Mini 686 - Chess Mafia (Done)

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #1747 (isolation #0) » Fri Feb 26, 2010 11:01 am

/in to replace

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #1751 (isolation #1) » Fri Feb 26, 2010 11:23 am

Role received.

I also like Qxd5, but I'll study the board a bit more to be sure before I place a vote.

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #1752 (isolation #2) » Fri Feb 26, 2010 11:24 am

Qxd5 should obviously be Qxd5+.

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #1754 (isolation #3) » Fri Feb 26, 2010 11:34 am

Yep, the move looks good.

Vote: Qxd5+

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #1757 (isolation #4) » Fri Feb 26, 2010 3:19 pm

All right, then.

Unmove: Qxd5+

until other people have commented, although it's going to take a brilliant move to change my mind.

If Haylen's move vote still counts, that puts things at:

(2) Qxd5+ (Thok, Haylen)
(1) Kxe2 (Indigo Heron)

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #1762 (isolation #5) » Sat Feb 27, 2010 4:37 am

I think that's everybody.

Move: Qxd5+

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #1763 (isolation #6) » Sat Feb 27, 2010 4:39 am

EBWOP:

Move Count

(5) Qxd5+ (Thok, Haylen, EmpTyger, veerus, SaintKerrigan)
(1) Kxe2 (Indigo Heron)

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #1788 (isolation #7) » Mon Mar 01, 2010 3:29 am

I think Kxe2 is a fine move. I want to study the board a bit first to make sure that a: it is a good move, and b: that there isn't something better out there.

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #1790 (isolation #8) » Mon Mar 01, 2010 6:40 am

Move: Kxe2

Move Count:
(4) Kxe2 - Thok, Indigo Heron, Abstract Actuary, SaintKerrigan

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #1792 (isolation #9) » Mon Mar 01, 2010 9:04 am

If white blocked the check with the queen, black takes the queen on the next move. Forced response is to capture back with the king to move out of check, and then black just has to move the queen out of the way and he has a winning position. At least I think that's how it works out...this is all just from my head.

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #1805 (isolation #10) » Tue Mar 02, 2010 3:37 am

Qd6+ loses after Be7.

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #1806 (isolation #11) » Tue Mar 02, 2010 3:39 am

EBWOP: Re7 might actually be a more devastating move. But regardless, Qd6+ is not good for white.

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #1808 (isolation #12) » Tue Mar 02, 2010 3:51 am

Haylen wrote:Actually, the whites are in a piss poor position at the moment and I wanted to find out why and I looked back and found that.

White's in a fairly good position, actually. Queen vs Rook + Bishop is winning for the side with the Queen, both in sheer points and in strategic value (well, depending on the position, obviously, but I don't think White's position is bad).

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #1810 (isolation #13) » Tue Mar 02, 2010 3:54 am

Haylen wrote:Umm...better idea at present would be to take the pawn on E2, it'll promote to a power piece if it reaches the end.

That's the popular suggested move.

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #1812 (isolation #14) » Tue Mar 02, 2010 4:01 am

If you want to make that move, you need to say

Move: Kxe2

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #1815 (isolation #15) » Tue Mar 02, 2010 4:15 am

Haylen wrote:Lol. I'm really used to chess being a two player game.

lol Same.

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #1816 (isolation #16) » Tue Mar 02, 2010 4:17 am

Also,

Move Count:
(5) Kxe2 - Thok, Indigo Heron, Abstract Actuary, SaintKerrigan, Haylen

SaintKerrigan · Wed Mar 03, 2010 12:30 pm

An intriguing move...but I'm not ready to commit to it yet. I'm getting the feeling like there's something better out there. Will study the board more when I get the chance.

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #1828 (isolation #18) » Thu Mar 04, 2010 3:55 am

V/LA from now until Friday.

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #1857 (isolation #19) » Wed Mar 10, 2010 4:26 am

My availability is going to be extremely limited from here on out due to real life. I would be replacing out, but I don't want to put a burden on you guys to hunt for replacements.

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #2047 (isolation #20) » Sat Apr 24, 2010 4:16 am

Hey guys, sorry for abruptly disappearing. If CSL flakes out I'm willing to replace back in his slot.

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #2071 (isolation #21) » Tue May 04, 2010 2:53 am

SaintKerrigan wrote:If CSL flakes out I'm willing to replace back in his slot.

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #2101 (isolation #22) » Tue May 18, 2010 3:48 am

Sorry, forgot to check this game due to finals week last week.

Anyway, I'm pondering Qf5 as a possible strategy. Anyone got thoughts about that?

Also, I'd prefer to win the game with chess if at all possible, because if we go by mafia rules then I have a helluva lot of catch-up to do...

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #2103 (isolation #23) » Tue May 18, 2010 6:27 am

Guys, I'm currently doing a full analysis of Qf5+. It seems very strong so far, so I'd like people to hold off on votes until I complete my analysis of it. From what I've seen so far, Qf5+ would win White the game.

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #2106 (isolation #24) » Tue May 18, 2010 9:15 am

Okay, after spending hours on Qf5+ I can't find a line that gives us a winning position no matter what, so I'm gonna give it up and

Move Kd3.

Move Count

Kd3 (3) Abstract Actuary, Thok, SaintKerrigan
Draw (1) Veerus

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #2110 (isolation #25) » Tue May 18, 2010 4:47 pm

Unmove: Kd3

I think I saw something in Ke5. Running through the lines now...

Move Count

Kd3 (2) Abstract Actuary, Thok
Draw (1) Veerus

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #2111 (isolation #26) » Tue May 18, 2010 5:59 pm

Okay, I haven't finished things yet, but I'm too tired to think straight right now, so I'll finish things tomorrow.

I'm still okay with Kd3, I just want to see if Ke5 was as good as my insight thought it was.

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #2113 (isolation #27) » Wed May 19, 2010 9:00 am

Move: c4.

Move Count

Kd3 (2) Abstract Actuary, Thok
c4 (1) SaintKerrigan
Draw (1) Veerus

I can't find anything fatally wrong with this move. At worst, we dither around some more, like we're currently doing. At best, we win the game.

SaintKerrigan · Wed May 19, 2010 10:08 am

How does Kd3 get us a second passed pawn?

SaintKerrigan · Wed May 19, 2010 11:08 am

The b-pawn can't be removed by the king unless the a-pawn is removed first. As long as the rook stays on the 6th row, the king can't capture the a-pawn. And sacrificing our queen for either of those pawns instantly loses the game for us.

We do need to get rid of the b-pawn, but I think Kd3 doesn't help us in this regard. While c4 likely loses our chance at two passed pawns, we'll at least have removed the b-pawn and given ourselves a better shot at breaking the rest of Black's defense.

SaintKerrigan · Wed May 19, 2010 11:39 am

Thok wrote:
SaintKerrigan wrote:The b-pawn can't be removed by the king unless the a-pawn is removed first. As long as the rook stays on the 6th row, the king can't capture the a-pawn. And sacrificing our queen for either of those pawns instantly loses the game for us.
Well, if we can't use the king or queen or c pawn to get rid of the b pawn, what else could we use? You've got three choices left and two aren't really an option.

That part was arguing against Kd3, not c4. Pushing c4 is pretty much geared at forcing Black to trade the b-pawn, since doing anything else wins White the game.

SaintKerrigan · Wed May 19, 2010 11:57 am

Fuck, you're right.

Unmove: c4. Move: Kd3.

Move Count

Kd3 (2) Abstract Actuary, Thok, SaintKerrigan
Draw (1) Veerus

There goes about 10 hours of my life.

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #2127 (isolation #32) » Fri May 21, 2010 8:56 am

Let's try to keep our pawns alive.

Move: Qf5+

Move Count

(1) Qf5+: SaintKerrigan

SaintKerrigan · Fri May 21, 2010 10:26 am

The problem I have with Qb7 is that it gives Black the g-pawn, and potentially allows Black to promote his h-pawn long before we can get one of our pawns promoted.

SaintKerrigan · Fri May 21, 2010 12:03 pm

veerus wrote:oi... we missed that one.. you mafiosos are good...

i suggest Qc7 but will vote
move: draw

I saw Rd6 coming from a mile away.

And Qc7 is an awful move. We just give black the d-pawn plus check for free. No, we're doing Qf5+.

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #2134 (isolation #35) » Sat May 22, 2010 2:37 am

Veerus wrote:SK, if you saw Rd6 coming from a mile away, you should've said something....

Rd6 is ultimately not lethal to white. Believe me. I've looked.

SaintKerrigan · Sun May 23, 2010 12:49 pm

Veerus, if you're online and you're actually for the white side, you might as well switch to Qf5+ to avoid unnecessary drag.

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #2142 (isolation #37) » Sun May 23, 2010 5:29 pm

@ Veerus: As long as black can't get a majority of the votes, black can't win. Which is, of course, what this draw motion is really all about, isn't it? A way out for the black players.

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #2151 (isolation #38) » Fri May 28, 2010 3:28 pm

Move: Qh5+

Move Count

(1) Qh5+: SaintKerrigan

I like this better than Qh7, as it keeps protecting our pawns while preventing Black from doing anything with the h-pawn.

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #2153 (isolation #39) » Sat May 29, 2010 3:33 am

???

a4 leads to Rxf5 and losing our queen! WTF are you thinking?!?

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #2155 (isolation #40) » Sat May 29, 2010 3:45 am

Ok, much better!

I don't like Qc8 because it doesn't protect our d-pawn. Qe4 actually looks pretty interesting, I'll have to study it a bit to see if I like it better than Qh5+

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #2156 (isolation #41) » Sat May 29, 2010 4:17 am

Well, I find nothing wrong with either Qe4 or Qh5+, and both moves are good. I prefer Qh5+ at the moment, but if Qe4 is more popular I'll go with that too.

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #2158 (isolation #42) » Sat May 29, 2010 5:42 am

Keeping the king stuck in his coffin is also a good reason for Qh5.

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #2164 (isolation #43) » Mon May 31, 2010 5:28 am

@ AA: The reason I prefer Qh5+ over Qe4 is that Qh5+ forces black to do something about his king, which will give us an advantage in furthering along our plans.

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #2167 (isolation #44) » Mon May 31, 2010 9:05 am

Whoa, wait a minute...spotted a potential problem with Qe4. Stand by...

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #2168 (isolation #45) » Mon May 31, 2010 9:12 am

Never mind, white has a defense for it. I don't mind Qe4, so since everyone else seems to be going for it...

Unmove: Qh5+
Move: Qe4

Move Count

(4) Qe4: Herodotus, Abstract Actuary, veerus, SaintKerrigan
(1) Qh5+: Haylen

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #2169 (isolation #46) » Wed Jun 02, 2010 3:42 am

V/LA from playing games from today until early Saturday morning. I'll still be around for modding, but that's it.

SaintKerrigan · Fri Jun 04, 2010 10:40 am

What it means is that I'm not playing any games during that time, and the only reason I'm on the site is for modding purposes.

Anyway,

Extending V/LA to Sunday due to a change of plans.

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #2176 (isolation #48) » Tue Jun 08, 2010 8:16 am

Moving onwards...

Move: Kc2

Move Count

(1) Kc2: SaintKerrigan

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #2180 (isolation #49) » Wed Jun 09, 2010 3:19 am

Qh7+ seems like a waste of a move to me. The king's just going to flee to e8, and if we try to check him again we lose the option of returning immediately to e4. If we simply move back to e4, black gains a free move.

No, I think the best option is to keep moving forward.

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #2184 (isolation #50) » Fri Jun 11, 2010 4:16 am

Why are there no votes for Kc2, then? Some other move intriguing your minds? Do tell...

SaintKerrigan · Fri Jun 18, 2010 11:53 am

I'm here. Haven't analyzed anything yet, will get my move up when I do.

SaintKerrigan · Fri Jun 18, 2010 11:59 am

Yeah, I'm liking a4 at this point. I haven't seen a scenario yet where White is disadvantaged by it and it saves us a move.

Will wait to vote until we get more voices chiming in.

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #2199 (isolation #53) » Sat Jun 19, 2010 4:46 am

Not going to be on Mafiascum much today for RL reasons. Just thought you ought to know.

(Posting this in all my games.)

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #2200 (isolation #54) » Mon Jun 21, 2010 1:43 pm

Damn the voices.

Move: a4

Move Count

(2) a4: Abstract Actuary, SaintKerrigan

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #2206 (isolation #55) » Fri Jul 02, 2010 7:05 am

@ Mr. Black: The front board is not yet updated.

The two moves I can see right away are Kb3 and axb5. Will need to think about things more, though.

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #2216 (isolation #56) » Fri Jul 09, 2010 7:12 am

Kb3 looks better than axb5, I think.

Move: Kb3

Move Count

(3) Kb3: veerus, Abstract Actuary, SaintKerrigan

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #2227 (isolation #57) » Mon Jul 19, 2010 7:00 am

Sorry, forgot to check this game.

Move: Qd4

Move Count

(3) Qd4: Thok, Abstract Actuary, SaintKerrigan

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #2234 (isolation #58) » Thu Jul 22, 2010 5:55 am

Board position in first post isn't updated.

I'm really liking axb5 right about now. I'll hold off on a vote while I stew on that move (and others; a5 is the other move that interests me, but axb5 seems much stronger for white).

I'm not seeing the benefit of Qd3 at the moment.

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #2236 (isolation #59) » Thu Jul 22, 2010 6:03 am

Mr. Flay wrote:
SaintKerrigan wrote:Board position in first post isn't updated.
Refresh your browser; I'm overwriting the old image each time.

I hope to have the actual chess engine working again tonight, but no promises.

Ok, thanks.

And W00T for the chess engine!

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #2239 (isolation #60) » Thu Jul 22, 2010 6:26 am

I'm not sure about what your "benefit" is, but a huge problem with Qd3 is that there's nothing stopping Black from moving the rook back to b6, and we're back at Square 1. And doing Qd3 screws up axb5, at least.

axb5 guarantees that we at least win a pawn, and White's position afterward is superior to Black's. a5 I don't like as much after review.

@ Thok: There's actually a move I like better than Qa7: Qc5. It's instant ownage for White.

Move: axb5

Move Count

(1) axb5: SaintKerrigan

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #2243 (isolation #61) » Thu Jul 22, 2010 6:22 pm

Thanks, Mr. Flay! Board looks awesome.

One thing, though: would it be possible to use regular algebraic notation instead of this hybrid symbol-algebraic style? Don't break your back over it, just if you have a little time on your hands. Thanks again!

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #2244 (isolation #62) » Thu Jul 22, 2010 6:23 pm

Whoa, I just realized that clicking on the notation shows the corresponding move. SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET!!!!

<3's Mr. Flay even more.

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #2246 (isolation #63) » Thu Jul 22, 2010 6:53 pm

Thok wrote:
SaintKerrigan wrote:Whoa, I just realized that clicking on the notation shows the corresponding move. SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET!!!!
Once you've clicked on a move, left and right arrows allow you to go through the game one move at a time; up and down go to the beginning and end of the game.

Thanks for telling me, but I already figured out that part.

SaintKerrigan · Sat Aug 07, 2010 11:23 am

Move: Qc5

That's four.

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #2262 (isolation #65) » Fri Aug 13, 2010 4:11 pm

Our move is obvious.

Move: Qxb5

Move Count

(1) Qxb5: SaintKerrigan

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #2272 (isolation #66) » Fri Aug 20, 2010 5:21 am

Move: Qb6+

Move Count:

(2) Qxb6+: Abstract Actuary, SaintKerrigan

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #2273 (isolation #67) » Fri Aug 20, 2010 5:21 am

EBWOP:

Move Count:

Qb6+: Abstract Actuary, SaintKerrigan

SaintKerrigan · Post Post #2292 (isolation #68) » Tue Aug 24, 2010 5:39 pm

I'm guessing Sudo and Indigo. Sudo for sudden lurking, and Indigo because I'm sheeping with Hero.

Oi, that game was freakin' epic. I did so many calculations of one particular move (can't remember specifically, but one of the options was Qf6+) only to realize the suggested move was the best move all along. Oh well.

Good game, all.