Dr. T'Var plays some chess

"It's almost more a completely different game that happens to use the chess set," says Onsott, trying not to look too visibly pleased that O'Shea wants to carry on talking to him, "and I guess it's not played more often because it's as much a spectator sport as anything else. A lot of chess relies on the fact that it's a perfect-information game, and Kriegspiel isn't. It's more like the war games you can play by computer where you have to find out where the opposing forces are and decide how to deal with them."

He arrests his tendency to run too far with the conversational ball, as he notices that White has moved and announces the fact along with the usual rider "no additional information".

Paying closer heed to the Vulcan doctor, Onsott loses no time in announcing that it is White to move again with no additional information.

Dr. T'Var sips at her iced tea while awaiting white's next move. She has several moves of her own in mind. Which one would be most productive at this point, she muses to herself.

Onsott transfers White's move to the master board and informs the room that Black receives no additional information. I was away at my father's for a couple of days, then some house guests for New Year - they left this morning. Back to normal now!

Thanks, Malacandra - we appreciate your efforts! A very Happy New Year to all.

Yes, indeed, many thanks!

"I, um, I'm sorry, Doctor, I was distracted," says Onsott, crimson with embarrassment. "White hasn't made his tenth move yet." He doesn't quite seem to know where to put himself. "You'll, er, have to retract that move. I'm really sorry." Oops.

"Distractions happen, Mr. Onsott," T'Var says with a slight smile. "Not to worry."

"Yes, I'm - afraid they do, Doctor," says Onsott, still a little flustered. He notes that Lt Vaudrieul has moved and transfers it to the main board, then in response to a signal from Dr T'Var makes her intended move anyway since there is no status information to be conveyed. It is now White's 11th move.

Johnson covers a smile while looking at the master board.

Lt. Vaudreuil notices Johnson's smirk but tries not to wonder what it means as he rises to get another small sherry, careful not to look at either of the other chess boards.

Onsott transfers White's eleventh move to the master board but still has nothing else to report.

And again after Black's eleventh - no captures, no pawn captures pending, and White is not in check.

Black to play her twelfth move, nothing to report.

Dr. T'Var makes her latest move, still wondering where white's pieces could possibly be....

And still nothing to report as we await White's 13th.

"Capture on h6. Black to move."

Lt. Vaudreuil is glad to have drawn blood, but is pretty sure he knows what will come next.

"Capture on h6. White to move," says Onsott a few moments later.

"Black to move, no additional information."

"And still no additional information: White to move."

See post 302 here: http://www.mellophant.com/forums/sho...422#post215422

While awaiting white's next move, Dr. T'Var ponders the logic of a chess game variation such as this. It makes no real sense, yet she finds it quite interesting. T'Var makes a mental note to research other chess variations via the Library Computer at some point in the near future.

Excited by the pace of the game, or perhaps the double shift in the galley, it appeared that Johnson had nodded off gently and he awakes with a start, hoping no-one noticed.

He settles back down, slightly flushed with embarrasment and looks back at the board again.

Onsott looks around, startled, from the food replicator. He has a small diagnostic device in his hand. "Er... sorry, I noticed the measure seemed to be a little off on the Saurian brandy so I thought, while I had my tools handy... and then I got sort of engrossed...".

He hurries back and transfers White's 15th move to the master board. "Black to move, may attempt a pawn capture." WES may submit up to three candidates and the first applicable will be executed, with "You may not" for as many as are in error prior to the successful one. You are not obliged to submit all, or any.

Vaudreuil drums his fingers a little on the tabletop, but waits patiently to find out what happens next.

"Your devotion to duty is admirable, Mr. Onsott," T'Var says as she makes her next move. "Though taking time to relax from those labors is important to our health and well-being."

Onsott watches as T'Var attempts a series of moves. "You may not. You may not. You may not. You have no more pawn capture attempts. Black to move still."

Vaudreuil narrows his eyes and rubs his nose. What is she up to, anyway? he wonders.

Ens. Horst Leventhal and Ens. Ben Cooper enter the Rec Room. Leventhal is saying, "...and as he does, the Algolian blurts out, 'Whatever she's paying you, I'll double it!'"

Cooper guffaws.

T'Var absently notices the two ensigns entering the room. A slight loss of focus on the game, but she continues to ponder what move to make now that her three potential pawn captures are not possible. Perhaps logic is not a strength when playing this type of chess, she muses to herself. Perhaps a more "human" type of move would serve her better?

Happy birthday, WES!

"White to move, no additional information."

"Black to move, may attempt a pawn capture."

Leventhal and Cooper wander over and look at Vaudreuil's board. "I'd heard of this kind of chess before," the young German says, rubbing his chin, "but I've never played it."

"Pretty weird," Cooper says. "Is it any fun?"

"Yes, I'd say so," Vaudreuil replies. "But I'll like it better if I win."

"Capture on d5. White to move, may attempt a pawn capture."

"Capture on d5. Black to move."

"White to move, no additional information."

"Black to move, no additional information."

"White to move, may attempt a pawn capture."

Johnson watches the moves back and forth and quite enjoying the spectacle. He doesn't really want to try and discuss it with Onsott, in case he gives anything away to the two players.

Cooper quietly asks Johnson, "What do you think?"

Onsott watches as Lt Vaudriel tries some moves and announces "You may not. You may not. You may not. No more pawn capture attempts. It is still White to move."

"Black to move, no additional information," says Onsott after a short pause.

Almost at once the Vulcan responds with her move and Onsott quickly verifies and transfers it. "Capture on d3. White to move."

"Black to move, no additional information."

Johnson replies back to Cooper with a smile, "I think I'm out of my league".

"Capture on f2. White to move," says Onsott.

Onsott watches White's intended move and says "You may not. White to move."

Vaudreuil is noticeably tense, and drums his fingers on the table as he looks over his board. O'Shea gives her friend an encouraging smile.

Onsott transfers the revised move. "Black to move."