Chess and Science Fiction
by Bill Wall

Many science fiction stories have had chess references and chess figures prominently in science fiction in combination with computers and robots . Chess was played in space (now fact), chess was played by robots and computers (now fact), chess grandmasters get beat by chess machines (now fact), chess was used as analogies and metaphors for war, and many other themes. If you want a science fiction story that matches wits with humans, add a chess theme. Here are a few references that chess is mentioned in science fiction books and magazine. In 1899, Ambrose Bierce (1842-1913) wrote a short story called ?Moxon?s Master,? which was first published in the San Francisco Examiner on April 16, 1899. It describes a chess-playing robot (the word robot was not used until 1921) automaton that strangles and murders its creator, Moxon, over a game of chess. Moxon won a game of chess from the robot, and it killed Moxopn in a fit of rage. The story is one of the first descriptions of a robot in English literature. (http://doyleandmacdonald.com/l_moxon.htm) In 1921, Edgar Rice Burroughs (1875-1950) wrote The Chessmen of Mars. It was first published in Argosy All-Story Weekly as a six-part serial in February-March, 1922. It was later published as a complete novel in November, 1922. On Mars, they play a modified version of Jetan, a popular Martian board game resembling chess, except played on a 10x10 board instead of an 8x8 board. The living version uses people as the game pieces on a life-sized board, with each taking of a piece being a duel to the death. Burroughs was an amateur chess player himself. (https://www.gutenberg.org/files/1153/1153-h/1153-h.htm) In April-May 1926, the first two issues of Amazing Stories (vol 1, #1 and #2) published "Off on a Comet," written by Jules Verne (1828-1905) in 1887. Colonel Murphy and Major Oliphant would have enough time to play chess when travelling in space. In Verne's original version, Colonel Murphy was a Brigadier General. The translator accordingly demoted him to the rank of Colonel, a rank less likely to cause offense and a rank more likely to play chess with a Major. Philidor was mentioned, along with pawns are "the soul of chess." Not one pawn was taken during their chess game. (http://jv.gilead.org.il/pg/comet/) In 1927, Amazing Stories Annual (vol 1, #1) published "Under the Knife," written by H. G. Wells (1866-1946) in 1896. Chess is referenced once. "The interest was much of a quality with that one might feel in a game of chess. (http://www.online-literature.com/wellshg/2871/) "Mr. Anstruther came to me ten years ago, when I was a poor mechanic. He had heard of my automatic chess-player, and my famous animated show-window models." (source: The Man with the Strange Head, by Miles Breuer (1889-1945), Amazing Stories, vol. 1, #10, Jan 1927) "Military skill from 1914 on became no more important than skill in chess." (source: The Reign of the Ray, by Irvin Lester and Fletcher Pratt (1897-1956), Science Wonder Stories, vol. 1, #1, June 1929) "We found that to properly work one of the machines required a very high grade of intelligence. And when it came to selecting eleven men who could work as a team, in perfect harmony with each other, so the eleven robots would act as one well-run machine, why, that was an almost impossible task. It was soon discovered that the best type of collegians were little men with clever brains. Chess and bridge players made good players..." (source: The Threat of the Robot, by David Keller (1880-1966), Science Wonder Stories, Vol. 1, #1, June 1929) ?She?ll be down in a few minutes. You?re fond of chess, aren?t you, Brooderick? I judge so from the fact that you represented Princeton in the last cable tournament with Oxford and Cambridge. I?ve arranged to have you play chess with Eve this evening, if you care to,? Broderick suppressed a smile. ?Who ever heard of a woman who could play chess?? ?You will remember questioning the existence of a perfect woman yesterday. As then, I?ll answer—judge for yourself.? He drew from a corner a small, beautifully finished table with a chess-board inlaid in squares of ebony and basswood. The pieces were of ivory, exquisitely carved. The doctor began placing them on the board. ?Let me see, Queen on her color, isn?t it? I haven?t played for such a long while, I?ve almost forgotten. Ah, here comes Eve.? (source: The Superperfect Bride by Bob Olsen, Amazing Stories, vol. 4, #4, July 1929, and Avon Science Fiction Reader #2, 1951, p. 60) "So I worked a game of chess with this thing that ruled the colony house." (source: David Keller, The Human Termites, Science Wonder Stories, vol. 1, #4, Sep 1929) "When we see people who can multiply any two numbers of 9 digits and give the result immediately, when we see others who can play thirty games of chess in their heads simultaneously, when we consider the hypnotic possibilities of the human mind, and when we delve into the great infinity of the sub-consciousness mind, we realize how much remains to be discovered about the marvelous mechanics of the human brain." (source: Into the Subconscious, by Ray Avery Myers, Science Wonder Stories, vol. 1, #5, Oct 1929) "The general moved rarely, and spoke hardly at all. His whole air was that of a man absorbed in a game of chess ? "...a game on which the fate of a nation depended. He was thus absorbed." (source: Phantoms of Reality, by Ray Cummings, Astounding Stories of Super-Science, Jan 1930) "'Do you play chess?' he asked; not in our own words, but in the tongue of the Anglesk of old; and, wonder of all wonders, I understood him. 'Chess?' I answered. 'I don't know the name. Is it a game of the Anglesk?' 'The man with the metal face sighed deeply and half to himself said: 'And for tweny years I have been bringing my Sayers gambit to absolute perfection ? my legacy to the world.'" (source: The City of the Living Dead, by Laurence Manning and Fletcher Pratt, Science Wonder Stories, vol. 1, #12, May 1930) "The family greeted me warmly; the elder Van Swagger had been playing a game of internationals chess with an opponent in Switzerland, over the wires of the Atlantic Cables, Incorporated. I did not interrupt the game, but watched him take a bishop, as he talked into a receiver, and baited his victim some six thousand miles distant." (source: A Drama of A.D. 1950, by Clarence Heller, Amazing Stories, vol. 5, #4, July 1930) In 1931, John W. Campbell,Jr. wrote "Islands of Space," published in Amazing Stories Quarterly (vol 4, #2). There are several references to chess. Chess is played in space by several persons. One character has mental telepathy and always wins. "The chess game was possible by using a standard lightweight set, each piece of which has a small magnet in it, and the board was iron." "I was rather mussing up those chess games of yours by reading Morey's mind, and projecting the thoughts into Wade's thinking mechanisms. I can make you 'hear,' or you can conceive the idea as though it were your own, depending on my method of projection." In 1932, I. M. Stephens and Fletcher Pratt wrote "A Voice Across the Years," published in Amazing Stories Quarterly (vol 5, #1). There are several references to chess. Cube chess and a three-dimensional chess game was played on a cube 10 squares long. A footnote to the story added, "It is interesting to recall that the players of the Marshall Chess Club of New York City have tried out a form of three-dimensional chess since Capablanca's demonstration that the old two-dimensional chess is becoming obsolete through lacking in complication for modern minds." In 1932, John Campbell wrote "Invaders from the Infinite," published in Amazing Stories Quarterly (vol 5, #2). There is one reference to chess. "Oh, I think waiting so long would be boring," said Wade sarcastically. "What do you suggest we do in the intervening eighty millenniums? Play cards?" "Oh, cards or chess. Something like that," grinned Arcot. In 1934, Jack Williamson wrote "The Legion of Pace," published in Astounding Stories. It was re-published in 1950 as part of Galaxy Science Fiction Novel #2. There are several references to chess. "'You're really indestructible. Remarkable shape, for a man of your age ? except for that knee. You'll make me a good patient and a better chess opponent for the next 20 years.' ...I liked him. A lonely old soldier, - he didn't talk too much about his campaigns. We discovered a mutual interest in chess, and he made a pleasant companion. ...I knew, too, that he was busy with some literary project ? dropping in at his rather shabby rooms for a pipe and a game of chess." In 1935, Olaf Stapledon wrote "Odd John," which was re-published in 1951 for Galaxy Science Fiction Novel #8. There is one reference to chess. "He was drawn into them much as an intelligent spectator might be drawn into a game of chess played by blockheads." In December 1936, an editorial in Thrilling Wonder Stories (vol 8 #3) wrote about science fiction and a mention of chess. "Science Fiction! Of thee I sing. War, pestilence, depression ? and unemployment. But science fiction is here to stay, as the blacksmith remarked of the automobile industry. For entertainment we have the talkies, bridge, ping-pong ? but give me science fiction; the entertainment as intriguing as chess, and as modern as tomorrow." In June 1937, Otto Binder wrote "The Chessboard of Mars," published in Thrilling Wonder Stories (vol 9 #3). Chess is the chief occupation of the Martians. "The chief occupation of the Martians in the past ages of their civilization had been warfare. Now their chief occupation is playing on this gigantic chessboard of Mars, moving humans in paths of fate like the chess player moves his pawns and pieces!" In February 1938, Gordon Giles wrote "Via Asteroid," published in Thrilling Wonder Stories (vol 11 #1). There is one reference to chess. "The rest of the time we amused ourselves playing cards and chess. Now and then we'd go hunting in the bush-wilds of our pool for small game." In June 1938, Harry Walton wrote "Below?Absolute," published in Astounding Science-Fiction. One of the spacemen is "presently engaged in nothing more vital than a game of solitaire chess." In August 1938, Don A. Stuart (John Campbell) wrote "Who Goes There?" published in Astounding Stories. The movie The Thing is based on this story. Chess is being played in a hut in the Antarctic. In January 1939, Arthur J. Burks (1898-1974) wrote "The First Shall be the Last," published in Astounding Science-Fiction (vol 22, #5). McNab says, "Some day I'll ask th' skipper to join me in a game o' chess!" Routine settle over the ship. There was much time for cards, chess and idle talk. Somehow, their destination wasn?t mentioned much, except casually. Yet there was a tension that grew hourly. (source: The Impossible World, by Eando Binder, Startling Stories, vol. 1, #2, Mar 1939, p. 35) In March 1939, Eric Frank Russell wrote "Sinister Barrier," published in Street & Smith's Unknown fantasy fiction magazine (vol 1 #1). It was re-published in 1950 in Galaxy Science Fiction Novel #1. There is one chess reference. "'I am a chess enthusiast. So was Webb. Our friendship rested solely upon our mutual fondness for the game." In April 1939, John Taine wrote "Tomorrow," published in Marvel Science Stories (vol 1 #4). There are several references to chess. "Arrived at the club house after leaving Hardinge, Dakan and Merriman sought the quiet solitude of the chess room. They had barely set up their pieces, when the aggressively affable Pobby stuck his nose in. ...That afternoon at one o'clock he met Merriman in the chess room." The enormous mental capacity of the Brain was evidenced by the fact that even while it was talking, its many arms were busy?It could do several things at one time, as easily as a human genius could play a number of chess-games at once. (source: The Prisoner of Mars, by Edmond Hamilton, Startling Stories, vol. 1, #3, May 1939, p. 65) In July 1939, Clifford Simak wrote "Cosmic Engineers," published in Astounding Science-Fiction. The story mentions three-way chess or three-dimensional chess with 27 men. In September 1939, Englehardt Frederick (L. Ron Hubbard) wrote "General Swamp, C.I.C.," published in Astounding Science-Fiction (vol 4, #21). Chess is an ancient game. "You've heard of the ancient game of chess. It is a battle of wits. Well, I want to match wits with the Earthly commander, only we'll be using men and ships for pawns." In December 1939, Henry Kuttner wrote "Suicide Squad," published in Thrilling Wonder Stories (vol. 14 #3). It has one reference to chess. "I followed the typewritten instructions before me, playing the ground-ship delicately among the tangled chess-game or space-craft the vision-screens showed, until there came a time when I realized that one of the vessels was off its course." 'So they don't want to split the money they can get for the Lifestone's return. The fad lad said, 'One of us can handle this as easily as two. And the profit will be twice as big for that one.' That got their gambling blood up —jumping Jupiter, Mister, imagine it! Staking a fortune like that on a chess game.' (source: The Lifestone by Paul Edmonds, Astounding Stories, vol. 1, #1, Feb 1940, p. 76) Under the weapon's menace Lang and Griffin preceded the Selenite back to the violet-draped room where they had first encountered Thurm and Elander. The two were relaxed on cushions, an intricate three-dimensional chessboard between them. 'Who won?' Lang asked. 'A draw game,' Thurm informed him, his fat face alight with keen interest. 'Elander and I have devised a new contest. Another kind of chess—with human pawns.' (source: The Lifestone by Paul Edmonds, Astounding Stories, vol. 1, #1, Feb 1940, p. 77) In August 1940, Henry Kuttner wrote "No Man's World," published in Thrilling Wonder Stories (vol 17 #2). There is one reference to chess. "Earth was merely the board for the deadly chess game between two mighty civilizations." In December 1940, Gordon Giles wrote "Via Intelligence," published in Thrilling Wonder Stories (vol 18 #3). There is one reference to chess. "Hello Mars Expedition Two! Your winter has set in, you say, confining you to your barracks. It's a long, bitter one. It'll last six months. Luckily, besides cards and chess, you have books. We didn't." In 1941, Isaac Asimov (1920-1992) published 'Nightfall' in Astounding Science Fiction magazine. The story includes a piece about a chess game played on a multi-chess board with six players. In 1968, the Science Fiction Writers of America voted Nightfall as the best science fiction short story ever written. When the short story was expanded into a novel, multi-chess had been changed to stochastic chess. 'The men about the table had brought out a multi-chess board and started a six-member game. Moves were made rapidly and in silence. All eyes bent in furious concentration on the board.' In 1941, Robert Heinlein (1907-1988) wrote Methuselah's Children, which was serialized in Astounding Science Fiction in the July, August, and September 1941 issues. Andrew Jackson Libby and Captain Rufus King play a game of chess, which starts out 1.e4 Nf6 (the novel uses descriptive notation). Also in 1941, he wrote Sixth Column, where one of the characters solves a chess problem (mate in three moves). Heinlein was a chess player who learned how to play around the age of 4. In January 1941, Anson MacDonald (Robert Heinlein) wrote "Sixth Column," published in Astounding Science-Fiction. The story features a chess problem that someone tells a prince that there is a mate in four move solution on the chess table at the prince's palace. It was a bluff and there was no such mate. In May 1941, Duncan Farnsworth wrote "Return of the Space Hawk," published in Amazing Stories (vol 15 #5). There is one reference to chess. "Mentally, Fay was running through countless maneuvers he had used in his space fighting days. Maneuvers based on skill and cunning, made to draw an enemy into a futile defense of his weakest points. Fay had always planned his tactics ' like a superior chess player ' three or four moves in advance." In July 1941, Robert Heinlein wrote "Methuselah's Children," published in Astounding Science-Fiction. A chess game is being played by two of the characters, Libby and King. In July 1941, Leigh Brackett wrote "A World is Born," published in Comet magazine (vol 1, # 5). There is one reference to chess. "I don't like being a pawn in somebody else's chess game." In August 1941, A. Merritt wrote "The Metal Monster," published in Famous Fantastic Mysteries (vol 3 #3). There is one reference to chess. "The rods were movable; they formed a keyboard unimaginably complex; a keyboard whose infinite combinations were like a Fourth Dimensional chess game." In September 1941, L. Sprague de Camp and Fletcher Pratt wrote "The Land of Unreason," published in Unknown Worlds magazine (vol 5 #3). There is one reference to chess. "There seemed to be some choice of reaction. ...It was more like a game of chess; you played pawn to king four on the board of personal relations, and your opposite number, though not compelled to imitate you exactly, had to make one of a series of standard moves or find himself compromised." In October 1941, Edgar Rice Burroughs wrote "Invisible Men of Mars," published in Amazing Stories (vol 15 #10). There is one reference to chess. "We have the princess," said Ptor Fak, which is the same as saying in America, "It is in the bag." The expression derives from the Barsoonian chess game, jetan, in which the taking of a princess decides the winner and ends the game." There was an erratic quality to his correspondence that made it completely delightful. I found in my mailbox or resting on my doorstep anything from postal cards to bundles of year-old exams in Geometry One, neatly rated with mean, average and modes. For three years it kept up; at one time we were waging half a dozen chess games simultaneously as well as a discussion of Hegelian dialectics. (source: Masquerade by Kenneth Falconer, Stirring Science Stories, vol. 2, #1, Mar 1942, p. 51) In June 1942, L. Sprague de Camp wrote "Solomon's Stone," published in Unknown Worlds (vol 6 #1). There are several references to chess. "Nash wondered about the suppressed desires of the other two. Little Bob Lanby displayed none except to be a depressingly good boy and a good chess player." Sultan Arsland and Nash played chess. "Arsland settled back on his cushions and bellowed for a chessboard, and more coffee. He took white as a matter of course, opened with queen's pawn, and followed through with a headlong attack that pinned Nash behind his pawns. ...The lamps had been lit when [Nash] was finally checkmated." They like to sit in their beautiful fortress and play with men like pieces on a chess board, for the sheer mental pleasure of the game. (source: Cube from Space by Leigh Brackett, Super Science Stories, vol. 4, #1, Aug 1942, p. 18) In February 1943, Henry Kuttner wrote "Wet Magic," published in Unknown Worlds (vol 6 #5). There are several references to chess. "Often the queen has wanted a partner to play at chess — and often she has asked me for you. In truth, there are few humans beneath the lake, and I would be sorry to lose your company, Bohart. But Morgan has not played at chess for long and long." "He played at chess with me," she added, half maliciously. "You see ... Arthur ...for a hundred years or so after I came here, I invited occasional guests. I would play at chess with them. Then I tired of it, and only lately have I felt ...need again." Cat men from the tombs of Mars played Martian chess with their additional enemies, the big-chested Upland boiloongs whose tentacles were like living ropes of steel. (source: Prey of the Space Falcon by Wilbur Peacock, Planet Stories, vol. 2, #4, Fall 1943, p. 16) Grampaw carved a cribbage set, too; they played it, and chess, and card games during the storms theat kept them housebound. (source: Castaways of Eros by Nelson Bond, Planet Stories, vol. 2, #5, Winter 1943, p. 72) 'First year they almost drove him loopy trying to figure out what kind of game they were playing.' 'Game?' asked Meek, wondering if he was being hoaxed. 'Sure, game. Like checkers. Only it ain't. Not chess, neither. Even worse than that.' (source: Mr. Meek Plays Polo by Clifford Simak, Planet Stories, vol. 2, #8, Fall 1944, p. 59) In February 1945, George O. Smith wrote "Beam Pirate," published in Astounding Science-Fiction, British edition (vol 4 #9). There is one reference to chess. A radio man flashes "OK," and goes back to his 47th game of chess with the assistant pilot. He was playing chess with a fellow club member and I sat down to watch. I know something about chess and I think his playing very well displayed his character. He won, with skill of aggressive attack. But there was about it something you didn't like. His incisive moving of his men, as though there could be no doubt that it was the correct move; and his whole attitude made you hope it wasn't. Once Blaine made an obvious, rather silly mistake, exposing a piece. His opponent offered to have him take it back. He didn't; he pretended it was what he wanted to do, taking the loss rather than admit his error. (source: Juggernaut of Space by Ray Cummings, Planet Stories, Fall 1945, vol. 2, #12, p. 7) Engineer McTavish looked up from a chess game with Ray Control Officer Reynolds. Neither of the two had much to do in the way of duty, now that the patrol trip was ended. But the Control Room gave them an alert feeling to spice their chess board feud. (source: Battlefield in Black by George Whittington, Planet Stories, Fall 1945, vol. 2, #12, p. 67) In February 1946, Lewis Padgett (the husband and wife team Henry Kuttner and C.L. Moore) wrote The Fairy Chessmen, first published in Astounding magazine in January and February, 1946. The novel was later renamed Chessboard Planet and published by Gnome Press in 1951. A mathematician whose research involves a type of chess played with variable rules ('fairy chess') is the only one able to solve an equation from the future. It was republished as "Chessboard Planet," published in Galaxy Science Fiction Novel #26 in 1951. War was more of a chess game than a series of battles. There were several references to fairy chess and different variants of chess. "Chessboard Planet" was also reviewed in the December 1956 issue of Astounding Science Fiction. The Warrior Patrol had come to protect it, keep it open, and to prevent the fighting ships of Vestena from using it to conquer Parma. A vast set for a chess game. The pieces were placed, alert and waiting, about the tunnel ahead. When would the opposing player make his first move' (source: Through the Asteroids — to Hell! By Leroy Yerxa, Planet Stories, vol. 3, #4, Fall 1946, p. 76) In January-February 1947, Lewis Padgett wrote "Tomorrow and Tomorrow," published in Astounding Science-Fiction. There are several references to chess, including an illustration of a man studying at a chess board. "Carolyn Kohl and her new guardian played tri-di chess, glancing occasionally at the gauges that told them nothing." In February 1947, Theodore Sturgeon wrote "Maturity," published in Astounding Science Fiction (vol 38, #2). Chess is referenced once in the story. "We're being played like chessmen, Peg, by a lunatic against a devil." In March 1947, James Gunn wrote "Breaking Point," published in Astounding Science Fiction. It was re-published in the March 1953 issue of Space Science Fiction (vol 1 #5). There is an illustration of a chess board with a hand moving pieces,illustrated by Ebel. There are several chess references. "'What do people do with their time in a place like this?' 'Books,' said Hoskins, almost absently. 'Chess. Conversation.' ...'What are you thinking about?' The engineer looked at him, shrugged, and said mildly, 'Chess.' 'What, especially'' 'Oh, a very general thing. The reciprocity of the game. That's what makes it the magnificent thing it is. Most human enterprises can gang up on a man, slap him with one disaster after another without pause. But not chess. No matter who your opponent might be, every time he does something to you, it's your move.' ...'Hoskings,' said Paresi, 'why are you playing chess?' 'Chess is chess,' said Hoskins quietly. 'Chess may symbolize any conflict, but it is chess and it will remain chess.'" Gavin felt like a blind man playing chess. He narrowed his pale blue eyes. 'Where are we going?' (source: Beyond the Yellow Fog, by Emmett McDowell, Planet Stories, vol. 3, #6, Spring 1947, p. 11) Was it that nameless, formless being who had moved him like a pawn on the chess-board for the forgotten year in his own world and the uncountable days he had spent in this. Had that chess-player taken up a citadel in the center of Boyce's brain? (source: Lands of the Earthquake by Henry Kuttner, Startling Stories, vol. 15, #2, May 1947, p. 32) Duvelskoe lightened the tedium of the long quiet hours. He taught her to step off violent, protruding dances which, he said, were favorites of his gypsy ancestors, then accompanied her on the guitar. He wrestled with Bromberg, accepting the rueful good nature an almost unbroken series of defeats. The three also played chess and cards and found much to interest them in the spectacle of the heavens around them. (source: The Disc-Men of Jupiter by Manly Wellman, Startling Stories, vol 15, #2, May 1947, p.79) In June 1947, Chandler Davis wrote "Letter to Ellen," published in Astounding Science-Fiction (vol 39, # 4). It also appeared in the December 1947 issue of Astounding Science-Fiction, British edition (vol6 #1). There was this reference to chess: "Looking back, I'm surprised I didn't have the same ambition. Maybe I was too interested in chess; I was on one of my periodic chess binges at the time." In June 1947, George O. Smith wrote "Trouble," published in Astounding Science-Fiction, British edition (vol 5 #10). There are several references to chess. "He moved his king aside with a contemplative smile. His queen was gone on the next move, he knew. So he had lost a major piece. So that other bird though that losing a major piece was bad, huh? Well, winning battles does not count ? it is a matter of who wins the last one. ...Tom Lionel snarled at the chessboard. He'd made his gambit, and instead of ridding himself of a rather powerful threat to his own security, he'd ? well, he reread the significant sign that presided over the chessboard and began to growl like an insulted cocker spaniel. The sign said: CHECKMATE!" ?By the way, where is he?? ?In the gaming rooms,? said Ward quickly. ?He . . .er . . . plays chess.? (source: Mo-Sanshon! by Bryce Walton, Planet Stories, vol. 4, #7, Summer 1947, p. 38) In July 1947 Isaac Asimov wrote "Grow Old with Me," for Startling Stories. In January 1950, he re-wrote in and called it Pebble in the Sky. In 1953, it was re-published for Galaxy Science Fiction Novel #14. It has several chess references. "Two months passed, and it all came out ? over a game of chess with Grew in the arbor. Chess, somehow, hadn't changed, except for the names of the pieces. It was as he remembered it, and therefore it was always a comfort to him. At least, in this one respect, his poor memory did not play him false. Schwartz had a bare knowledge of the moves when he began, so that he lost constantly in the first games. But that had changed and losing games were becoming rarer." In January 1948, Margaret St. Clair wrote "Aleph Sub One," published in Startling Stories (vol 16 #3). There is one reference to chess. "Jick had given up teaching her math and was trying to acquaint her with the rules of three-board chess." In February 1948, Jack Williamson wrote "With Folded Hands," published in Astounding Science Fiction, British edition (vol 6 #2). There is one reference to chess. "[Humanoids] were stronger than men, better at everything, swimming or chess, singing or archeology. They must have given the race a mass complex of inferiority." In the spring of 1948, Ray Bradbury wrote "Jonah of the Jove-Run," published in Planet Stories (vol 3 #10). There is one reference to chess. "Join me in a game of Martian chess." Nibley said, "I'd beat the hell out of you. Wouldn't pay. It's against orders for me to be down below, anyways." In June 1948, Ray Bradbury wrote "...And the Moon be Still as Bright," published in Thrilling Wonder Stories (vol 32 #2). There is one reference to chess. "The captain picked up his gun. He watched the running, hiding men. He looked at the towers of the little clean Martian village, like sharply carved chess pieces lying in the afternoon." Mankin looked from one to the other. He was heartened a little, for he had begun to see these fabulous men as little more than companions of his desultory chess games. ...And Mankin, day after day moving thin-worn chessmen idly about on his board, bided his time. (source: When Shadows Fall by L. Ron Hubbard, Startling Stories, vol. 17, # 3, July 1948, p. 85) In August 1948, Rog Phillips wrote "Starship from Sirius," published in Amazing Stories (Vol 22 #8). There are several references to chess. "It was like it might be if you were only allowed time to play one game of chess during your life, and you had to assert that your game was the true chess game. Or, more accurately, it was like it would be if you were allowed to play any game you wished, but had to finally settle on one game such as chess and assert that chess is the only true game, and the rules in chess are the basic, perfect rules that account for all games, and that all other games are really chess or they don't exist." In August 1948, Henry Kuttner wrote "Happy Ending," published in Thrilling Wonder Stories (vol 32 #3). There are several references to chess. There is a reference to Maelzel's chess player. "Quarra Vee was playing some sort of game vaguely reminiscent of chess, but his opponent was on a planet of Sirius, some distance away. The chessmen were all unfamiliar. Complicated, dizzying space-time gambits flashed through Quarra Vee's mind as Kelvin listened in." In October-November 1948, A. E. van Vogt wrote "The Players of Null-A," published in Astounding Science Fiction. Chess is referenced in the story. "Like the Follower, he was a major piece in the galactic game of chess." In November 1948, Dr. J. A. Winter wrote "Expedition Mercy," published in Astounding Science Fiction (vol 42, # 11). "Bob and Irv played chess; they studied and re-studied the records from the other ship..." In November 1948, Wilmer Shiras wrote "In Hiding," published in Astounding Science Fiction (vol 42, # 11). There is also an illustration of a chessboard and some black chess pieces. "He played by correspondence ? a game he never dared to play in person, except when he forced himself to move the pieces about idly and let his opponent win at least half the time." Bryce kicked at a loose stone with his toe. ?Perfectly normal boys of eight have had I.Q?s of one-fifty. Mozart was an accomplished musician at six ? a great one at nine. Boy chess wizards crop up in every generation and chess is a three-way game.? (source: Humpty Dumpty had a Great Fall by Frank Long, Startling Stories, vol. 18, #2, Nov 1948, p. 81) Jack had given up teaching her math and was trying to acquaint her with the rules of three-board chess. (source: Aleph Sub One by Margaret St. Clair, Startling Stories, vol. 16, #3, Jan 1948, p. 69) In 1949, Arthur C. Clarke (1917-2008) published Hide and Seek. A man on one of the moons of Mars was being sought for by guided missiles and the TV screen was compared to a chessboard. More men were on the chessboard now, and the game was a little deadlier. Arthur C. Clarke did not like chess and did not play it. In February 1949, George O. Smith wrote "The Catspaw," published in Astounding Science Fiction, British edition (vol 6 #8). There is one reference to chess. "Two of the crew were matching pennies in front of the meter panel, and three more were watching a chess game between two of the others who were using various-shaped radio tubes as men. All was set for a quiet journey home." In February 1949, Peter Phillips wrote "Unknown Quantity," published in New Worlds magazine (vol 2 # 5). It has several references to chess. "A walking filing cabinet, valet, chess-player, conversationalist, and dilettante of the arts ? apply the correct verbal stimuli and you'd get a variable discourse on anything from cave paintings to Dali." In March 1949, H. B. Hickey wrote "Checkmate to Demos," published in Fantastic Adventures. An Earthman has to beat an alien to save the Earth. He doesn't win, but he tried, and the Earth is saved anyway. In May 1949, Charles Harness wrote "Flight into Yesterday," published in Startling Stories (vol 19 #2). There are a few chess references. "'You play chess, I hope? This psych we have is an Eskimo.' 'Chess ? Eskimo?' he murmured with puzzled politeness.' 'Sure, Eskimo,' boomed Miles impatiently. 'Never been in a solarion before. Has the swat he has born with. Probably fresh out of school and loaded down with chess sets to keep our minds occupied so we won't brood.'" ?You play chess, I hope? This psych we have is an Eskimo.? ?Chess ? Eskimo?? he murmured with puzzled politeness. ?Sure, Eskimo,? boomed Miles impatiently. ?Never been in a solarion before. Has the sweat he was born with. Probably fresh out of school and loaded down with chess sets to keep our minds occupied so we won?t brood.? ?I?ll try to keep the psych occupied,? he agreed with plausible dubiousness. ?I rather like a game of chess myself.? (source: Flight into Yesterday by Charles Harness, Startling Stories, vol. 19, #2. May 1949, p. 60) ?Well, that?s that, I suppose.? She stopped and toyed idly with a box of chessmen on his table. ?Would you care for a game of Terran chess? I?ll try to play very intelligently, so that you won?t be too terrible bored.? (source: Stalemate in Space by Charles Harness, Planet Stories, vol. 4, #3, Summer 1949, p. 94) He was relentless. ?No Scythian would play chess the way you did. Only a Terran would play for a draw after total defeat.? ?I play chess well, so I am a Terran?? she whispered through a dry throat. (source: Stalemate in Space by Charles Harness, Planet Stories, vol. 4, #3, Summer 1949, p. 97) ?You had to have something to occupy your mind.? Langley laughed harshly. ?Any game would do. We could have sat here playing chess. But when Death does the checkmating chess isn?t a very amusing game.? (source: The Timeless Man by Frank Long, Super Science Stories, British Edition, 1949, p. 36) College. Chess and mathematics ? and someone arguing about a smelly briar pipe. (source: The Timeless Man by Frank Long, Super Science Stories, British Edition, 1949, p. 37) In August 1949, Ray Bradbury wrote "The Naming of Names," published in Thrilling Wonder Stories (vol. 34 #3). There is one reference to chess. "The nights were full of wind that blew down the empty moonlit sea meadows past the little white chess cities lying for their twelve-thousandth year in the shallows." In September 1949, Gardner F. Fox wrote "The Rainbow Jade," published in Weird Tales (vol 41 #6). There is one reference to chess. "It is something to do, to play chess with an entire world. To move races and nations like pawns ? with a planet for a playing board!" ?Grayson lay quiescent within his own mental shell of force, unthinking now of self, absorbed in watching the terrific battle, the maneuvers and technique of a vast engagement were a lesson in three dimensional chess for him, he could not tear his attention away.? (source: Battle in Eternity, by Richard Shaver and Chester Geier, Amazing Stories, vol. 23, #11, p. 64) ?The details of the place escaped Grayson, they were too varied and too different from his experience, no men could absorb the myriad art details of this master work! It would have been like learning chess at one sitting to have taken in all the little delicate subtle scrollings depicting alien beauty upon the walls?? (source: Battle in Eternity, by Richard Shaver and Chester Geier, Amazing Stories, vol. 23, #11, p. 70) In November 1949, Frank Belknap Long wrote "The Timeless Man, published in Super-Science Fiction. There are several references to chess. "'You had to have something to occupy your mind.' Langley laughed harshly. 'Any game would do. We could have sat here playing chess. But when Death does the checkmating chess isn't a very amusing game.'" Holden played chess in college. In 1950, Isaac Asimov published Pebble in the Sky (Asimov?s first published novel), which mentioned chess. The story mentions that chess has not changed except for the names of the pieces. Schwartz and Grew play a 50 game chess match. Other variations of chess are mention, such as 3-D chess and chess played with dice. In 1950, The Sack was published by William Morrison. The Sack was a creature that could answer any questions. The Sack found itself giving advice to bitter rivals, so that it seemed to be playing a game of Interplanetary Chess. In 1950, Ray Bradbury (1920-2012) published The Martian Chronicles in which humans left Earth to inhabit Mars. From above, the cities were described as little white chess cities. ?Starlight glittered on the spires of a little Martian town, no bigger than a game of chess, in the blue hills.? ?He looked at the towers of the little clean Martian village, like sharply carved chess pieces lying in the afternoon.? That was why, when she said absently, ?I wish we had a chessboard,? he closed the airtight doors of the two staterooms, so that the passage and the door outside could be used as an airlock, and went out to search among the hoard of stuff they had collected. He found chess equipment easily enough, in a drawer of a table from the game-room of the Aires?They played chess, gumming the bottoms of the pieces, and played the records, and some of the illusion that they wanted came to them.? (source: A Step Farther Out by Raymond Gallun, Super Science Stories, vol. 6, #3, March 1950, p. 63) In April 1950, Francis L. Ashton wrote "The Long Way," published by Super-Science Stories (vol 6 #4). There is one reference to chess. "The year of the acceleration passed swiftly, as it indeed it must when so much of it was spent to sleep. ...Jan and Jefferson played innumerable games of three-dimensional chess." He put a cigarette in his mouth, and lit it with a quick nervous gesture. You?re jittery, his mind said. You?ve been under too much pressure. Go back to the simple things. Then the idea struck him. Why not a game of chess. He got up and strode over to the game table. He sat down and touched a stud. At once a chess board swung up, its pieces set in order and ready to play. Flaren pressed another stud and the clicking of a relay told him the set was primed. The machine would give him a good game. He glance to see if the handicap control was set at ?class two? ? it was. (source: Checkmate by Sandy Miller, Fantastic Adventures, vol. 12, #3, Mar 1950, p. 56) A relay kicked again. The recorder went on softly. ?Check King ? checkmate!? Flaren stood up. His arm swept over the table and the little figurines scattered across the room. Calmly he opened the case of the chess-playing machine. Its tubes and relays were exposed. He picked up an ornamental statuette of bronze and with one savage gesture flung it into the array of tubes and wiring. The machine spluttered and squawked, flared up and died. (source: Checkmate by Sandy Miller, Fantastic Adventures, vol. 12, #3, Mar 1950, p. 57) In May 1950, S. J. Byrne wrote "Colossus," published in Other Worlds Science Stories magazine (vol 1 #4). There is one reference to chess. "Like a chess player trying to build up the strategy of six moves ahead, Rocky thought quickly and hard." The year of the acceleration passed swiftly, as indeed it must when so much of it was spent in sleep. During their waking hours they ate and drank and had their muscles exercised by a massaging machine. When these matters were not being attended to, Jan and Jefferson played innumerable games of three-dimensional chess. (source: The Long Way by Francis Ashton, Super Science Stories, vol. 6, #5, May 1950, p. 45) In June 1950, Katherine Maclean wrote "Incommunicado," published in Astounding Science Fiction (vol 45, # 4). Cliff tries to clear his mind by playing games of chess. In July 1950, S. J. Byrne wrote "Colossus II," published in Other Worlds (vol 2 #1). There are several references to chess. "Greg 'Baby Face' Stierman, one of the country's leading citizens and one of the most dangerous men alive to involve in an argument if you were playing for keeps. Hobbies: rare and beautiful jewels, one of the world's leading connoisseurs; chess, one of the master players; knife throwing, the deadliest thrower in recorded history of the art..." Hung by his feet, a razor drawn across his throat, another down his chest, his carcass instantly emptied of its entrails, exposed upon a table under the street, in a hidden cell, the captain died. Great crystal microscopes stared at the red twines of muscle, bodiless fingers probed the still pulsing heart. The flaps of his sliced skin were pinned to the table while hands shifted parts of his body like a quick and curious player of chess, using the red pawns and the red pieces. (source: Purpose by Ray Bradbury, Startling Stories, vol. 21, #3, July 1950, p. 94) In July 1950, Cleve Cartmill wrote "Fly Down Earth," published in Weird Tales British Edition. There are several references to chess. Damon de Brek was a prisoner and he requested a chess opponent. "He played chess again with a Plastoid, but his mind was not on the game. He was roundly defeated, and even before the departing Plastoid reached the door his eyes were closed in thought." In September 1950, Raymond F. Jones wrote "The Cybernetic Brains," published in Startling Stories (vol 22 #1). There is one reference to chess. "I'm convinced that what he says is true now. In one way he's played us like chess pieces." Julius and Bob played cards and chess; occasionally Chiran joined them. Jay played a few games of chess ? long enough to find that Julius could beat him as often as he set his mind to it ? then gave up. (source: Ultimate Quest by John Holbrook, Super Science Stories, vol. 7, #9, Sep 1950, p. 46) Jay slouched at the table, where Bob and Julius played chess, stood looking down with hands clasped behind his back. (source: Ultimate Quest by John Holbrook, Super Science Stories, vol. 7, #9, Sep 1950, p. 47) From his bunk he could see the length of the ship and all that happened aboard: Julius and Bob Galt at their interminable chess, Julius facing him, rubbing his big flat face with a hand when puzzled or pre-occupied. Galt sitting crouched over the board with only the hard angles of his profile showing. Chiram played no more cards or chess. (source: Ultimate Quest by John Holbrook, Super Science Stories, vol. 7, #9, Sep 1950, p. 48) Hours, days, weeks. Conversation dwindled, died. Julius and Bob played chess?Chess-pacing-food-sleep-the trips to the latrine?.When he awoke, Galt and Julius were playing chess, and Chiram was asleep?Julius flashed him a glance, returned to the chess-board. (source: Ultimate Quest by John Holbrook, Super Science Stories, vol. 7, #9, Sep 1950, p. 49) They passed the universe, and off into a new ocean of blackness?Galt spent his time on the bridge deck, watching ahead, hardly coming down to eat. No more chess ? Julius played solitaire, slowly, with careful attention to each card. (source: Ultimate Quest by John Holbrook, Super Science Stories, vol. 7, #9, Sep 1950, p. 52) It was a routine patrol in Sector 1534, out past the Dog Star, ten parsecs from Sol. The patrol ship was the usual two-man scout used around the system. Captain May and Lieutenant Ross were playing chess when the alarm rang. (source: The Undying Ones by Fredric Brown, Super Science Stories, vol. 7, #9, Sep 1950, p. 48) In October 1950, H. Beam Piper wrote "The Mercenaries," published in Astounding Science Fiction, British edition (vol 7 #6). There are several references to chess. "He listened to a call that came in for Adam Lowiewski, the mathematician. 'This is Joe,' the caller said. 'I've got to go to town late this afternoon, but I was wondering if you'd have time to meet me at the Recreation House at Oppenheimer Village for a game of chess. I'm calling from there, now.' 'Fine; I can make it,' Lowiewski's voice replied. 'I'm in the middle of a devil's own mathematical problem; maybe a game of chess would clear my mind. I have a new queen's-knight gambit I want to try on you, anyhow.'" Paddy said contemptuously, ?I?ve heard all of that in grade school. The Kotons are the ruthless chess-players, the daring ones, the soldiers. I think of them as the devils that figured out the most horrible tortures." (source: The Five Gold Bands by Jack Vance, Startling Stories, vol. 22, #2, Nov 1950, p. 37) In December 1950, Richard Matheson wrote "The Waker Dreams," published by Galaxy Science Fiction magazine. "That swept away sleep and annoyance as a petulant old man brushed chessmen from his board." In December 1950, Arthur C. Clarke wrote "Guardian Angel," published in New Worlds magazine (vol 3 #8). There is one reference to chess. "And once again Stormgren had the feeling that the Supervisor's real interests were elsewhere, and that he ruled Earth with only a fraction of his mind, as effortlessly as a master of three-dimensional chess may play a game of checkers." In December 1950, Cleve Cartmill wrote "Captain Famine," published in Thrilling Wonder Stories (vol 37, #2). There is one reference to chess. On the space ship, Harvey Clay, the liaison officer, came into the lounge and asked Corky for a game of chess. Corky said, "Some other time, thanks." In 1951, Arthur C. Clarke wrote "Prelude to Space," published in Galaxy Science Fiction Novel #3. There are several references to chess. "After a few minutes of this, Dirk was glad when McAndrews challenged him to a game of chess on a miniature board. He lost his first game over Southeastern Europe, and fell asleep before completing the second ? probably through the action of some defense mechanism, as McAndrews was much the better player." Later on, Leduc and a young astronomer play chess. ?White to move, and win,? Goddard chuckled; and she immediately responded by leading with her king?s pawn. Broderick played an indifferent, listless game, giving more attention to his opponent?s face than to her moves. But suddenly he woke up to find one of his bishops in direct line with an unprotected castle. ?Eve removed the horseman with her queen, which was thus placed in the square next to the king, but protected by a knight. ?Checkmate!? laughed the doctor, ?By jove, so it is. That?s a new one on me. It?s almost the same as the fool?s mate.? (source: The Superperfect Bride by Bob Olsen, Avon Science Fiction Reader #2, 1951, p. 61) ?Well,? said Goddard, ?what?s the verdict?? ?She certainly knows how to play chess, or else I?m a dub.? ?That night, in the seclusion of his chamber, Broderick was beset by a multitude of unusual ideas and conceptions, some of them felicitous, others distressing. The methodical mind of a chess player he had never expected to find in a woman, and this added another strand to the cord which he felt binding him to her. ?A woman who can play chess like that would certainly make a man?s home life attractive. He wouldn?t need to go to the club for recreation.? Thus he reflected, showing that he was a true devotee of the ancient game of war. But, though her prowess at chess was to him an indication of superior intellectual caliber, yet the mysterious control which her foster-father seemed to exercise over her suggested mental weakness, Broderick even harbored a suspicion that Goddard?s own mind had engineered his defeat, and that he had merely used Eve as a human tool for translating his thought into acts. (source: The Superperfect Bride by Bob Olsen, Avon Science Fiction Reader #2, 1951, p. 62) In January 1951, William Temple wrote "Conditioned Reflex," published in Other Worlds (vol 3 #1). There is one reference to chess. "That's a point you'd better consider," said Arthur, lazily. "The homeostat developed to play chess, for instance, could eventually play with subtlety and strategy beyond that of the inventor himself." In February 1951, Frank Quattrocchi wrote "Assignment in the Unknown," published in Astounding Science Fiction (vol 46, # 6). Three-dimensional chess is played in space. In February 1951, Ray Bradbury wrote "The Fireman," published in Galaxy Science Fiction. It has one reference to chess. "With an effort, Montag reminded himself again that this was no fictional episode to be watched on his run to the river; it was in actuality his own chess-game he was witnessing, move by move." In June 1951, Edward Grendon wrote "Crisis," published in Astounding Science Fiction (vol 47, # 4). "The humans looked at television, listened to a crystal set, played chess, go, dominoes, and checkers, read, talked and occasionally got drunk." In June 1951, Edgar Pangborn wrote "Angel's Egg," published in Galaxy. Chess is mentioned several times in the story. "Lester dropped around for sherry and chess." An angel helps in a game of chess. In June 1951, S. J. Byrne wrote "Beyond the Darkness," published in Other Worlds. There are several references to chess. "Some Passengers flew transparent globes in changing formations far above the floor, engaging in an aerial game called three-dimensional chess. All around the gigantic chamber where countless observation tiers and refreshment mezzanines, where observers looked down at the activities below or watched the aerial chess game. ....The metal-walled world of ours is like one of the flying globes used for the aerial chess game in the Recreation Hall." In September 1951, John McGreevey wrote "The Catspaw," published in Fantastic Adventures. "The reality of Thorne Leathem, ex-engineer, was lost in the hyper-reality of a Galactic conflict which used Earth's people as hapless chessmen." In September-November 1951, Robert A. Heinlein wrote "The Puppet Masters," published in Galaxy. "He chuckled. 'It's like playing both sides of a very difficult chess game.'" In October 1951, Fletcher Pratt wrote "Asylum Satellite," published in Thrilling Wonder Stories (vol 39 #1). There are several references to chess. One of the characters was Sivard the chess-player. The general would only trust someone that had a peculiar brain, like that for playing chess to operate a torpedo calculator. "A matter of split-second timing ? also of chess-player skill in handling the calculator." In October 1951, Dallas Ross wrote "Ultimate Answer," published in Thrilling Wonder Stories (vol 39 #1). There are a few references to chess. The Mark-Bessie VI computer plays chess. "Van Oldman rubbed the end of his nose with a rueful forefinger. 'Well, first we set it up to play chess and it beat me three games out of three.' His superior snorted. 'Did you lead off with that usual fantastic gambit of yours?' Oldman nodded and opened his mouth to elaborate. The other interrupted him. 'What do you expect? A talking dog would checkmate you the way your play.'" In November 1951, Bernard Wolfe wrote "Self-Portrait," published in Galaxy. There are several references to machines playing chess in this article. "After that he made some major contributions to the robot chess player. ...Out of the mathematical analysis of chess came a robot chess player, and out of the chess player came some kind of mechanical brain that's useful in military strategy." In November 1951, Mack Reynolds wrote "Chowhound," published in Marvel Science Fiction magazine (vol 3 # 5). There are several references to chess. "Doctor Thorndon had his face buried in his hands, studying a chess problem, but he spoke up mildly. ...'Nothing of importance, skipper,' Doc Thomdon said easily, returning his attention to his chess board." ?So you?re faced by another dilemma,? remarked Raven. ?Peace might be assured by publishing the warning facts behind your policy ? and thereby creating general alarm plus opposition to further expansion.? ??Hm! A pretty setup. As sweet, a mutual animosity as could be contrived. I like it. It smacks of an enticing chess problem.? ?That?s Carson?s parallel,? remarked Heraty. ?He called it super-chess for reasons you?ve yet to learn. He said it?s time we stuck a new pieces on the board.? (The Star Watchers by Eric Russell, Startling Stories, vol. 24, #2, Nov 1951, p. 14) In December 1951, Sydney Bounds wrote "Liaison Service," published in New Worlds magazine (vol 4 #12). There are several references to chess. "I didn't say any more. We had been on bad terms since I made three wrong moves at chess, throwing away the game. Blair takes chess seriously and he lost his temper and made rude remarks about my intelligence quota. ...For one rosy moment, I imagined myself baffling him over the chess board ? with the ability to look into his mind and see every move he planned. I couldn't lose!" Robert Heinlein wrote The Rolling Stones in 1952. It was about a kid who played chess and could see what the other person was thinking. In February 1952, Kendell Foster Crossen wrote "The Regal Rigelian," published in Thrilling Wonder Stories (vol 39 #2). Anyone may challenge the emperor to a game of 4-dimensional chess, and if the challenger wins, he becomes King of Alphard VI for a period of one week. "'Okay, I'll play you,' Dzanku said. 'There hasn't been a Terran born who could beat a Rigelian in four dimensional chess 0 why do you think my planet has held the Galactic Championship for the past two hundred years? And don't think you'll catch me with a cheap trick like you did last time ? it wouldn't help you any even if it were possible.'" In February 1952, Jack Vance wrote "Abercrombie Station," published in Thrilling Wonder Stories (vol 39 #2). Jean challenges Earl to a game of chess. Earl says he is one of the best chess players alive. Jean has only played chess four times in her life. "She found an alcove filed with little chess-boards, each set-up in a game. A numbered card and record of moves was attached to each board. Jean picked up the inevitable index book, and glanced through. Earl played postcard chess with opponents all over the Universe." In March 1952, Matthew Cammen wrote "Mate in Three Moves," published in Astounding Science Fiction (Vol 49, #1). There are several references to chess in this story. A political boss is a chess player. "He isn't interested in anything but politics and chess." In March 1952, Jack Thomas wrote "Next Door," published in Astounding Science Fiction (Vol 49, #1). There is one reference to chess. "Even in chess he takes goofy chances. With Black he defends with the Greco-Counter Gambit or the Benoni. With White, he opens with the Spike or the Ourang-Outang." His life had been spent on horseback, in armor, wielding a weapon at one or another adversary. He could write ? laboriously. He could read ? if he had to. He spoke French and Arabic. He could play a shred game of chess. (source: Mistress of the Djinn by Geoff St. Reynard, Fantastic Adventures, British Edition, Mar 1952, p. 15) ?Men play a game ? many games ? with these, in a far country?Some day I?ll teach you a game with them.? ?Ah,? said Godwin wisely. ?A game. Like chess, or tables, or the jeu des dames?? (source: Mistress of the Djinn by Geoff St. Reynard, Fantastic Adventures, British Edition, Mar 1952, p. 21) Everybody was drinking cold honey mead, and Dick was playing chess with the old Scot. (source: Mistress of the Djinn by Geoff St. Reynard, Fantastic Adventures, British Edition, Mar 1952, p. 66) In April 1952, Peter Phillips wrote "She Who Laughs," published in Galaxy Science Fiction magazine (vol 4 #1). There are several references to chess. "'It was during the war,' Bran said, "and, being so near the border, we had a jeepful of your fellers running in here every night to stoke up Mister Golighan's brew. And one night we tell them about the House, and about how poor daft Johnnie Maur goes up there now and again to play chess with the ghost, as he said. Poor Johnnie, gone eleven months nowГ??' ...She started in on me now, so I grabbed up the chess board and pieces from the attic and skipped down from the Tenth Plane, where she was lying up and waiting for me to do most of the work. ...I dumped the chess board and pieces on the kitchen table. 'No,' he said. 'No! I'm not going to confirm myself in my own madness. Take 'em away.' I started setting out the pieces. He watched with a kind of horrible deadpan fascination. In a faraway voice he said: 'Queen on her own color.' 'That's better,' I told him. 'Pull up a chair.' In April 1952, S. J. Byrne wrote "The Golden Guardsmen," published in Other Worlds (vol 4 #3). There is one reference to chess. "And far away, somewhere, that little scene caused a very inhuman entity to laugh. It was a laugh one might have expected of someone who had just won another move in an intricate game ? like chess..." The story was continued in the June 1952 issue of Other Worlds (vol 4 #4). There were more references to chess. "The blazing globe was back, disguising Izdran again. And once more the Nrlanian laughed. But the chess board, Germain! Have you forgotten the queen piece? And the black bishop ? Nicholas? It is your move, Germain! ...There were a few hidden pieces which he, himself, had installed on Izdran's treacherous chess board! ...Neither Nicholas nor Trinha Llih nor Eidelmann were aware of the Chess Player as their two ships maneuvered in towards Mars through robot detector screens unscathed." In April 1952, J. T. McIntosh wrote "Tradition," published in Other Worlds (vol 4 #3). There is one reference to chess. "Carefully Gladwin replaced everything. He would probably be a pretty good chess player, he was telling himself, if only he played chess. For already he was three moves ahead and was considering the fourth." In May 1952, Walter Miller wrote "It Takes a Thief," published in If ? Worlds of Science Fiction (vol 1 #2). There is one reference to chess. "The grim chess-game continued a cautious step at a time, with the girl following one square behind him." In May 1952, Peter Hawkins wrote "Hideway," published in New Worlds magazine (vol 5 #15). There is one chess reference. "'Yes!' The doctor paused. 'I've been thinking about your suggestion the Thinker may have manufactured the ovoid.' 'Well?' 'Apart from the fact it's provided itself with a chess opponent for its equivalent of the long winter evenings, don't you see it's done something far more fundamentally dangerous that that?' He smiled, ??So we?ve got to think of something like chess or tiddledly-winks for the next few hours, because I haven?t enough ice in these hardened arteries to keep my hands off you otherwise.? ?Farradyne shrugged. ?Okay,? he said, taking the love lotus out of her hair and tossing it down the disposal chute. ?So what?ll it be? Chess, or tiddledy-winks?? (source: The Hellflower by George O. Smith, Startling Stories, vol. 26, #1, May 1952, p. 60-61) In June 1952, Richard Wilson wrote "The Hoaxters," published in Galaxy (vol 4 #3). There are several references to chess played in space. "You get yourself stuck off on a rock in space and after a while you begin to go nuts. Naturally. That's why Sam Black upset the chess board halfway through a game he certainly had not been losing to Alex Hurd." In June 1952, Paul W. Fairman wrote "The Third Ear," published in Other Worlds (vol 4 #4). There are several references to chess. Rabbi Glenman is a telepath. "Father Carney looked with satisfaction at the board and said blandly, 'I've yet to find a Jew ? especially a rabbi ? who could play a decent game of chess.' On the other side of the table, Rabbi Paul Glenman stated pensively at the pieces. 'And I've yet to see a Roman Catholic ? especially a black Irish priest ? who wasn't a fool for luck. You got out of that one because of the sheer brilliance of our guardian angel.' 'And by a superior knowledge of chess.' ...Father Carney said, 'This is Rabbi Glenman, Gary. A sworn enemy of mine. Thinks he can play chess.' ...Rabbi Glenman scowled too but there was a twinkle deep in his eyes. 'A telepath never takes advantage of ? 'of a poor priest over a chess table? Why you ?' 'Never,' Glenman said solemnly, 'under any circumstances.'" In June 1952, Anthony Boucher wrote "Gandolphus," published in Other Worlds (vol 4 #4). There is one reference to chess. "It was about two a.m. by now; and we were too tired for chess or cribbage even if we hadn't been kind of scared by the too damned beautiful boards and men Harrington offered us." In July 1952, Roger Dee wrote "Wailing Wall," published in Galaxy (vol 4 # 4). It has one reference to chess. "Stryker came over and unstrapped him. Gibson, playing chess with Xavier across the chart-room plotting table, looked up briefly and went back to his gambit." In July 1952, John Wyndham wrote "Dumb Martian," published in Galaxy (vol 4 #3). There are several chess references. "'Play chess?' He pointed to a board with the men pegged into it. Duncan shook his head. 'Pity. There's a fellow over on Callisto who plays a pretty hot game. He'd be disappointed not to finish this one. Still, if I was fixed up the way you are, maybe I wouldn't have been interested in chess myself.' ...[Duncan] had taught himself the moves in chess from a book, and instructed Leslie in them, intending after a little practice with her to challenge the men on Callisto." In July 1952, August Derleth wrote "McIlvaine's Star," published in If magazine (vol 1 #3). There is one reference to chess. "'Take Thaddeus McIlvaine,' said Harrigan. 'I never heard of him.' 'I suppose not,' said Harringan. 'But I knew him. He was an eccentric old fellow who had a modest income ? enough to keep up his hobbies, which were three: he played cards and chess at a tavern called Bixby's on North Clark Street; he was an amateur astronomer; and he had the fixed idea that there was life somewhere outside this planet and that it was possible to communicated with other beings ? but unlike most others, he tried it constantly with the queer machinery he had rigged up.'" The timer on the Zero Bomb had been only thirty minutes away from detonation when it set in motion the last great piece on the Chess Board. It was Germain?s hidden pieces—the Elder People?s gigantic Chronoperceptor on Guam. (source: The Golden Guardsmen, by S. J. Byrne, Other Worlds #20, vol. 4, #5, July 1952, p. 114) In July 1952, Bertram Chandler wrote "Finishing Touch," published in New Worlds magazine. In May 1953, it was re-published as "Doom Satellite" in Imagination magazine. There are several references to chess. Benson and Hughes played chess. "However, Benson thought, the psychologists could be excused, perhaps. Both men were chess addicts, both men were fond of what is, probably, the only possible card game for two persons ? cribbage." In July 1952, Charles Dye wrote "The Man Who Staked the Stars," published in Planet Stories (vol 5 #7). There are several references to chess. "Bryce explained some of that to Pierce, setting up a chess board to pass away the time until they arrived back at Moonbase City. ...Pierce had been comparatively silent since the chess game on the trip back..." Gamirand smiled sardonically. ?Quite absurd, but how typical! I accept the terms. What shall the game be ? your chess perhaps? I am well acquainted with it.? ?Too well, I think, for my money,? said Edmond dryly. ?I prefer more of a gambler?s game. Poker?? (source: War God?s Gamble by Harry Walton, Super Science Stories, British Edition #9, July 1952, p. 63) So under her guidance Jair Holding sat and practiced the new abilities he?d discovered. Most of it was concerned with his telekinetic powers?Then she made him try all of the at once. He succeeded in keeping a half dozen objects darting back and forth between them, while he repeated a poem she was thinking, and worked out a minor chess problem which she failed to get. ?King?s Knight to the Queen?s Rook four for a mate,? Caristia said. (source: Passport to Pax by Kendell Crossen, Startling Stories, vol. 26, #7, July 1952, p. 61) Bryce explained some of that to Pierce, setting up a chess board to pass away the time until they arrived at Moonbase City. ?What?s my next assignment?? Pierce asked, when they were several moves into the game. ...It was during dinner on the Moon that he and Pierce loosened up for the first time since the ambush. Pierce had been comparatively silent since the chess game on the trip back?? (source: The Man Who Staked the Stars by Charles Dye, Planet Stories, vol. 5, #7, July 1952, p.32-33) To be roasted in, thought Miles, and clamped down on his leaping fear. He wasn?t a fighting man ? with fists or guns. The more significant dangers of pioneering in space were his meat. Or measuring his prowess alongside that of another man in some intelligent pastime ? that was different. Empire, for instance, whose ancestor was the ancient game of chess. (source: Page and Player by Harry Neal, Startling Stories, vol. 27, #1, Aug 1952, p. 120) ?Yes,? Entor said. ?It?s a game, like chess or politics, And,? he grinned again, nervously, ?right now it?s not my move.? (source: All the Answers by Rog Phillips, Science Fiction Quarterly, vol. 1, #6, Aug 1952, p. 16) In September 1952, Stanley Mullen wrote "Shock Treatment," published in If magazine (vol 1 #4). There is one reference to chess. "Ducking behind the bar, he shed his apron and buzzed for the stand-in bartender. Ed Careld forsook his interminable game of Martian chess and appeared to take over." In September 1952, Ray Bradbury wrote "A Sound of Thunder," published in Planet Stories, New Zealand edition (#11). It was re-published in the January 1954 issue of Planet Stories (vil 6 #4). There is one reference to chess. "What sort of world it was now, there was no telling. He could feel them moving there, beyond the walls, almost, like so many chess pieces blown in a dry wind..." The other haphazard happenings, Harry realized, were part of the complicated series of chess moves that the children and the mother were making against each other. (source: Asylum Earth by Bruce Elliott, Startling Stories, vol. 27, #3, Oct 1952, p. 60) In October 1952, S. J. Byrne wrote "The Naked Goddess," published in Other Worlds (vol 4 # 7). There is one chess reference. "They would all be cheap smugglers and confidence men ? mere pawns in this interplanetary game of chess." In November 1952, Walt Sheldon wrote "Verisimilitude," published in Space Science Fiction (vol 1 #3). There is one reference to chess. Fred Brown finds a chess set and an opponent in a far corner of a house. In November 1952, Roger Dee wrote "The Star Dice," published in Startling Stories (vol 28 #1). There is one reference to chess. "Now there was left only an appalling emptiness and the prospect of being maneuvered about like a chess piece in an endless game played by an intangible but monstrously confident enemy." In December 1952, Jim Brown wrote "The Emissary," published in Astounding Science Fiction, British edition (vol 8 #12). There is one reference to chess. "One of the navigation officers on the Dorian, whose brother was a pilot of a Landing Aircraft-Personnel on patrol duty over Sirius-A, said that his brother, with whom he played chess by spacephone every evening, said that they were rigging infrared-controlled nets to catch gray fish in gray soup." He returned within, gave the Griffits instructions, went out with them, explained the wrist-watch, then came back to the table, with the feeling of returning into a chess match. (source: Planet of the Damned by Jack Vance, Space Stories, vol. 1, #2, Dec 1952, p. 59) In December 1952, Fletcher Pratt wrote "The Long View," published in Startling Stories (vol 28 #2). There is one reference to chess. "[Greta] had become utterly absorbed in the great game, as miniature space-ship after space-ship left the two planets and maneuvered toward each other in a maze more intricate than three-dimensional chess." In 1953, Jonathan Burke (John Frederick Burke) (1922-2011) published Chessboard, which was his first science fiction story, published in New Worlds magazine. In 1953, Charles Harness (1915-2005) wrote The Chessplayers. It is a short story of a chess club that runs across a refugee professor who claims he has a chess-playing rat that he trained himself. The story appeared in Fantasy & Science Fiction, October 1953. In January 1953, Julian Chain wrote "The Captives," published in Astounding Science Fiction (vol 50, # 5). "So, too, the Artificial Man has developed from dim beginnings in myth and magic through the clockwork figures of the 18th century and the engines of the 19th to a crude, but not trivial, solution with the learning chess player of Wiener and Shannon." In January 1953, Poul Anderson wrote "Un-Man," published in Astounding Science Fiction (vol 50, # 5) and Astounding Science Fiction, British edition (vol. 9 #6). "And Donner had been a mech-volley fan, and had played good chess..." In January 1953, Walter Miller wrote "Check and Checkmate," published in If magazine (vol 1 #6). "The President looked at the robot and a great, weariness swept over him. Suddenly it all seemed futile ? a senseless game, played by madmen, dancing over countless graves ? playing tag among the tombstones. Check and checkmate. But always there was a way out. Never a final move. Life eternal and with life, the eternal plotting and scheming. And never a final victor." In January 1953, E. C. Tubb wrote "Alien Dust," published in New Worlds magazine (vol 7, # 19). "Lew glanced up from where he and Sam were playing chess." In January 1953, James White wrote "Assisted Passage," published in New Worlds magazine (vol 7, # 19). "But he was very shy and hesitant, and when he did say something, especially if it was on a technical subject, you got the impression that he'd given it all the consideration one usually gives only to a move in chess." In January 1953, John Frederick Burke (1922-2011) wrote "Chessboard," published in New Worlds magazine (vol 7, # 19). There is also an illustration of human chess pieces on a chessboard. The theme is living chess. "Most of the pieces in the game were only Pawns, but when one of them became a Knight and killed the King the Players of the Game had to think hard before it was checkmate." In January 1953, Poul Anderson wrote "Sentiment, Inc.," published in Science Fiction Stories (#1). There is one reference to chess. "He dropped over to Sworsky's apartment for an evening of chess and bull-shooting. In February 1953, Poul Anderson wrote "Security," published in Space Science Fiction (vol 1 #4). There is one reference to chess. "But the crew he worked with didn't seem to mind. They had their own large collections of books and music wires, which they borrowed from each other. They played chess and poker with savage skill." He had a lot to think about. Life, and death, and for the few last words of a man. The Cochranes, and a chess game that was being played with stars for pawns. (source: The Big Jump by Leigh Brackett, Space Stories, vol. 1, #3, Feb 1953, p. 21) ?Yes. Yes.? Torgesson paced faster. ?Then you must know that chess-playing computers have been constructed on cybernetic principles. The rules of chess moves and the object of the game are built into its circuits. Given any position on the chess board, the machine can then compute all possible moves together with their consequence and choose that one which offers the highest probability of winning the game. It can even be made to take the temperament of its opponent into account.? ?Of course, such a computer would have to be much, much more complex than any chess-player.? (source: The Monkey?s Fingers by Isaac Asimov, Startling Stories, vol. 29, #2, Feb 1953, p. 79) In March 1953, Robert Sheckley wrote "Fool's Mate," published in Astounding Science Fiction (vol 51, # 1). Chess is the theme of the story with military tactics and war patterns relying on a chess player and a Configuration-Probability-Calculator. "To the unskilled eye, a chess game is a meaningless array of pieces and positions. But to the players ? the game may be already won or lost. ?For Men Only. Daring blindfold exhibitions and variety entertainments continuously.? Inside, a loudspeaker was blaring: ?Thus we have seen how to compose the ideal end-game problem in chess. And now, gentlemen, for the small consideration of an additional quarter . . .? (source: The Rose by Charles Harness, Authentic Science Fiction Monthly, Mar 1953, p. 12) And fine dreams he had: his own fire-corner and his slippers warming on the hob, a chess problem at hand, and his lady-of-the-house on the other side of the fire. (source: The Sword of Yung Lo by Maurice Walsh, Fantastic, vol. 2, #2, Mar 1953, p. 76) Already he was pulling her away toward the chess parlour. ?The woman paused uneasily. She had sensed the nervousness of the barker even before Ruy, and now still fainter impressions were beginning to ripple over the straining surface of her mind. They were coming from that chess player: from the coins in his pocket; from the lead weights of his chess pieces; and especially from the weapon concealed somewhere on him. The resonant histories of the chess pieces and coins she ignored. (source: The Rose by Charles Harness, Authentic Science Fiction Monthly, Mar 1953, p. 109) The man closed his eyes and breathed deeply. In one rapid, complex surmise, he visualized an enchainement of postures, a pas de deux to be played with his wife as an unwitting partner. Like a skilled chess player, he analyzed various variations of here probable responses to his gambit, and he had every expectation of a successful climax. And therein lay his hesitation, for success meant his own death. . (source: The Rose by Charles Harness, Authentic Science Fiction Monthly, Mar 1953, p. 127) ?Maybe you want to be young and strong and handsome again?? purred Iulia. ?Ach, no!? cried Papa in horror. ?I am young again, vot vould my wife say? ?No! Und my old chess-playing friends, ven I come up and vant a game dey vill laugh and say I am crazy in de head, a baby like me should be vanting to play vit experts. No, I like my own age, tank you chust de same.? (source: Three Wishes by Poul Anderson, Fantastic, vol. 2, #2, Mar 1953, p. 137, and Fantastic vol. 15, #3, Jan 1966, p. 129) And yes, there was that bragging old fool Hyman down at the club who always beat him at chess and talked about it, he would like to put Hyman in his place. (source: Three Wishes by Poul Anderson, Fantastic, vol. 2, #2, Mar 1953, p. 137, and Fantastic, vol. 15, #3, Jan 1966, p. 130) In March 1953, E. C. Tubb wrote "Rockets Aren't Human," published in New Worlds magazine (vol 7 #20). There is one reference to chess. "For weeks they hung in free fall, without even a book to read. Books had mass, and mass took fuel to lift. A pack of cards, a set of chess, three men to talk to, each as isolated as the other. That was a spaceman's life." In April 1953, Peter Phillips wrote "University," published in Galaxy. There is one reference to chess. "First blowup came between Aventos and Brodcuzynski. Chessmen were scattered over the messroom floor." In April 1953, Hubert Bernhard wrote "Welcome Voyager," published in Rocket Stories (vol 1 #1). There is one reference to chess. "Like a chess master who understands his opponent's strategy, Klord smiled slowly." In April 1953, Clifford Simak wrote "Retrograde Evolution," published in Science-Fiction Plus (vol 1 #2). There are several references to chess. "As they watched, a heavy box was brought out of the god-house by a gang of Kzyzz, who puffed and panted as they lugged it to the cube. They opened the box and took out several objects, carved of different materials, some wood, some stone, others of unfamiliar stuff. These they set in what appeared to be prescribed positions upon the various planes. 'Chess,' said Greasy. 'What?' 'Chess,' said Greasy. 'It looks like they're setting up a game of chess.' 'Could be,' said Sheldon, thinking, it it is a chess game, it is the wildest, most fantastic, toughest game I have ever seen." In April 1953, Frank Belknap Long wrote "Throwback in Time," published in Science-Fiction Plus (vol 1 #2). There is one reference to chess. "Strab Mang, the eldest, had the brooding gaze of a master chess player, a man sunk in a lethargy of thought, as one planning a decision from which there could be no appeal." Arwon said heavily, ?Do you play chess, Correll?? ?Chess? I?ve never had time to learn the game.? ?We do not usually play games,? the other admitted. ?But chess has come down through history as an important means for the development of a feeling for strategy. And as we have been forced to fight continuously against great odds, it has acquired a certain popularity among us.? ?Of course,? said Correll. ?It wouldn?t hurt me to know strategy too. I?ll be glad to learn int. Unless you have something more important for me to do until we land.? (source: The Gears of Time by William Morrison, Space Stories, vol. 2, #1, Apr 1953, p. 54) Medlana stared at him in amusement. ?You?re becoming genuinely gifted,? she said. ?That?s because I?ve had such good teachers. Arwon has beaten me shamefully at chess, using tricks I never knew existed. And you?ve taught me not to be stuffy. I?m not a completely stupid pupil.? (source: The Gears of Time by William Morrison, Space Stories, vol. 2, #1, Apr 1953, p. 68) ?This is crazy stuff,? I told Rainier ambitiously. ?Look here. What if one of these ?I?s got so big and powerful it shoved all the others back into the sub-conscious. Say an ?I? that likes to play chess. Then you?d have an obsessive compulsive psychosis.? (source: Fulfillment by Ross Rocklynne, Startling Stories, vol. 29, #3, April 1953, p. 94) Griffenhoek smiled at me over the chess table in his office, where we sneak games between classes at the university. (Clockwork by Leslie Bigelow, Startling Stories, vol. 29, #3, April 1953, p. 112) Certainly we cannot match the clockwork ingenuities of our ancestors?Or chess players, like Moxon?s Master. (Clockwork by Leslie Bigelow, Startling Stories, vol. 29, #3, April 1953, p. 114) In May 1953, Gavin Hyde wrote "The Contest," published in If worlds of science fiction magazine. There are several references to chess. "A few weeks before, in a state of exasperation at the thought of facing a chess champion, he had taken his chess pieces out to try to figure some way to foil his opponent." Later, Cyl dropped all his chess pieces into the kitchen disposal unit. In May 1953, Robert Donald Locke wrote "Milk Run," published in Imagination magazine (vol 4 # 4). There is one reference to chess. "Normal Einstein space is curved. Hyperspace isn't. Very simple." "Simple like wombat chess, huh?" In May 1953, A. Bertram Chandler wrote "Doom Satellite," published in Imagination Science Fiction magazine (vol 4 #4). There are several references to chess. "However, Benson thought, the psychologists could be excused, perhaps. Both men were chess addicts." Benson and Hughes played chess. ?Already know them? I don?t know anything. If there?s some sort of conspiracy ? it we?re just pawns in some cosmic chess game ? it all this is true ? the why don?t we do something about it?? (source: Hardly Worth Mentioning by Chad Oliver, Fantastic, vol. 2, #3, May 1953, p. 124, and repeated in Fantastic, vol. 15, #4, Mar 1966, p. 50) In May 1953, S. J. Byrne wrote "Power Metal," published in Other Worlds magazine (vol 5 # 5). There is one reference to chess. "Buchanan and Cardwell were playing the space game called Empire, and Governor Pomeroy was third man in the "crew." It was a spaceman's game because it required about three times as long to play as the average game of chess, and time was a distinctly surplus commodity." Filling out forms and returning to the Krylla for a snack had taken only five of the six hours; waiting for vizor connections had taken the last hour along with a game of tri-di chess to kill the time. ??I?ll be careful, then.? And Herl Hofner patted his pile of applications and turned back to the chess game. (source: Temptress of Planet Delight by B. Curtis, Planet Stories, vol. 5, #12, May 1953, p. 7-8) Mannstein the astronomer, who had come up to Control after being relieved at his instruments, said, ?When we play chess, it is often that we make a waiting move, not advancing the game, but giving the opponent a chance to make a mistake.? (source: The Conditioned Captain by Fletcher Pratt, Startling Stories, vol. 30, #1, May 1953, p. 43) In June 1953, Boyd Ellanby wrote "The Star Lord," published in Imagination magazine (Vol 4 # 5). There is one reference to chess. "I'll just watch," said the Captain. "You know I'm not much of a gambler. Chess is my game." Presently, the pair were immersed in their daily game of chess. The Negovians were great chess players. Indeed, they saw life largely in terms of the game. Indeed, they saw life largely in terms of the game. They could not conceive that any move of any sort by anyone was likely to be anything but a calculated move towards capturing the king. ?Of course there were a lot of pawns in the game, too, whose names were John Smith, Joe Doakes, and Ivan Ivanovitch?But they weren?t wholly useless. You couldn?t very well play chess without pawns. (source: Pawn in Revolt by William Temple, Nebula Science Fiction 4, June 1953, p. 35) They loved the game of power politics for the same reason that they loved chess, and that love was ineradicable. (source: Pawn in Revolt by William Temple, Nebula Science Fiction 4, June 1953, p. 40) In June 1953, Charles Foster wrote "Red Alert," published in Space Stories (vol 2 #6). There are several references to chess. The subtitle is "It was a universal game of chess ? but who were the pawns?" Alec the robot butler "played pretty fair chess." "Alec showed up for chess just at the right moment, when the work on the early part of the shift was done. The perfect butler. ...Alec, once past the opening and into the middle game, used his full three minutes before making any move, but his best was not good enough to beat even the slap-dash sort of chess that Frank Pease was indulging in. It was not much more than half an hour when Frank was able to threaten a rook fork with his remaining knight. Alec did not see the deeper trap as he worked out his defense and five moves later Frank's queen's bishop moved into sew up the checkmate." It turns out that Alec the robot is a being from another star and is trying to prevent humans from space travel. A scary story. In August 1953, Chandler Davis wrote "Share Our World," published in Astounding Science Fiction (vol 51, # 6). There are several references to chess in the story. Balch and Sumer play chess on a space ship. They find that an animal called the nibble can learn chess. In August 1953, James Blish and Michael Sherman wrote "The Duplicated Man, published in Dynamic Science Fiction (vol 1 #4). There are several references to chess. "'You know, I might have been a master chess-player, and I might have been a master criminal. But my gifts always ran to trickery, and the only canvas large enough for me to paint upon was been history.' ...'We're pieces in a chess game,' Danton-Nels said, 'We're not just pawns, perhaps, but we're many squares away from being a king.'" ?The days of map-battles are through,? contributed Wurmser with a touch of malice. ?No more throwing of masses of pawns against other masses of pawns. This is twenty-first century super-chess. We leave the pawns undisturbed while we snatch away the big pieces one by one. They just vanish from the board—of natural causes. (source: A Great Deal of Power by Eric Frank Russell, Fantastic Universe, vol. 1, #2, Aug 1953, p. 182) In August 1953, Clifford Simak wrote "Spacebred Generations," published in Science-Fiction Plus (vol 1 #5). There are several references to chess. "But the most of them, thought Jon, loitering his way along, had done no more than grow expert in the art of killing time. Like he and Joe, with their endless chess games and the careful records that they kept of every move they made, of every move and game. And the hours they spent in analyzing their play from the records that they made, carefully annotating each decisive move. And why not, he asked himself ? why not record and annotate the games? What else was there to do? What else?" The Paramarriage Club held parades?where they wanted Bill to make the main speech. Bill refused kindly. He had been playing chess with Dr. Tinkham, but he set down his glass and folded his hands over the board. ?I am sorry, my dears. I wouldn?t be good as that. I have done my part, and now it?s up to you.? (source: A Great Day for the Amorous by Ralph Robin, Fantastic, vol. 2, #5, Sep 1953, p. 31) ?This is a funny war,? he said. ?I?ve seen a lot of wars. Wars where everyone knew what they were fighting for. Wars where nobody knew. Wars where nobody cared. And this is the queerest war of all. I think this war is a chess game. Maybe America and Europe mean to put all the pieces back on the board when it?s over. But there?s some pieces they can?t put back,? he said. ??I saw Peter buried, after he was brought back. He was only a pawn, and he went early.? (source: War?s Great Organ by J. T, M?Intosh, Nebula Science Fiction 5, Sep 1953, p. 47) In September 1953, Richard English wrote "The Heart of the Game," published in Orbit Science Fiction magazine (vol 1 #1). There are several references to chess. "His mind fumbled with the game until he saw the analogy. It was like chess, and he was the new king! A king was a piece unable to attack or defend except feebly, yet whose freedom and inviolability was the point, the heart of the game. ...As his trance state diminished into consciousness again, he found himself wondering: 'In chess, players alone do not die. The pieces are all killed, the King as well as the Queen ...but no! The King is never killed, only imprisoned, deprived of movement.' ....'Must the whole planet be devastated, everything else killed, just to checkmate me? And does checkmate mean death?'" In September 1953, Poul Anderson wrote "The Escape," published in Space Science Fiction (vol 2 #2). There are several references to chess. Felix Mandelbaum was the chess opponent of Nathan Lewis and Corinth. "Corinth was playing better than he had ever done before. Usually he and Mandelbaum were pretty evenly matched, the physicist's slow careful strategy offsetting the unionist's nerve=wracking bravura. But tonight the younger man was too distracted. He made schemes that would have delighted Capablanca, but Mandelbaum saw through them and slashed barbarically past his defenses." In September 1953, Roger Flint Young wrote "Janushek," published in Universe Science Fiction magazine (#2). There was one reference to chess. "Wndell was humming softly, then looking at Janushek. 'Cards, dice, backgammon or talk? I'll even go for chess. Three-way, if Christen wants it.'" In November 1953, Carl Jacobi wrote "The Gentleman is an Epwa," published in Cosmos Science Fiction and Fantasy magazine (vol 1 #2). There is one reference to chess. "Personal reminiscences were rare with him; he much preferred a game of chess or simply his pipe and a chair on the veranda..." In November 1953, Kendell Foster Crossen wrote "Mission to Mizar," published in Thrilling Wonder Stories (vol 43 #1). There is one reference to chess. "Dzanku said 'I presume you are aware of the rather peculiar talent which Mizarians possess?' Manning nodded. 'Actually,' Dzanky continued, 'it's always been a rather useless talent. Oh, very handy in such things as chess, checkers, Castorian Rummy, and possible Tzitsa if they were only clever enough to play it.'" In December 1953, Mack Reynolds wrote "Potential Enemy," published in Orbit magazine (vol 1 #2). It had one reference to chess. "[Markham Gray] was seasoned enough as a space traveler to steel himself against the monotony with cards and books, with chess problems and wire tapes, and even with an attempt to do an article on the distant earthbase from which he was returning for the Spacetraveler Digest. ...Now if there had only been one good chess player-." In December 1953, H. B. Fyfe wrote "Luna Escapade," published in Orbit magazine (vol 1 #2). There is one reference to chess. "Except for the tenseness of blasting off and landing, the round trip to Mars was as boring as he expected. Campiglia won too many chess games at one mover per watch, and the deck of cards wore out." In December 1953, Charles Eric Maine wrote "Spaceways to Venus," published in Spaceway magazine (vol 1 #1). There is one chess reference. "Occasionally he passed the time by playing chess with himself, frowning and peering at the little wooden men in earnest concentration." In December 1953, Gene L. Henderson wrote "Not in the Books," published in Universe magazine (#3). The theme of the story is around a game of chess. "At the sound of the buzzer, there was a momentary lull in conversation and high brass allowed a look of irritation to show on their faces that battle reports were still allowed to interrupt checkers, chess, and other games of amusement. 'What about a game of chess played directly with your supposedly infallible machine?' suggested Chet. 'You're familiar with the game no doubt.' ...During long space flights early in his patrol career, Chet had played numerous games of chess and was considered somewhat an expert by those who knew him. The first few moves by both and he and the machine were with pawns only. Then, with lightening speed, the machine moved to the attack and Chet found himself without one of his knights. Borj beamed with satisfaction and the Earthman realized, with dismay, that the machine had initiative as well as the ability to counter his moves." In 1954, Clyde Woodruff wrote "The Heat's On," published in Dynamic Science Fiction, British edition #3. There is one reference to chess. "Latham had meanwhile dispatched Bev Williams to the tower, and he hustled back with a message that we were awaited. Only Latham and I went. The others returned to the library, where an unfinished chess game waited on the large desk." The party entered a large room, furnished with wealth and taste, lined with bookshelves. Dalgetty noticed an intricate Chinese chess set on the desk. So Bancroft or Meade played chess—that was something they had in common, at least, on this night of murder. (source: The Sensitive Man by Poul Anderson, Fantastic Universe, vol. 1, #4, Jan 1954, p. 42) In February 1954, Poul Anderson (1926-2001) published a short science fiction article, The Immortal Game. It appeared in Fantasy & Science Fiction magazine. The computerized chess pieces don't know they're merely acting out old moves, and develop various strange delusions involving free will, loyalty, melodrama, and purple prose. In 1954, Arthur C. Clarke published Armanents Race. The communist in the story peaceably studies a chess-board in the corner of a room. ?I?m stuck, Joel.? ?Phil Janus, our chronicler, looked up from the chess game he?d been playing with pilot Gar Holden and laughed. ?Maybe he had an overdose of his own joy-juice and it hardened all his arteries.? (source: Gorgon Planet by Bob Silverberg, Nebula Science Fiction 7, Feb 1954, p. 51 and repeated in Super Science Fiction, vol. 2, #6, Oct 1958, p. 4)) I saw great Morro standing at my feet, and old Steeger looking even older after his remote-control chess-game with the gorgon. And there was Holden, and Upton. Four. And I made five. Two dead made seven. It took me another second to realise we were not all together. (source: Gorgon Planet by Bob Silverberg, Nebula Science Fiction 7, Feb 1954, p. 57) In March 1954, Cliffort Simak wrote "Immigrant," published in Astounding Science Fiction (vol 53, # 1). George says, "I understand you have a game called chess. We can't play games, of course. You know why we can't. But I'd be very interested in discussing with you the technique and philosophy of chess." As for the Old Men, apparently nothing had happened—not even the Colonel?s slap—to disturb the tenor of their days. They read, smoked their piles, played a little chess and puttered in their labs as usual. (source: The Love Machine by Jim Brown, Fantastic Universe, vol. 1, #5, Mar 1954, p. 43) In March 1954, Roger Dee wrote "Man Friday," published in the Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. It references chess and a character named Sczhau that plays chess. In March 1954, Wilson O. Clough wrote "The Man with the Broken Nose," published in Universe (#4). There are several references to chess. "The chemist drew forth his handkerchief. He did not answer at once. Then he said with apparent irrelevancy, 'Do you play chess?' The Captain rose, his manner relieved. 'I play chess, though rather badly. Come, we shall have a try at a game in my quarters.' '...In the meantime ? may I hope that you will continue your interest - in chess ? as a not too distant date?' Before the chemist could answer, a discreet knock was heard at the door. The Captain opened a desk drawer and took from it a chessboard, pawns and counters in position." ?The star virus is indisputably the superbrain, the cleverest chess player in the universe!? (source: The Star Virus by F. Lindsey, Authentic Science Fiction Monthly 44, Apr 1954, p. 82) But the diabolical cleverness of the star virus is unbelievable. It watches, it knows, it changes characteristics by mutating from one possible form to a different one, using other viruses as camouflage or controlling them like pawns in a game of chess. (source: The Star Virus by F. Lindsey, Authentic Science Fiction Monthly 44, Apr 1954, p. 85) In April 1954, Philip Dick wrote "The Golden Man," published in If magazine (vol 3 #2). "All objects were fixed. Pieces on a vast chess board through which he move, arms folded, face calm." The battles of nations have often been compared to the battles of chess-players, and the analogy has many points of advantage. Nations and chess-players seem to be innately belligerent. ?And all chess-players are characterized by the desire to have a game and beat their opponents. What stops them? Probably nothing. But they tend not to play games with opponents who they know they cannot beat. The game loses its point when the end is foreknown (source: The Atomic Submarine, Authentic Science Fiction Monthly 45, May 1954, p. 128) In May 1954, Alan Barclay wrote "Walk Into My Parlour," published in New Worlds magazine (vol 8 #23). There are several references to chess. "On the wide level dusty expanse of Quintaio Space Port, scout ships stood on their tails like slender chess-men on a chess-board. 'I see,' the General replied slowly. 'I see it all now. A very effective set of moves ? a chess-game played by a master. I congratulate you.'" In May 1954, Philip Dick wrote "James P. Crow," published in Planet Stories (vol 6 #6). There is one reference to chess. "Donnie didn't reply. He gathered up his set of fourth dimensional chess, stuffed it in his pocket, and walked off between the rows of ecarda trees, toward the human quarter." A little joke? Of course, that was it; a little joke. All right. Bentley would play along. He would graciously engage in checkers until the man was ready for chess. Why, however, an hour of their valuable time should be consumed in perpetuating such an infantile practical joke? (source: The Candles by Robert K. White, Fantastic, vol. 3, # 3, Jun 1954, p. 11) In June 1954, Atlantis Hallam wrote "Martian Pete," published in Spaceway magazine (vol 2 #1). There are several references to chess. Martians have animals called rooks. "They stand straight up like a bantam rooster, sort of like a rook in a chess game, where I guess they got the name." All day Elsworth had sat upon a round, red boulder, in plain sight, gazing with fixed reproachfulness at the viewpoint, where he sat playing chess. (The Garden by Charles Stearns, Startling Stories, vol. 32, #1, Summer 1954, p.97) Afterwards he found the chess board, went forward to the table in front of the viewpoint, and played eight games, was trounced eight times by his ingenious electronic opponents, and finally flung the board across the compartment in a sudden, inexplicable fit of anger. In a part of his brain a small warning signal flashed, but he did not heed it. Not then. (The Garden by Charles Stearns, Startling Stories, vol. 32, #1, Summer 1954, p.98) ?Just because my father gets a mechanical monster to play chess with, your father doesn?t have to have one. He could have borrowed ours.? ?Oh, he could, could he? Well,? said Mike, ?it just so happens that your father won?t let anybody else play with Mr. Morphy. In fact, Mr. Mercer won?t even play chess with my dad any more. Says he?s too busy proving something with the robot ? something about a robot assimilating all the best strategy of his opponent until he can?t be beaten by the human being who trained him.? ?I think the entire matter is too childish to discuss,? said Carol Mercer. ?Two mature, retired men in their prime of life caring about nothing but chess, chess, chess. And now you aid and abet the mania by buying another stupid robot for ? for just exactly what it would have cost us to put up our pre-fabricated house.? (source: Robots? Gambit by Richard Wilson, Authentic Science Fiction Monthly 47, Jul 1954, p. 88) Henry Hobbs was deep in a chess problem when his son and the robot walked into the study. ??Mercer solved this one in twenty minutes, did he? When I?ve been at it for an hour? The prevaricating old rascal! More likely his mechanical man solved it, if anyone did.? Mr. Hobbs moved a knight tentatively, then banged it back to where it had been. ??His name will be up to you, Dad. He?s a robot. And he?s yours to wheel you around, or fetch down books, or cook, or send to the store or ___? he paused slyly ___?maybe you could teach him chess.? (source: Robots? Gambit by Richard Wilson, Authentic Science Fiction Monthly 47, Jul 1954, p. 89) Mike and Carol went through the house, room by room, but the robots were gone. ?You don?t suppose they ran away?? asked Mr. Hobbs. He was nervously trundling himself back and forth in his wheelchair. ?Perhaps off to the chess club? Or off to a carnival to play an exhibition? They seemed to like the touch of publicity they got tonight.? (source: Robots? Gambit by Richard Wilson, Authentic Science Fiction Monthly 47, Jul 1954, p. 97) Lenk hesitated for a second, then decided that monotony was worse than anything else. :How about some chess, Jeremy?: he asked. The other stopped, and some of the sullenness left his face. Apparently the protracted arguments had wearied him until he was also feeling the relief of decisive action. ?Why not?? Jeremy said. ?I?ll set up the board while you fiddle with your dials.? ?Lenk shrugged and turned back to the chess. It was over his head, anyhow. (source: Battleground by Lester del Rey, Fantastic Universe, vol. 2, #1, July 1954, p. 34-35) In July 1954, James Causey wrote, "Felony," published in Galaxy magazine. "He did not go to the chess club that night, but went to the library instead. He read about Flying Saucers, about space travel, about the possibility of life on other planets." In July 1954, James White wrote "Starvation Orbit," published in New Worlds magazine (vol 9 #26). There is one reference to chess. Winthrop and the Station Chief came often to the dining hall. McBride to play chess with the doctor and to ask after the wounded, and the Radioman to ask after the wounded and talk to Robinson." In July 1954, Betsy Curtis wrote "Of the Fittest," published in Universe magazine (#6). There are several references to chess. "A well-meaning friend took him to see a chess tournament which he thought would appeal to an intellectual like John ... and they brought him here from Schenectady in an ambulance full of agony and the screaming mimi's after one chess player wiped up the board with some poor hopeful of an opponent after having needled the opponent to distraction with all kinds of purposefully annoying mannerisms." Sunday, in millions of respectable homes, was not Sunday unless lust and murder, described in detail by Hemmings and his fellows, were introduced, by the medium of the printed page, into the prim parlours and the too neat bedrooms. Lust and murder?A blow by blow account of the long, leisurely chess match between Hales, the Astronomer-Captain, and Grimshaw, the Physicist, was no substitute. (source: Six of One by Bertram Chandler, Science Fantasy, vol. 3, #9, 1954, p. 63) ?When I think of all the people who could have been sent?? ?You?d preferred the Chess Correspondence of The Observer? Or The Time.? (source: Six of One by Bertram Chandler, Science Fantasy, vol. 3, #9, 1954, p. 64) It had been, decided Hemmings, one of the most boring afternoons of his journalistic career. The Martian scientists were old and stodgy, in spite of the hairlessness of their heads and faces contriving to convey the impression of long grey beards. It was as boring as Hales? chess games had been. It had been, in fact, remarkably like a chess game, expert pitted against expert, specialist against specialist, each avid for the other?s knowledge but neither anxious to divulge too much of what he himself knew. .? (source: Six of One by Bertram Chandler, Science Fantasy, vol. 3, #9, 1954, p. 70) Wearily that evening, he dragged up the stairs to his door, which was instantly opened by the smiling Servo, his briefcase whisked from under his arm, his hat placed on the hat-tree, his cigarette lit, his slippers placed on his feet and the paper handed to him open at the chess problem. (source: Servant Problem by T. D. Hamm, Authentic Science Fiction Monthly 48, Aug 1954, p. 110) Chief occupations in off-hours were games of chess, reading, writing and activities that used a minimum of conversation. No one felt like talking much after a full shift of sucking hard at oxygen to keep up with his body?s demand. Although the lessened gravity appeared to make all physical labor easy, Duncan could never remember such complete fatigue at the end of a working day. He ate, worked, played chess and slept 10 hours a day. (source: The Geisha Memory by Winston Marks, Planet Stories, vol. 6, #8, Fall 1954, p. 8) Intelligent men are not easily bored, but Peter Duncan discovered a certain restlessness developing among the new men during the fourth month. There was a tendency to break off in the middle of a chess game, or to speak tersely. Duncan ascribed this to a phase of adjustment, because the second term crew seemed better tempered. (source: The Geisha Memory by Winston Marks, Planet Stories, vol. 6, #8, Fall 1954, p. 9) ?Play chess?? Salvor-Jones asked. ?I never played chess,? Knucklebone Smith said. (source: The Pluto Lamp by Charles Stearns, Planet Stories, vol. 6, #8, Fall 1954, p. 59) In September 1954, Jonathan Burke wrote "The Perfect Secretary," published in New Worlds magazine (vol 9 #27). There is one reference to chess. "The robot did not reply at once. It began to hum like someone monotonously trying out a tune while brooding over a chess problem." If the Sokkaths found the planet first, and were able to set up a base here, then that would be a reverse in the Galactic game of chess that strewed smashed ships and broken men among the stars. (source: It Takes Two by H. K. Bulmer, Authentic Science Fiction Monthly 50, Oct 1954, p. 20) As the dog disappeared behind one of the domes an irate man bounded out, waving a chess-piece in his hand. ?The old man with the chess-piece shook it under Jarril?s nose, laughed, and said: ?I?m an old man, son. You must expect me t have a little fight still left. Which reminds me: I?ve Danny?s queen forked. He?ll lose a game rather than lose his queen.? (source: It Takes Two by H. K. Bulmer, Authentic Science Fiction Monthly 50, Oct 1954, p. 25-26) ?And maybe we?ve ceased to exist so far as Earth is concerned.? ?Well, we?ll know in three days . . . a game of chess would take our minds off this.? Foreman brought out his pocket set. ?I?m white,? he said, and moved. ?Knight to Bishop three . . .? ?Three days of utter darkness, shut in with each other, isolated from the universe. Three days of chess, the tension growing, building up to become the enemy between them.? (source: It?s Dark Out There by Sydney Bounds, Authentic Science Fiction Monthly 51, Nov 1954, p. 69) In November 1954, H. A. Stucke wrote "Caravan," published in Universe (#8). There is one reference to chess. "'Goldophin's a rather stupid chap,' Revere said reminiscently. 'I beat him at chess once.'" In December 1954, Philip Dick wrote "Strange Eden," published in Imagination, Stories of Science and Fantasy (vol 5, # 12). "Do you play chess?" "Chess? It's our national game. We introduced it to some of your Brahmin ancestors." He read widely, enjoyed music and chess, liked to think of himself as a bit of a universalist. ?Let?s have another beer,? he said hastily. ?We can borrow from tomorrow?s ration. How about some chess?? (source: The Snows of Ganymede by Poul Anderson, Startling Stories, vol. 32, #3, Winter 1955, p. 19) In February 1955, C. M. Kornbluth wrote "Gomez," published in New Worlds magazine (vol 11 #32). There is one reference to chess. "That boy up there is using his brain. A great chess player can put on a blindfold and play a hundred opponents in a hundred games simultaneously, remembering all the positions of his pieces and theirs and keeping a hundred strategies clear in his mind. Well, that stunt simply isn't in the same league with what Julio's doing up there." In the spring of 1955, Alan E. Nourse wrote "The Brain Sinner," published in Planet Stories (vol 6 #10). There is one reference to chess. "Just like a chess game. You play along and suddenly you opponent makes a move that reveals a whole gambit which you hadn't been able to see before. But one Alien friend spots the gambit on the basis of the first move instead of the tenth. We make a move and he has it pinned." So they get old and die. Naturally. Of course. But by this time, Jeanette should be showing her age. Just a little. Maybe life-expectancy for women was increasing that fast. That kind of ratio accumulation should fool you. Like that one from moving a penny from one square of a chess board to the next, doubling it each time. After a few squares it became a fantastic figure?. (source: Too Late for Eternity by Bryce Walton, Startling Stories, vol. 33, #1, Spring 1955, p. 28) In April 1955, Poul Anderson wrote "The Long Way Home," published by Astounding Science Fiction (vol 55, # 2) and Astounding Science Fiction British edition (vol 11 #9). "Saris Hronna and Robert Matsumoto were the Explorer's chess fiends, they had spent many hours hunched over the board, and it was a strange thing to watch them: a human whose ancestors had left Japan for American and a creature from a planet a thousand light-years distant, caught in the trap of some ages-dead Persian. In April 1955, James Gunn wrote "Shill," published by If magazine. Chess betting is brought up in a court room. "The man in front of the desk had, the stickman declared, made a bet that he could beat another man at a game of chess. The bet had been made publically; the game had been played publically. The accused man had won." In April 1955, Mack Reynolds wrote "Albatross," published in Imagination magazine (vol 6, # 4). "One day we sat in the officer's mess across a chess table, with two or three of the others watching. Jack Casey had made his inevitable gambit, and. Also inevitably, I'd accepted. Now he had his king's pawn in his hand." In April 1955, K. Houston Brunner wrote "Visitors' Book," published in New Worlds magazine (vol 12 #34). It was re-published in the March, 1953 issued of Saturn, the magazine of science fiction (vol 1 #1). There is one reference to chess. "It was like a game of chess, thought Arnold. Unfortunately, there was no time limit on the moves. It was more than three days since the new piece ? this time, the symbol was a black cross ? had moved out of nowhere and begun its leisurely drift towards the red query." In May 1955, George O. Smith wrote "Highways in Hiding," published in Imagination magazine (vol 6, # 5). Telepaths play chess. "This was a rough maneuver, sort of like two telepaths playing chess." "I finished my breakfast and went out to watch a couple of telepaths playing chess. I've never understood how they made a contest out of telepathic chess, even though I've been told. It had something to do with skill; that it takes a skillful player to tell a man exactly what you have in mind against him and then go ahead and do it despite all he can do against you." In May 1955, James White wrote "Outrider," published in New Worlds magazine (vol 12 #35). There is one reference to chess as some of the characters qualify for the Googol Club. "On the way out he re-started the tape player. The soothing strains of that wonderful string orchestra oozed from the matched wall speakers, and was quickly drowned out by a rising hubbub of conversation. 'Chess, anyone?'" Lundgard yawned elaborately after dinner. ?Excuse,? he said. ?Unless somebody?s for chess?? His hopeful glance met the grimness of Bo and the old sadness of Valeria, and he shrugged. ?All right, then. Pleasant dreams.? (source: Out of the Iron Womb by Poul Anderson, Planet Stories, vol. 6, #11, Summer 1955, p. 17) ?You all talk as if I were some sort of pawn on a game of chess,? she sobbed. ?You?d think I?d ceased to be a human being just because an Unidentified Flying Object fell on me . . .? (source: The Man from the Flying Saucer by Sam Merwin Jr., Fantastic Universe, vol. 3, #6, July 1955, p. 19) In July 1955, E. R. James wrote "World Destroyer," published by New Worlds Science Fiction magazine (vol 13, # 37). "Chess, he knew, was a mystery to her. She was only interested in the game to see whether Devlin Storm could this time beat her brother, champion of the school chess club. ...People reacted so incomprehensibly; why couldn't they conform to rules, like the pieces in a game of chess or the ciphers in a mathematical exercise?" ?We?re fighting a war such as the Galaxy has never before seen. Its objective is to kill or be killed, not the simple chess-game maneuvering for territory or a sphere of influence. We?re actually going to have battles in space.? (source: The Undiscovered Country by Algis Budrys, Fantastic Universe, vol. 4, #2, Sep 1955, p. 85) In September 1955, Alan Barclay wrote "The Single Ship," published in New Worlds magazine (vol 13 #39). There is one reference to chess. "Nevertheless, playing ware is not playing chess. Unknown factors invariably crop up ? plans begin to go wrong and get out of hand." Paterson looked up from the chess board as Thorne entered the room and his eyes narrowed with unconscious speculation??Coffee?? He smiled as Thorne handed him a cup. ?Thank you.? He stared at the chess board. ?Who?s move?? ?Mine.? Gregory squinted at the pieces. ?What do you advise, Doc?? ?Resign.? ?What?? ?Give Pat the game, you?ll be beaten in three moves.? Gently Waters pointed them out with one thin finger. ?See? You lose a rook and then must move the queen to cover. Queen goes and ?? (source: Quis Custodiet by E. C. Tubb, Nebula Science Fiction 14, Nov 1955, p. 28-29) In November 1955, Francis Rayer wrote "The Voices Beyond," published in New Worlds magazine (vol 14 #41). There is one reference to chess. " A silence grew in the room. Frank felt every eye upon him. These men were ill adapted to deal with such situations, he thought. Efficient, disciplined, their minds nevertheless moved in set patterns. Their expressions were those of men who played chess and abruptly found three new pieces of unknown purpose among their opponent's set." In December 1955, Francis Rayer wrote "The Jakandi Moduli," published in New Worlds magazine (vol 14 #42). There are several references to cube chess. "Cube chess is child's play compared with the orbits of 100 ships, in every possible combination..." In the winter of 1955, Poul Anderson wrote "The Snows of Ganymede," published in Startling Stories (vol 32 #3). There are several references to chess. "He read widely, enjoyed music and chess, liked to think of himself as a bit of a universalist. ...'Let's have another beer,' he said hastily. 'We can borrow from tomorrow's ration. How about some chess?'" In 1956, Asimov published The Dead Past, first published in the April 1956 issue of Astounding Science Fiction. Scientists were not expected to write or be grand masters of chess. That?s what specialists were for. Scholars were forbidden from working outside their narrow field of specialization. ?You?re not repulsive,? he said. ?I just object to having my whole life ordered out for me like a chess set up.? Stalemate. (source: The Nothing by Frank Herbert, Fantastic Universe, vol. 4, #6, Jan 1956, p. 108) In January 1956, Richard De Mille wrote "The Last Chance," published in The Original Science Fiction Stories (vol 6, #4). "The masters of world unfreedom shook their heads and clenched their fists and knew they had lost their chance to win the world chess game by trading pawns." In January 1956, James Blish wrote "Giants in the Earth," published in The Original Science Fiction Stories (vol 6, #4). There were several references to chess. "He was glad that Sam had chosen to be stubborn; it banished the last traces of that momentary regret. Sam was thoroughly likable, but in this chess-game no piece was indispensible." In one of the courtroom scenes, the dialog was: "Did you and Mr. Ettinger play much chess?" "No. I don't know how, and I've never heard him mention playing himself." "But I presume you knew what the accused meant by Check." In January 1956, R. E. Banks wrote "The Instigators," published in The Original Science Fiction Stories (vol 6, #4). There is a character called Chess Player Gonzales who plays chess with a robot. They were a race apart. Watching them board the Santa Maria, listening to their conversation, Captain Mauris had actually wondered whether they might not be the new type omega robots which, according to rumor, were now past the experimental stage. But he had seen two of them playing chess so badly, and a third so delightfully green with space-sickness, that he had regretfully concluded that they were human. Even sigma robots played chess excellently. (source: The End of the Journey by Edward Cooper, Fantastic Universe, vol. 5, #1, Feb 1956, p. 5) In March 1956, Francis Rayer wrote "Hyperant," published in New Worlds Science Fiction magazine (vol 15, # 45). "It was like a retreat move in a giant game of chess. Geoff started forward to catch his first glimpse of the Greeblatt. A retreat move. ...During that time an opponent can develop and consolidate." "Spacemen needed something to occupy them in leisure hours, Geoffrey thought. Bell had his chess." In April 1956, Robert Moore Williams wrote "Sudden Lake," published in Other Worlds (#37). There are several references to chess. "We may not know that, sir, until he gets here. And in this game of chess, we may be facing the problem of the prime mover who is himself unmoved." ..."As a chess player, he was one move from the end of the game and he knew it." ?These are the living quarters.? Edwards gestured to a section devoted to small rooms filled with tiered bunks. ?We have a couple of recreation rooms, cards, dice, chess, stuff like that.? (source: The Big Secret by Ken Wainwright, Authentic Science Fiction Monthly 70, June 1956, p. 33) In June 1956, Ian Wright wrote "Who Speaks of Conquest," published in New Worlds magazine (vol 16 #48). There is one reference to chess. "With the Centauran system of worlds as advance bases and their inhabitants as allies the Terran High Command begins to move its battle fleet into positions for the first large-scale engagement with the Rihnans ? as move and counter-move takes place, with Captain Brady a most important pawn in the game, the Galaxy begins to assume the pattern of a gigantic chess-board." ?Sparks thinks that maybe it?s another ship.? He stepped back as John left the bunk. ?We were playing chess and he stepped into the control room for his lucky piece, you know the thing he carries. He didn?t come back, so I went after him. He was sitting in front of the radio adjusting the knobs. He said that the attention light was on and he was trying to find out why.? (source: Into the Empty Dark, by E. C. Tubb, Nebula Science Fiction 17, July 1956, p. 51) John and Holton were sipping coffee, smoking, and making an attempt to play chess when Sparks called them. He shouted from the control room and, before the echoes of his voice had died away, both men were standing behind him. (source: Into the Empty Dark, by E. C. Tubb, Nebula Science Fiction 17, July 1956, p. 53) In July 1956, Leslie Perri wrote "The Untouchables," published in New Worlds magazine (vol 17 #49). There is one reference to chess. "We did not want to think they were planning to do anything more serious than dump us. And Charley and I were determined that Vechi wasn't going to reduce us to a trio of dumb pawns. But I guess we couldn't help what happened, at that. There was another mighty powerful piece in this chess game we hadn't even thought about." In August 1956, Clifford Simak wrote "Honorable Opponent," published by Galaxy. "The general grinned. Just like the sergeant and the captain and their eternal chess, he thought." Although they were zealous professional rivals, Prof. von Possenfeller and Dr. Smithlawn were devoted personal friends. They called each other Possy and Smithy and got together once a week to play chess and exchange views on the universe in general. (source: When I Grow Up by Richard Lowe, Fantastic Universe, vol. 6, #2, Sep 1956, p. 31) In September 1956, Roger Arcot wrote "The Timeless Man," published in Other Worlds (#39). There is one reference to chess. "Canfield whistled. "Talk about fourth-dimensional chess — this is it." Carefully, Gladwin replaced everything. He would probably be a pretty good chess player. He was telling himself, if only he played chess. For already he was three moves ahead and was considering the fourth. (source: Tradition by J. T. McIntosh, Authentic Science Fiction Monthly 74, Nov 1956, p.134) Jon didn?t need to check the number stamped on the short one?s scratched chestplate. Alec Diger had been his only close friend during those thirteen boring years at Orange Sea Camp. A good chess player and a whiz at Two-handed Handball, they had spent all their off time together. (source: The Velvet Glove by Harry Harrison, Fantastic Universe, vol. 6, #4, Nov 1956, p. 59) In November 1956, John Kippax wrote "We're Only Human," published in New Worlds magazine (vol 18 #53). There is one reference to chess. "One night, when it was raining, they were in Billy's room, playing old-fashioned chess ? the kind tat has only one plane of movement. 'S'matter with you?' asked Jimmy, when he won another game: 'You're supposed to be concentrating.'" In December 1956, Isaac Asimov wrote "The Naked Sun," published in Astounding Science Fiction (vol 58, # 12). Chess is mentioned several times. "As for Dr. Quemot, he played chess with Dr. Delmarre regularly. Perhaps he grew annoyed as losing too many games." ?Prevento is for the people; that?s why I?m bringing it to them direct. I?ve been a door-to-door salesman all my life, and believe me, it?s the most direct method of salesmanship there is.? ?I don?t doubt it,? the man said, ?but I?m sure you?ll excuse me. I have a chess problem to work out.? ?And you don?t wat a bottle of Prevento?? ?Will it work out chess problems?? ?No, it___? ?Then I?m afraid not. Good day. (source: Madam, I have Here___ by Ivar Jorgensen, Fantastic, vol. 4, #6, Dec 1956, p. 41) ?We?re tired of being pawns in a galactic chess game, being shuttle back and forth from one set of interstellar aliens to another.? (source: Secrets of the Green Invaders by Robert Randall, Science Fiction Adventures, vol. 1, #1, Dec 1956, p. 56-57) As for the Velks, they just don?t seem very bright. And, both sides are conducting an interstellar war as if it were a chess game. (source: Secrets of the Green Invaders by Robert Randall, Science Fiction Adventures, vol. 1, #1, Dec 1956, p. 76) In 1957, Arthur C. Clarke published The Other Side of the Sky. On a space ship there was a microfilm library, a magnetic billiard table, lightweight chess sets, and other novelties for bored spacemen. ?Did you ever play chess, young man?? Dr. Weston said bitterly. ?I always thought it was a rather dull game,? Wayne said. ?And did you notice to whom the cable was addressed?? ?To a gentleman named Dr. Juan Quiroto, in Santiago,? Wayne said. ?Dr. Quiroto,? Dr. Weston said, almost dancing in fury now, ?is one of the world?s foremost chess masters. He has won the Southern Democracies Tournament for three straight seasons.? Wayne realized that this was probably quite true. ?Mr. Lamb, myself, and several of the other outstanding chess experts on the planet are initiating a programme of exchanging chess problems for amusement and relaxation. And you have taken it upon yourself, young man, to sabotage what may be the first step in improving international relations since Censorship.? (source: You Can?t Say That by Cleve Cartmill, Authentic Science Fiction Monthly 76, Jan 1957, p. 129-130) The Thinker bent forward and said in a startlingly deep voice: ?What can I do for you, buddy-buddy?? ?Do you play chess, Larry?? ?A little.? Wayne handed the message from across a pile of Journals of Chinese Agriculture. ?Is this thing okay?? The Thinker scratched his left eyebrow, reading, ?Well?It calls for White mating in two. This W-M:2, here at the end. But it looks like to me like White can mate in one: either Queen to Bishop six or Queen to Queen four. Which makes it a lousy problem: you?re supposed to have only one possible answer.? ?Would most chess players to able to figure that out, Larry?? ?If they?d played more than three games.? ?It?s not something to puzzle an expert, then?? ?Checker expert, maybe. Possibly throw a Canasta man. But chess player, no.? (source: You Can?t Say That by Cleve Cartmill, Authentic Science Fiction Monthly 76, Jan 1957, p. 131-132) Once more he reviewed the case in his mind. A group of men. All sending secret information in the form of chess problems. All men of unknown antecedents, probably no more than two or three years in the country. Practically a classic case. (source: You Can?t Say That by Cleve Cartmill, Authentic Science Fiction Monthly 76, Jan 1957, p. 149) In January 1957, Russ Winterbotham wrote "The Return from Troy," published in Science Fiction Stories, British edition (#1). There are several references to chess. "'Perhaps I'm all she ever wanted,' said Vince; 'she picked my card out of thousands at the Bureau of Genes and Chromosomes, and invited me over to play chess.' ...'We need a third at chess. Would you care to stop in for a moment?' 'A third for chess?' 'Grandpop and I always play our best chess when someone is watching,' said Janna. Alek thought privately that chess was tedious, especially for a third party. But it would not be tedious watching such a beautiful young woman. 'I should love to be your kibitzer,' he said. 'In fact, such a pastime could become a hobby.'" In February 1957, J. T. McIntosh wrote "Unit," published in New Worlds magazine (vol 19 #56). There is one reference to chess. "On ocean trips at least you can play tennis and swim and lean on the rail. In a spaceship the most exciting game you can play is chess." In February 1957, Bertram Chandler wrote "Alone," published in New Worlds magazine (vol 19 #56). There are several references to chess. "After all ? I had the radio. I had the dozen or so games of chess that I was playing with various people in Lunar Base and the Space Stations. ...Even so, I made do with the radio for another month....And there was, of course, the chess. ...I'm still just a little lonely, and I'd like an occasional game of chess." Morris had played many a game of chess with Cliteman on the way out, the lieutenant had been a skilled opponent, generous in victory, good-natured in defeat. (source: Small Lords by Frederik Pohl, Science Fiction Quarterly, vol. 4, #6, Feb 1957, p.10) Like some gigantic chess game, armied by computer-pawns, coursecomp-kniths, bishops, that were strategists, rooks of psychmen and hypno-therapists and King and Queen who were in reality The Elders ?those who had conceived the war ?the War Palace hummed and clattered, click and spoke, and across the depth of a galaxy, to the reaches of sight and beyond, a war was fought. (source: Mission: Hypnosis by Harlan Ellison, Super Science Fiction, vol. 1, #2, Feb 1957, p. 17) He must stand outside events and watch them, taking no emotional part so that, by his attitude, he could control the things affecting others. He was a chess player moving pawns and remaining unaffected by their loss. (source: (source: Dead Weight by Douglas West, Authentic Science Fiction Monthly 79, Apr 1957, p. 94) In April 1957, Brian Aldiss wrote "Oh, Ishrael," published in New Worlds magazine (vol 20 #58). There are several references to chess. "And the planets warred on one another. But the war was not as David understood the term. It was as stylized as chess, as formal as a handshake, as chivalrous as an ambulance, as unrelenting as a guillotine. ...The war that was being waged was also amazingly complicated, like enlarged 3-D chess with obscure motivations and strict rules of chivalry." ?What else? Are you trying to tell me that we are just pawns in a colossal game of chess? Or that all our achievements are the result of destiny?? (source: Dead Weight by Douglas West, Authentic Science Fiction Monthly 80, May 1957, p. 94) Deftly, as he spoke, he cleared from the chess table a litter of odds and ends. Springer glanced at Tom Ross, who shrugged. I won?t argue with him, said Tom?s arched eyebrows. I came here to play chess. So Springer accepted the challenge. ?Weissmann, taking from its plush-lined inlaid chest the exquisitely carven set of chessmen which was his proudest possession, smiled gently. (Pawns of Tomorrow by Nelson Bond, Fantastic Universe, vol. 7, #5, May 1957, p. 84) In May 1957, Damon Knight wrote "The Night Express," published in Saturn magazine (vol 1 #2). There is one reference to chess. "He was like a nervous chess player, working out some intricate mental calculation." He followed the progress of the battle by ear, and formed a remarkably accurate picture of what was going on. It was like playing chess blindfolded. (source: Operation Female by Paul Dallas, Fantastic, vol. 6, #5, Jun 1957, p. 88) Charles Ranger, Director of Earth Personnel?Father: Chess Champion Hastings Congress, 3124; Moscow 3030, Life Member, Manhattan Chess Club; author, ?Some Critical Situations in the King?s Electronic Declined (fully annotated).? (source: No Greater Love?by Nicholas Canadine, Authentic Science Fiction Monthly 82, July 1957, p. 74) The smoke from his cigarette was lazy as he remembered the days when his father had taught him the openings at Chess, when his mother had smile and raced him along the beach.? (source: No Greater Love?by Nicholas Canadine, Authentic Science Fiction Monthly 82, July 1957, p. 76) Charles smiled. ?It is strange, Dr. Weber, how we all pride ourselves on our hobbies and tend to deride the thing that is our main task in life. Music and chess means so much to me ? and yet, they are useless things.? (source: No Greater Love?by Nicholas Canadine, Authentic Science Fiction Monthly 82, July 1957, p. 78) In her wisdom and in her love, Lois had replaced this drive with a wish of her own. He had a command to obey, and his esoteric intellect had not been harmed. He could do what she wished. (He could play chess with her. His thinking brain had been cleared. But if he won he didn?t want to jump for joy. He had won. And that was all.) (source: No Greater Love?by Nicholas Canadine, Authentic Science Fiction Monthly 82, July 1957, p. 88) ?And Chess? Have you experimented?? ?Yes,? said Charles. ?Of course, the King?s Electronic Declined is my favorite opening. It would have to be, since my father developed it. My game has improved. I?ve check with Lois. It is an opening that neutralizes P-Q4. I tried to learn the Centre Counter Gambit. I couldn?t play it at all.? ?But you drew the game, after a while.? ?Yes. I exchanged pawns and exchanged Queens and converted the game. As soon as the conversion took place I was back to my old form; such a game was to end in a draw with the best of play.? (source: No Greater Love?by Nicholas Canadine, Authentic Science Fiction Monthly 82, July 1957, p. 90) He knocked on the door and walked in. Jackson, a studious bookkeeper, greeted him with a handclasp. Miss Fewsmith, a librarian, smiled her welcome, and then Arthur was encircled by the Club members, poking gentle fun at his lateness, inviting him to the raspberry punch, urging him to join in the card games or the chess tournament or the dancing. (source: Inheritance by O. H. Leslie, Fantastic, vol. 6, #7, Aug 1957, p. 77-78 and repeated in Great Science Fiction #9, Winter 1968, p. 83-84) In August 1957, William Tenn wrote "Time Waits for Winthrop," published in Galaxy. There are several references to chess in the story. "Since his college days, Dave Pollock had fancied himself as a chess player. He was just getting good enough to be able to tell himself that if ever he had time to really concentrate on the game, he'd be good enough to play in tournaments." In August 1957, John Christopher wrote "Year of the Comet," published in Satellite Science Fiction magazine (vol 1 #6). There was one reference to chess. "'Who vouched for Cohn?' Caston asked. 'I would had I been asked. I used to play chess with him.'" He got up from his bunk during sleeping period. Watt and another man were playing chess by the dim light in the front of the darkened passenger compartment?He smiled and went into the rest room. He turned on the light and waited for a few minutes. Then he came out of the little cubicle and drifted up to where Watt was floating over the chess board. (source: A Matter of Privacy by Thomas Purdom, Science Fiction Quarterly, vol. 5, # 2, Aug 1957, p. 97) Joe and I had stacks of back reading to catch up with and, furthermore, we had decided to make a really serious attempt at learning 3-D Chess. ?Clavering, however, was neither a great reader not a chess addict. ?I settled back in the chair, looking at the other two before I opened my book. Joe was quite happy. He had the 3-D Chess set out and was playing with a problem. (source: I?ll Take Over by George Whitely, Super Science Fiction, vol. 1, #5, Aug 1957, p. 78-79) Tait ran lightly up the ladder, ignoring the lift, and went through to the control room. Young Samson, the Ensign on his first deep space trip, smiled up from his chess board. (source: The Ties of Iron by Kenneth Bulmer, Nebula Science Fiction 24, Sep 1957, p. 5) They intended a big swap: Earth for the aliens and the Arcturan planet for the displaced Terrans. They appeared to have taken great pains to see that nobody would suffer. But their solicitude was marked with about as much personal feeling as a chess player shows when moving his king out of check. (source: Star Tober by Robrt Presslie, Authentic Science Fiction Monthly 85, Oct 1957, p. 23) In October 1957, Ian Wright wrote "Mate in One," published in New Worlds (vol 22 #64). "They moved with the slow deliberation of pieces on a chess board, and every move had as its base a succession of previous successful moves." The general tone of conversation was directed from the amphitheater to sports in general. I like skiing best. So stimulating! Fishing?s my favorite. You call that sport? Ha, that?s my job. I prefer chess. (source: Sepp of Sixen by Karen Kuykendall, Fantastic Universe, vol. 9, #1, p. 101) In November 1957, J. G. Ballard wrote "Manhole 69," published in New Worlds (vol 22 #65). There are many references to chess in this story. "You have to take things easier, make allowances. Most of these have been programmed in for you, but start learning to play chess, focus that inner eye. ...Out in the centre of the gym a couple of armchairs and a sofa had been drawn up round a radiogram, and here Lang was playing chess with Morley, doing his section of night duty. He hunched forwards over the chess-board, wiry-haired and aggressive, with a small, sharp nose and mouth, watching the pieces closely. ...Midnight came slowly. Avery read, his long body hunched up in an armchair, Gorrell played chess against himself. ...Gorrell, playing solitaire chess, looked up from his board. ...They went back to their seats. Gorrell dragged the chess stool over to the sofa and set up the pieces." In 1958, Charles De Vet (1911-1997) wrote the novelette Second Game, published in Astounding in March 1958. The novel was reissued in 1962 with Katherine Maclean as Cosmic Checkmate, and reissued again in 1981 as Second Game. An Earthman is sent to investigate a hostile planet (Velda) whose inhabitants all play a chess-like game, played on a 13x13 chessboard. Their social advancement depends on their proficiency in the game. The earthling narrator, a chess champion, is equipped with an ?annotator? which is an artificial intelligence addition to his brain. He comes to Velda and challenges all comers saying that he can beat anyone in the second game. He probe?s the weakness of his opponents in the first game, then is able to always win the second game. In January 1958, Poul Anderson wrote "The Apprentice Wobbler," published in Star Science Fiction (vol 1 #1). There is one reference to chess. "'The Wobbly is a fake,' he repeated. 'Sure. Ever hear about Maelzel's chess-playing machine? Turned out that there was a man inside it. Same thing.'" In January 1958, Gavin Hyde wrote "Nor the Moon by Night," published in Star Science Fiction (vol 1 #1). There are several references to chess. "[Paul Andrist] had one useless eye, which must have given him the look of a Cyclops. That was the clock that reminded his opponent that checkmate must be achieved before the half hour passed. Many were the games he had won from visiting chessmasters because they would have had to put in another quarter to think a bit. ...But how could he have known? When he had gone to the Society, without conceit, knowing that he had progressed beyond certain limits of his contemporaries in the game of chess? He remembered that when he had investigated the mind-library process he had been prepared for a cutting away of all except the chess mind and he had been resigned that his death at the end of life would be his real death. ...death is implicit in life. He had said it. Just as checkmate is implicit in any given position on the chessboard. Nothing changes until the players pick up the pieces and start a new game." His mind held patterns that were pathways between the stars. Man?s portion of the Galaxy was a great chess board, and handling the pieces that were men and machines and ships, became something he could perform without conscious thought. Not once but three times he was placed under the necessity of dispelling opposition. Three immense interplanetary financial combines were crushed. (source: The Great Game by Ken Bulmer, Nebula Science Fiction 27, Feb 1958, p. 83) In March 1958, Charles de Vet wrote "Second Game," published in Astounding Science Fiction (vol 61, # 1). There are several references to chess. One of the characters is chess champion of two Worlds. An Earthman is sent to investigate a hostile planet (Velda) whose inhabitants all play a chess-like game, played on a 13x13 chessboard. Their social advancement depends on their proficiency in the game. The earthling narrator, a chess champion, is equipped with an "annotator" which is an artificial intelligence addition to his brain. He comes to Velda and challenges all comers saying that he can beat anyone in the second game. He probe's the weakness of his opponents in the first game, and then is able to always win the second game. "'I'll beat you the second game,' was the Earthman's challenge to the planet Velda whose culture was indeed based on a complicated super-chess of skill and concentration." Mark would make his report to Colonel Westerlain and then head for the spray showers. Then food, hot coffee, a taped show, books or a quiet, friendly game of chess with Latimer or Blanchard. Then rest followed by a spell of camp duty, outside guard duty, escort duty and patrol duty again. (source: The Touch of Reality by E. C. Tubb, Nebula Science Fiction 28, Mar 1958, p. 83) In March 1958, Eric Frank Russell wrote "WASP," published in New Worlds (vol 23 #69). There is one reference to chess. "For himself, to surrender the card to Terran authority would be like voluntarily sacrificing his queen while playing a hard-fought and bitter game of chess." In March 1958, Richard Wilson wrote "Robots' Gambit," published in Science Fiction Stories (vol 8 #5). The subtitle was "They were the ultimate chess players, but they knew some human moves, too." The theme is about robots learning chess form humans and playing the game. "Two mature, retired men on their prime of life caring about nothing but chess, chess, chess. ...'Jose Capablanca you know,' explained Hobbs to the robot. 'The Cuban chess genius. A much greater man than that mechanical Paul Morphy, that flash in the pan that Old Mercer named his robot after.'" So Hobbs named his robot Jose. Soon both robots were playing blitz chess against each other. A good story. ?You think that war?s like a game of chess?? ?Of course. You have to play according to the rules.? (source: Motivation by Bertram Chandler, Nebula Science Fiction 29, April 1958, p. 64) ?You have no traditions,? said Mora. ?You don?t tilt at windmills. War, to you, is an emotionless game of chess which, incidentally, you lost. Tell me, Commander, do you love this world?? (source: Motivation by Bertram Chandler, Nebula Science Fiction 29, April 1958, p. 65) ?As I said ? it?s all a game of chess. Jones here and the Admiral are sore because the Huqua High Commander used a gambit that?s not in any of their books ? but they don?t feel like going out and tearing the nearest Huqua apart with their bare hands.? (source: Motivation by Bertram Chandler, Nebula Science Fiction 29, April 1958, p. 66) In May 1958, Bertram Chandler wrote "In the Box," published in New Worlds (vol 24 #71). There is one reference to chess. "We were all sitting in the cosy little Smoking Room. We had drinks. Bill Taylor, the Mate was playing chess with Sue Perkins, the Catering Officer." In June 1958, John Brody wrote "Ring-Side Seat," published in New Worlds (vol 24 #72). There is one reference to chess. "Mechanically Carne set up a chess board and we started to play. It was a walkover for me, but when Carne didn't cheat by probing my intentions as was the usual rule when I played against a mutant. All the same he couldn't give his mind to the game, and he was even worse in the second one." In June 1958, Sam Moskowitz wrote "The Fabulous Fantast," published in Satellite magazine (vol 2 #5). It references Lucretia P. Hale and her novel Queen of the Red Chessboard, written in 1858 and published in Atlantic Monthly. "The story is a slickly written fantasy of a chess queen who turns into a real woman and is followed into the real world by the White Prince, who has held her prisoner on the chessboard." In July 1958, Poul and Karen Anderson wrote "Innocent at Large," published in Galaxy magazine. Peter Matheny, a professor of sociodynamics, was at ease only with his books and his chess and his mineral collection, a faculty poker party, and a trip to Swindletown. In July 1958, Stephen Barr wrote "The Back of Our Heads," published in Galaxy magazine. It has one reference to chess. "Phil was unaware of the chess game, but wondered uneasily what was coming." In July 1958, Fritz Leiber wrote "Bullet With His Name," published in Galaxy magazine. There was one reference to chess. Ernie considered people as puppets in his private chess games. ?If the Station Master can?t ride on the train I?d like to know who can.? Lord Ashley blew his sandy and nicotine stained whiskers out as though just completing the final move of a brilliant chess victory. (source: Wisdom of the Gods by Kenneth Bulmer, Nebula Science Fiction 32, July 1958, p. 75) In July 1958, John Wyndham wrote "The Thin Gnat-Voices," published in New Worlds (vol 25 #73). There are several references to chess. "Their work was going on as usual, organizing, re-organising, and superseding in the light of new discoveries; playing a kind of chess in which one's pieces were lost, not to the opponent, but to obsolescence. ...During the rest of the meal, and after it, we maintained a state of tactful truce, but when this had been disturbed some five times by his leaping to a port in an attempt to catch his Martians unaware, I was driven to suggesting a game of chess to keep our attention occupied. It worked pretty well, too." George and I had a good time that night. He laughed and joked for the first time in months. We drank, talked, played chess, and then drank and talked some more. (source: Compatible by Richard R. Smith, Fantastic Universe, vol. 10, #2, Aug 1958, p. 128) In August 1958, Clive Jackson wrote "Death on the Wheel," published in New Worlds (vol 25 #74). There are several references to chess. One of the characters is playing chess with Doc Curtiss, the satellite's medical officer. "I knew, too, that he couldn't have killed the crew-chief; a well-advanced game still set up on my pocket chess board proved that." In September 1958, Harry Harrison wrote "Trainee for Mars," published in New Worlds (vol 25 #75). There are several references to chess. "On the way, Tony stopped at the barracks and dug out his chess set and a well-thumbed deck of cards. ...Hal was a good partner and the best chess player Tony had teamed with to date. [Hal] threw himself into the day's work and had enough enthusiasm and energy left over to smash the yawning Tony over the chess-board." ?I?d forgotten, you read a lot, don?t you.? ?Why not? It helps to pass the time.? ?So does card playing, conversation, the making of lace or the playing of chess.? (source: The Captain?s Dog by E. C. Tubb, Nebula Science Fiction 35, Oct 1958, p. 10) In October 1958, Brian Aldiss wrote "Equator," published in New Worlds (vol 26 #76). There is one reference to chess. "A game! That was the secret of it all! These men of action could enter a contest involving life and death only because once they had plunged in, the stakes became unreal. This was chess, played with adrenalin instead of intellect. They had got beyond the ordinary rules of conduct." He was better by the next day, and somehow the days passed; the Moon receded and bore the memory of Faxon with it. He spent most of his time in the company of two women from Archon. One was a geologist, the other a biophysicist, and they were both unattached and uninhibited, so that he was able to keep himself occupied both day and night, with good conversation, games of multiple chess and the like, and a certain amount of erotic play. (source: Seed of Violence by Jay Williams, Fantastic Universe, vol. 10, #5, Nov 1958, p. 48) ?I?ll bet that was the Commissioner?s idea.? I hated to infuriate him but this wasn?t time for mental chess. I wanted a good deal in exchange for cooperation. (source: Jungle in Manhattan by G. L. Vandenburg, Fantastic, vol. 7, #12, Dec 1958, p. 23) In 1959, Brian Aldiss (1925- ) wrote The Canopy of Time, previously known as Galaxies Like Grains of Sand. War was fought between planets as stylized as chess. War was being waged that was very complicated, like 3-D chess with obscure motivations and strict rules of chivalry. In February 1959, Peter Baily wrote "Accidental Death," published in Astounding Science Fiction (vol 62, # 6). There are several references to chess. Creatures on another planet called Chang that look like cats, but are people, learned how to play chess in a very short time. They were soon beating the earthling champion. In March 1959, James White wrote "Dogfight," published in New Worlds (vol 27 #81). It had several references to chess. "The war had been a murderous chess game then, with the opposing battle computers ? cold, logical, and unfeeling machines bent only on winning the game no matter if it meant practically clearing the board to do it ? as players and the Human and Semran beings concerned as unimportant and worthless pawns. The General was saying, '...It was like a game of skittles. Or chess. There was no identification between the computers and the men taking part, they were just so many expendable chess pieces, and the carnage was frightful." In April 1959, Tom Purdom wrote "The Duel of the Insecure Man," published in Satellite magazine (vol 3 #5). There is one reference to chess. "So why not leave now. Why not tell him he had won, as a well-mannered chess player would have done, and accepted defeat as inevitable." The Lieutenant sat now over the customary chess game with Kim Lee while they waited on dinner. With a murmured ?sorry? the little Oriental took Muller?s remaining rook and with one of his knights. The Lieutenant swept the pieces to the floor with one ham-like fist and stood up suddenly. Kim Lee stooped down and began to gather up the pieces placidly, as if it were a normal, daily occurrence. ?They resumed their seats over the empty board, but Lee sensed the officer?s mood, and delicately replaced the pieces in their box. ?Let?s just talk. No more chess today.? (source: The Huge and Hideous Beasts by James Rosenquest, Super Science Fiction, vol.3, #3, Apr 1959, p.104) Cressy was only a youngster ? the sort of youngster who wears pebble-lensed spectacles and has become a junior chess champion long before the onset of puberty. (source: The Key by Bertram Chandler, Fantastic, vol. 8, #7, Aug 1959, p. 71) In November 1959, James White wrote "Grapeliner," published in New Worlds (vol 30 #88). There is one reference to chess. "But Patterson had elected to take over the one-man Jupiter Observatory on Ganymede, and had looked after the equipment there and played chess with anyone within radio distance for a great many years." In November 1959, J. G. Ballard wrote "The Waiting Grounds," published in New Worlds (vol30 #88). There are several references to chess. "Most men left to themselves for an indefinite period develop some occupational interest: chess or an insoluble dream-game or merely a compulsive wood-whittling. ...Mayer, the metallurgist down at the mine, came over to the cabin most evenings to play chess and forget his pitifully low extraction rates." In 1960, Peter Beagle (1939- ) wrote A Fine and Private Place. It has dozens of chess references. When Michael, a dead person (poisoned by his wife), wants to play a game of chess with Jonathan Rebeck in a mausoleum, Rebeck was surprised and thought Michael did not like to play chess. Michael responded sarcastically, ?I like chess. I am very fond of chess. I?m crazy about chess. Let?s play chess.? A talking raven had stolen some of the chess pieces from department stores to make up the chess set. I?ve rigged a rifle range. I have my chess set too, and playing cards. (source: The Mind Thing by Fredric Brown, Fantastic Universe, vol. 12, #5, Mar 1960, p. 72) ?a few tables were being used to play chess and cards by players apparently oblivious to the din. (source: Strange Highway by Ken Bulmer, Science Fantasy, vol. 14, #14, Apr 1960, p.8) Major Somers nodded and the man standing beside him, small, contact-lensed, bearded, with nervously twitching fingers, bobbed up and down, evidently also agreeing. The party moved off, dodging dancers and frenzied chess players alike, until they reached the cool sanity of the open air. (source: Strange Highway by Ken Bulmer, Science Fantasy, vol. 14, #14, Apr 1960, p.11) She felt the sense of reproach, the helpless appeal of the illusion, and Provost?s response, calculated to perfection and deployed like a pawn on a chess board. It?s a trick, a pitfall, watch out! Don?t be fooled, don?t fall into their trap,.. (source: The Mirror, by Alan Nourse, Fantastic, vol. 9, #6, June 1960, p. 18, and repeated in Thrilling Science Fiction #30, Apr 1973, p. 54) ?But Laz, it was his life! You knew him.? ?Knew him! I played chess twenty-five years with him and never knew this. God!? Kappstein flung his arms and his pipe hit the ceiling, ?and all because of you he had to die when everything depends on him.? (source: A Bone to Pick by Phyllis Gotlieb, Fantastic, vol. 9, #10, Oct 1960, p. 52) In 1961, Frederic Brown (1906-1972) published Recessional, where the protagonists are chessmen. The story portrays a battle that turns out to be a chess game. In 1961, Cordwainer Smith published Mother Hitton?s Littul Kittons, which appeared in Galaxy Magazine. The Elders of the Guild of Thieves welcomed Benjacomin Bozart back to his planet comparing his work like the opening move in a brand new game of chess and that there had been a gambit like this before. McCleod nooded, worried. ?I feel like a pawn in a colossal chess game, all at once.? (source: According to Plan by Jack Sharkey, Fantastic, vol. 10, #1, Jan 1961, p. 45) When the force eased, he freed himself and walked to the salon and inspected the furnishings. You could learn a lot about a spaceship from the salon furnishings, and what he saw here was comforting?Good chairs and tables, lots to read, cards laid out, checkers, and chess, and chenters, a few viewers, a good library. (source: Passage to Malish by Theodore L. Thomas, Fantastic, vol. 10, #8, Aug 1961, p. 92) Hence though I had never heard Roche?s speech before, I had heard many like it. Up to this point I could have given it myself, and probably played a fair game of chess at the same time. (source: And Some Were Savages, by James Blish, The Most Thrilling Science Fiction Ever Told #6, Fall 1961, p. 37) He was at least par for the Boston course, he decided. For instance, he had recently given up chess and concentrated on bird-watching because Mr. Mather had pointed out that too many Slavic and Baltic types played chess. ?Semite too, of course,? Mather had finished primly. ?I think we must look on it as purely a Russian game.? (source: Hatchery of Dreams by Fritz Leiber, Fantastic, vol. 10, #11, Nov 1961, p. 12) ?You persecuting, smug, self-satisfied, hypocritical fiends!? he shouted. ?You?re worse that the Russian with your brainwashing?I?m letting you off easy ? if you?d actually injured my wife, I?d make you really suffer. But believe me, after this you?re never going to browbeat me, any of you. And I?m going to start playing chess again and seeing my mother as often as I please!? (source: Hatchery of Dreams by Fritz Leiber, Fantastic, vol. 10, #11, Nov 1961, p. 21) In 1962, Fritz Leiber (1910-1992) wrote The 64-Square Madhouse. It appeared in the May 1962 issue of If magazine. It is about a chess-playing computer that wins the World Chess Championship. He smiled to himself, opened the safe and took out a cafeteria sized tray and brought it back to his desk. There seemed to be a set of chess pieces, or more likely, two sets on the tray. I glanced down at the figures. They weren?t chessmen, but toy soldiers of some kind. (source: Junior Partner by Ron Goulart, Fantastic, vol. 11, #9, Sep 1962, p. 119) In 1963, Roger Zelazny (1937-1995) published A Rose for Eccleslasteswhich appeared in the November 1963 issue of The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. It was nominated for the 1964 Hugo Award for Short Fiction. The protagonist, a poet named Gallinger, settled in Greenwich Village and learned to play chess before becoming the first human to learn the language of Martians. He paused for a moment, hands in the pockets of his dove grey suit, before translating himself like a chess-piece along a diagonal square. (source: The Screen Game by J. G. Ballard, Fantastic, vol. 12, #10, Oct 1963, p. 15) I painted a series of screens to be moved about like chess-pieces. (source: The Screen Game by J. G. Ballard, Fantastic, vol. 12, #10, Oct 1963, p. 18) Fifty yards from us, Charles Van Stratten had stepped over the balustrade, and now stood out on one of the black marble squares, hands loosely at his sides, like a single chess-piece opposing the massed array of the screens. . (source: The Screen Game by J. G. Ballard, Fantastic, vol. 12, #10, Oct 1963, p. 26) He saw the first stroke of the fight, he saw Gwaay?s litter unguarded, and then as if he had seen entire a winning combination of chess and been hypnotized by it, he made his move without another cogitation. (source: The Lords of Quarmall by Fritz Leiber and Harry Fischer, Fantastic, vol. 13, #2, Feb 1964, p. 85) A jump-ship pilot, by the very nature of his work, is good at fourth-order chess and its time-space complications. But Ogonowski?: how do you play a man who is calmly, deliberately, successfully insane? (source: Testing by John McGuire, Fantastic, vol. 13, #6, June 1964, p. 21) I remembered the chess I had played with the big redhead and I was forced to agree. (source: Testing by John McGuire, Fantastic, vol. 13, #6, June 1964, p. 52) In 1965, John Brunner (1934-1995) wrote the science fiction novel, The Squares of the City. It was nominated for the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 1966. The story takes place in South American and the city serves as a chess board and the characters are the various players in a game of living chess. The chess game is from the 1892 match between Steinitz and Chigorin played in Havana. All the people in the book are chess-mad. Most of the characters are environmentally being manipulated as chess pieces. When they are exchanged, they are killed or jailed. And now ? now the aliens from Bruzzi had turned clever. They had introduced something fresh and deadly into the chess-game of murder between the stars, and until that secret wad deciphered then men must die. (The Contraption by Ken Bulner, Science Fantasy, vol. 22, #65, June-July 1964, p. 24) It?s an old town?There?s a Chess Club and an Athletic Club, a Youth Club and a W.I. (source: The Inner Wheel by Keith Roberts, New Writings in SF 6, 1965, p. 21) Take the people at the Horseshoes. It was a strange pub to him?One of them had produced a pocket chess set later on, giving him a startlingly good game. (source: The Inner Wheel by Keith Roberts, New Writings in SF 6, 1965, p. 25) He stubbed the cigarette and got up, prowled back to the window. ?What was her name? Liz Baron?Like the dog, like the chess player, she?d just edged into his life when needed and he hadn?t see her since. (source: The Inner Wheel by Keith Roberts, New Writings in SF 6, 1965, p. 27) Searching and circling endlessly. Every house, every street?.He asked himself, How many of the people here, the vacant faces playing chess and making love, felt what I felt and were drawn and then lulled and fed like cows? (source: The Inner Wheel by Keith Roberts, New Writings in SF 6, 1965, p. 41) They sent the girl and the dog and the man who played chess. Maybe they made everything, they?made the car be where I should see it. (source: The Inner Wheel by Keith Roberts, New Writings in SF 6, 1965, p. 44) At all costs this had to be avoided, thought Timon. Impulsively, he twitched forward and struck with his claw the tab marked ?4-DIMENSIONAL CHESS: POLYOVSKI?. The chance indicator above the twin globes of the clocks showed that Timon had drawn Negative in the first game, ad thus has the first move. As one shifted one?s viewpoint in relation to the crystal, there were sudden discontinuous changes in the apparent line-up of the inner geometry ? the inevitable distortions caused by representing a 4-dimensional chess board within the limits of a 3-dimensional space. Timon of course was entirely familiar with the board, and with the disposition of the electronic charges, which served as men. He was running over in his mind the hundreds of thousands of opening moves, the various combinations and gambit, all of them dreadfully familiar. He knew exactly the reply which Polyovski would make to any of them. (source: Horizontal Man by William Spencer, New Writings in SF 6, 1965, p. 79) The rest of his mind was a grey aching vacuum ? a painful void which, trapped as he was within the illusion of the chess game and the contest hall, he could only partially bring into focus. (source: Horizontal Man by William Spencer, New Writings in SF 6, 1965, p. 81) Several other members of the base staff were scattered about the room, two playing chess, another reading, one writing a letter, one idly identifying stars in the strange sky with the aid of a revolving stellar-map set in the wall. (source: Song of the Syren by Robert Wells, Science Fantasy, vol. 23, #70, Mar 1965, p. 45) When the explosion was over he was still alive?He should have read less history and played more chess. He rose and grinned round at the brilliant desert in which he stood; then he took his first and last breath of the deadly air of Mars. (source: The Door by Alistair Bevan, Science Fantasy, vol. 24, #74, July 1965, p.125) Dr. Sam Bertolli hunched forward over the chess board, frowning so severely that his thick, black eyebrows met and formed a single ridge over his eyes, then slowly reached out to advance his king?s pawn one square. He relaxed only when the play screen flashed green ? he had made the correct move, the same move Fisher had played in 1973 in Berlin. Then the board buzzed slightly and the opposing bishop slid out on a diagonal and stopped. The computer was playing Fischer?s opponent in that historical game, Botvinnik, and the move was unexpected and subtle one. Sam frowned again and bent over the board. ?Killer was up and out of the door almost before his magazine hit the floor. Sam took the time to slide the chess board into a drawer so that it wouldn?t get stepped on. (source: Plague from Space by Harry Harrison, Science Fantasy, vol. 24, #79, Dec 1965, p. 4-5) Mother was gone; and the sea and the falling sea-path were gone, whirled away at rail-rattling, whistle-shrieking, speed across chess-board fields. (source: Marina by John Harrison, Science Fantasy, vol. 24, #81, Feb 1966, p.29) Underneath that came impatience and a desire to get back to a chess game within, plus a mass of irrelevant details of the secretary?s office routine. (Moon of Death by E. K, Jarvis, Great Science Fiction #5, Dec 1966, p. 57) The African Potentate, a small, slightly-built Negro, sat at a table playing chess with himself. ?Excuse me one moment,? he said as Pulcher ushered Tom through the door. He glance at his visitor with a slightly bloodshot brown eye and then moved a light-palmed hand to the chessboard where, after some hesitation, he shifted a white pawn. ?The A.P. smiled. He had white teeth with two gold fillings. He indicated the chessboard with a flourish of his right hand. ?As you see, just a normal game of chess. Black opened with a Steinitz and?? (source: For What Purpose? By W. T. Webb, New Writings in SF 11, 1967, p. 116) ?To your professional soldier war is a game, a kind of super chess ? civilians like you and me who look upon it as a mess to be cleared up as soon as possible are gate-crashers and boors.? (source: Judson?s Annihilator by John Beynon, Fantastic, vol. 16, #4, Mar 1967, p. 72) Once a man was arrested for a crime, a game of legal chess started between two lawyers and the question was not so much as effort to establish the guilt or innocence of the prisoner as to determine which lawyer was the shrewdest. (source: The Metal Doom by David H. Keller, Fantastic, vol. 17, #2, Nov 1967, p. 142) It was Macbeth who knelt over the unsheathed nuclear charge, and his face was barely recognizable when he looked at the engineer. ?He felt sympathy even then, alone with the madman he had once sung to, the dribbling thing he had played chess with: alone with both their deaths summed up in that small device under Macbeth?s hands. (source: The MacBeth Expiation by M. John Harrison, New Writings in SF 13, 1968, p. 131) ?But why did he do it?? The research observer lounged against the aft bulkhead, he had been watching a chess game between the Russian and the Finn. ?There was nothing to do now but wait, and play chess. (source: Far Enough to Touch by Stephen Bartholomew, Great Science Fiction #9, Winter 1968, p. 55) Gibson, who for four hours had not looked up from his interminable chess game with Xavier, paused with a beleaguered knight in one blunt brown hand. (source: Control Group by Roger Dee, Great Science Fiction #10, Spring 1968, p. 58) The ?critique? arrived in the last hours of evening?Ben had no idea how long it might stay there, and one of the women was permitted across the line long enough to copy it in shorthand. Long before she finished, the last bit of hope Ben had carefully nourished, faded away. It was obvious enough, now ? they are field mice playing chess with a Russian Master. It was a position nothing short of insanity. (source: The Game by Neal Barrett, Jr., Great Science Fiction #12, Fall 1968, p. 74) ?Could never happen again?never,? the alien sighed. ?Still, is within logical framework of possibilities, so element is present waiting to happen, so to speak. A good chess player can never beat a Master—but a child with no understanding might one make a random move.? (source: The Game by Neal Barrett, Jr., Great Science Fiction #12, Fall 1968, p. 81-82) Professor Seibold was writhing his narrow shoulders and jogging his right knee very fast, like a chess player with a minute in which to make twenty moves. (source: Far Reach to Cygnus by Fritz Leiber, Great Science Fiction #12, Fall 1968, p. 103) In 1969, Frank Herbert (1920-1986) wrote Whipping Star. Miss Abnethe,a psychotic human female with immense power and wealth, is described as a person who castles in chess when she doesn?t have to. Can these splotches be connected with the evil mystery surrounding this expedition? ?Presently he suggested a game of chess to take their minds off the matter before he retired. (source: The Green Splotches by T. S. Stribling, Fantastic, vol. 17, #1, Sep 1969, p. 60) He tapped it with an apologetic smile. As he did so, he glanced about and his eyes lit on the chess-board and men which Pethwick and M. Demetzriovich had been using the previous evening. ?I have seen mental chess-players in America,? observed Standifer, ?but they use only one board. I suppose more would complicated it. I don?t play myself.? The chess-players made no answer to this remark, but set up the men. Mr. Three defeated the scientists? combined skill in a game of ten moves. (source: The Green Splotches by T. S. Stribling, Fantastic, vol. 17, #1, Sep 1969, p. 74) He told them only one of their number would be taken as a specimen to the land of One; the person chosen would be retained alive, and, if he proved tractable, he would undoubtedly be allowed to run at large within certain limits and might be taught simple tricks wherewith to amuse the visitors at the zoo; such as playing a simple game of chess on one board. This may or may not have been a sarcastic fling at the feeble game of chess which Pathwick had just played; at any rate the thought of playing endless games of chess through bars of a zoological cage filled the engineer with nausea. (source: The Green Splotches by T. S. Stribling, Fantastic, vol. 17, #1, Sep 1969, p. 107) ?This ship, and certain papers aboard her, are what you might call pawns in a mighty chess game. Earth wished to move the pawn, we wish to keep it here. That is all I can tell you.? (source: Flight to Dishonor, by Gerald Vance, Thrilling Science Fiction #14, Fall 1969, p. 60) Then, through the Horseman?s binoculars, he was relieved to see that the heads were in fact plastic, poorly carved, like cheap chess men. (source: Report from Linelos by Vincent King, New Writings in SF 15, 1969, p. 28) Poul Anderson?s Circus of Hells, published in 1970, mentions chess. Dominic Flandy plays chess with a computer. The protagonists find themselves stranded on a planet where a bored computer has constructed machines in the shape of chess pieces, and spends its time playing out a gigantic game of chess on the surface of the planet. In 1970, Asimov wrote Waterclap, which appeard in the May 1970 issue of If magazine. Demerest asks Bergen why he met so few people at Ocean-Deep. Bergen replies that they are either asleep , watching films, or playing chess. Jerman went with the Captain to his cabin. They fasted themselves to the relaxations couches. ?Chess?? the Captain inquired. He touched the fingertip control on the arm of his couch and above him the board lit up set with the last position of their unfinished game. ?But in their present plight Jerman felt unequal to the inevitable chess defeat. ?He sighed and closed his eyes. He was quite prepared to sleep if Jerman didn?t want to play chess with him. (source: Frontier Incident by Robert Wells, New Writings in SF 18, 1970, p. 38-39) Dave had to win the chess game ? for if he lost, the Earth would be destroyed. (source: Checkmate to Demos by H. B. Hickey, Science Fantasy, vol. 1, #4, Spring 1971, p. 103) ?I was going to become the greatest chess player in the world! Not just one of the greatest, Harkness, but the very best of them all. And I would have done it. All my life I have practices and studied. Do you know what I do when you and your precious wife are not around? I close my eyes and play chess with myself! I pretend I am playing the great masters. And I defeat them just so surely as if I were playing them in reality. No man lives who knows more about chess than I do. No man lives who has my mind.? (source: Checkmate to Demos by H. B. Hickey, Science Fantasy, vol. 1, #4, Spring 1971, p. 107-108) In 1972, Gene Wolfe published The Fifth Head of Cerberus. He mentions holographic chessmen and the movement of a lady like an onyx chessman on a polished board that reminded the character of a Black Queen. In the lounge he played only games against a single opponent, with a fierce concentration and graceless exultation over winning that soon left few takers. Orest had remarked on it when they sat playing chess one evening, while most of the others were at a baseball game in the late summer sunshine. (source: Cain by H. A. Hargreaves, New Writings in SF 20, 1972, p. 102) For the rest of the day he was docile, to the point where Orest seemed to be suspicious, so he made a point of arguing with the other chess in the lounge that evening. It nearly backfired, as the boiling emotions he had submerged for so long threatened to erupt, but he managed to hold on to himself. He made a familiar enough picture, standing white-faced and hollow-eyed over the scattered pieces, slowly buckling to submission under the authority of his custodian. (source: Cain, by H. A. Hargreaves, New Writings in SF 20, 1972, p. 107) His gaze roved suspiciously to either side as he came through the door. He paced back and forth for a few moments biting his lip, then let fall, ?I found another of those damned chess sets.? ?Makes three in a week,? J?Wilobe continued in staccato bursts. ?I destroyed it, of course, but it shook me up. Obviously, someone knows I could have been the greatest chess-player in the world.? He threw back his head. ?Knows I gave up the game to devote myself wholly to government—couldn?t serve two masters. Knows what a vice chess is. Knows how I?m still tempted. Leaves the sets around to upset me. Knows what the right of one does to me.? (source: Let Freedom Ring, by Fritz Leiber, Thrilling Science Fiction #23, Feb 1972, p. 15) To J?Wilobe it was as if a long-awaited chess-game had begun. Someone had moved pawn to king?s fourth. ?Then he saw a hand on the table. Someone had made an impossible move with a knight. (source: Let Freedom Ring, by Fritz Leiber, Thrilling Science Fiction #23, Feb 1972, p. 44) The door opened, the finger poked through his skull, the laughter exploded ? and then the whole world blacked out, and J?Wilobe realized that he had fallen millions of miles and landed in a cozy, velvet-lined cell where he could eternally play a thousand simultaneous blindfold chess games and win them all. With a calm happiness that he had never known before, he made his thousand first moves. (source: Let Freedom Ring, by Fritz Leiber, Thrilling Science Fiction #23, Feb 1972, p. 45) ?You enter a well-lighted room. In one corner two men are seated, playing chess. In another corner two men are repairing a machine. When you look at the chess players the machine repairers are barely visible in the corner of your eye. If you concentrate on the chess situation, you learn lose to nothing about the repair work. And when you concentrate on the repair work the chess game fades out.? (source: The Right Side of the Tracks, by Albert Teichner, Thrilling Science Fiction #25, June 1972, p. 117) In the days that followed, his strength returned to him. He played chess with Emil and talked with him of their days together in the Guard. (source: The Furies, by Roger Zelany, Thrilling Science Fiction #27, Oct 1972, p. 83) ?Feeling sleepy?? Drummond stared at him, measuring him. ?No, not yet.? A pause. ?You play chess, Art?? ?I can move the pieces around. I?m not good, but I?ll play if you want.? The dossier had mentioned that Drummond was a good player, that much of the time aboard the scoutship was spent studying tactics. The astronaut set out the pieces. ?Chess helps me relax, Art. I?ll sleep like a baby afterwards. You take white.? Saxon moved a pawn to king four. Drummond countered: for a man who claimed chess helped him relax, he had total concentration, and it was not many moves before Saxon was in trouble. (source: Monitor by Sydney Bounds, New Writings in SF 22, 1973, p. 107) Mentally, Fay was running through countless maneuvers he had used in his space fighting days. Maneuvers based on skill and cunning, made to draw an enemy into a futile defense of his weakest points. Fay had always planned his tactics ? like a superior chess player ? three or four moves in advance. (source: Return of the Space Hawk by Duncan Farnsworth, Science Fiction Adventure Classics #25, Jul 1973, p.89) In 1974, Schwartz Between the Galaxies was published by Robert Silverberg. Dr. Schwartz, an anthropologist, travels to Papua in a rocket. He compares his chosen profession as empty, foolish, and useless as playing a game of chess. There I was somewhere between the Horsehead Nebula and El Nair, half-asleep, as it were, in that eternal haze-land between sleep and wakefulness that you spend so much time in when you?re in space, when there?s nothing for you to do but sleep. What? Oh, yes, there?s other things to do. You can play volleyball, handball, football, baseball, basketball, hockey, chess, checkers, squash, ping-pong, or lacrosse. (source: Half Past the Dragon by Grant Carrrington, Fantastic, vol. 24, #1, Nov 1974, p. 29) Whoever sent a robot to interview Sidney Latham was pretty smart. The Professor really digs Adamson; he has him to dinner once a week and tries to beat him at chess. But where does that leave me? Out on a limb?which brings me to Verity Latham. (source: Double Summer Time by Cherry Wilder, New Writings in SF 29, 1976, p. 24) The ship was too small and the crew too intimate for his main function to have remained a secret, yet the excuse served to mask his professional interest in the couple and so avoid embarrassment. ?We were to have played chess. Have you seen him?? ?He won?t have time for chess,? said Judd emphatically.? (source: Random Sample by E. C. Tubb, , New Writings in SF 29, 1976, p. 96) He became very relaxed. His neighbor, Steven Fabin, called for a game of chess and ended up watching the last hour of the play before departing with Quinn?s promise of a game the following evening. ?His colleagues seemed oblivious to his distraction and by mid evening, of course, he was soothed and immersed in a game of chess with Fabin. Quinn lost, but more through Fabin?s skill than his own worries affecting his game. (source: On The Inside by Robert Holdstock, New Writings in SF 28, 1976, p. 85-86) Back in the recreation room they settled to take care of the rest of the day. Carter and Gwen played chess, the others made up a four at bridge. (source: Face to Infinity by E. C. Tubb, New Writings in SF 28, 1976, p. 132) She was a big, jolly woman with a ready laugh and such human warmth that I couldn?t help liking her from the start. Apart from that, she played darned good chess - one passion which Mandy and I never shared. (source: Young Tom by Dan Morgan, New Writings in SF 29, 1976, p. 158) Asimov wrote The Winnowing, which was published in the February 1976 edition of Analog magazine. Peter Affare, chairman of the World Food Organization, came frequently to Dr. Aaron Rodman?s laboratories for chess. He wanted Rodman to add selective poisons to certain food shipments to over-populated areas to control the world population, which was suffering from acute famine. Arthur C. Clarke mentioned chess in his short story Quarantine, first published in Isaac Asimov?s Science Fiction Magazine, Spring 1977. Earth had to be destroyed as they became totally obsessed with the six chess pieces ? king, queen, rook, bishop, knight, and pawn. If all these chess pieces were ever re-discovered, all rational computing would end. ?Toskano led them up a flight of stairs and into a large room. There were armchairs and tables, on which books and periodicals were piled. Philosophers sat about smoking, reading, talking in low voices, playing brizh or chess, or just sitting.? (source: The Witches of Manhattan, by L. Sprague de Camp, Asimov?s Science Fiction, vol. 2, #1, Jan 1978, p. 156) In 1981, Asimov wrote a science fiction short story called The Perfect Fit. He referred to a 3-dimensional chess game which was a game with 8 chessboards stacked upon each other, making the playing area cubic rather than square. John wanted to be at home instead of out here; not that he cared about the whales—there were always whales, there always would be whales—but he had been teaching his mother to play chess, and that seemed more amusing than the whale hunt. (source: The Longest Story Ever Told, by Hugh Downs, The Best of Omni Science Fiction #2, 1981, p. 35) Our heroes are wood. Exquisitely carved; painted with infinite care; each one a child born through agonies of thought, months of uncertainty, a change here, a new idea there; but wood. Tomov made them. ?Tomov turned page by page. And on those pages were the things he sought. A queen, dressed in such flagrant riches it was enough to sicken Tomov, a queen whose very gown told of her faithlessness, her carnal loves. A churchman, pompous, fat, as lecherous as the queen. A king—ah!, these were what Tomov was after?.Then the carving. (source: The Chessmen, by William Shepherd, The Best of Omni Science Fiction #2, 1981, p. 70) Andreievich was a fine partner for chess, relatively easy to beat yet capable on occasion of creating a difficult situation on the board. It made it pleasant, though Dosiev, to be challenged and at the same time to know one could pretty surely win. He chuckled as it occurred to him to let Andreievich see what he could do with the king and queen while he, Dosiev—the better player—moved relentlessly on to the inevitable checkmate by the People?s men. It would be a moral victory, as well as a personal one. ??Fool!? Because your friend improved and you grew careless at chess, you toss in bed and bother me over the shape of pieces of wood? Fagh! Bring me these chessmen. Let me see these midget monuments that shake you in your boots!? (source: The Chessmen, by William Shepherd, The Best of Omni Science Fiction #2, 1981, p. 71) There?s another one, a real stinger —a fish lying on a beach, but is has the loins and legs of a girl; a mermaid, but inverted. The head, neck, breast of a white horse, which is also a chess piece, which is also a girl. ?And her face that?s a woman?s, even though it?s the face of a chess-piece horse. (source: Magritte?s Secret Agent, by Tanith Lee, Twilight Zone, vol. 1. #2, May 1981, p. 72) I had never married. What relatives I had were disinterested. I would go to the office each work day, and one day was like another and had been for the last thirty years. I would come back to my silent apartment and work my chess problems, or watch tv, or read. ..Yes, it has been two years since the little man entered my life. He has since turned into an avid tv watcher, a competent chess player, and a cheerful companion on my walks. (source: The Rules of the Game, by Jack Ritchie, Twilight Zone, vol. 1, #4, Jul 1981, p. 88) A poster on the front of the theatre read: The Improved Automaton Chess Player Marvel of the Age Under New Management. ?The real problem, sir,? proclaimed one top-hatted man nearby, in conversation with another, ?is not whether a machine can be made to win at chess, but whether it may possible be made to play at all.? (source: Adventure of the Metal Murderer, by Fred Saberhagen, The Best of Omni Science Fiction #3, 1982, p. 72) The agent noted that there were no candles on this desk, as there had been on that of Maelzel?s chess player a few decades earlier. Maelzel?s automaton had been a clever fraud, of course. Candles had been placed on its box to mask the odor of burning wax from the candle needed by the man who was so cunningly hidden inside amid the dummy gears. The year in which the agent had arrived was still too early, he knew, for electric lights, at least the kind that would be handy for such a hidden human to use. Add the fact that this chess player?s opponent was allowed to sit much closer than Maelzel?s had ever been, and it became a pretty safe deduction that no human being was concealed inside the box and figure on this stage. (source: Adventure of the Metal Murderer, by Fred Saberhagen, The Best of Omni Science Fiction #3, 1982, p. 73) Dr. Lewison leaned forward. ?But the strongest indication by far,? he said, ?of Guy?s obsesson with counting and the fascination small numbers held for him, was when he gave up chess for backgammon. As he explained it to me,? the doctor continued, ?one reason he made the change was that he?d come to think that backgammon is much more like real life than chess is. In chess you?re operating in an ideal universe where all the laws and forces are known to you and where you control half the pieces. You can make the most far-reaching and elaborate plans and nothing can upset them but your adversary. (The Man Who Was Married to Space and Time, by Fritz Lieber, The Best of Omni Science Fiction #3, 1982, p. 89) ?A group of men (I don?t know what else to call them) were gathered about a game of chess. Two were seated at the table, hunched over the pieces in the classic pose of a dedicated player. Six more clustered about, half in shadow, intent on the play. ?The game was not actually chess, of course. It was the 81-square version we had seen on so many homes. There was no queen. Instead, the king was flanked by a pair of pieces similar, but not identical, to the rooks. I had no doubt that the stylized hemispheres at the extremes of the position were rooks, though none had moved. (Where else but on the flank would one reasonably place a rook?) The other pieces, too, were familiar. The left-hand Black bishop had been fianchettoed: a one-square angular move onto the long diagonal from where it exercised withering power. All four knights had been moved, and their twisted tracks betrayed their identity. The game was still in its opening stages. White was two pawns up, temporarily. It appeared to be Black?s move, and he would, I suspected, seize a White pawn which had strayed deep into what we would consider his queenside.? (source: Black to Move, by Hack McDevitt, Asimov?s Science Fiction, vol. 6, #9, p. 108, Sep 1982) ?But the position in that game: black is playing the Benko Gambit! It?s different in detail, of course; the game is different. But Black is about to clear a lane for the queenside rook. One bishop, at the opposite end of the board, is astride the long diagonal, where its terrible power will combine with that of the rook. And White, after the next move or two, when that advanced pawn comes off, will be desperately exposed. It?s the most advanced of the gambits for Black, still feared after three hundred years. ??The Benko isn?t designed to recover a lost pawn, although that happens too.? I could not take my eyes from the painting. Did I detect a gleam of arrogance in Black?s eyes? ?No. It doesn?t fool around with pawns. The idea is to launch a strike into the heart of the enemy position.?? (source: Black to Move, by Hack McDevitt, Asimov?s Science Fiction, vol. 6, #9, p. 111, Sep 1982) So much for that Norbert punched the query button and typed out his question about jai-alai in Ocean Towers, and found they had it, all right, but he was thinking it over he decided to make it chess instead. (source: Down There, by Damon Knight, The Best of Omni Science Fiction #5, 1983, p. 80) ?After bowling a string of three-hundred games would be an interesting thing to do, Stan felt it would ultimately become boring. Far better would be a game of chess, with its infinite combinations. Now there was a challenge. Or maybe he?d learn go, an ancient game that required tremendous mental skills and discipline.? (source: Open Frame, by Jack Haldeman, Twilight Zone, vol. 3, #3, Aug 1983, p. 43) ??Irene,? Andrei called, and she turned from her task. ?Go ahead and check yourself out. We have a chess game later on.? ?Why do you keep on playing? David asked. ?She always beats you.? ?Mind over matter. Some day I?m going to win.?? (source: From the Labyrinth of Night, by Lillian Carl, Asimov?s Science Fiction, vol.8, #8, Aug 1984, p. 107) ??Check,? said Irene. Andrei groaned. ?I thought I had you foxed this time. But I?ll beat you yet, honey. They couldn?t have crammed that many impulses into those teeny, tiny protein chips in your mind.? He extracted his king from danger. Irene regarded the chessmen. David regarded her. Funny ? you wouldn?t expect her artificial mind to change the expression of her artificial face ? why bother programming her to lower her lashes over her eyes, to smile confidently as she shifted a piece, to tap one long forefinger impatiently beside the chess board? ?Andrei moved, she moved again; ?Checkmate,? she said, and there was well-modulated triumph in her voice.? (source: From the Labyrinth of Night, by Lillian Carl, Asimov?s Science Fiction, vol.8, #8, Aug 1984, p. 108) ?David turned and picked up the chess set. One pawn was gone; they could use a rock, perhaps. A colony of Martians. The beginnings of genetic evolution meeting the product of cultural evolution. ?Could you teach me to play?? he asked, spreading the board on the table. ?Why, yes.? Her skin was healed. Her two smallest fingers hung limp and useless. ??The queens on their own colors,? Irene said. ?And the pawns in front to protect them.? She seated herself and contemplated the board. ?I ? I think I?m beginning to understand. My own mind, I mean.? ?Each playing piece sat on its own square. ?First move,? Irene said. ?Pawn to King Two.? She took her role as teacher very seriously. ?He moved his own pawn. ?Second move.?? (source: From the Labyrinth of Night, by Lillian Carl, Asimov?s Science Fiction, vol.8, #8, Aug 1984, p. 116) ?The ladies bend to the bright fish in the pools, the knights pluck for them blossoms, challenge each other to combat at chess, or wrestling, discuss the menagerie lions; the minstrels sing of unrequited love. The pleasure garden is full of one long and weary sigh.? (source: Bite-Me-Not, by Tanith Lee, Asimov?s Science Fiction, vol. 8, #10, Oct 1984, p. 98) ?Idiocy! You were born for torment, Not the presiding role at Sunday mass, The lifting of a bleeding heart?s lament, Or your potential mastery of chess! The sufferings you abide ennoble All of us, giving a grave, selfless laugh To Those who vow our vanity?s too large. If the dearest foible Of our kind is to err on our behalf, Why, then, to forgive is a chimp?s clearest charge!? (source: To a Chimp Held Captive for Purposes of Research, by Michael Bishop, Asimov?s Science Fiction, vol. 9, #1, Jan 1985, p. 119) ?Both men, now weathered by the patina of the middle years, had been serving the town in their own ways for some time. They were both fond of Mozart, Father Brown, word games, chess, and pollo en mole as served by their favorite local restaurant. These addictions formed the foundation of their friendship.? (source: The Secret of Rowena, by Ray Russell, Twilight Zone, vol. 5, #4, Oct 1985, p. 64) ?The more he considered things, the more cheerful he became. Michelle was trying to rebuke him, to frighten him, but she was really giving him a delicious experience. He could play chess with Sergei Tederenko, the cynical ВmigrВ hustler from En Passant?.? (source: Portraits of his Children, by George R.R. Martin, Asimov?s Science Fiction, vol. 9, #11, Nov 1985, p. 162) In 1986, Ian Watson wrote Queenmagic, Kingmagic. Two kingdoms have been locked in a war waged according to the strict rules of chess. Two opposing pawns fall in love and seek a way out of their world before its inevitable end. ?I got to thinking you?d met someone and gone off for a drink, or a game of chess,? Louise said. ?You have done that, you know.? He knew. (source: Pigglies, by Anita Schlank, Twilight Zone, vol. 6, #4, Oct 1986, p. 78) ?Taimanov?s head wobbled up and down. ?Do you play chess, Mr. President?? ?Moderately.? ?That fact does not appear in your campaign biography.? ?It would not have won any votes.? ?I will never understand the United States,? Taimanov said. ?A land that extols mediocrity and produces engineers of exceptional quality.? ?Your concern?? said the President. ?Ah, yes: the point. The point, Mr. President, as any good chess player, or statesman, knows, is that the threat is of considerably more use than the execution.?? (source: Voices in the Dark, by Jack McDevitt, Asimov?s Science Fiction, vol. 10, #11, Nov 1986, p. 157) ??A lot of head shaking. He recommended rest and the company of friends. He played chess with Oleg. He said did we have another Master or ClassI player to keep Oleg amused?? Sam?s voice shook. They looked at the desk: there were two photographs of Fay Gordon, Sam?s mother. ?The larger photograph showed her winning a women?s regional championship. She was the only chess player in the family; Wallace had been very proud of her chess ? she had never let him win.? (source: Dreamwood, by Cherry Wilder, Asimov?s Science Fiction, vol. 10, #12, Dec 1986, p. 134) In 1987, David Gerrold (1944- ) wrote Chess With a Dragon. The title does not refer to an actual game. Humans have to negotiate with an alien creature from a race called the Dragons. ?I was playing checkers because I was not in the mood to analyse econometric wave forms, and because I had long ago lost the patience for chess.? (source: Waves, by Andrew Weiner, Asimov?s Science Fiction, vol. 11, #3, Mar 1987, p. 93) ?And ended up in front of the Hardtack Coffee House. I stepped through the dark glass door. Smells of coffee and tobacco smoke and an atmosphere not of day or night. Name your game: chess, go, backgammon, checkers, simulator, cini-max. ?Anyway, Jesse Woods, who had stayed in touch with Rolly, was playing speed chess with a well-dressed young guy, might have been a chump, might have been a pupil. There was a beep as the kid?s hand punched the chrome button on top of his clock, an almost simultaneous beep as Jesse punched his. ?S?t,? the kid said, and he was almost out of his chair with tension, searching the board for a move as his right hand hovered over it, the same one he?d have to punch the clock with. Beep beep beep beep and a bright red light flashed on the kid?s clock. The kid slumped in his chair, then said, ?I almost had an attack going,? and he began setting up pieces. ?Can we do it again??? (source: Spirit of the Night, by Tom Maddox, Asimov?s Science Fiction, vol. 11, #9, Sep 1987, p. 100-101) In 1988, Asimov published Man as the Ultimate Gadget. It was later published as The Smile of the Chipper in the anthology Gold. Chippers were people whose natural mental abilities were augmented by computer chips. He compared chippers to chess grandmasters. Put them in the same room and they would automatically challenge each other. ?In Geneva at the arms talks the KGB psychologist Colonel had been accompanied to begin with by a fat old woman aide (his peasant mother?), then later by a sly wisp-haired fellow whom the Russians claimed was a chess master, only no one had ever heard of him.? (source: The Flies of Memory, by Ian Wilson, Asimov?s Science Fiction, vol. 12, #9, Sep 1988, p. 28) ?The dreams were more complicated than the others in aspect and particularly in their use in playing the game of the world. Compared to the rest, they were like rooks and bishops in relations to pawns?for an instant he didn?t understand where he had gotten that image. He had never played chess, had no familiarity with the pieces or the moves.? (source: Nomans Land, Lucius Shepard, Asimov?s Science Fiction, vol. 12, #10, Oct 1988, p. 35) Immobilized by Janus?s high gravity and dense atmosphere, they?d played enough chess never to be surprised by the other?s moves. They talked easily while they played. (source: The Phoenix Riddle by John A. Taylor, Aboriginal Science Fiction #1, vol. 1, #1, Oct 1988, p. 13) The theme of the classic Hollywood party is Business Is Pleasure. The talented and monied are shoved into elbow-rubbing distance; the mechanism is greased with expensive eats, lots of free alcohol, controlled substances, and the usual catalog of incentives. Peter though of a chess match with all the players in seedy rented tuxes; the pawns in the game were the hookers, the coke, the prurient come-on to sign one?s name. (source: The Falling Man by David Schow, Twilight Zone, vol. 8, #4, Oct 1988, p. 35) Almost casually, he spun the masque back toward the middle of the checkered tablecloth. They were playing chess, for godsake. It clattered—the sound of real glass being threatened—but did not break. (source: The Falling Man by David Schow, Twilight Zone, vol. 8, #5, Dec 1988, p. 95) In 1989, Brad Leithauser (1953- ) wrote Hence, in which a chess genius named Timothy and plays against an MIT computer (ANNDY) for the world chess championship. Then he moved on to the Artificial Intelligence sections. Those were far the grandest. There had to be a couple of hundred million dollars worth of mainframes and processors, printers and CRTs. The AI rooms were not the only place in the schloss where computers were in evidence. There were CRT screens in every hall and even in the WCs and the coffee bar, for all the exhibits were of course computer-recorded and interconnected, so that any part anywhere could be studied anywhere else. But al lines came to a focus in the AI rooms. Here were the great computes that played chess and Go?? (source: At the Summit by Frederik Pohl, Twilight Zone, vol. 8, #6, Feb 1989, p. 35) ?So I?ve heard by report, ?tis true, but what I hear with my own ears is less impressive, Sackett. Signals from space that turn out to be little stars that fart radio waves at us as they spin. Machines to play chess that cost a hundred thousand pounds, but any park-bench hustler along the Liffey can beat them,?? ?The best chess programs can beat almost anybody!? ?And what if they can! Where?s the intelligence?? (source: At the Summit by Frederik Pohl, Twilight Zone, vol. 8, #6, Feb 1989, p. 89) Behind them children were romping around one corner of the park, and old men were playing chess on a board painted onto the ground, half the size of a tennis court, with hip-high pieces that made them grunt to move. ?He paused and looked at her. But she wasn?t looking at him. She was looking at the chess players, and when she glance at Sackett, nodding toward the chessboard, he saw that he knew the players. ??Losing! In a proper chess game I would not be losing. It is your fault, Snekensdorff,? the Russian said in indignation, ?for playing such blood-thirsty chess. If you had not forced us to trade so many of our major pieces, Dr. Sackett would have seen what he was doing!? (source: At the Summit by Frederik Pohl, Twilight Zone, vol. 8, #6, Feb 1989, p. 91) ?Johnson looked at me slyly. ?Yes, we managed that. It?s not widely known in the outside world, but it came down to clever recruiting and it was slightly ? just a touch ? illegal, even then. Of course, we couldn?t hire them both. Getting two chippers to work together is impossible. They?re like chess grandmasters, I suppose. Put them in the same room and they would automatically challenge each other??? (source: The Smile of a Chipper, Asimov?s Science Fiction, vol. 13, #4, Apr 1989, p. 65) ?The weather turned abruptly colder. Snow threatened but didn?t fall. Each afternoon, Harry and Manny took a quick walk in the park and then went inside, to the chess club or a coffee shop or the bus station or the library, where there was a table deep in the stacks on which they could eat lunch without detection.? (source: The Price of Oranges, by Nancy Kress, Asimov?s Science Fiction, vol. 13, #4, p. 114) ?Due to flare activity on the Sun, the portholes of our moonliner, the Lincoln-Lenin, stayed blank almost all the way. Kath and I played many games of magnetic chess; we had ample opportunity to become fed up with each other, but we didn?t. Not a bit of it.? (source: Nanoware Time, by Ian Watson, Asimov?s Science Fiction, vol. 13, #6, June 1989, p. 37) Lou stiffens. Her mother has not acknowledge Lou?s arrival, but she knows Mr. Parks is there. Perhaps, Lou thinks, she will see a side to Mama that has been well hidden. Mama and Mr. Parks will play chess and discuss Immanuel Kant or suspension architecture. (source: Bluebonnets by Patricia Anthony, Aboriginal Science Fiction #16, vol. 3, #4, July 1989, p. 36) ?Mr. de Vald looked terribly nervous. There was no reason that I knew why he should be, but sometimes the communications between these two partners are so complex, and have so many permutations, that I can?t follow them. Their relationship seems to be a little like chess, but without the rules.? (souce: Zelle?s Thursday, by Tanith Lee, Asimov?s Science Fiction, Vol. 13, #10, Oct 1989, p. 57) Perry again. ?She?s sick! Let?s not make a virtue of it! She?s an immature person, doing weird things to get attention. She? still stuck on her father. This line, ?the old chess games they played on Saturdays, back in those brighter summers or childhood? ? it?s clear she wants to revert to being a kid.? (source: Rough Character, by Phillip Jennings, Aboriginal Science Fiction #18, vol. 3, #6, Nov 1989, p. 29) In 1990, Ray Bradbury (1920-2012) published A Graveyard for Lunatics. Roy asks himself what kind of game is this and the only way to find out is by counter moving the chess pieces. ?Chroma, an amalgam of kite-flying and chess, is by far the favorite game of casino owners on all seventeen planets.? (source: Joyride, by Deborah Wessell, Asimov?s Science Fiction, vol. 14, #2, Feb 1990, p. 60) ?Al, the man behind the counter, had been a minor chess master in the fifties and now owned the hotel.? (source: The Blue Love Potion, by Lisa Goldstein, Asimov?s Science Fiction, vol. 14, #6, June 1990, p. 95) Of course, he had known exactly what to expect when he had volunteered for this crazy mission. But, somehow, recognizing intellectually the pitfalls of overcrowding on a long interplanetary flight had not prepared him for the nerve-jangling click of Wenzel?s jaw as he munched each and every mouthful, or Finnegan?s deathly bleak depressions which infected the rest of the crew like an emotional cancer, or even the innocuous but endless chess games between Xu and Bertorelli ? the board with its magnetic pieces always cluttering up the rec room table (why couldn?t they play on the computer, for God?s sake?) and never leaving enough room for a food tray. (source: Survival of the Fittest by John Gribbin and Marcus Chown, Aboriginal Science Fiction #23, vol. 4, #5, Sep 1990, p. 13) ?Another suck of wine. ?You know what it?s like? Two teams, one good at chess, another good at hoop-ball. We can?t get your team even interested in hoop-ball, where we?re the masters, so all you think about us is that we?re second-rate at chess. Sorry, I?m being harsh, and you don?t deserve it. How will this work, Tersiz? How can two people as different as us ever think of getting married??? (source: The Betrothal, by Phillip Jennings, Asimov?s Science Fiction, vol. 14, #10, p. 52) ?Monster figures guarded the rooftop, where a maze of steps circuited round two plunging courtyard pits. Alien stone robots, some with ceramic saurian skins, others helmeted like knights: such were the chimneys, the ventilators. Did those move about at night? Did they stomp ponderously around the flights of steps, playing an eerie slow game of chess in which the rules of geometry had altered?? (source: Gaudi?s Dragon, by Ian Watson, Asimov?s Science Fiction, vol. 14, #10, p. 94) ?The first few scenarios had been mazes. Escher worlds where the rules emerged in rapport with the on-going events. Imagine moving a chess piece (which happened to be oneself) and discovering the laws of chess movement in the process. ?However, Shar had won through to Round Seven; which was more than could be said for our NSA cryptographer, or our mathematician ? or for our Jungian psychologist or our chess grandmaster or our pentathlon champion or our Californian shaman. All gone into interspace, all lost.? (source: The Odor of Cocktail Cigarettes, by Ian Watson, Asimov?s Science Fiction, vol. 15, #5, Apr 1991, p. 124-125) ?Roman reached under and pulled out a game box. ?You know, the biggest disappointment I have is that Gerald hates playing games of any sort. I love them: chess, backgammon, Go, cards. So I have to play with people who are a lot less interesting than he is.? He opened a box and looked at the letters. ?You?d think he?d at least like Scrabble.?? (source: Living Well, by Alexander Jablokov, Asimov?s Science Fiction, vol. 15, #7, June 1991, p. 66) ?Jud didn?t say why Henry was along for the ride but I could guess: a relapse could hit anybody, anytime, leave you too exhausted even to keep the gas pedal down. I hoped Henry was just Jud?s insurance, and not another piece in the chess game he and I played from time to time.? (source: Song of Bullfrogs, Cry of Geese by Nicola Griffith, Aboriginal Science Fiction, #28, vol. 5, #4, July 1991, p. 50) ?Weary of Morse Bragolio?s speech, Yossi tipped the attendant for his trouble. It was a slow news night, and Yossi was too tired to play chess with Sargon XIX?? (source: The Fourth Intercometary, by Phillip C. Jennings, Asimov?s Science Fiction, vol. 15, #13, Nov 1991, p. 235) In 1992, Greg Bear wrote Anvil of Stars. The Brothers or cords, worm-like creatures, discovered chess, and it became a release for them. They would play chess all day on a space ship without eating or sleeping. One of the cords died while playing chess. ??Well, when you come down we can talk about it.? Gunther squinted as his cards. ?This would make a great hand for chess.? ?Nobody plays chess,? Hiro said scornfully. ?It?s a game for computers.?? (source: Griffin?s Egg, by Michael Swanwick (1950- ), Asimov?s Science Fiction, vol. 16, #6, May 1992, p. 116) ?Of course. ALICE probably had a full complement of Lewis Carroll?s characters in her libraries by now. Lucius looked around and saw animated cards and chess pieces scattered through the crowd, delivering drinks and foods.? (source: A Hand in the Mirror, by Sonia Lyris, Asimov?s Science Fiction, vol. 17, #8, July 1993, p. 103) Chess is mentioned in The Fleet of Stars, written by Poul Anderson in 1997. Kinna Ronay beat his father in two games out of three while on Mars. Anderson?s Operation Luna, published in 1999, mentions chess a few times. Balawahdiwa watches animated chess pieces fighting the game out on a chessboard. One of the characters had a couple of bone chessmen from the Middle Ages. They wound back through the entry vestibule, then up the broad staircase to the mansion?s second level. Peeking through a doorway, they saw bloated orange cushion chairs crowded together about a chess board. (source: Reality?s Real Estate by Denise Lopes Heald, Aboriginal Science Fiction #65, vol. 12, #1, Spring 2001, p. 55) In 2003, Stephen Baxter (1957- ) wrote Coalescent. In old Britain, the children of Regina played a fast-moving game like chess played only with rooks that were made of colored glass counters. In 2005, Paolo Bacigalupi published The Calorie Man in the October 2005 issue of Fantasy and Science Fiction. Lalji of India plays chess in New Orleans. In 2005, Jack McDevitt wrote Seeker. At the Museum of Alien Life there is a Hall of Humans. One of the displays was a chess game in progress. In 2006, Catherine Asaro wrote Alpha. Alpha was a gorgeous, superintelligent android. The novel mentions modern forms of the Turing test and references the Gary Kasparov vs. Deep Blue computer match that had occurred decades ago. In 2006, Ray Bradburty published Farewell Summer, his last novel. Chess is mentioned several times in the novel. Old men were playing chess by the courthouse and the park had chess tables. Chess pieces were named after characters. ?No chess game was ever won by the player who sat for a lifetime thinking over his next move.? In 2007, Michael Chabon (1963- ) wrote The Yiddish Policemen?s Union, which features a plot settled around chess, murder of a chess prodigy named Emanuel Lasker, and the position on the chess board at the murder scene. The novel won a number of science fiction awards: the Nebula Award for Best Novel, the Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel, the Hugo Award for Best Novel, and the Sidewise Award for Alternate History for Best Novel. ?After that, he started searching for something better, first on the hospital intranet and then on the web. He played a few chase-and-shoot games before he found the lightning chess program. He played nine games on level one, losing all but the last, then moved on to level two. He lost the first game on that level but won the second, and he seems to be winning the third. ...?You must have played chess before, Mr. Asherson. You haven?t really learned if rom scratch this morning. Don?t you remember the school where you used to teach?? ??To hell with protocol,? said Asherson, finally looking away from the screen, having checkmated the computer. ?We?re talking about my brain here. I?m better, and I intend to stay that way. You?re right, of course ? I could play chess. I do remember the school ? but that?s not important. I?ve got things to do. You?d better not mess me about, Dr. Wharton. I used to be in the SAS.?? (source: The Trial, by Brian Stableford, Asimov?s Science Fiction, vol. 31. #7, July 2007, p. 23) In 2010, Benjamin Crowell published Petopia in the June 2010 issue of Asimovs. Raphael ignores his chores and spends the day at a chessboard with a chess book full of diagrams. He later plays chess with an artificial intelligence toy named Jelly, then with some others using a chess clock to play blitz chess. He starts hustling other people for money. Jelly was used as a paper-weight for the money on the chess table, but was Jelly helping Raphael cheat and win at chess? ??The last time I felt this fluttery was when my mom was dragging me to chess matches.? Chris said. ?Do you have any dissolvies left??? (source: Kill Switch, by Benjamin Crowell, Asimov?s Science Fiction, vol. 36, #7, July 2012, p. 37) ?Alberto propped his chin upon his hand in the amused gesture of a chess master who?d just pulled a cunning move against an inexperienced novice.? (source: Alive and Well, a Long Way from Anywhere, Asimov?s Science Fiction, vol. 36, #7, July 2012, p. 58) ?With ConSpace no longer part of his life, Jerry became less indifferent to messages from home. I remained his gatekeeper, but he began to send more letters back to Earth?Chess was our favorite pastime, but we also learned how to play Battleship and Monopoly the same way, with games sometimes lasting several weeks.? (source: Alive and Well, a Long Way from Anywhere, Asimov?s Science Fiction, vol. 36, #7, July 2012, p. 61) ?Beyond the automaton Herb was twitching, uncomfortable. Hoffman laughed. ?Do you play chess?? he said. Orphan did not like where this was leading. ?Occasionally,? he said. ?Why?? ?The Bookman is a master of simulacra, not a simple artisan. But ? the chess. Perhaps, he though, he is an agent of the Turk.? (source: Murder in the Cathedral, by Lavie Tidhar, Asimov?s Science Fiction, vol. 38, #6, June 2014, p. 86) ??Hoffman engaged me in conversation about chess. I did not know what he meant. He suggested that I should visit the cathedral. It seemed he wished to show it to me. I do not know why. I agreed to meet him there.?? (source: Murder in the Cathedral, by Lavie Tidhar, Asimov?s Science Fiction, vol. 38, #6, June 2014, p. 97) ?I remember my first kill-shot, almost an accident, back on my second tour. ?The big iron on the Ark plays the great chess game of dispatching mobcoms against its Minoan counterpart, and since all the pieces are public ? hard to hide it when a fusion drive lights up ? encounters are usually even matched or they?re not fought at all.? (source: The End of the War, by Django Wexler, Asimov?s Science Fiction, vol. 39, #6, June 2015, p. 21) ?The bar was where the owner was always to be found, rubbing his shaved head, staring at a game of chess. He always played against one of three different opponents?.And so the cafВ had the feeling, at once, of agelessness ? its ancient building, its collection of rescured furniture like a museum of other places, its continual game of chess in the corner?? (source: Mutability, by Ray Nayler, Asimov?s Science Fiction, vol. 39, #6, June 2015, p. 46-47) ?There was just a smattering of customers reading their terminals, and the owner at the far corner of the bar, playing chess with the serious little girl. ?Outside, it started to rain. Not a normal autumn rain, or an early winter rain ? but a rain of surprising force. ?The little girl looked up from the chess game with a look on her face of joy and wonder at the horrible weather?? (source: Mutability, by Ray Nayler, Asimov?s Science Fiction, vol. 39, #6, June 2015, p. 51-52) Return to Main Page Please report broken or duplicate links to the Webmaster. Official Website Copyright 2017 by William D. Wall All Rights Reserved

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