I can't pinpoint the exact moment that the idea to have a round based on chess came to me. It came slowly. I was cleaning out my room and I found a really nice chess board that had been given to me as a gift- the same one found in the first clue. At the moment I was thinking about the current round, and the two thoughts merged: a game about chess. Slowly the game formed in my mind: first the name would be "A (not so) Harmless Game", but I soon favored "Checkmate". There were, in fact, many many chess based clues. I thought (wrongly) that I would have an unlimited supply of clues.
The game for me first started when Zyzzyva98 got accused. The game was falling apart- not completely z's fault, but the games have been teetering for quite a while. Winneratlife sent me a PM, asking me if I could create an awesome game. I knew instantly that this was my chance- I jumped on it, and before long got the invitation. Thanks winneratlife!
As soon as I started to create the topic, I knew I needed something to grab everyone's attention, and I picked the WOPR quote. On the fly, I decided to have the "Pieces", "Pawns", and "Attacks". I thought that might be a cool twist.
Clue 1
This one was a gimme. I knew from early on that I would use the "Knight's Tour", which I decided to call "The Knight's Journey" in hopes of not looking to informed. I looked and looked for a solution, and found this one:
, which became the key. Now to chose a victim... how about Z? I took a
picture of my chessboard, added the text, but then decided not to use real pictures anymore, because that picture didn't look very good. However, I loved when everyone decided to use an anagram machine, which then backfired. One of my favorite posts?
winneratlife wrote:cypressfalls Robert wrote:so amerikestral
That would be my guess...seeing as none of the officers are even in orno.
I did orno, but I doubt the assassinator knows that...and I'm no whiz at it.
So yeah, amerikestral.
ASSASSINATOR! AN ANAGRAM MACHINE MADE THAT CLUE REALLY EASY!
Clue 2
Croman, shame on you. It took me a good hour+ to make that clue, and you rip it to shreds. I took a screenshot of a game of chess on my iPod Touch, and then photoshop'd it in paint to create the unique situations that spelled out FMTIGER! I targeted Fmtiger because I knew he had the ability to capture me. From now on I will need to try harder I guess.
Clue 3
Personally, my favorite clue.
I was doing research on chess when I stumbled on this clue on a wikipedia page. I decided to adopt it, and a few photoshops later and a chessboard full of letters my clue was launched. I knew early on in chat that this clue would be solved- so I decided to solve it myself with fmtiger's help. It did avert suspicion from me, so it was the right move.
...And then I made my mistake. Fmtiger caught it, and I had no choice but to play along. I wanted to scream for doing something so stupid. I would like to point out a certain line in that post:
robodude wrote:Wow, I didn't even notice that... nice job fmtiger!
Its probobly someone here in
(the great state of) Texas... likely canidates:
Me (of course- I'm the assassin 
)
Cybert
Duckiegirl
2Win
Avis de Incendia
robotman09
By admitting to the fact that I was the assassin, I yet again flew back under the radar.
Clue 4
Before this time, I had no experience with chess notation. I learned about chess notation as I created this clue. This actually came from a real game that I played against my computer. It was more difficult to make, but it did provide some entertainment. This was also the first part to my self clue, I figured that by mixing a self clue into the kill clue, it might distract people a little.
Clue 5
Slightly similar, but at the same time totally different. Once again, here is a post I would like to direct your attention to:
robodude wrote:cypressfalls Robert wrote:I'm the assassinator and would like Fmtiger dead
No, YOU are mistaken!
I am the assassinator and would like Fmtiger dead
You want proof? Look at my sig! See? It clearly says "I AM THE ASSASSINATOR!"
Two problems arose from this clue. The first is that interest started to drop. I needed something new, but I didn't know what. Cybert came up with the playing a game of chess idea. What was I supposed to say? No? The only problem is that I'm not that great of a chess player, which reflected in my games.
The second problem was that all my clues were starting to become the same. I needed something different.
Clue 6
Then I remembered the puzzle of the eight queens. But how to present it? In LA class we have been studying poems. And then that is when I came up with the poem idea. I'm sorry for the lack of poetic skills, but it was a cool clue
Plus it did re-ignite interest. The post counts soared after the posting of that clue!
Then I played a game with cybert, and lost. I needed to come up with a clue quickly, and I decided to say "Draw a picture." Now that you know the solution, I hope it makes more sense.
Clue 7
At this point I was running out of ideas. I threw this one together quite quickly. After intensely thinking about chess for almost two hours while I came up with this clue, I was done with chess for the day, and then the problem that I faced latter arose of not having any more clues.
I hope everyone liked this round! I can only hope that I matched that of last time. I can't wait to play for real again in #54... I will have missed out for 5 rounds! Assassin in 49, can't play in 50, missed 51, assassin in 52, can't play in 53... really?
Anyways, thanks again winneratlife for making me assassinator! And please, leave the dramatic reavealing of my identity to me? After finding out that you are no longer assassin, it is kind of the last bit of fun you get to have.
I can't wait to see how #53 goes!!!
I just got a PM from tiger saying that she was busy and so most likely wouldn't get a chance to pick in the next few days... so hurray! we all get to wait!