23 Aug 08
Astronaut Greg Chamitoff is playing a game against Ground Control as he orbits the earth.
Here is a picture of the game in progress:
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/station/crew-17/html/iss017e011577.html
I can't find a list of the moves, but from the picture it seems Greg may have played the London System, proving once and for all that this opening really is out of the this world! (it took me three days to think of that joke). Or maybe it shows that only lightweights play it. Or maybe you have to be spaced out to play it.
23 Aug 08
4 edits
OK. Found the game score. This might take a while to get right as it's clearly been written down by a non chess player
Something has gone slightly wrong as White's 28th move was b7! i.e. it moved from b5 to b7 in one move. Initially I assumed that they had missed a move out and that Black played h6 around here, but in fact Black's 31st move was h6, so I think White might have inadvertently made an illegal move.
23 Aug 08
2 edits
Originally posted by FabianFnasThey use magnets for everything in space. It's a little known fact that before they are launched into space all astronauts have magnets inserted beneath the skin in their arse so that they don't slip off the toilet seat when they go for a dump.
Magnetic chess?
23 Aug 08
Originally posted by Fat LadyDoes FIDE rules apply in space?
Something has gone slightly wrong as White's 28th move was b7! i.e. it moved from b5 to b7 in one move. I assumed that they had missed a move out and than Black played h6 around here, but in fact Black's 31st move was h6, so I think White might have inadvertently made an illegal move.
23 Aug 08
Originally posted by FabianFnasFIDE's jurisdiction covers the entire earth and the airspace up to 200 miles above it. The International Space Station is orbiting just beyond this at 220 miles and at first NASA thought they could get away without paying the usual game fee to FIDE.
Does FIDE rules apply in space?
However, since half the moves are being played on the surface of the earth, it has been ruled that for legal purposes this game should be considered to be have been played at the average of zero and 220 miles above the earth, i.e. 110 miles.
This is well within the area controlled by FIDE and so all normal FIDE rules and fees apply.
24 Aug 08
Originally posted by Fat LadyThe astronauts should just tell Kirsan to take a long walk on a short space station. 😀
FIDE's jurisdiction covers the entire earth and the airspace up to 200 miles above it. The International Space Station is orbiting just beyond this at 220 miles and at first NASA thought they could get away without paying the usual game fee to FIDE.
However, since half the moves are being played on the surface of the earth, it has been ruled that for leg ...[text shortened]...
This is well within the area controlled by FIDE and so all normal FIDE rules and fees apply.
29 Aug 08
1 edit
Originally posted by FabianFnasI looked at the pics, and although I wasn't sure, it seemed that the pieces might be held by Velcro. (The board seemed to be made of cloth, too.) Well, now we know for sure. (The answer is Velcro.) There's an interview with the astronaut on Chessbase (see link below). BTW, he mentions that he lost one rook for 24 hours. Now THAT'S what I call one mad rook!
Magnetic chess?
http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=4875