The Apothecary Diaries, volume 8 by Natsu Hyuuga (Translated by
Kevin Steinbach)

In which merchants find new uses for banned products, and a highly
placed official uses underhanded methods to win at Go.

https://jamesdavisnicoll.com/review/a-series-of-cunning-plans
--
My reviews can be found at http://jamesdavisnicoll.com/
My tor pieces at https://www.tor.com/author/james-davis-nicoll/
My Dreamwidth at https://james-davis-nicoll.dreamwidth.org/
My patreon is at https://www.patreon.com/jamesdnicoll

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

In article <ucngov$mqb$1@reader2.panix.com>,
jdnicoll@panix.com (James Nicoll) wrote:

The Apothecary Diaries, volume 8 by Natsu Hyuuga (Translated by
Kevin Steinbach)

In which merchants find new uses for banned products, and a highly
placed official uses underhanded methods to win at Go.

https://jamesdavisnicoll.com/review/a-series-of-cunning-plans

I am somewhat uncertain on what underhanded methods would work for Go.
Of course, being coached by a better player, would work except I can't
see a method for communication (well, telepathy, but is that exist?).
BTW, how good of a player is Maomao?

--
"We have advanced to new and surprising levels of bafflement."
Imperial Auditor Miles Vorkosigan describes progress in _Komarr_. ‹-----------------------------------------------------
Robert Woodward robertaw@drizzle.com

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

In article <robertaw-4FE473.09550730082023@news.individual.net>,
Robert Woodward <robertaw@drizzle.com> wrote:

In article <ucngov$mqb$1@reader2.panix.com>,
jdnicoll@panix.com (James Nicoll) wrote:

The Apothecary Diaries, volume 8 by Natsu Hyuuga (Translated by
Kevin Steinbach)

In which merchants find new uses for banned products, and a highly
placed official uses underhanded methods to win at Go.

https://jamesdavisnicoll.com/review/a-series-of-cunning-plans

I am somewhat uncertain on what underhanded methods would work for Go.
Of course, being coached by a better player, would work except I can't
see a method for communication (well, telepathy, but is that exist?).
BTW, how good of a player is Maomao?

Maomao isn't the player. Her former boss/interminably drawn out
romantic partner is. Jinshi is a good Go player but not a great one.
Jinshi reaches the final match with the Freak by shamelessly using
various methods including Jinshi's legendary beauty to distract
opponents. However, these won't help with the Freak because the Freak
is face-blind and very focused on strategy. The Freak is also a cheap
drunk with blood sugar issues. This plays a role in the selection of
snacks available during the game. Jinshi is playing his opponents,
not the game.

The Freak's disability is an asset in his day job because his coping
mechanism for face blindness is to see everyone as Go pieces. This
makes it easier for him to sacrifice soldiers for the greater good.
--
My reviews can be found at http://jamesdavisnicoll.com/
My tor pieces at https://www.tor.com/author/james-davis-nicoll/
My Dreamwidth at https://james-davis-nicoll.dreamwidth.org/
My patreon is at https://www.patreon.com/jamesdnicoll

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

On Wednesday, 30 August 2023 at 17:55:13 UTC+1, Robert Woodward wrote:

In article <ucngov$mqb$1...@reader2.panix.com>,
jdni...@panix.com (James Nicoll) wrote:

The Apothecary Diaries, volume 8 by Natsu Hyuuga (Translated by
Kevin Steinbach)

In which merchants find new uses for banned products, and a highly
placed official uses underhanded methods to win at Go.

https://jamesdavisnicoll.com/review/a-series-of-cunning-plans

I am somewhat uncertain on what underhanded methods would work for Go.

I wonder if anyone has been caught at chess palming
a rook. For the present question, this is only a suggestion.

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

In article <ucnu5h$r6r$1@reader2.panix.com>,
jdnicoll@panix.com (James Nicoll) wrote:

In article <robertaw-4FE473.09550730082023@news.individual.net>,
Robert Woodward <robertaw@drizzle.com> wrote:

In article <ucngov$mqb$1@reader2.panix.com>,
jdnicoll@panix.com (James Nicoll) wrote:

The Apothecary Diaries, volume 8 by Natsu Hyuuga (Translated by
Kevin Steinbach)

In which merchants find new uses for banned products, and a highly
placed official uses underhanded methods to win at Go.

https://jamesdavisnicoll.com/review/a-series-of-cunning-plans

I am somewhat uncertain on what underhanded methods would work for Go.
Of course, being coached by a better player, would work except I can't
see a method for communication (well, telepathy, but is that exist?).
BTW, how good of a player is Maomao?

Maomao isn't the player.

I am aware of that, I was just wondering since her birth parents were
good players.

Jinshi reaches the final match with the Freak by shamelessly using
various methods including Jinshi's legendary beauty to distract
opponents. However, these won't help with the Freak because the Freak
is face-blind and very focused on strategy. The Freak is also a cheap
drunk with blood sugar issues. This plays a role in the selection of
snacks available during the game. Jinshi is playing his opponents,
not the game.

If his opponents are that easily distracted, they couldn't be very good
players (it is my, perhaps mistaken, impression that players of any
competitive game, at above some level of competence, are SERIOUS about
it when playing).

--
"We have advanced to new and surprising levels of bafflement."
Imperial Auditor Miles Vorkosigan describes progress in _Komarr_. ‹-----------------------------------------------------
Robert Woodward robertaw@drizzle.com

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

In article <robertaw-0E06BC.09534931082023@news.individual.net>,
Robert Woodward <robertaw@drizzle.com> wrote:

In article <ucnu5h$r6r$1@reader2.panix.com>,
jdnicoll@panix.com (James Nicoll) wrote:

In article <robertaw-4FE473.09550730082023@news.individual.net>,
Robert Woodward <robertaw@drizzle.com> wrote:

In article <ucngov$mqb$1@reader2.panix.com>,
jdnicoll@panix.com (James Nicoll) wrote:

The Apothecary Diaries, volume 8 by Natsu Hyuuga (Translated by
Kevin Steinbach)

In which merchants find new uses for banned products, and a highly
placed official uses underhanded methods to win at Go.

https://jamesdavisnicoll.com/review/a-series-of-cunning-plans

I am somewhat uncertain on what underhanded methods would work for Go.
Of course, being coached by a better player, would work except I can't
see a method for communication (well, telepathy, but is that exist?).
BTW, how good of a player is Maomao?

Maomao isn't the player.

I am aware of that, I was just wondering since her birth parents were
good players.

Jinshi reaches the final match with the Freak by shamelessly using
various methods including Jinshi's legendary beauty to distract
opponents. However, these won't help with the Freak because the Freak
is face-blind and very focused on strategy. The Freak is also a cheap
drunk with blood sugar issues. This plays a role in the selection of
snacks available during the game. Jinshi is playing his opponents,
not the game.

If his opponents are that easily distracted, they couldn't be very good >players (it is my, perhaps mistaken, impression that players of any >competitive game, at above some level of competence, are SERIOUS about
it when playing).

Many were motivated by false rumours about favours granted to the winner.

--
My reviews can be found at http://jamesdavisnicoll.com/
My tor pieces at https://www.tor.com/author/james-davis-nicoll/
My Dreamwidth at https://james-davis-nicoll.dreamwidth.org/
My patreon is at https://www.patreon.com/jamesdnicoll

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

On 8/30/2023 8:38 AM, James Nicoll wrote:

The Apothecary Diaries, volume 8 by Natsu Hyuuga (Translated by
Kevin Steinbach)

In which merchants find new uses for banned products, and a highly
placed official uses underhanded methods to win at Go.

https://jamesdavisnicoll.com/review/a-series-of-cunning-plans

I cannot find a Murderbot review on your website. Do we need to get a collection to buy you the books so that you can provide a decent review
for Brian ?

Lynn

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

On 8/31/2023 2:44 PM, Lynn McGuire wrote:

On 8/30/2023 8:38 AM, James Nicoll wrote:

The Apothecary Diaries, volume 8 by Natsu Hyuuga (Translated by
Kevin Steinbach)

In which merchants find new uses for banned products, and a highly
placed official uses underhanded methods to win at Go.

https://jamesdavisnicoll.com/review/a-series-of-cunning-plans

I cannot find a Murderbot review on your website.  Do we need to get a collection to buy you the books so that you can provide a decent review
for Brian ?

Lynn

Sigh, I see that you have already reviewed all of the Murderbot books.
https://jamesdavisnicoll.com/reviews/search?keywords=murderbot

I misspelled Murderbot in your search feature. Muderbot did not fly.

Sorry about that,
Lynn

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

In article <ucqqjo$3dqjh$3@dont-email.me>,
Lynn McGuire <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote:

On 8/30/2023 8:38 AM, James Nicoll wrote:

The Apothecary Diaries, volume 8 by Natsu Hyuuga (Translated by
Kevin Steinbach)

In which merchants find new uses for banned products, and a highly
placed official uses underhanded methods to win at Go.

https://jamesdavisnicoll.com/review/a-series-of-cunning-plans

I cannot find a Murderbot review on your website. Do we need to get a >collection to buy you the books so that you can provide a decent review
for Brian ?

I have reviewed 21 of her books, those included.

https://jamesdavisnicoll.com/reviews/contributor/589

--
My reviews can be found at http://jamesdavisnicoll.com/
My tor pieces at https://www.tor.com/author/james-davis-nicoll/
My Dreamwidth at https://james-davis-nicoll.dreamwidth.org/
My patreon is at https://www.patreon.com/jamesdnicoll

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

On Thursday, August 31, 2023 at 12:53:56 PM UTC-4, Robert Woodward wrote:

In article <ucnu5h$r6r$1...@reader2.panix.com>,
jdni...@panix.com (James Nicoll) wrote:

In article <robertaw-4FE473...@news.individual.net>,
Robert Woodward <robe...@drizzle.com> wrote:

In article <ucngov$mqb$1...@reader2.panix.com>,
jdni...@panix.com (James Nicoll) wrote:

The Apothecary Diaries, volume 8 by Natsu Hyuuga (Translated by
Kevin Steinbach)

In which merchants find new uses for banned products, and a highly
placed official uses underhanded methods to win at Go.

https://jamesdavisnicoll.com/review/a-series-of-cunning-plans

I am somewhat uncertain on what underhanded methods would work for Go. >Of course, being coached by a better player, would work except I can't >see a method for communication (well, telepathy, but is that exist?). >BTW, how good of a player is Maomao?

Maomao isn't the player.

I am aware of that, I was just wondering since her birth parents were
good players.

Jinshi reaches the final match with the Freak by shamelessly using
various methods including Jinshi's legendary beauty to distract
opponents. However, these won't help with the Freak because the Freak
is face-blind and very focused on strategy. The Freak is also a cheap drunk with blood sugar issues. This plays a role in the selection of snacks available during the game. Jinshi is playing his opponents,
not the game.

If his opponents are that easily distracted, they couldn't be very good players (it is my, perhaps mistaken, impression that players of any competitive game, at above some level of competence, are SERIOUS about
it when playing).

In the dark days of the 1960s, people tried to distract Terence Reese,
a bridge player famed for his concentration, by having an attractive
nude woman walk around the room. Apparently he never noticed.

In the dark days of smoking at tournaments, the Soviet world
champion played training games in which the opponent was
instructed to blow smoke across the table at him, so he could
accustom himself to this assault.

In the dark days of until recently, when chess games were adjourned
it was common for the players to stay up all night analyzing the
adjourned position, resume play without sleep and, if the
adjourned session dragged on, play the next night's game
without any sleep at all. It's remarkable how well some
of these people could play, despite 36 hours without
sleep.

Janowski, great player that he was, was an exception. Apparently
every game he lost was due to distraction. Or illness, or that his
opponent was playing too stupidly, thus preventing Janowski
from concentrating.

Any good chess player will remember not only the position on a
chess board, but every move leading up to it. Palming a piece,
as suggested elsewhere, would be about as subtle as a
powered exoskeleton on a football (either type) player. Last
time someone tried that on me I was in eighth grade.


William Hyde

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

On Wednesday, August 30, 2023 at 9:38:44 AM UTC-4, James Nicoll wrote:

The Apothecary Diaries, volume 8 by Natsu Hyuuga (Translated by
Kevin Steinbach)

In which merchants find new uses for banned products, and a highly
placed official uses underhanded methods to win at Go.

Ray Lee, a British/Canadian chemist, publisher, and chess player wrote,
I believe, only one SF story - about a future chess match, of course.

The unnamed protagonist, who was obviously the Yugoslav
grandmaster Matulovic, had his second arrange the playing
site in subtle ways that would give him an edge - issues of
lighting, seating, audience noise.

As these were exactly the issues Fischer complained about in his
world championship match a year later, one wonders if Fischer
had read the story. He was obsessive enough about chess to
have read a little-known Canadian chess magazine.

But more likely complaining just came to him naturally.

William Hyde

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

On 8/31/2023 12:53 PM, Lynn McGuire wrote:

On 8/31/2023 2:44 PM, Lynn McGuire wrote:

On 8/30/2023 8:38 AM, James Nicoll wrote:

The Apothecary Diaries, volume 8 by Natsu Hyuuga (Translated by
Kevin Steinbach)

In which merchants find new uses for banned products, and a highly
placed official uses underhanded methods to win at Go.

https://jamesdavisnicoll.com/review/a-series-of-cunning-plans

I cannot find a Murderbot review on your website.  Do we need to get a
collection to buy you the books so that you can provide a decent
review for Brian ?

Lynn

Sigh, I see that you have already reviewed all of the Murderbot books.
   https://jamesdavisnicoll.com/reviews/search?keywords=murderbot

I misspelled Murderbot in your search feature.  Muderbot did not fly.

Of course it wouldn't fly! It was stuck in the mud!

--
I've done good in this world. Now I'm tired and just want to be a cranky
dirty old man.

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

On Thursday, 31 August 2023 at 20:55:28 UTC+1, William Hyde wrote:

On Thursday, August 31, 2023 at 12:53:56 PM UTC-4, Robert Woodward wrote:

In article <ucnu5h$r6r$1...@reader2.panix.com>,
jdni...@panix.com (James Nicoll) wrote:

In article <robertaw-4FE473...@news.individual.net>,
Robert Woodward <robe...@drizzle.com> wrote:

In article <ucngov$mqb$1...@reader2.panix.com>,
jdni...@panix.com (James Nicoll) wrote:

The Apothecary Diaries, volume 8 by Natsu Hyuuga (Translated by
Kevin Steinbach)

In which merchants find new uses for banned products, and a highly
placed official uses underhanded methods to win at Go.

https://jamesdavisnicoll.com/review/a-series-of-cunning-plans

I am somewhat uncertain on what underhanded methods would work for Go. >Of course, being coached by a better player, would work except I can't >see a method for communication (well, telepathy, but is that exist?). >BTW, how good of a player is Maomao?

Maomao isn't the player.

I am aware of that, I was just wondering since her birth parents were
good players.

Jinshi reaches the final match with the Freak by shamelessly using various methods including Jinshi's legendary beauty to distract opponents. However, these won't help with the Freak because the Freak
is face-blind and very focused on strategy. The Freak is also a cheap drunk with blood sugar issues. This plays a role in the selection of snacks available during the game. Jinshi is playing his opponents,
not the game.

If his opponents are that easily distracted, they couldn't be very good players (it is my, perhaps mistaken, impression that players of any competitive game, at above some level of competence, are SERIOUS about
it when playing).

In the dark days of the 1960s, people tried to distract Terence Reese,
a bridge player famed for his concentration, by having an attractive
nude woman walk around the room. Apparently he never noticed.

In the dark days of smoking at tournaments, the Soviet world
champion played training games in which the opponent was
instructed to blow smoke across the table at him, so he could
accustom himself to this assault.

In the dark days of until recently, when chess games were adjourned
it was common for the players to stay up all night analyzing the
adjourned position, resume play without sleep and, if the
adjourned session dragged on, play the next night's game
without any sleep at all. It's remarkable how well some
of these people could play, despite 36 hours without
sleep.

Janowski, great player that he was, was an exception. Apparently
every game he lost was due to distraction. Or illness, or that his
opponent was playing too stupidly, thus preventing Janowski
from concentrating.

Any good chess player will remember not only the position on a
chess board, but every move leading up to it. Palming a piece,
as suggested elsewhere, would be about as subtle as a
powered exoskeleton on a football (either type) player. Last
time someone tried that on me I was in eighth grade.

Well, I wondered if it had been done. So, thank you. ;-)
And Go is just played with M & Ms I think??

A kerfuffle in Britain in 2022 was when Opposition
Deputy Leader Angela Rayner faced Boris Johnson
at "Prime Minister's Questions" in Parliament and
Mr Johnson was said to be trying to look up Mrs Rayner's
skirt instead of answering the questions, which was
very wrong of her. Or so it was being said.

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

On Thursday, 31 August 2023 at 20:54:03 UTC+1, Lynn McGuire wrote:

On 8/31/2023 2:44 PM, Lynn McGuire wrote:

On 8/30/2023 8:38 AM, James Nicoll wrote:

The Apothecary Diaries, volume 8 by Natsu Hyuuga (Translated by
Kevin Steinbach)

In which merchants find new uses for banned products, and a highly
placed official uses underhanded methods to win at Go.

https://jamesdavisnicoll.com/review/a-series-of-cunning-plans

I cannot find a Murderbot review on your website. Do we need to get a collection to buy you the books so that you can provide a decent review
for Brian ?

Lynn

Sigh, I see that you have already reviewed all of the Murderbot books. https://jamesdavisnicoll.com/reviews/search?keywords=murderbot

I misspelled Murderbot in your search feature. Muderbot did not fly.

Did "The X-Files" ever get around to giving us
an android sinister Mulderbot...

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

On 9/1/2023 4:58 AM, Robert Carnegie wrote:

On Thursday, 31 August 2023 at 20:54:03 UTC+1, Lynn McGuire wrote:

On 8/31/2023 2:44 PM, Lynn McGuire wrote:

On 8/30/2023 8:38 AM, James Nicoll wrote:

The Apothecary Diaries, volume 8 by Natsu Hyuuga (Translated by
Kevin Steinbach)

In which merchants find new uses for banned products, and a highly
placed official uses underhanded methods to win at Go.

https://jamesdavisnicoll.com/review/a-series-of-cunning-plans

I cannot find a Murderbot review on your website. Do we need to get a
collection to buy you the books so that you can provide a decent review
for Brian ?

Lynn

Sigh, I see that you have already reviewed all of the Murderbot books.
https://jamesdavisnicoll.com/reviews/search?keywords=murderbot

I misspelled Murderbot in your search feature. Muderbot did not fly.

Did "The X-Files" ever get around to giving us
an android sinister Mulderbot...

Buffy gave us the awesomely creepy Ritterbot ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuPTVlieNIA

And the supremely awesome Buffybot that Spike did dirty dirty nasty
things to.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTrRktfZ4dM

Lynn

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

On 1/09/23 21:58, Robert Carnegie wrote:

On Thursday, 31 August 2023 at 20:54:03 UTC+1, Lynn McGuire wrote:

On 8/31/2023 2:44 PM, Lynn McGuire wrote:

On 8/30/2023 8:38 AM, James Nicoll wrote:

The Apothecary Diaries, volume 8 by Natsu Hyuuga (Translated by
Kevin Steinbach)

In which merchants find new uses for banned products, and a highly
placed official uses underhanded methods to win at Go.

https://jamesdavisnicoll.com/review/a-series-of-cunning-plans

I cannot find a Murderbot review on your website. Do we need to get a
collection to buy you the books so that you can provide a decent review
for Brian ?

Lynn

Sigh, I see that you have already reviewed all of the Murderbot books.
https://jamesdavisnicoll.com/reviews/search?keywords=murderbot

I misspelled Murderbot in your search feature. Muderbot did not fly.

Did "The X-Files" ever get around to giving us
an android sinister Mulderbot...

Probably not the original, but a real murderbot featured in:
I have No Mouth and I Must Scream, 1968 Hugo by Harlan Elison.

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)