A Strange Game of Chess

The Never Ending Quest - Episode 32753

The human-sized pieces - carved out of stone - that were already laid out on the "board" were in the starting positions for a game, but there were seven pieces missing on the white side. "I assume that we are meant to take on the roles of the missing pieces," the Doctor said. "When we do so, I imagine that the game will begin."

"But who is going to determine the moves and move the inanimate pieces?" Susan asked.

"I imagine that if we take our places, we shall find out," the Doctor replied.

"And what happens if one of us gets taken?" Human Fred wanted to know, but that question not even the Doctor could answer.

"Why don't we just ignore the game and walk across the room and out the far door?" Demifox Astra asked.

"My guess is that anyone who attempts that will risk having something very nasty happen to them," the Doctor responded. "I think Minestus will require that we play the game by his rules."

"If it really is Minestus who's behind this," Human Astra put in. "This doesn't seem like his style to me."

After a little more debate, they eventually decided that they would take part in the chess game. The seven vacant places were for the pieces on the back row, with the exception of the Queen which was already present. It did not seem to much matter who acted as which piece, but eventually they settled on: King - the Doctor; the two Rooks - Human Fred and Human Astra; the two Bishops - Demifox Fred and Demifox Astra; the two Knights - Susan and Demifox Josh.

Once everyone was in position, they waited expectantly, but nothing happened. "Very well," the Doctor said. "I shall dictate the moves for our side. Pawn to King Four." (The Doctor had no truck with algebraic notation, being a traditionalist.)

To their surprise, the nominated pawn, though seemingly a lifeless carving, smoothly slid forward two squares. In response, the Black King's Pawn also moved forward two squares.

  1. Before long, one of the White Knights (Josh) was able to capture an enemy pawn. He moved into its square wondering what would happen to it.
  2. Before long, one of the White pieces was captured. They wondered what this would mean for the unlucky person.

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JH

11/4/2003 12:46:35 PM

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