25. ...Qc5+
Printable View
25. ...Qc5+
26. Qe3
26. ...hxg4
T'Var quickly decides to make a more aggressive move:
27. Qxc5
27. ...bxc5
28. Nxg4
28. ...Kh7
29. Bh6
29. ...Rfe8
30. Rxf7+
Johnson looks across the board at the situation, scratches the side of his head and then shakes it ruefully. With a sigh he reaches over and topples the black King in defeat before offering a hand for the victor to shake.
"Oh well, maybe next time," Johnson says.
T'Var shakes Johnson's hand. "You played well," she tells him. "Most of my opponents last ten moves or so."
Lt. Guillaume Vaudreuil walks in at just that moment. He notices Johnson's expression, smiles and asks, "Another win for the doctor...?"
Johnson nods sadly at the Lt. "Yes, sir. Another one for the good doctor."
"Congratulations, Doctor," the Frenchman says. "Sorry I missed it. What were the highlights of this game, would you say?"
"Mr. Johnson has been helping me prepare for my next match with Cmdr. Vargas," T'Var replies. "I am attempting to play in a more aggressive way than usual."
The doctor allows herself a brief smile. "Obviously, I was successful -- this time."
"Not as aggressive as it could be me, but more so than usual," Johnson chips in, "Not that she needs it to beat me, sir. One day, I may get lucky."
Vaudreuil nods and repeats, "And what were the highlights of this game, would you say?"
"Well sir, I think the highlight was the way that T'Var carved her way forcefully through my defences in midgame, leaving me completely open to anything she wanted to do with me. All I could do was just react to her every move." Johnson replies with an amused grin. "She is also excellent at taking advantage of having me pinned down."
"What would you say to that, Doctor?" Vaudreuil asks.
"I would have to agree," T'Var replies. "It is always advantageous to keep your opponent on defense rather than dictating the game with an offensive strategy."
"Any particular moves or situations that set this game apart from others you've played?" he asks.
"Yup, trying to see what happens if I use the Queen's knight to provide support to the King's Knight and shield the Queen at the same time, sir Made a complete pig's ear of it as well. Useful in theory, daft in practice when you don't know how to proceed. Of course, T'Var is very skillful when it comes to forcing me to shed pieces and it was only a matter of time before mating took place."
[ Are Ajay and CIAS the same person? They have different registered dates. ]
Sorry. It's my old test account. Now refurbished.
"The willingness to sacrifice pieces -- even your Queen -- to gain position on the board and force your opponent into a defensive stance, is the key to victory," T'Var says with confidence. "Position is everything."
Vaudreuil smiles. "Were you a realtor before you joined Starfleet, Doctor? 'Location, location, location'?"
"Another game?" Johnson politely enquires across the board
T'Var returns Vaudreuil's smile.
"Yes, indeed," the doctor says. "I believe you have the first move this time?"
The French officer gets himself a cup of tea from the replicator, raises it in salute to you both, and leaves the Rec Room.
Johnson sets up the pieces, acknowledges the salute and then looks over the board, once again to do battle.
1. e4
T'Var decides to play much differently than she has in the past. Perhaps a change of tactics will help her defeat Vargas.
1...g6
2. d4
2...Bg7
3. Nc3
T'Var decides to mount what she hopes is a strong defense in this game. She has been studying ancient chess games to create a logical battle plan against Andrew Johnson. His skills are increasing rapidly. At some point, he will defeat T'Var for the first time.
3...a6
Johnson looks over the board at the slightly unusual opening from T'Var. He'd remembered reading about it, but could he remember the best way to play against it?
4. f4
Despite her Vulcan heritage, T'Var feels a certain excitement as she continues with this very different line of play.
4...d5
It's a trap, an early trap at that, must be...
5. Nf3
5...Nf6
This was going to be one of those games...
6. Qd3
6...dxe4
7. Nxe4
T'Var responds in kind.
7...Nxe4
8. Qxe4
T'Var continues to build a strong defensive position.
8...0-0
Johnson looks across the board at T'Var being sensible. The same thought had occurred to him as well.
9. Be2
T'Var looks to increase her attack potential now that she has set up a decent defensive position.
9...Qd6
10 . 0-0
10...Bf5