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