How good is Hanako at chess?

[Atario]

From what we've seen, she has a 100% lose rate

False. She almost always wins against Lilly. We even see her do it once. Also, in Hanako's Act 3 scene "Invitation":

Hanako: "Mate."
Hisao: "Again… What does that make this? 3-2?"

[Munchenhausen]

From what we've seen, she has a 100% lose rate

False. She almost always wins against Lilly. We even see her do it once. Also, in Hanako's Act 3 scene "Invitation":

Hanako: "Mate."
Hisao: "Again… What does that make this? 3-2?"

I realised that when I re-read my post after CoffeeDrive had replied.

I was hoping to slink away into obscurity without anyone calling me out

[brythain]

On further reflection, I think the reason Shizune beats Hanako is that Shizune employs gamesmanship and deliberately plays what we call 'ugly' moves. She probably also grinds on instead of offering a draw in even positions, thus panicking Hanako (who knows it's a drawn position) into second-guessing herself. That's what she appears to mean when she says Hanako is playing for love of the game and not just to win: Hanako plays chess, but Shizune plays games—or perhaps, plays people.

[Atario]

I was hoping to slink away into obscurity without anyone calling me out

You know I gotta stand up for mai waifu!

Hanako plays chess, but Shizune plays games—or perhaps, plays people.

Possible. But I feel like Shizune is just a sharp cookie all the way around, and she's exhausted her potential with chess (as with many other games), becoming pretty good in the process. Combine that with her psych-out powers and Hanako's nervousness in socially charged situations and it was pretty much a foregone conclusion.

[d2r]

Re: Shizune vs. Hanako - I will also point out that someone being better than you doesn't mean you aren't good. For example, I like to think I'm good at Starcraft, but BoxeR would kick my ass.

[OremLK]

In her own route, Hanako seemed like she was only a bit better than Hisao, and it didn't sound like Hisao had a big chess background or anything, so I doubt she's particularly great at the game. That said, it doesn't sound like Shizune is much of a chess player either. I think Hanako would probably win if you matched them up online and they didn't chat. But in a room with three people she barely knows, playing against an incredibly aggressive opponent who's using gamesmanship against her, who also happens to have a history of enmity against Hanako due to Lilly? Poor Hanako was screwed from the start.

Aaand now I'm sad thinking about how Hisao wanted to laugh at her in that scene. What an asshole.

[SpunkySix]

Aaand now I'm sad thinking about how Hisao wanted to laugh at her in that scene. What an asshole.

To be fair, we are getting bits of his subconscious in there, and you can't always control the POS part of your mind from thinking bad stuff, even if you totally mean well.

[OremLK]

Aaand now I'm sad thinking about how Hisao wanted to laugh at her in that scene. What an asshole.

To be fair, we are getting bits of his subconscious in there, and you can't always control the POS part of your mind from thinking bad stuff, even if you totally mean well.

Yeah, I know. At least he didn't do anything actually hurtful. But still, knowing how much courage it must've taken Hanako to even come in and play a game, it makes me a bit sad that he just thought it was funny instead of having any empathy.

Best girl syndrome I guess

[SpunkySix]

Aaand now I'm sad thinking about how Hisao wanted to laugh at her in that scene. What an asshole.

To be fair, we are getting bits of his subconscious in there, and you can't always control the POS part of your mind from thinking bad stuff, even if you totally mean well.

Yeah, I know. At least he didn't do anything actually hurtful. But still, knowing how much courage it must've taken Hanako to even come in and play a game, it makes me a bit sad that he just thought it was funny instead of having any empathy.

Best girl syndrome I guess

I get ya. That's one thing I'm glad about with Emi's route over Rin's... both were excellent, but you have to deal with A-hole Hisao a lot less in the former.

Back on track, I wonder if learning from a computer like Deep Blue would make Hanako more comfortable.

[Tyrael]

I get ya. That's one thing I'm glad about with Emi's route over Rin's... both were excellent, but you have to deal with A-hole Hisao a lot less in the former.

Back on track, I wonder if learning from a computer like Deep Blue would make Hanako more comfortable.

Because a-hole jock Hisao is much better amirite?

[SpunkySix]

I get ya. That's one thing I'm glad about with Emi's route over Rin's... both were excellent, but you have to deal with A-hole Hisao a lot less in the former.

Back on track, I wonder if learning from a computer like Deep Blue would make Hanako more comfortable.

Because a-hole jock Hisao is much better amirite?

Quiet you, I'm trying not to go there.

[Broomhead]

Back on track

Fairly sure we'll die if we do.

I'm sure that Hanako would be fairly good at chess if she practiced to win rather than play. However, the question really comes down to if she has the competitive drive or not. I think, in all honesty, that would require a Hisao bad end, or perhaps HGE if Hisao pushed her fairly hard afterwards.

[SpunkySix]

Back on track

if Hisao pushed her fairly hard afterwards.

I foresee that happening regularly... nightly, even.

[Munchenhausen]

Back on track

if Hisao pushed her fairly hard afterwards.

I foresee that happening regularly... nightly, even.

Down a staircase?

[SpunkySix]

Down a staircase?

No, to train at chess. Have you even been reading the topic?