Chess Pains

Infobox Television episode | Title = Chess Pains
Series = Frasier
Season = 3
Episode = 18
Airdate = 26 March 1996
Guests =
Writer = Rob Greenberg
Director = Gordon Hunt
Prev = High Crane Drifter
Next = Crane vs. Crane
Episode list = List of Frasier episodes (Season 3)

"Chess Pains" is the eighteenth episode of season 3 of American sitcom "Frasier".

Cast and characters

Main cast and characters

*Kelsey Grammer – Dr. Frasier Crane
*David Hyde Pierce – Dr. Niles Crane
*John Mahoney – Martin Crane
*Jane Leeves – Daphne Moon
*Peri Gilpin – Roz Doyle

Plot outline

Frasier has acquired a 19th-century Parisian chess set, designed by a student of l'École des Beaux-Arts. Niles is in complete awe, but Frasier cannot persuade him to play, so he asks his father. Martin professes not to know much about the game (he prefers checkers), but agrees nonetheless, and proceeds to win conclusively. Frasier is astonished, believing himself to be the superior player, and the following day requests a re-match, but Martin defeats him again, several times. Unfortunately, each defeat makes Frasier crosser, and even more determined to win the next time.

Meanwhile, Daphne suggests to Niles that if he needs companionship, he should get a dog. The animal he brings back from the pet shop is remarkably thin, highly strung, and refuses to heed a single command. Niles says he felt mysteriously drawn to her, but cannot work out why…

Episode Title Cards

*"Maybe it’s short for nodule"
*"And she's hypoglycemic"
*"Chess pains"

Memorable Quotations

"Niles is reluctant to play chess with Frasier"
Niles: Maris and I used to play chess every Thursday night. Oh, how she loved the game.
Frasier: No wonder: the king is stationary, while the "queen" has all the power!

Note

Frasier dealt with the same frustrating issues with unexpected chess master Woody Boyd in "Cheers" episode "Spellbound".