Checkmate in Space: The NASA Chess Challenge

William Atkins
Friday, 26 September 2008 21:31

Science - Space

A NASA astronaut is challenging all Peoples of the Earth to the first chess match in outer space. Find out how you can help the Earth Team win against the Space Chess Guy.



International Space Station flight engineer and science officer Greg Chamitoff (aka, “Space Chess Guy”) is so far undefeated in his “long-distance chess” matches between himself and personnel at space station control centers around the world.

[His NASA biography, as linked above, doesn’t even mention an interest in chess. I think we have a good chance of beating him. He’s probably all talk, and no action.]

The September 26, 2008 NASA article “NASA Astronaut in Space Challenges Earthlings in Chess Match,” states that “Chamitoff, a space station flight engineer speeding about 210 miles above the Earth at five miles a second, is a chess aficionado. He brought a chess set with him when he arrived at the complex on the STS-124 space shuttle mission in June.”

It continues, “Chamitoff has added Velcro to the chess pieces to keep them from floating away in weightlessness. He has been playing long-distance chess during his mission in his off time with station control centers around the world. So far, he is undefeated.”

[A boast if I ever heard one!]

The U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the U.S. Chess Federation (USCF) are sponsoring the competition. The match begins on Monday, September 29, 2008.

Read page two for details of the match.