2. Black to move."

"Capture on g2. White to move."

A third capture in a row as Onsott transfers White's latest. "Capture on g2. Black to move."

"White to move," says Onsott, a quiet move following on the series of captures.

Johnson sits their with interest watching the game and wondering what is going through both sets of minds.

Onsott nods at Johnson as he makes White's latest move. "Black to move."

Onsott responds "You may not" to Dr T'Var's attempted move.

Dr. T'Var checks her board with a slight frown. She will rethink her next move, then move once again.

"Capture on g2," announces Onsott, confirming that the Doctor's revised move is valid.

Onsott blinks in surprise and replaces a man on Lt Vaudrieul's board, muttering "That piece does not move that way!".

"Capture on g2. Black to move," says Onsott, after he and Lt Vaudrieul exchange a grin over the latter's momentary lapse from grace.

Lt. Vaudreuil coughs and grins weakly. This game is tougher than he'd expected.

Johnson gets up and gets a glass of water attempting to stifle a laugh

And a quiet move. "White to move," says Onsott.

"And it is now Black to move."

"White to move," adds Onsott. One side runs silent, the other runs cloaked, just like in Captain Kirk's famous encounter with the Bird of Prey.

Dr. T'Var patiently awaits the next move by white. It is difficult to scan her board for options without knowing where her opponent's pieces may be. The Vulcan will endure, however, and plan ahead as best she can.

The Frenchman, having made his move, stands and stretches. He considers calling a friend to ask her to cover his watch on the Bridge.

Onsott confirms that it is Black to move.

Johnson sits back down and starts trying to work out how has moved where?

Onsott checks Dr T'Var's latest and says "You may not".

T'Var makes another move, hoping this one will be valid.

"White to move," says Onsott, confirming that it is.

"...and Black to move," he adds a short while later as the Lieutenant promptly responds.

Vaudreuil murmurs, "Excuse me," gets up and goes to the comm station on the bulkhead. He punches the white button and says, "Vaudreuil to Tsu. It's a long story, but... would you cover my watch on the Bridge? At least for the first hour?" He briefly explains why.

Lt. JG Melissa Tsu lightly says, "All right, G., but you owe me."

"Thanks. I already do." He hits the white button again and sits down.

Hardly has Vaudreuil sat down before Onsott announces "White, to move, is in check on the short diagonal".

The French officer makes his move and sighs.

"Capture on g2. Black to move".

... "Black has a pawn capture available".

"Capture on g2. White is in check on the short diagonal," says Onsott once again.

"Capture on g2. Black to move."

"White to move."

Onsott ventures an uncertain smile. "No captures or checks this time."

Noticing that Lt Vaudreuil has moved quickly, Onsott checks the board and confirms "Black to move".

"Capture on h2. White, to move, is in check along the rank."

To White: "You may not."

To White: *laughs* "Good one, Sir. But, seriously...?"

Johnson blinks a couple of times and scratches his head as he looks askance at Lt Vaudreuil.

The momentary confusion cleared, Onsott announces "Black to move".

"White, to move, is again in check along the rank."

"You may not".

"Again, you may not."

"And again, you may not."

"Nor may you do that, sir," adds Onsott a moment later.

"Black to move," says Onsott, as White finds a move out of check.

Onsott observes that the Vulcan doctor has moved quickly and decisively. "White, to move, is in check along the rank."

"Black to move."

"White to move," says Onsott.

Onsott nods companionably to the spectators, fetches a glass of ice-water for himself and transfers White's move to the board on his way back. "Black to move".

And Onsott has barely time for a couple of sips before Doctor T'Var moves again. "White to move."

"Black to move," says Onsott as the game of cat and mouse continues.

and, similarly, "White to move".

"Black to move."

"Black, you may not."

"White to move."

Lt. Vaudreuil makes his move and leans back in his chair, weighing his options.

Onsott transfers it and says "Black to move, may attempt a pawn capture".

Watching Dr T'Var's attempts, Onsott responds: "You may not. You may not. Capture on b4. White to move."

"Black, to move, may attempt a pawn capture," says Onsott once again.

Once again Onsott watches the pawn capture attempts, responds "You may not" three times, then "Black may attempt no more pawn captures."

The French lieutenant suppresses a small grin.

Onsott suspects that even with her back turned, the Doctor's elegant and highly-attuned ears can hear Vaudrieul grinning. :D

T'Var checks her board closely, attempting to imagine just where white's pieces could be. This is most illogical, the good doctor thinks to herself.

Johnson's eyes flick from the board to the two protagonists as he watches the moves coming in.

After the briefest of calculations, Dr T'Var deduces the logical move and plays it. "White to move, may attempt a pawn capture."

Lt. Vaudreuil also does not dally in making his move.

And it is valid. "Black to move."

"White to move." Dr T'Var moves with speed and assurance.

"Black to move."

On calling "White to move," Onsott notices Lt Vaudrieul signalling with some urgency, and hurries over to catch a whisper that no-one except perhaps Dr T'Var will overhear. He announces "There will be a short recess," and escorts the Lieutenant from the rec-room, ensuring that he cannot see his opponent's board nor the master. ;)

/ooc: EH is out of town for a few days.

Vaudreuil whispers, "I don't really need an escort to go to the bathroom, Mr. Onsott, but thanks just the same."

I should be back online late Friday, if not before.

(Just so fair play is seen to be done, and that you will not inadvertently glimpse the board, sir. I'm sure you understand.)

Johnson grabs a quick refill and settles back down waiting for the game to recommence.

Dr. T'Var takes this opportunity to stand and stretch a bit. She also gets herself a hot cup of Vulcan Tea. She returns to her seat, takes a sip of tea and ponders her next move....

Lt. Vaudreuil returns, sits down, looks over his board again, and makes his move.

Onsott barely has time to say "Black to move" before T'Var responds.

"White, to move, is in check along the long diagonal".

(Note to players: Each square is at the intersection of two diagonals, necessarily of differing lengths when measured from board edge to board edge. The longer of these, in total length, is the "long diagonal". Although there are four diagonal paths from any King's location to the edge of the board, the "long diagonal" is not necessarily the longest of these.)

"Sir, you may not. You may not. Black to move," says Onsott as Lt Vaudriel finds his way out of the check by trial and error.

Dr T'Var moves. "White, to move, is in check along the file." vertical column of squares

T'Var allows herself a slight grin. She allowed white's king to escape once before. She does not wish to make the same error again.

"You may not," says Onsott momentarily nonplussed by the sight of a Vulcan laughing her head off (well, almost), followed a little later by "Black to move."

Onsott observes the Doctor's latest, and announces "White, to move, is in check along the rank." horizontal row

And shortly after: "Black to move".

"White to move," says Onsott as Dr T'Var moves quickly and with assurance.

"Capture on a3. Black to move."

T'Var frowns, then quickly makes her move. She is finding this form of chess quite irritating.

"Capture on a3. White to move."

Johnson keeps his eyes on the board, watching intently.

"Black to move."

"Capture on c2. White is in check on the file," says Onsott.

Vaudreuil drums his fingers on the table for a few moments, idly wishes for a room-clearing Red Alert, and makes his move.

There being no Red Alert, Onsott discreetly says "You may not, sir" in response to White's attempt to get out of check.

The French lieutenant decides to put himself out of his misery, and tips over his king in surrender. He gets up and shakes the hands of T'Var and Onsott. "Thank for the game, Doctor, and for your good offices, Mr. Onsott. I know I didn't exactly cover myself in glory; just not my game, I'm afraid."

http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/v...a/Gameover.jpg

"Having given up your Queen so early, sir," says Onsott, "you fought well, and only a few moves ago would have fully equalised had you captured on a3 before moving your King away; after Black recaptures, you take with your King, and despite your earlier losses you have a Knight for two pawns."

He turns and bows to the spectators in the rec room. "Hope you enjoyed the entertainment, gentlemen." Then, no longer wearing his arbiter's mask, Onsott seems to shrink slightly, and goes where red-shirted technicians go.

T'Var accepts Lt. Vaudreuil's resignation with relief. She was unsure as to whether she could checkmate white's king with the pieces still on the board.

"You fought well," the doctor says. "I, too, do not believe this form of chess to be 'my game', either."

To Onsott, "Thank you for your excellent moderating of our game. Well done."

Vaudreuil adds with a smile before Onsott can slip out of the room, "Perhaps you'd like to try your hand against the good doctor next...?"

Most of the way to the door, the replicator technician pauses and colours up. "Well... erm... if the Doctor's not tired of playing yet...?"

"Vulcans do not get 'tired'," T'Var says. "What form of chess would you like to play, Mr. Onsott?"

"I, er, haven't had the chance to play Kriegspiel in years, so if the rec room wants to see another game and someone could arbitrate...?"

Johnson looks round, "I can try arbitrating if you wish. I don't believe I will be as impressive, but I am willing to step in if no one else does."

"Thank you," T'Var tells Johnson. "I am sure you will arbitrate very well."

"Well, th-thank you, Mr Johnson," says Onsott, "um, shall we start?"

"Thank you, Mr. Johnson," Lt. Vaudreuil says, smiling. "It'll be nice to be a spectator at long last."

Realising that everyone is now looking at him, Johnson nods in acceptance, seeing that no-one else has moved and that both participants have accepted.

He sets up the tables again, one with just White and one with just Black and the master table for the spectators. After taking two pawns and hiding them behind his back for a moment, he then offers the two clenched fists holding them to Mr Onsott. "Would you care to choose, Left or Right?"

Mr Onsott chooses Johnson's left fist.

Johnson opens his left hand showing the White pawn, followed by opening the right with the Black pawn.

"Congratulations Mr Onsott", he says as he gestures to Mr Onsott to take the seat by the White pieces and to Dr T'Var to take Black again.

"The same rules as before. Both players will be informed when the player to move is able to make a capture with at least one of his pawns. In such case, you may attempt up to three such moves - the first valid attempt will stand; if none is valid, you must play another move. You need not attempt any, nor is your opponent informed if you do. Your opponent is not informed of any pawn promotions nor whether you have castled. Mr Onsott, it is your move."


I have started a new control thread as before. If you would like your own control threads, please start them.

Malacandra, first off my apologies for getting the name wrong, I hope have corrected all my errors. Please PM me your opening move when ready.

Onsott sits in thought for only a few seconds before reaching for his board and making his opening move.

"Thank you. Dr, your move when you are ready."

T'Var stares at her board a moment, pondering the best strategy this time around. She then makes her first move.

Onsott mulls it over, trying not to think too loudly. Without fidgeting or fiddling with the board, he reaches out and is about to make his move when he realizes he has not waited for Johnson's announcement. Manners!

Noting Black's move, Johnson moves across and updates the board. "Thank you, Doctor. White to move, No further information."

No sooner said than done, White's move is noted and the boards updated. "Thank you Mr Onsott. Black to move, no further information."

Capt. Sundri Parvinder Singh enters the Rec Room and gets a cup of coffee from the replicator. She notices the three chess boards and comes over to see what's going on. The Captain greets Vaudreuil with a nod and asks quietly, "Just starting out, eh?"

"Yes, ma'am," the French lieutenant replies. "This is the Doctor's third game in a row. So far, she's undefeated."

"White to Move, no further information."

"Black to Move, no further information."

The doctor's excellent Vulcan hearing picks up the conversation between Singh and Vaudreuil. T'Var allows herself a brief smile, then makes her third move.

Johnson notes it down. "White to Move, no further information."

Onsott continues with his plan as soon as the arbiter's report reaches his ears.

"Ah, thank you. Black to Move, no further information."

T'Var stares at her board a moment, then makes another move.

Singh quietly goes from board to board, watching the game as it unfolds. She murmurs to Vaudreuil, who nods.

"White to Move, no further information."

"Thank you Mr Onsott. Black to Move, no further information."

"White to Move, no further information."

"Black to Move, no further information."

"Thank you Dr T'Var. White to Move, no further information."

"Black to Move, no further information."

Onsott tries to calm himself with some deep breathing exercises. Playing against a Vulcan, in front of the whole rec-room, and the Captain into the bargain, is much deeper in the spotlight than is his wont. He ponders cunning stratagems in the hope of finding his still-invisible enemy, never really able to shake the thought that the walking computer he is matched against is anticipating his every move and has effective counters already planned.

T'Var makes her next move. She shows no emotion whatsoever. Her focus is on the board and her game plan.

"Good luck to you both," the Captain says quietly, and takes her leave.

Keyed up, Onsott hears the tiny click of T'Var's move, but waits for the arbiter's announcement.

Feeling slightly more relaxed that the Captain has left, Johnson notes down T'Var's move.

"White to Move, no further information."

"Black to Move, no further information."

"White to Move, no further information."

"Black to Move, no further information."

After a brief clarification with Dr T'Var, Johnson updates the boards.

"White Move 10 when you are ready Mr Onsott, no further information."

"Black Move 10 please, no further information."

"White to Move, no further information."

Onsott again moves after a short pause, slightly less visibly tense since the Captain left.

While waiting for Mr Onsott, Johnson fetches a glass of water and notes the move on his return.

"Black to Move, no further information."

As Dr. T'Var makes her 11th move, she keeps her focus on the board. She tries -- in vain -- to imagine where white's pieces might be at this point.

T'Var sighs. Vulcans are not very good at using the imagination.

"White to Move, no further information."

Vaudreuil strokes his beard thoughtfully and smiles a little to himself.

"Black to Move, no further information."

"and once again, White to Move, no further information."

"Black Move thirteen, when you are ready. No further information."

No sooner having been given Black's move, and a call of "No further information", than Mr Onsott has provided White's move as well.

"Ok, Black to move, No further information."

Onsott smiles faintly, beginning to suspect that he and the Doctor may be taking exactly the same approach as each other.

Johnson notices the smile and asks politely, "White to move, no further information."

"Black, move number fifteen if you please. No further information."

"White to move, no further ..., oh thank you Mr Onsott, as prompt as ever."

Johnson takes the moves and his eyes twinkle slightly.

"Black to move, pawn capture available."

Onsott's ears seem to twitch fractionally, so far as a human's can. Contact!

T'Var surveys the position of her pieces. Should she attempt a pawn capture or make the move she had planned on? The doctor will consider her options a moment, them make her move....

Patience is a virtue, Johnson repeats to himself while waiting.

"Thank you Dr T'Var, White to move, Pawn capture available."

Lt. Vaudreuil leans forward a little in anticipation.

"Black to Move, Pawn capture available." comes the call from Johnson after accepting Onsott's move.

"White to move, Pawn capture available."

Looking over Mr Onsott's move, Johnson takes a slightly deeper than usual breath and calls out,

"Capture on e5. Pawn Capture available. Black to Move."

"Capture on e5. Pawn Capture available. White to move."

"Pawn Capture available. Black, move 19 when you are ready."

"White to move, Pawn Capture Available."

"Black to move, Pawn Capture Available."

"White, move 21 when you are ready. Pawn Capture Available."

Johnson collects the move, checks the board and responds, "You may not."

The second move is checked. "Black to move. Pawn Capture available."

Onsott is enjoying the challenge of smelling out his invisible enemy.

The good doctor ponders her next move -- attempt a pawn capture or....

"White to move. Pawn Capture available."

"Black to move, Pawn Capture available."

Onsott grins fractionally. It must be amusing for the spectators to be watching and wondering which of the two players is going to blink first.

White, move 23 when you are ready. Pawn capture available."

"Black to move, Pawn Capture available."

Vaudreuil is intrigued, and grateful now that he rescheduled his watch.

Twenty-three moves thus far and only one exchange? T'Var thinks to herself. Very interesting, indeed. There are only so many squares on this chessboard. Just where might white's pieces be?

T'Var sighs, then makes her move....

Johnson calmly collects the move knowing exactly how the two players are dancing around the board.

"White to move. Pawn capture available."

The call comes out. "Capture on c5. Black to Move, Pawn Capture available."

"Capture on c5. White to Move, Pawn Capture available."

Mr Johnson collects a set of moves from Mr Onsott.

"You may not."
"You may not."
"You may not."

"When you are ready."

The next move supplied gets a nod from Johnson. "Black to Move, Pawn Capture Available."

Johnson accepts the next move, updates the board and then updates it again with a new move from Mr Onsott.

"Black to Move, Pawn Capture available", comes the now familiar call. "Move 26 when you are ready, Dr T'Var."

Johnson looks at the move given to him, adjusts the board and turns to Mr Onsott.

"White is in Check, along the short diagonal."

"You May Not."

"You May Not."

"Black to move, no further information."

T'Var allows herself a slight grin, then makes her next move.

Onsott listens to the announcements and nods slightly, waiting for the Doctor's next.

"White to move. No further information."

"That was move 28, Mr Onsott."

"Black to move, no further information."

"White to move. No further information."

"Black to move, no further information."

"White, move 30 when you are ready. Pawn capture available."

"You may not, capture on c6."

"Black to Move. No further information."

T'Var frowns briefly, then makes her move....

Lt. Vaudreuil rubs his chin and looks from board to board.

"Capture on c6, white to move, no further information."

"Black to Move, no further information"

A slight shake of the head and "You may not."

T'Var's frown returns. She looks over the board. What move should she make now?

Another shake of head. "You may not."

"You may not"

By now, T'Var is getting a wee bit irritated -- even for a Vulcan. She sighs heavily.

With a notable note of relief, Johnson turns back to Mr Onsott. "White to Move. No further information."

"Black to Move. No further information."

Johnson picks up the move from Dr T'Var.

"Capture on a4. White to move, no further information."