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The Great Pawn Hunter
Chess Tutorial

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It was a new year at the Great Pawn Hunter's school. Some of the students were to be selected for a special class for learning computers. Alas, Shrubs didn't have the grades like his other friends did. Even the Talker had made the chosen list for he was a naturally gifted scoundrel. It was a shame he used most of his talents for deeds that were, how shall I put it, "Against the grain."...

Well, the Great Pawn Hunter and the Restless Knight went off to their computer class, along with our villain, where they learned how to use the computer for mathematics. This was not Shrub's strength and that was why he wasn't chosen. When the bell rang to end school for the day, the Great Pawn Hunter and the Restless Knight found Shrubs, at Castle French Fry, playing chess with Old Maestro. Shrubs was depressed at first. But, Old Maestro worked his magic and brought Shrubs out of the dumps. You see, they were playing for fries. A rook was worth five fries, a Knight was worth three fries, a Bishop was worth three fries, a Queen was worth nine fries, and a pawn was worth 1 fry. Now as Shrubs was winning game after game with quick checkmates, Old Maestro was capturing pawns and pieces and taking all the fries. Shrubs didn't know it, but, Old Maestro had checkmate worked out in his mind many times. However, he wanted Shrubs to taste victory and Old Maestro wanted to taste the fries for he was very hungry...the poor old soul. Now Shrubs felt like a million dollars. He must have won five or six games in a row. "Old Maestro," said Shrubs "I don't understand. You are a much better player than me. Are you trying to make me feel better by losing?" Old Maestro turned red in the face. His good deed was shown in the light. "Who me?" said Old Maestro "I tell you what. I'll play you for a root beer".

Now, later on in the day, the Great Pawn Hunter and the Restless Knight joined the group. "How was computer class?" asked Shrubs. "Well," said the Great Pawn Hunter "Sarge is teaching and it feels like detention." Shrubs smiled "Been there, done that." said he. "I wish we could do something else with computers" said the Restless Knight. Now, by this time, Old Maestro was sipping his root beer and making another move on the chessboard. He saw what the others were doing for Shrubs. Old Maestro remarked "You chess players are natural for computers, You too Shrubs." "But why," said Shrubs "I'm terrible at math. To me, one and one is eleven!" Old Maestro smiled and said "Computers are run by logic and you are naturally gifted with this." "What do you mean?" asked Shrubs. Old Maestro asked Shrubs a question "When you play chess, and you are about to make a move, what are your thoughts?" Shrubs replied "Well, I say to myself 'If I do this then my opponent will do that'." "Ahh," said Old Maestro "That basic 'if/then' statement is at the heart of all computers. It is the logic that drives them. Shrubs replied "Do you mean to say that I can put my thoughts into the computer and make it think?" "Yes," said Old Maestro "You don't have to be a mathematician. Even the Talker can teach a computer how to think." "Now, there's a scary thought." said the Great Pawn Hunter. "The computer," said Old Maestro "is just like a new born baby. It knows only what you teach it."

Now, Old Maestro finished making his move on the chessboard. But, this time Old Maestro had to play honestly. He sacrificed a piece and forced the win. "Wow," said Shrubs "You're good." "You played great chess today" said Old Maestro. "Thanks," said Shrubs "How's your soda?" Old Maestro smiled and said "Next time we'll play for chicken nuggets." The following game is Old Maestro's forced win. Old Maestro played the white pieces and Shrubs played the black pieces: