>>>>> On Mon, 25 Nov 1996 22:10:02 +0200, Harri Pesonen <fuerte@sci.fi> said:

> I just read a short story written by Robert Silverberg, one of the best
> sci-fi writers.  The story is called "Ship-Sister, Star-Sister", and it
> is in the book "The Collected Stories of Robert Silverberg, Volume
> Three: Beyond the Safe Zone".

> The story is written in November 1972, and it begins like this:

> "Sixteen light-years from Earth today, in the fifth month of the voyage,
> and the silent throb of acceleration continues to drive the velocity
> higher.  Three games of Go are in the progress in the ship's lounge.
> ..."

> And later:

> "...She listens a moment to the clacking of the Go stones.  'Three games
> being played?' she asks.
>    'Yes.'
>    'How strange that the game hasn't begun to lose its hold on them by
> this time.'
>    'Its grip is powerful,' the year-captain says.
>    'It must be.  How good it is to be able to give yourself so
> completely to a game.'
>    'I wonder.  Playing Go consumes a great deal of valuable time.'
>    'Time?' Noelle laughs. 'What is there to do with time, except to
> consume it?'  After a moment she says, 'Is it a difficult game?'
>    'The rules are simple enough.  The application of the rules is
> another matter entirely.  It's a deeper and more subtle game that chess,
> I think.'
>    Her blank eyes wander across his face and suddenly lock into his. 
> 'How long would it take for me to learn how to play?'
>    'You?'
>    'Why not?  I also need amusement, year-captain.'
>    'The board has hundreds of intersections.  Moves may be made at any
> of them.  The patterns formed are complex and constantly changing. 
> Someone who is unable to see - '
>    'My memory is excellent,' Noelle says.  'I can visualize the board
> and make the necessary corrections as play proceeds.  You need only tell
> me where you put down your stones.  And guide my hand, I suppose, when I
> make my moves.'
>    'I doubt that it'll work, Noelle.'
>    'Will you teach me anyway?'
> ..."