Comments on: Astronaut vs. Earth: The World's Most Extreme Chess Match Begins

By: kacie

kacie — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 23:49:57 +0000

i'm not really into chess but i rekcon it would be kool to go into outer space and play chess with some of my friends

By: stephen farrugia

stephen farrugia — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 09:02:32 +0000

I play on-line chess regularly and sometimes there are six or seven members of the ISS on-line playing chess! Seems that it is their number one passtime. Their rating ranges from a low 1400+ to over 1800.

By: JF

JF — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 03:34:54 +0000

Some people have forgot their brain before to post…at least if they've one (not sure).

Anyway he use his SPARE TIME to keep contact with many people on Earth, it's the better advert for an orbital space program.

By: DestroyAllHumans

DestroyAllHumans — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 14:03:40 +0000

If he's aboard a spaceship, he should be playing that computer with the unblinking red eye.

Thank you for an enjoyable game.

By: Carlos

Carlos — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 12:21:56 +0000

Quote: Jesus X, is this what ISS is used for?… Can anyone tell me what good has ISS done for humanity compared to Skylab/Mir/Shuttle?

Make sure the brain is in gear before engaging the tongue then visit this URL.

http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/shuttle/benefits/index.html

Carlos

By: s0l

s0l — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 11:12:12 +0000

Jesus X, is this what ISS is used for?
150 billion for stupid PR shit? Whats next, sending in a clown to do zero-g juggling?!!!

I get the feeling ISS is simply worthless PR hiding something else, some other space program…everything about it is a joke.

Such a waste of money and public interest it's a bloody shame i tell you…we had stations 30 years ago.

Can anyone tell me what good has ISS done for humanity compared to Skylab/Mir/Shuttle?

By: Bruce

Bruce — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 04:31:19 +0000

I've taught chess to 1st thru 6th graders for years and have never lost a game, despite being only an average or slightly above tournament player. I doubt that any of the children could beat an accomplished player. However, the rules in which the students select four possible moves that are then voted on by others is bizzarre and makes it difficulte to predict results.

By: quantum_flux

quantum_flux — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 19:01:38 +0000

Oh wait, it looks like a rigid board, never mind.

By: quantum_flux

quantum_flux — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 18:59:39 +0000

Velcro, why not play with a magnetic board?

(I think it'd be easier to move the pieces with magnetic board than with velcro when floating around)

By: DavidM

DavidM — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 18:25:01 +0000

Rook takes bishot, then takes off the board and floats away

By: Dave

Dave — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:38:48 +0000

I have to agree with Scott with regards to how good some kids are. I'm sure they didn't just pick a random third grade class.

By: Aodhhan

Aodhhan — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:19:31 +0000

Why bother answering Dom, if he isn't going to read the article thoroughly?

Dom..re-read the article… your answers are there. A trained monkey could figure it out!

By: Scott G.

Scott G. — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 12:23:21 +0000

First, don't underestimate the chess capabilities of a 3rd grader on a championship team – I have been involved in chess activities for elementary school children and some of them are amazingly good at chess, despite their youth. Plus the public vote of the moves gets any interested experts involved in any case.

Second, perhaps the goal is to inspire the youngest school-age children – usually the high school kids get all the attention. (Middle school's still out of luck.)

Third, maybe you are right and he just doesn't want to lose. After all, the article says he's an enthusiast, not a ranked expert. I can't find any reference to his skill level other than that he is undefeated against unnamed ground controllers this year.

By: Dominion

Dominion — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 11:45:54 +0000

Kindergarten through third grade? Whats next, trained monkeys? It looks like he doesn't Want to lose. How about not picking on the kids and get a real opponent. Aren't there any Russians on board?