"Black to move, no further information."
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"Black to move, no further information."
"White to move, no further information."
"Oh, Thank you Mr Onsott."
"Capture on c5. Black to move. No further Information."
Johnson takes the latest move from Dr T'Var and takes a deep breath.
"Capture on e4 and White is in check by Knight. White, move 35 when you are ready and no further information."
Onsott restrains himself from thinking aloud. It is easy money that Dr T'Var is reaching the same conclusion as he is, but there is no need to confirm this. He considers briefly and makes what he supposes to be the logical move.
"Capture on e4. Black to move. No further information."
"Capture on e4. White to move. No further information."
Once again the call comes out, "Capture on e4. Black to move. No further information."
T'Var sighs. At this rate, neither one of us will have any pieces left on the board the doctor muses. She sighs again, then makes her next move.
The French lieutenant watches the carnage with great interest. This is not the game he expected.
"White is in check on the long diagonal. White, move 37 when you are ready, no further information."
Onsott ponders the various possibilities and attempts a move.
Johnson takes the move. "You may not"
A second move follows; "Capture on c5. Black to move, no further information."
And the carnage continues.
Johnson waits patiently for Black's next move.
Thought this might be of interest, re: HAL 9000 playing chess: http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/...d.php?t=656637
"You may Not"
"You may not."
Onsott listens, intrigued. T'Var cannot be attempting pawn captures, for no such eligibility has been announced. Is Black trying to move through a blocked square, or running into self-check?
T'Var sighs -- more heavily this time. She looks over her pieces on the board and frowns.
Onsott is somewhat shocked to hear a Vulcan fuming and fretting so publicly. But he is well aware that to win the full point from the Doctor it will be necessary to win the game at least three times - once in the opening, once in the middle-game, and once in the ending.
"Phew. That you may do."
"White to move, no further information."
Onsott mulls it over, then tries a move.
Johnson nods and accepts the move. "Black to move, no further information."
"You may not."
"Ok, White to move, No further information."
"Black to move. No further information."
"You may not."
"White to Move, no further information"
"Black to Move, no further information."
Johnson accepts the move.
"Capture on c5. White is in check on the long diagonal. White, Move 41 required, no further information."
Onsott pauses only briefly before moving. He seems to replay something in his head, then nods in apparent satisfaction.
Lt. Vaudreuil strokes his beard as he looks over the boards. He thinks he knows how this will all end, but he's been surprised several times already, so....
"Capture on c5. Black to move, no further information."
"Capture on c5. White to move, no further information."
Onsott listens philosophically to the news of a second successive capture by Black. One cannot protect everything...
He cogitates for a while, then formulates another plan to deal with his invisible enemy.
"Black to move, no further information"
"You may not."
Onsott listens carefully for any clues to Black's intentions.
"Capture on c4. White to move, no further information."
Onsott pauses only briefly.
"Capture on c4. Black to move, no further information."
T'Var looks over her board. She sighs, then frowns.
"I believe the most logical course of action at this point is to resign and congratulate Mr. Onsott for his well-deserved victory."
The doctor places her black king on its side. "Well played, Mr. Onsott."
"Yes, Doctor, I have been fortunate enough to preserve all my heavy pieces intact and would remain at least a Queen and the exchange ahead for a few pawns if you were able to recapture," says Onsott before turning to inspect the master board. "Ah, I see that I had taken one piece more than I thought. As you rightly deduce, the win for White is straightforward from this point. Thank you for a fascinating game."
Johnson happily reveals the boards for all to see. "I hope you both enjoyed playing."
"Yes," T'Var says, "a fascinating game, indeed."
"And thank you, Mr. Johnson, for a job well done."
Lt. Vaudreuil claps quietly. "Well done, both of you. And Mr. Onsott, if I may say, you showed a particularly impressive tactical awareness of the board. Perhaps you might consider a transfer to Security someday...?"
Onsott appears flattered. "Thank you, Lieutenant. Whom should I talk to?"
"Either Cmdr. Vargas or Lt. JG Collins would be a good place to start," the Frenchman says. "But who will you be playing next?"
"I'll pass on playing next.", says Johnson. "Unless someone with knowledge of the game but no skill would like to play?"
"It need not be the hidden-board variety of the game again, either," Vaudreuil says, looking around.
"Would anyone like to play with a complete amateur, open board?"
"I would be privileged, Mr Johnson," says Onsott, "...if the rec room are not tired of me". :)
Lt. Vaudreuil bemusedly looks around. "I see no sign of that as yet, Mr. Onsott. Please, gentlemen, begin when you're ready."
T'Var gets herself another cup of Vulcan spice tea, then settles in to watch the game.
With a slight shrug Johnson sets the board up the board and then holds up two pawns, one white and one black.
"It would be unfair of me to ask you to choose Mr Onsott. Lt. Vaudreuil, would you please do the honours."
The French officer thinks a moment and says, "Mr. Johnson, you haven't played yet. You may choose your color."
"I am more than agreeable," says Onsott politely.
Having expected to pick a hidden pawn, Johnson assumes this must be some differing rule for starting the game he didn't know about.
"Thank you, I choose White."
He replaces the pawns and then promptly moves. King pawn to e4.
T'Var continues to sip her tea. It will be nice to watch a game for a change.
White plays a typical opening move -- though the doctor is sure this game will be anything but "typical".
Onsott plays 1. ... e5 (1. ...P-K4) with barely a pause.
Johnson pauses slightly, weighs up a few options and plays 2 Nf3.
Onsott also weighs up a few options and decides that the well-worn 2. ... Nc6 will do just fine.
A slight nod and 3. Nc3 is played
Onsott responds with 3. ...Nf6, going into the ancient Four Knights' Game.
T'Var observes the beginning moves with great interest. The Four Knights Game is a solid opening for both white and black. She has used this opening on occasion as well.
The question now is -- will this opening continue to unfold -- or will it transform into a different one?
Unlike the others, Johnson hasn't a clue about openings, tries to remember all those games he used to play as a kid, and hopes he isn't making too much of a fool of himself.
4. Bc4 being the next move.
Onsott calmly takes the White King's pawn: 4. ... Nxe4. Having no idea what is going on in Johnson's head, he can only play the position on the board according to its objective merits.
Johnson scratches his head, realises his early error and hopes he doesn't go in too deep and moves 5. d3
Onsott appears irresolute for a moment, then continues with 5. ... Nxc3; unsure whether it be nobler in the mind to politely ask if his opponent has overlooked the loss of a pawn, or to hold his peace in order not to embarrass Mr Johnson before the rec-room.
6. bxc3
Johnson still wondering what would have happened if he had taken the Knight and thinking that although there was probably a way out of it, if Black had played 5...d5 he couldn't work ways any of it out without losing more pieces.
Lt. Vaudreuil rubs his chin as he watches the game unfold. There's always something to learn.
Onsott senses Johnson's puzzlement and deduces the likely cause. "Sir, you will have seen the pawn fork after 5. Nxe4, d5. But you are already ahead by a piece for a pawn and need only arrange to pick up a pawn while returning the piece in order to preserve the material balance. A simple possibility is 6. Bxd5, Qxd5, although I have the theoretical advantage of two Bishops and a pawn in the centre. More complicated is 6. Bd3, dxe4 (for I am obliged to regain my piece); 7. Bxe4 with, as I understand it, interesting play to follow. Alternatively, after 4. ...Nxe4 you can play 5. Bxf7+, dislodging my King, and only then take my Knight. Material is equal in all these lines, though Black is generally held to have equalised.
"And, if it comforts you to know this, any of these lines would have more or less exhausted my book knowledge in this position."
Onsott continues with 6. ... d5.
"My thanks, Mr Onsott, Bd3 was probably the best option I missed."
He studies the board and then moves 7. Bb5
Onsott nods acknowledgement and continues with 7. ... Bd6.
Johnson looks across the table 8. d4
Mulling it over for a while, Onsott rejects 8. ... f6 as giving his opponent just too many chances, and instead opts for 8. ... 0-0.
Johnson watches the move, nods and moves. 9 Bxc6
9. ... bxc6; Onsott has no rational alternative to recapturing.
Johnson sits and observers the board for several minutes, trying to trace through various options, each time coming to roughly the same conclusion.
He castles Kingside. 10. 0-0
Onsott continues with 10. ... e4, admiring Johnson's acumen in staying out of complications that would probably have not favoured White,
T'Var takes another sip of her Vulcan tea. She is enjoying the slow and steady pace of this most logical game of chess.
Vaudreuil thinks through what he would do, were he playing.
Johnson stares back at the board, wondering what to move next...
He takes a deep breath 11. Ne5
After some thought, Onsott takes the Knight. 11. ... Bxe5.
Johnson looks at the board, slightly puzzled, blinks a couple of times and then realises his jaw has dropped slightly.
He composes himself and with a shrug, takes the bishop as the only obvious sensible move. 12. dxe5
He wonders what Mr Onsott has planned.
A notable female player today: http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/30/world/...rticle_sidebar
Notable doesn't say the half of it - the only woman in the world's top 100, the only woman ever to be in the world's top 10 though she is way out of it now; not the only woman ever to have beaten a male World Champion (Vera Menchik beat Max Euwe at least once) but by far the strongest woman of all time, whereas Menchik generally did poorly in tournaments against men and had a number of resounding last or nearly-last places. They both have this to their name, that during their career there wasn't a woman fit to tie their shoes and Polgar has never bothered to even compete for the women's championship which she could have won blindfold any time in the last twenty years.
Onsott continues with 12. ... Re8 as though nothing could be more natural.
In for a penny, in for a pound.
13. Qd4
Onsott approves of the sentiment and continues with 13. ... Qe7.
T'Var looks on with rapt attention. She analyzes each move, pondering what move she would make for each side.
With a nod Johnson moves. 14. Bf4
14. ... Be6 follows after a brief pause.
Followed after a brief pause from Johnson by 15. Qb4
To which Onsott responds with 15. ... c5.
Vaudreuil walks up next to T'Var and says quietly, "Penny for your thoughts, Doctor."
Johnson calmly moves 16: Qb5
"I am impressed with how well Mr. Johnson is playing against a clearly superior opponent," the doctor replies just as quietly. "Mr. Onsott is a mere pawn ahead in material at this point."
Mulling it over, Onsott continues with 16. ... Bd7. He gives T'Var a polite nod.
Johnson stares at the board for a while trying to run through as many ideas as possible before settling on 17. Qa5
Obliged to give the White Queen a minute's peace, Onsott plays 17. ... Bc6.
Johnson mulls it over for a little while and plays 18. Rab1
With an appreciative nod for his opponent's logical play, Onsott continues with 18. ... Reb8.
Johnson's hand moves quickly to hover over the rook, and is then slowly withdrawn.
Pursing his lips, he considers the options as his eyes are drawn between queen and rook, before smiling a wry grin and trying something different.
19. Be3
T'Var observes the latest moves with great interest. Both men have attacking positions on the board. Who will strike first?
Lt. Vaudreuil looks over the board and smiles a little.
Onsott nods, acknowledging his worthy opponent's acumen in avoiding the trap. 19. ... Qxe5 appears thematic, so he plays it.
Johnson responds in kind 20. Qxc5
20. ... Qd6. Onsott is still studying the position patiently for any opportunity to improve it further.
Johnson considers a little further and moves 21. Qa5
Onsott nods respectfully. His opponent's early shedding of a pawn might have led onlookers to expect a quick collapse, and it has been anything but. After due consideration, Onsott continues with 21. ... a6.
Even with so few pieces there are still multiple options and Johnson wonders which one to take. Looking up he realises he has lasted at least 20 moves and he wonders if he can make another ten or so. He hopes that those watching are at least enjoying themselves as much as he is playing.
Noticing Onsott's move, he smiles, there is probably a trap in there somewhere, but why not indeed. 22. Rxb8+
22. ... Rxb8, naturally.
Followed by 23: Qxa6.
Time to see what Mr Onsott's trap is.
23. ... Ra8
24. Ba7
T'Var observes this latest flurry of moves with rapt attention.
24. ... Qd7
Vaudreuil watches with great interest, as well. He wonders how much longer they can keep the game going. He knows he would probably already have had to surrender.
Johnson nods noticing Onsott's setup and hopes to avoid it...
25. Rb1
Onsott studies the board for a few moments more, then looks at Johnson with a smile. "Is a draw acceptable to you, sir?"
Johnson smiles back in return. "I was wondering the same thing given the current position and it certainly appeared to be heading in that direction. I believe a draw would be acceptable."
He stands up and offers a hand to Mr Onsott.
T'Var takes a last sip of her tea. She stands and says to both men, "Well played. Well played, indeed."
"Thank you, Doctor. I am left with a certain sense of having mishandled this position, for in addition to losing a pawn early my opponent seemed to let a couple of valuable tempi slip by moving his pawn to d4 in single steps, and his Bishop to b5 by way of an earlier visit to c4, and yet I could find no winning line. Perhaps, also, I should not have traded Bishop for Knight on e5, which I expected to give my opponent trouble holding on to his weakened pawn; I should have made more of the two Bishops I had. Finally, there appeared to be some play in 21. ... Re8 and trying for a King's side attack if White continues with his plan against the a-pawn. But there is both justice and joy in chess; justice, for you lose only by making mistakes, and then only if your opponent's play can prove it; joy, because every game affords opportunity for further study and improvement.
"Thank you for the game, Mr Johnson," says Onsott, taking his hand politely.
"Thank you Mr Onsott and thank you as well, Doctor. An interesting game indeed. I will admit to my surprise to the exchange of bishop for knight on e5. As for 21. ...Re8, I believe my next move would have been 22. Rb3. My goal was not the a-pawn, but a rook on Rank 8. I'm just glad I didn't go with 10. dxe5, as everything beyond that just got more complicated. All I can say was that I am glad you spent time chasing my Queen around and forming a wall to prevent further direct action from your own."
"Perhaps one of you would like to play the good Doctor now, if she's willing?" the French officer asks. He smiles. "I would, but I know when I'm well out of my league."
"I am willing," T'Var replies. "I am quite fond of this game. It is most logical." The doctor smiles slightly.
"Well if no-one else is interested, I would not mind playing another game." Johnson looks around to check on everyone else.
"It would be an honor, Mr. Johnson," T'Var replies. "You may choose white or black. I have no preference."
While the preliminaries are underway, Vaudreuil ducks down the corridor to use the head.
Onsott offers his apologies - he needs to do a little research and have a hard think about transferring to Security.
In meatspace, I have just begun teacher training...!
Johnson fetches a strong coffee from the replicator hoping to see himself through the game. He resets the board and looks up at his opponent.
"Ready?", he enquires politely as he moves the white pawn forward.
1. e4
T'Var feels quite comfortable playing as black. She does not hesitate when making her first move.
1...c5
Lt. Vaudreuil returns and looks over the board.
Johnson casually moves 2. KNf3
Dr. T'Var ponders all possible variations to this opening line, then makes the move she thinks best.
2...a6
Johnson looks across the board
3. d4
T'Var mulls over several possible options, then makes her third move.
3...cxd4
Johnson nods and recaptures 4. Nxd4
T'Var responds to Johnson's move with 4...Nf6
Johnson moves the other Knight 4. Nc3
T'Var moves 5...e5
Vaudreuil smiles a little to himself as he sees the battle unfold.
Johnson moves again. 6. Nf3
T'Var makes what she considers to be the next logical move 6...Bb4
Johnson considers for a while. then moves again. 7. Bd2
T'Var answers with 7...Nc6
8. Nd5
Dr. T'Var scans the board for a moment, then moves 8...Bxd2+
Johnson responds with 9. Nxd2
T'Var responds with a kingside castle 0-0
After a thinking hard, or at least what passes for it, Johnson moves 10: Bd3
T'Var makes what she considers to be the next logical move 10...d6
Johnsons then castles. 11. 0-0
Lt. Vaudreuil coughs and says, "Can I get either of you something to drink?"
T'Var moves 11...Nxd5.
"No thank you," the doctor tells Vaudreuil.
"A coffee, white, two sugars would be most welcome, if you please."
Johnson responds with 12. exd5
T'Var responds to Johnson's latest move with 12...Nb4
The French officer moves off to the replicator.
Johnson moves 13: Be4 pondering T'var's next move.
T'Var answers with 13...f5
Vaudreuil returns with Johnson's coffee and quietly sets it down next to him.
Johnson gives a little rueful smile at the board, then thanks Vaudreuil for the coffee.
He wonders what to do next and so tries. 14. a3
T'Var then moves 14...fxe4
Johnson thinks about it for a little while and then follows through 15. axb4
T'Var considers a few moves, then decides on 15...Rf4
Could either of you post a graphic of the current state of the board, as in post #10, or using some similar tool?
Johnson considers the options and moves. 16. Ra3
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/c...r-johnson1.gif
Thank you!
T'Var scans the board, then moves 16...Qb6
Johnson notes it and moves 17. g3
17...Rf8
18. Rb3
T'Var ponders her next move for a few moments, then 18...Bh3
19. Nc4
Onsott looks up from his reading, which has absorbed his attention entirely for some time, and peers at the board as unobtrusively as possible.
Lt. Vaudreuil notices, and sidles over to Onsott. "What's your take on the game, Mr. Onsott?" he asks.
"I believe the Doctor has the edge," Onsott murmurs, "but it would be impolite of me to mention specifics in the players' hearing."
19...Qc7
"The Doctor certainly has..." mutter Johnson under his breath.
20. Rc3
The French officer smiles just a little.
With her superior Vulcan hearing, T'Var is aware of the muted conversations around her. The doctor diplomatically remains silent and moves 20...Bxf1.
Johnson sees if he can work this out a little longer.
21. Qxf1
21...Rf3
22. Ne3
T'Var quickly scans the board, them moves 22...Qf7
An offbeat sidelight of chess history: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Turk
Apologies for late move, It's been busy
22. Qc4
T'Var ponders the possibilities for a moment, then moves 23...Qg6
Seeing the possibilities running out. 24. Ng2
24...R x c3
25. bxc3
T'Var scans the board for the best possible move. There are several options available to her. She goes over each one in her head a few times, then decides on 25...b5
Johnson nods. 26. Qc6
Anticipating Johnson's latest move, T'Var quickly responds 26...Rf8
Johnson smiles expecting the end to be near 27. Qxa6
27...Qf7
Lt. Vaudreuil nods as he looks over the board.
28. Qb6
28...Q x d5