As the International Space Station (ISS) continues its orbit around the earth at a rate of five miles per second, more than 200 miles above Earth's surface, two tiny velco-fitted pieces of plastic were seen in it's wake, gently wafting their way down to oblivion - a sure fate for anything entering the Earth's atmosphere without a heat shield.No, you didn't miss a voting opportunity. Astronaut Greg Chamitoff chose 7.Bxc6+ as his move, and the champions from Stevenson Elementary School offered but one response: 7... bxc6. Hence, there was no need for a stamp of approval from fellow earthlings.
The match continues and it is once again Chamitoff's move.
Greg Chamitoff vs. Earth (after 7.Bxc6+ bxc6)
Check in regularly this weekend - to see how Greg responds to the mounting pressure on White's pinned Knight - and then for a new round of voting as our Earth's young advisors offer their next round of move choices.
Chess isn't the only activity aboard ISS - you can check out NASA's ISS mission page for the latest news and videos about the ISS and Expeditions 17 and 18.
Reminder: Don't miss a moment of this historic match - add our RSS feed to keep up with the latest developments, as articles and moves are posted here, and as voting periods occur.