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[[File:Spock McCoy 3D chess.jpg|thumb|Three-dimensional chess in the 23rd century.]]
 
'''Three-dimensional chess''' is a variant of the ancient [[Earth]] [[board game]] [[chess]].
 
   
  +
[[File:Kirk and Spock in briefing lounge playing chess.jpg|thumb|Kirk and Spock play three-dimensional chess]]
It was an accustomed pastime of [[James T. Kirk|Kirk]] and [[Spock]] aboard the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701}} in the [[23rd century]] and its popularity extends into the [[24th century]].
 
 
'''Three-dimensional chess''' was a variant of the ancient [[Earth]] [[board game]] [[chess]].
   
 
It was an accustomed pastime of [[James T. Kirk|Kirk]] and [[Spock]] aboard the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701}} in the [[23rd century]] and its popularity extended into the [[24th century]].
== Play ==
 
Movement of pieces is similar to that of traditional chess. The main difference is that in the course of a move, pieces may move up or down any number of levels.
 
   
  +
== Gameplay ==
{{bginfo|According to the [[Star Fleet Technical Manual]], the starting positions of King and Queen pieces are on their own respective attack boards with their own set of Rooks and Pawns. Knights, Bishops and the remaining Pawns occupy the first two ranks of each color's fixed boards.}}
 
  +
Three-dimensional chess incorporated traditional [[chess piece]]s on a [[chess board]] of varying designs, for example three levels with the secondary and tertiary levels each having two smaller platforms located between that level and the level above, known as a "half-level". Movement of pieces was similar to that of traditional chess, with the main difference being that in the course of a move, pieces were moved up or down any number of levels.
   
  +
According to Spock, "''the principles of three-dimensional chess are basically [[mathematic]].''" The game's set up included the placement of the majority of the [[black]] pieces on the secondary level and the majority of the white pieces on the tertiary level. ({{TOS|Charlie X}})
==Moves==
 
*[[Aldabren exchange]]
 
*[[El-Mitra Exchange]]
 
*[[Kriskov Gambit]]
 
*[[Queen's gambit]]
 
   
  +
Example moves in the game play included:
==History==
 
[[Commander]] Spock was an exceptional chess player, his game was consistently [[logic]]al. However, he often had a difficult time predicting or effectively responding to the unexpected moves made by his frequent opponents, [[Captain]] Kirk and [[Doctor]] [[Leonard McCoy|McCoy]]. Spock introduced chess to young passenger [[Charles Evans]], who disliked the involved nature of the game. After losing he destroyed Spock's chess pieces. Spock also played a game of chess against the [[Kelvan]] expedition leader, [[Rojan]]. He observed during their match that Rojan's game was "off," which suggests that it was not the first time they had played each other. ({{TOS|Where No Man Has Gone Before|Charlie X|By Any Other Name}})
 
   
  +
* "Rook to king's pawn four."
Spock also enjoyed playing chess against a rival logical mind, that of the ''Enterprise'' [[library computer|computer]]. In [[2266]] he detected programming errors in the computer's databanks because of faulty chess moves made by the computer. He later introduced the tampering and unreliability of the computer's records as defense evidence in the court-martial of Captain Kirk. ({{TOS|Court Martial}})
 
  +
* "Bishop, half level right."
  +
:– Spock versus the computer ({{TOS|Court Martial}})
   
  +
* "Pawn to queen four, king's level."
When the ''Enterprise'' was apparently helpless against the alien [[Balok]]'s threats to destroy them, Spock compared the situation to chess, suggesting that they were checkmated and the game was over. However, a comment from McCoy led Kirk to reject Spock's chess analogy and try playing [[poker]] with the alien instead. ({{TOS|The Corbomite Maneuver}})
 
  +
* "Pawn to king's bishop three, queen's level."
[[File:Darwin children.jpg|thumb|150px|The Darwin children playing chess]]
 
  +
:– Nibor versus Riker ({{TNG|Ménage à Troi}})
Kirk and his [[senior officer]]s used a chess-based [[chess problem|code]] phrase as [[transporter]] clearance in [[2268]], when [[Garth of Izar]] planned to escape from the [[Elba II]] [[asylum|insane asylum]]. [[Chief engineer]] [[Montgomery Scott|Scott]] declined to beam Garth, disguised as Kirk, to the ''Enterprise'', when after he challenged Garth with the code phrase "queen to queen's level 3" and Garth could not respond with the correct pass phrase (which we learn to be "queen to king's level 1" when Mr. Spock calls for transport back to Enterprise) ({{TOS|Whom Gods Destroy}})
 
   
  +
In [[2268]], Kirk used a [[chess problem]] as a security measure while visiting [[Elba II]] to hamper any unauthorized transports to the ''Enterprise''. His chess problem sought the response to the move "queen to queen's level three". When pressed for the answer by [[Garth]], Kirk coyly responded that "''I'm sure you're aware that there are an infinite number of countermoves.''" The move Kirk ultimately chose for his [[countersign]] and response to the move was "''Queen to king's level one.''" ({{TOS|Whom Gods Destroy}})
The [[Darwin Genetic Research Station personnel#Genetically enhanced children|Darwin children]] at the [[Darwin Genetic Research Station]] played three-dimensional chess by using their [[telekinesis|telekinetic abilities]]. ({{TNG|Unnatural Selection}})
 
   
  +
== Strategy ==
[[Counselor]] [[Deanna Troi]] managed to beat [[Lieutenant Commander]] [[Data]] at a game of 3-D chess in [[Ten Forward]], prompting Data to honor their bet to make Troi a [[Samarian sunset]] in the "traditional style". ({{TNG|Conundrum}})
 
  +
While often perceived as a game of [[logic]], Spock found that Kirk's "''illogical approach to chess does have its advantages on occasion.''" Kirk said that he'd "''prefer to call it inspired.''" ({{TOS|Charlie X}})
   
  +
According to [[Deanna Troi]], this form of "''chess isn't just a [[game]] of [[ploy]]s and [[gambit]]s. It's a [[game]] of [[intuition]]. ({{TNG|Conundrum}})
[[Commander]] [[William T. Riker]] defeated both [[Ferengi]] Doctor [[Farek]] and a Ferengi guard at a presumably-alien variant of 3-D Chess; the former defeat again in Ten-Forward, and the latter while a captive of the Ferengi along with both Deanna and [[Lwaxana Troi]]. ({{TNG|Ménage à Troi}})
 
  +
  +
The {{dis|Queen's Gambit|chess}} could be coupled with the [[Aldabren Exchange]] to lead to an effective defeat of a rival. ({{TNG|Ménage à Troi}})
  +
  +
In pitting one maneuver against another, the [[Kriskov Gambit]] was often the response used to counter an [[el-Mitra Exchange]]. ({{TNG|Conundrum}})
  +
 
== History ==
  +
[[Captain]] [[Philippa Georgiou]] kept a three-dimensional chess board in her [[ready room]] on the {{USS|Shenzhou}}. ({{DIS|The Vulcan Hello}})
  +
  +
At least as early as [[2257]], Spock kept a three-dimensional chess board in his quarters on the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701}}. ({{DIS|Brother}})
  +
  +
That year, his [[foster sister]], [[Michael Burnham]], brought a three-dimensional chess set out of storage in her quarters while Spock was visiting her there. Although he was initially somewhat puzzled by the gesture because he didn't know how it could aid him in attempting to contemplate the [[Red Angel]], Burnham suggested that the game might help Spock consider the Red Angel [[logic]]ally, since the game itself represented logic. Accusing Spock of being frightened of losing, Burnham challenged him to a game, which he then accepted. However, Spock proceeded to play a series of moves that Burnham was baffled by and considered illogical, though he executed them in an effort to defy her expectations. When their conflict verbally and emotionally escalated, Spock struck the chess board with his right hand, causing it and the pieces still on the board to fall to the floor in disarray. ({{DIS|Project Daedalus}}) The pieces and board were later sorted back into place and Spock subsequently invited Burnham to make the first move of a new game between them, which she proceeded to act on. ({{DIS|Perpetual Infinity}})
  +
  +
In general, Spock was an exceptional chess player, and his game was consistently logical. However, he often had a difficult time predicting or effectively responding to unexpected moves made by [[Captain]] Kirk, whom he was often beaten by. ({{TOS|Where No Man Has Gone Before|Charlie X}}) When it seemed that Kirk was going to be court martialed in [[2267]], he spoke of the circumstances, telling him, "''It's not all bad, Mister Spock. Who knows. You may be able to beat your next captain at chess.''" ({{TOS|Court Martial}})
  +
  +
[[File:Spock and Charlie play chess.jpg|thumb|left|Spock and Charlie play chess]]
  +
[[Charles Evans]] watched the crew of the ''[[Antares]]'' play three-dimensional chess while he was transported aboard that ship. Following his arrival aboard the ''Enterprise'', he asked for a chance to play, and was matched against the "[[chess master]]" Spock. After losing in three moves, he destroyed all of the white chess pieces. ({{TOS|Charlie X}})
  +
 
[[File:McCoy watches Spock play chess.jpg|thumb|Spock plays three-dimensional chess against the computer]]
  +
Spock also enjoyed playing chess against a rival logical mind, that of the ''Enterprise'' [[library computer|computer]], which he programmed himself. In [[2266]], he detected programming errors in the computer's databanks because of faulty chess moves made by the computer, causing him to defeat the computer four times – a feat, according to Dr. McCoy, that was "impossible", as Spock proceeded to demonstrate his fifth win. He later introduced the tampering and unreliability of the computer's records as defense evidence in the [[court martial]] of Captain Kirk. At the court martial, he attested that "''I personally programmed the computer for chess [[month]]s ago. I gave the machine an understanding of the game equal to my own. The computer cannot make an error and assuming that I do not either, the best that could normally be hoped for would be [[stalemate]] after stalemate, and yet I beat the machine five times. Someone, either accidentally or deliberately, adjusted the programming and therefore the [[memory bank]]s of that computer.''" ({{TOS|Court Martial}})
  +
  +
{{bginfo|A particular chess move in "Court Martial" was scripted (in the final draft and the revised final draft of the script) as "''Bishop half level right to knight six,''" but, in the final version of the episode, was stated, "''Rook to king's pawn four.''"}}
  +
  +
In [[2268]], Spock played a game of chess against [[Kelvan]] expedition leader [[Rojan]]. He observed, during their match, that Rojan's game was "off." ({{TOS|By Any Other Name}})
  +
  +
A problem based on a type of three-dimensional chess on a spherical board was part of a [[memory test]] Spock took in [[2286]]. ({{film|4}})
  +
 
[[File:Darwin children.jpg|thumb|The Darwin children playing chess]]
 
A [[Darwin children 001|group]] of [[genetically enhanced]] children at the [[Darwin Genetic Research Station]] played three-dimensional chess by using [[telekinesis|telekinetic abilities]] they had been given. ({{TNG|Unnatural Selection}})
  +
 
In [[2366]], Commander [[William T. Riker]] defeated both [[Ferengi]] Doctor [[Farek]] and [[Nibor]] at a presumably alien variant of 3D chess. The former defeat was in [[Ten Forward]] was in thirty moves, and the latter took place while Riker was a captive of the Ferengi, along with both [[Counselor]] [[Deanna Troi]] and her [[mother]], [[Lwaxana Troi]]. ({{TNG|Ménage à Troi}})
  +
  +
[[Reginald Barclay]] analyzed a chess game after being altered by the [[Cytherian]]s. He made a move that would force checkmate within nine moves, despite not having previously been a player of the game. ({{TNG|The Nth Degree}})
  +
 
[[2368|Two years later]], Counselor Troi managed to beat [[Lieutenant Commander]] [[Data]] at a game of 3D chess in Ten Forward, prompting Data to [[honor]] a bet they had agreed upon, whereby Data was to make Troi a [[Samarian sunset]] in the "traditional style." ({{TNG|Conundrum}})
   
 
Commander [[Benjamin Sisko]], also a fan of the game, kept a three-dimensional chess set in his [[quarters]] aboard [[Deep Space 9]]. ({{DS9|Move Along Home|The Nagus|The Maquis, Part I|Statistical Probabilities}})
 
Commander [[Benjamin Sisko]], also a fan of the game, kept a three-dimensional chess set in his [[quarters]] aboard [[Deep Space 9]]. ({{DS9|Move Along Home|The Nagus|The Maquis, Part I|Statistical Probabilities}})
  +
  +
A three-dimensional chess board was among the various items [[Ensign]] [[Brad Boimler]]'s friends stashed on his former bunk after he transferred to the {{USS|Titan|NCC-80102}} in [[2380]]. ({{LD|Strange Energies}})
  +
  +
[[File:Star Trek Picard 3D Chess Set.jpg|thumb|Residents of Coppelius Station play three-dimensional chess]]
  +
In [[2399]], residents of [[Coppelius Station]] played three-dimensional chess. Also, a single board and pieces were seen on a tabletop in [[Jean-Luc Picard]]'s quarters at the station. ({{PIC|Et in Arcadia Ego, Part 1}})
  +
{{chess}}
   
 
==Appendices==
 
==Appendices==
Line 36: Line 73:
 
<div class="appear">
 
<div class="appear">
 
*{{TOS}}
 
*{{TOS}}
**{{e|Where No Man Has Gone Before}}
+
**{{e|Where No Man Has Gone Before}} ([[TOS Season 1|Season 1]])
**{{e|The Corbomite Maneuver}}
 
 
**{{e|Charlie X}}
 
**{{e|Charlie X}}
 
**{{e|Court Martial}}
 
**{{e|Court Martial}}
**{{e|By Any Other Name}}
+
**{{e|By Any Other Name}} ([[TOS Season 2|Season 2]])
**{{e|Whom Gods Destroy}}
+
**{{e|Whom Gods Destroy}} ([[TOS Season 3|Season 3]])
 
**{{e|Day of the Dove}}
 
**{{e|Day of the Dove}}
 
*{{TNG}}
 
*{{TNG}}
  +
**{{e|Too Short A Season}} ([[TNG Season 1|Season 1]])
 
**{{e|When The Bough Breaks}}
 
**{{e|When The Bough Breaks}}
 
**{{e|Coming of Age}}
 
**{{e|Coming of Age}}
 
**{{e|Symbiosis}}
 
**{{e|Symbiosis}}
**{{e|The Schizoid Man}}
+
**{{e|The Neutral Zone}}
  +
**{{e|The Schizoid Man}} ([[TNG Season 2|Season 2]])
 
**{{e|Unnatural Selection}}
 
**{{e|Unnatural Selection}}
 
**{{e|Pen Pals}}
 
**{{e|Pen Pals}}
  +
**{{e|Booby Trap}} ([[TNG Season 3|Season 3]])
**{{e|Q Who}}
 
**{{e|Booby Trap}}
 
 
**{{e|The Price}}
 
**{{e|The Price}}
 
**{{e|Ménage à Troi}}
 
**{{e|Ménage à Troi}}
 
**{{e|Transfigurations}}
 
**{{e|Transfigurations}}
 
**{{e|The Best of Both Worlds}}
 
**{{e|The Best of Both Worlds}}
**{{e|Suddenly Human}}
+
**{{e|Suddenly Human}} ([[TNG Season 4|Season 4]])
 
**{{e|Galaxy's Child}}
 
**{{e|Galaxy's Child}}
 
**{{e|The Nth Degree}}
 
**{{e|The Nth Degree}}
**{{e|Conundrum}}
+
**{{e|Conundrum}} ([[TNG Season 5|Season 5]])
**{{e|Lower Decks}}
+
**{{e|Lower Decks}} ([[TNG Season 7|Season 7]])
 
*{{DS9}}
 
*{{DS9}}
**{{e|Move Along Home}}
+
**{{e|Move Along Home}} ([[DS9 Season 1|Season 1]])
 
**{{e|The Nagus}}
 
**{{e|The Nagus}}
 
**{{e|If Wishes Were Horses}}
 
**{{e|If Wishes Were Horses}}
 
**{{e|Dramatis Personae}}
 
**{{e|Dramatis Personae}}
**{{e|The Homecoming}}
+
**{{e|The Homecoming}} ([[DS9 Season 2|Season 2]])
 
**{{e|Second Sight}}
 
**{{e|Second Sight}}
 
**{{e|The Maquis, Part I}}
 
**{{e|The Maquis, Part I}}
**{{e|Life Support}}
+
**{{e|Life Support}} ([[DS9 Season 3|Season 3]])
 
**{{e|Explorers}}
 
**{{e|Explorers}}
**{{e|For the Cause}}
+
**{{e|For the Cause}} ([[DS9 Season 4|Season 4]])
**{{e|Trials and Tribble-ations}}
+
**{{e|Trials and Tribble-ations}} ([[DS9 Season 5|Season 5]])
**{{e|Statistical Probabilities}}
+
**{{e|Statistical Probabilities}} ([[DS9 Season 6|Season 6]])
**{{e|Strange Bedfellows}}
+
**{{e|Strange Bedfellows}} ([[DS9 Season 7|Season 7]])
 
*{{ENT}}
 
*{{ENT}}
** {{e|In a Mirror, Darkly, Part II}}
+
**{{e|In a Mirror, Darkly, Part II}} ([[ENT Season 4|Season 4]])
** {{e|These Are the Voyages...}}
+
**{{e|These Are the Voyages...}}
 
*{{DIS}}
  +
**{{e|The Vulcan Hello}} ([[DIS Season 1|Season 1]])
  +
**{{e|Brother}} ([[DIS Season 2|Season 2]])
  +
**{{e|Project Daedalus}}
  +
**{{e|Perpetual Infinity}}
  +
*{{PIC|Et in Arcadia Ego, Part 1}} ([[PIC Season 1|Season 1]])
  +
*{{LD|Strange Energies}} ([[LD Season 2|Season 2]])
  +
*{{SNW}}
  +
**{{e|Strange New Worlds}} ([[SNW Season 1|Season 1]])
 
**{{e|Spock Amok}}
 
**{{e|The Serene Squall}}
  +
**{{e|Lost in Translation}} ([[SNW Season 2|Season 2]])
 
</div>
 
</div>
   
 
=== See also ===
 
=== See also ===
 
* [[Space Checkers]] (aka three-dimensional checkers)
* [[Board game]]
 
* [[Space Checkers|Space Checkers aka Three-dimensional checkers]]
 
   
 
=== Background information ===
 
=== Background information ===
  +
This game was first identified as "three-dimensional chess" in "Charlie X". In most all other instances, it was referred to simply as "chess".
[[Collectibles]] company [[Franklin Mint]] produced two different tridimensional chess sets; one based on the [[TOS]] [[Star Trek Tridimensional Chess Set|four "attack board" version]], and a second based on the [[TNG]] [[Star Trek: The Next Generation Tridimensional Chess Set|six-boarded version]].
 
   
The call sheet from the episode {{e|The Schizoid Man}}, dated on {{d|4|November|1988}}, is listing the three-dimensional chess as one of the required items from the art department in the special instructions section. Here it is named "[[Michael Okuda|Okuda]] chess set".
+
A call sheet from the episode {{e|The Schizoid Man}}, dated {{d|4|November|1988}}, listed three-dimensional chess as one of the required items from the art department in the special instructions section. Here, it was referred to as "[[Michael Okuda|Okuda]] chess set".
  +
 
[[Collectibles]] company [[Franklin Mint]] produced two different tridimensional chess sets; one based on the [[TOS]] [[Star Trek Tridimensional Chess Set|four "attack boards" version]], and a second based on the [[TNG]] [[Star Trek: The Next Generation Tridimensional Chess Set|six-boarded version]].
  +
  +
The Noble Collection later released a larger sized TOS tridimensional chess set.
  +
 
According to the ''[[Star Fleet Technical Manual]]''{{page cite}}, the starting positions of king and queen pieces are on their own respective attack boards with their own set of rooks and pawns. Knights, bishops, and the remaining pawns occupy the first two ranks of each color's fixed boards.
   
 
=== Apocrypha ===
 
=== Apocrypha ===
The [[Pocket Books]] novel entitled "[[The Klingon Gambit]]" also made several references to three-dimensional chess.
+
The [[Pocket Books]] {{novel}} ''[[The Klingon Gambit]]'' additionally made several references to three-dimensional chess.
  +
  +
The novel ''[[Tunnel Through the Stars]]'' describes a famous 3D chess player named Durania, for whom the classic Duranian Defense is named. He once played a famous game in which his opponent mistook his retreat (the Duranian Defense) for an attack, and broke off their relentless offensive in order to castle with the rook. This moment of hesitation allowed the opponent to get the momentum. The game went on for another four days, but Durania's opponent eventually lost.
  +
 
The novelization of ''{{dis|Star Trek|novel}}'' makes a quick &ndash; and foreshadowing &ndash; reference; as the two fight their way through the ''[[Narada]]'' (largely a fistfight rather than the gun battle seen in the film), {{alt|James T. Kirk|Kirk}}, marveling at {{alt|Spock}}'s highly effective use of ''[[Suus Mahna]]'' (thinking to himself, "he even ''fights'' logically"), concluded, correctly, that the Vulcan must play a "mean game" of 3-D chess.
  +
  +
[[File:3d chess video game scene.jpg|thumb|Kirk and Spock playing three-dimensional chess in the alternate reality]]
  +
A game of three-dimensional chess figures in the first appearance of Kirk and Spock in the {{y|2013}} {{video game}} {{dis|Star Trek|video game}}, when their game play is interrupted by a [[distress call]] coming from the Helios [[space station|station]], just after the captain's tactical error is exploited by the Vulcan. After Spock leaves his quarters, Kirk sneaks back into the room and moves the Vulcan's piece surreptitiously. This version is somewhat different in that the attack board may be suspended below the main board.
   
  +
At the end of the the ''[[Star Trek: Ongoing]]'' story arc ''[[Star Trek, Volume 9: The Q Gambit|The Q Gambit]]'', Kirk and Spock discuss whether or not the future that [[Q]] showed them will come to pass and whether or not they will see the omnipotent being again before deciding to play a round of three-dimensional chess.
The [[Star Trek (novel)|novelization]] of {{film|11}} makes a quick - and foreshadowing - reference; as the two fight their way through the ''[[Narada]]'' (largely a fistfight rather than the gun battle seen in the film), [[James T. Kirk (alternate reality)|Kirk]], marveling at {{alt|Spock}}'s highly effective use of ''[[Suus Mahna]]'' (thinking to himself, "he even ''fights'' logically"), concluded, correctly, that the Vulcan must play a "mean game" of 3-D chess.
 
   
 
=== External links ===
 
=== External links ===
  +
* {{mbeta}}
 
* {{wikipedia}}
 
* {{wikipedia}}
  +
* {{bgg|336338|Tri Dimensional Chess|external}}
* {{NCwiki}}
 
  +
* {{el|w3dcf.com/information/laws|How to play Tri Dimensional Chess|w3dcf.com|The World Tri Dimensional Chess Federation}}
* [http://www.chessvariants.org/3d.dir/startrek.html Star Trek 3D Chess]
 
 
* {{el|meder.spacechess.org/3dschach/chess3d.htm|Tournament rules for Tri Dimensional Chess}}
* [http://www.chessvariants.com/3d.dir/kobayashimaru.html Kobayashi Maru Variant of Star Trek 3-D Chess]
 
 
* {{el|chessvariants.com/3d.dir/startrek.html|Star Trek 3D Chess|chessvariants.com|Chess Variants}}
* [http://www.parmen.com Parmen - Free Tridimensional Chess Software]
 
 
* {{el|chessvariants.com/3d.dir/kobayashimaru.html|Kobayashi Maru Variant|chessvariants.com|Chess Variants}}
* [http://my.ohio.voyager.net/~abartmes/tactical.htm Tridimensional Chess Rules]
 
  +
* {{el|parmen.com|Parmen}}, the free Three Dimensional Chess software
* [http://www.3dschach.de/3dchess.html 3D Chess]
 
  +
* {{fandom|bigbangtheory|Tri Dimensional Chess|''Big Bang Theory'' wiki}}
* [http://meder.spacechess.org/3dschach/chess3d.htm Tournament rules for Three-dimensional Chess]
 
   
 
[[cs:Trojrozměrné šachy]]
 
[[cs:Trojrozměrné šachy]]

Latest revision as of 23:45, 28 October 2023

Kirk and Spock in briefing lounge playing chess

Kirk and Spock play three-dimensional chess

Three-dimensional chess was a variant of the ancient Earth board game chess.

It was an accustomed pastime of Kirk and Spock aboard the USS Enterprise in the 23rd century and its popularity extended into the 24th century.

Gameplay

Three-dimensional chess incorporated traditional chess pieces on a chess board of varying designs, for example three levels with the secondary and tertiary levels each having two smaller platforms located between that level and the level above, known as a "half-level". Movement of pieces was similar to that of traditional chess, with the main difference being that in the course of a move, pieces were moved up or down any number of levels.

According to Spock, "the principles of three-dimensional chess are basically mathematic." The game's set up included the placement of the majority of the black pieces on the secondary level and the majority of the white pieces on the tertiary level. (TOS: "Charlie X")

Example moves in the game play included:

  • "Rook to king's pawn four."
  • "Bishop, half level right."
– Spock versus the computer (TOS: "Court Martial")
  • "Pawn to queen four, king's level."
  • "Pawn to king's bishop three, queen's level."
– Nibor versus Riker (TNG: "Ménage à Troi")

In 2268, Kirk used a chess problem as a security measure while visiting Elba II to hamper any unauthorized transports to the Enterprise. His chess problem sought the response to the move "queen to queen's level three". When pressed for the answer by Garth, Kirk coyly responded that "I'm sure you're aware that there are an infinite number of countermoves." The move Kirk ultimately chose for his countersign and response to the move was "Queen to king's level one." (TOS: "Whom Gods Destroy")

Strategy

While often perceived as a game of logic, Spock found that Kirk's "illogical approach to chess does have its advantages on occasion." Kirk said that he'd "prefer to call it inspired." (TOS: "Charlie X")

According to Deanna Troi, this form of "chess isn't just a game of ploys and gambits. It's a game of intuition. (TNG: "Conundrum")

The Queen's Gambit could be coupled with the Aldabren Exchange to lead to an effective defeat of a rival. (TNG: "Ménage à Troi")

In pitting one maneuver against another, the Kriskov Gambit was often the response used to counter an el-Mitra Exchange. (TNG: "Conundrum")

History

Captain Philippa Georgiou kept a three-dimensional chess board in her ready room on the USS Shenzhou. (DIS: "The Vulcan Hello")

At least as early as 2257, Spock kept a three-dimensional chess board in his quarters on the USS Enterprise. (DIS: "Brother")

That year, his foster sister, Michael Burnham, brought a three-dimensional chess set out of storage in her quarters while Spock was visiting her there. Although he was initially somewhat puzzled by the gesture because he didn't know how it could aid him in attempting to contemplate the Red Angel, Burnham suggested that the game might help Spock consider the Red Angel logically, since the game itself represented logic. Accusing Spock of being frightened of losing, Burnham challenged him to a game, which he then accepted. However, Spock proceeded to play a series of moves that Burnham was baffled by and considered illogical, though he executed them in an effort to defy her expectations. When their conflict verbally and emotionally escalated, Spock struck the chess board with his right hand, causing it and the pieces still on the board to fall to the floor in disarray. (DIS: "Project Daedalus") The pieces and board were later sorted back into place and Spock subsequently invited Burnham to make the first move of a new game between them, which she proceeded to act on. (DIS: "Perpetual Infinity")

In general, Spock was an exceptional chess player, and his game was consistently logical. However, he often had a difficult time predicting or effectively responding to unexpected moves made by Captain Kirk, whom he was often beaten by. (TOS: "Where No Man Has Gone Before", "Charlie X") When it seemed that Kirk was going to be court martialed in 2267, he spoke of the circumstances, telling him, "It's not all bad, Mister Spock. Who knows. You may be able to beat your next captain at chess." (TOS: "Court Martial")

Spock and Charlie play chess

Spock and Charlie play chess

Charles Evans watched the crew of the Antares play three-dimensional chess while he was transported aboard that ship. Following his arrival aboard the Enterprise, he asked for a chance to play, and was matched against the "chess master" Spock. After losing in three moves, he destroyed all of the white chess pieces. (TOS: "Charlie X")

McCoy watches Spock play chess

Spock plays three-dimensional chess against the computer

Spock also enjoyed playing chess against a rival logical mind, that of the Enterprise computer, which he programmed himself. In 2266, he detected programming errors in the computer's databanks because of faulty chess moves made by the computer, causing him to defeat the computer four times – a feat, according to Dr. McCoy, that was "impossible", as Spock proceeded to demonstrate his fifth win. He later introduced the tampering and unreliability of the computer's records as defense evidence in the court martial of Captain Kirk. At the court martial, he attested that "I personally programmed the computer for chess months ago. I gave the machine an understanding of the game equal to my own. The computer cannot make an error and assuming that I do not either, the best that could normally be hoped for would be stalemate after stalemate, and yet I beat the machine five times. Someone, either accidentally or deliberately, adjusted the programming and therefore the memory banks of that computer." (TOS: "Court Martial")

A particular chess move in "Court Martial" was scripted (in the final draft and the revised final draft of the script) as "Bishop half level right to knight six," but, in the final version of the episode, was stated, "Rook to king's pawn four."

In 2268, Spock played a game of chess against Kelvan expedition leader Rojan. He observed, during their match, that Rojan's game was "off." (TOS: "By Any Other Name")

A problem based on a type of three-dimensional chess on a spherical board was part of a memory test Spock took in 2286. (Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home)

Darwin children

The Darwin children playing chess

A group of genetically enhanced children at the Darwin Genetic Research Station played three-dimensional chess by using telekinetic abilities they had been given. (TNG: "Unnatural Selection")

In 2366, Commander William T. Riker defeated both Ferengi Doctor Farek and Nibor at a presumably alien variant of 3D chess. The former defeat was in Ten Forward was in thirty moves, and the latter took place while Riker was a captive of the Ferengi, along with both Counselor Deanna Troi and her mother, Lwaxana Troi. (TNG: "Ménage à Troi")

Reginald Barclay analyzed a chess game after being altered by the Cytherians. He made a move that would force checkmate within nine moves, despite not having previously been a player of the game. (TNG: "The Nth Degree")

Two years later, Counselor Troi managed to beat Lieutenant Commander Data at a game of 3D chess in Ten Forward, prompting Data to honor a bet they had agreed upon, whereby Data was to make Troi a Samarian sunset in the "traditional style." (TNG: "Conundrum")

Commander Benjamin Sisko, also a fan of the game, kept a three-dimensional chess set in his quarters aboard Deep Space 9. (DS9: "Move Along Home", "The Nagus", "The Maquis, Part I", "Statistical Probabilities")

A three-dimensional chess board was among the various items Ensign Brad Boimler's friends stashed on his former bunk after he transferred to the USS Titan in 2380. (LD: "Strange Energies")

Star Trek Picard 3D Chess Set

Residents of Coppelius Station play three-dimensional chess

In 2399, residents of Coppelius Station played three-dimensional chess. Also, a single board and pieces were seen on a tabletop in Jean-Luc Picard's quarters at the station. (PIC: "Et in Arcadia Ego, Part 1")

Appendices

Appearances

See also

Background information

This game was first identified as "three-dimensional chess" in "Charlie X". In most all other instances, it was referred to simply as "chess".

A call sheet from the episode "The Schizoid Man", dated 4 November 1988, listed three-dimensional chess as one of the required items from the art department in the special instructions section. Here, it was referred to as "Okuda chess set".

Collectibles company Franklin Mint produced two different tridimensional chess sets; one based on the TOS four "attack boards" version, and a second based on the TNG six-boarded version.

The Noble Collection later released a larger sized TOS tridimensional chess set.

According to the Star Fleet Technical Manual [page number?edit], the starting positions of king and queen pieces are on their own respective attack boards with their own set of rooks and pawns. Knights, bishops, and the remaining pawns occupy the first two ranks of each color's fixed boards.

Apocrypha

The Pocket Books novel The Klingon Gambit additionally made several references to three-dimensional chess.

The novel Tunnel Through the Stars describes a famous 3D chess player named Durania, for whom the classic Duranian Defense is named. He once played a famous game in which his opponent mistook his retreat (the Duranian Defense) for an attack, and broke off their relentless offensive in order to castle with the rook. This moment of hesitation allowed the opponent to get the momentum. The game went on for another four days, but Durania's opponent eventually lost.

The novelization of Star Trek makes a quick – and foreshadowing – reference; as the two fight their way through the Narada (largely a fistfight rather than the gun battle seen in the film), Kirk, marveling at Spock's highly effective use of Suus Mahna (thinking to himself, "he even fights logically"), concluded, correctly, that the Vulcan must play a "mean game" of 3-D chess.

3d chess video game scene

Kirk and Spock playing three-dimensional chess in the alternate reality

A game of three-dimensional chess figures in the first appearance of Kirk and Spock in the 2013 video game Star Trek, when their game play is interrupted by a distress call coming from the Helios station, just after the captain's tactical error is exploited by the Vulcan. After Spock leaves his quarters, Kirk sneaks back into the room and moves the Vulcan's piece surreptitiously. This version is somewhat different in that the attack board may be suspended below the main board.

At the end of the the Star Trek: Ongoing story arc The Q Gambit, Kirk and Spock discuss whether or not the future that Q showed them will come to pass and whether or not they will see the omnipotent being again before deciding to play a round of three-dimensional chess.

External links