Dr. T'Var plays some chess

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."