29. Ne3
29. Ne3
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
T'Var briefly scans the board, then makes what she considers the next logical move 29...Qd2
Johnson looks at the board, looks at the board some more and then concedes. "I don't think I am going to get out of this one."
He offers a hand of congratulation to Dr T'Var at her victory. "Thank you for the game, I learned a lot from it."
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
T'Var shakes Johnson's hand. "And thank you," the doctor says. "I am quite impressed by your chess skills."
Lt. Guillaume Vaudreuil says, "Thank you both, that was a fascinating game to watch. Would you each care to offer a post-game analysis?"
"There's not that much to say really, I was outplayed." ,replies Johnson. "I think I spent too long waiting for Qa5 to materialise and cause problems and in the end it never did. The one mistake I can point to was attacking the rook on f4 with 17. g3 which opened up my rook to attack by Black's Bishop. I never really recovered from that. "
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
T'Var nods. "Perhaps," she says. "Still, I was quite impressed with your gameplay, Mr. Johnson."
The doctor allows herself a brief smile. "You held your own against me -- which does not happen most of the time."
Johnson nods to the Doctor, "Then perhaps, on another day, you would do me the honour of a rematch. However as I have an early shift in a few hours, I need to catch up on some sleep."
He stands up easing out the creases of being hunched over a chess board. "...and if anyone else would like a game tomorrow night, I may be up for it.", before heading towards the exit.
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
T'Var heads back to Sickbay. She looks forward to more chess games with her crewmates at a future time.
If anyone does want another game of chess Elendil's Heir, perhaps or What Exit?, do say so.
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
I'll pass, thanks.
Incidentally, I just saw this interesting chess variant proposal: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capablanca_chess
Last edited by Elendil's Heir; 03 Jan 2013 at 11:12 PM.
While working on routine tasks in Sickbay, T'Var's mind wanders back to her chess game with Johnson. She hopes to play him again at some point. He was a worthy opponent and the doctor found their game most enjoyable and challenging.
Having spent the day making several courses for a hungry crew, followed by practicing making some Romulan dishes, Johnson heads back down to the Rec Room to see if anyone was there to play another game of chess.
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
T'Var returns to the Rec Room for a cup of Vulcan Spice Tea. She notices Johnson is waiting there.
"Greetings," the doctor says, then takes a sip of tea. "May I offer you a rematch or would you prefer to await another opponent?"
Originally posted by Elendil's Heir
Gorean Chess (Kaissa) is interesting too. Unfortunately the books don't quite set out all the rules, so various people have tried to cobble together something that doesn't contradict the books and fill in enough blanks to make it playable. Thus:
The board is 10 x 10 coloured red and yellow. The pieces are also red and yellow; yellow moves first.
The back rank from Yellow's left runs: Initiate - Builder - Scribe - Tarnsman - Ubara - Ubar - Tarnsman - Scribe - Builder - Initiate
The second rank runs: Physician - Rider of the High Tharlarion - six Spearmen - Rider HT - Physician
On the third rank a Spearman stands on each edge file (only)
Off-board is a Home Stone of each colour. Each player must place his Home Stone on a vacant square of his choice on or before his tenth move.
Moves of the pieces:
Initiate (Gorean religious caste) - As Bishop
Builder (Gorean engineering/technical caste) - As Rook
Scribe (Gorean literate class) - As Bishop with a 7-square limit
Tarnsman (Gorean warrior riding a "tarn", a giant warhawk) - 2 x 3 leaper (cf Knight, a 1 x 2 leaper); in its own half of the board it may make non-capturing moves as a King
Ubar (war leader; in peacetime Gorean city governments are headed by an Administrator) - As Queen
Ubara (war leader's wife) - As Queen with a 6-square limit
Physician (Gorean medical caste) - As Rook with a 3-square limit
Rider of the High Tharlarion (Gorean warrior riding a giant two-legged lizard similar to an iguanodon) - As non-royal King
Spearman - as Pawn, but with an initial move of 1 - 3 squares (other than the edge-file Spearmen, which have only a 1-square move)
Home Stone - as non-capturing King
Spearmen promote at their tenth rank, and only to Rider of the High Tharlarion or Tarnsman (the only other Warrior pieces).
Librarians rule, Oook
Yes, it is! Who came up with that? Any relation to this?: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaissa
Gorean Chess (Kaissa) is interesting too....
Last edited by Elendil's Heir; 06 Jan 2013 at 12:21 PM.
Johnson acknowledges Dr T'Var, looking up from the cup of coffee and book (Chess for Dummies) he was reading. "No-one else has been interested, so its time to put pride aside and gain some more experience. I would be quite happy to play again."
He quickly offers a chair to the doctor while setting up the pieces on the board and with a spin of the board he places the White pieces in front of T'Var. "After all, you did play Black last time."
"Whenever you're ready...."
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
The name of the chess goddess is the only connection. Idiomatically, though, it just translates as "The Game", being the only board game in common use (as well as letting whoever is reading this thread lose at itYes, it is! Who came up with that? Any relation to this?: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaissa
Gorean Chess (Kaissa) is interesting too....). The desert tribesmen, though, play something more akin to Chinese checkers from the description.
Forgot to add: it's canon (and not too unbalancing) that a Spearman making its move to the tenth rank can make a diagonal move whether capturing or not.
As to who: it's been a collaborative effort over the years, and some versions differ. Years ago I strenuously argued on a Gorean forum for the Tarnsman's 3 x 2 leap.
Last edited by Malacandra; 07 Jan 2013 at 10:51 AM.
Librarians rule, Oook
OK, thanks!
"Let us begin then," T'Var says, and moves 1. Nf3
Lt. Vaudreuil glances at the chrono on the bulkhead. He really does have other things he ought to be doing, but... well, there'd be no harm in watching just one more game, would there? He sits down and looks over the board.
Johnson looks at the board and then back at his opponent. "You know Sir, for a logical race, you still surprise me now and again."
1. ...d5
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
"That's 'ma'am,' not 'sir,'" the Frenchman murmurs.
T'Var smiles. "You will find that I am full of surprises, Mr. Johnson," she says.
The doctor moves quickly -- 2. c4
"That would be too easy", Johnson mutters under his breath as he moves. 2. ...e6
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
Feeling a wee bit adventurous, T'Var moves 3. Qc2
3. ...Nf6
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
4. d4
Johnson ponders the unfamiliar start in front of him.
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
Finally, he settles on 4. ...b6
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
5. e3
5. ...Na6
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
6. a3
Johnson umms and aahs about various moves before settling on 6. ...Bb7
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
Vaudreuil nods thoughtfully. "Drink for anyone? I'm feeling a little parched."
T'Var looks up from the board briefly. "I would appreciate a beverage as well," she says. "Perhaps something different from what I usually drink."
The doctor pauses a moment. "Perhaps you could suggest something, Lt. Vaudreuil?"
"I was going to have some cold mineral water," he says. "Have you tried that before, Doctor?"
"I do prefer warm beverages," T'Var replies. "However, I am always open to trying new things." She smiles. "A mineral water would be fine, thank you."
The doctor then moves.... 7. cxd5
"And for you, Mr. Johnson?" the French lieutenant asks.
Johnson is muttering something under his breath about "Stupid ponies" and finally moves
7. ...Nb8
He looks back up at the lieutenant and sighs slightly. "A cup of coffee if you please. White, two sugars."
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
Vaudreuil nods. "Of course." He steps over to the replicator and orders the three drinks.
While T'Var awaits her first taste of mineral water, she moves 8. dxe6.
Onsott looks up from his Replicator Repair and Preventive Maintenance Manual and wonders what in St Reshevsky's name is going on out there. Still, the man who never made an opening blunder never made anything else, and at least the Lieutenant managed not to drop a whole piece, though the loss of a pawn and two tempi is going to hurt. He wonders ruefully why Johnson couldn't have obliged similarly against him.
Librarians rule, Oook
8. ...fxe6
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
9. Bc4
The French lieutenant brings back the coffee and mineral waters, and quietly sets them beside the players.
Here's more on "St." Reshevsky, incl. a nice picture of him as a kid: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Reshevsky
"Thank you," T'Var says. She takes a sip of the mineral water, then another. "An interesting flavor. A bit sour."
The doctor sets the water aside and returns her attention to the chess board as she awaits Johnson's next move.
Johnson takes a sip of the coffee hoping some caffeine will help. 9. ...Bxf3
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
10. gxf3
10. ...Qd7
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
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