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.

Crew 6 crewmates (L to R): Frank Rubio, Woody Hoburg, Sultan Alneyadi and Steve Bowen | Photo: Woody Hoburg/NASA

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

Final position after 32...Qa1#

Mission Control Center making White's moves at Johnson Space Center | Photo: Woody Hoburg/NASA

Woody Hoburg with the first move on the board | Photo: Woody Hoburg/NASA

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