Chess in Space during the World Championship 2023 Match
During the FIDE World Chess Championship, a lot of side events take place parallelly all over the world. The reason is to capitalize interest increased in chess and draw attention to other players and events all over the world. A unique match was taking place for days between ISS (International Space Station) and Mission Control. The first game wrapped up on Tuesday 16th April 2023. NASA shared the info and the game yesterday on their reddit account and twitter. They have also mentioned that second game is underway. So how does the game take place and what happened in the game? Check out the article to find out the game. What are some of the unique places you have ever played chess? Let us know in the comments below. Photo: Woody Hoburg/NASA
An out of the world game
NASA shared on their u/NASA account - "While the World Chess Championship was going on last month, /u/warrenhoburg (Warren Hoburg) and his Crew-6 crewmates (left to right: Frank Rubio, Woody Hoburg, UAE astronaut Sultan Alneyadi and Steve Bowen) were finishing up a chess match of their own — against the flight directors in NASA's Mission Control Center (back on Earth) at Johnson Space Center.
Each team made about one to two moves a day, as their hectic schedules allowed, sharing updates via space-to-ground communications. Despite starting with the black pieces, the ISS crew emerged victorious, checkmating Mission Control with a cross-board queen move.
Their first game wrapped up on Sunday, April 16 — and the second match is already underway! Keep an eye on our ISS blog for more scientific updates from the orbiting laboratory."
Mission Control - ISS
Woody Hoburg tweeted about the game
If you are wondering how the pieces are moved in space, he mentions flight controllers helping them to move the pieces at Johnson Space Center.
Do not forget to check out their blog which they want you to do through this game of chess.
Links
NASA: Official site, facebook, twitter, reddit, blog, instagram, twitch