Unbelievably heavy atmosphere reigns over the cafeteria early in the morning. Students of all grades gathered around the center table and are watching. Two students are actually sitting down and playing. Just a casual game of chess… if their honor wasn´t at stake. This game means everything to one of the two. Nobody dares to make the slightest noise. The silence would be deafening,
“Hey do you even know how the pieces move?! What are you doing? Are you a kindergartner? Everybody did you see that, is he actually trying to lose on purpose? Hahahaha!”
if not for this air-cutting voice
(He´s actually losing)
(Not just losing, he is getting butchered)
(Isn´t he the ace of the chess club?)
Students´whispers could be heard which only added oil to the fire. Large droplets drip down the “ace of the chess club´s” forehead. Nagging on his fingers he desperately searches a way out of his miserable position, but the game is already decided
“What? Where did your confidence go?! I even let you play the white pieces like you wanted. Where is this “challenge” you promised me, huh? Hahaha”
The “ace” slightly lowers his head
“I… concede” he whispers into his firmly clasped hands
“Hmmm? What? I didn´t catch that~” mocks his opponent
Of course he heard the surrender clearly, but…
“I concede” Presses the “ace” through his gritted teeth
“Now that´s more like it! Go play a few thousand more games before calling yourself “ace of the chess club”.”
The boy stands up and looks around with a smug grin on his face
“Hey hey, isn´t there anybody who can actually give me a real challenge in this school? No one? Come on, a small game of chess won´t hurt~”
Nobody dares come forth
“You really bore me, well if you´re all pussies then I´m off. Can´t waste any more time here.”
The boy turns around to his crushed opponent
“Let´s have a rematch sometimes, loser!”
The “loser” clenches his fists so tight you can practically hear his nails digging into his skin. Meanwhile his opponent bathes in victory.
But then, suddenly, a girl steps forward.
“What´s all this commotion about? What´re you all doing in the cafeteria anyways?” She asks innocently
“Hey sweetie~” In his high, the winner approaches her. The girl, instead of being surprised, doesn´t flinch. Standing her ground she looks the flirting boy deep in the eyes, as if observing an animal. The boy in turn takes a little distance from her.
“Heh, I see. Well, we were just playing some chess here, although it was a pretty boring game”
His arrogance is still out of control though.
“Chess you say? I haven´t played in a while. You in for some blitz?”
The boy bursts out laughing as if he heard a good joke
“A little Missy challenging me to some blitz? Of course I won´t say no, but don´t expect me to go easy on you. Although it would be a little mean to not give you a handicap. To make it fair why don´t you choose your favorite color?”
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Ignoring his provocations, the girl passes the boy and takes a black and white pawn. She puts each piece in one of her hands and closes them to fists. Then she turns to the boy again
“Choose”
“What are you doing? I said pick your favorite color”
“And I said choose, we don´t have much time until classes start, so hurry it up”
The boy´s grin disappears. Without another word he taps her left hand, where the white pawn is revealed
“Ok, you play white then” the girl decides
“You sure? I mean your loss is inevitable either way, but why hasten it?”
“Jesus you really know how to bark, don´t you? My name´s Aria, let´s see if you can bite as well” Aria mocks him back while extending her hand for a handshake
“He, you´ll see soon enough” The boy accepts the handshake while looking down on her from above, they both sit down.
(Hey, who is that? Do you know her?)
(Never saw her in the chess club before, so maybe some hobby player?)
(Poor girl, I hope he doesn´t go too hard on her…)
The game begins:
1. d4, Nf6
“Hahaha, an Indian line? You know, even though it´s called a defense it won´t help you survive much longer?”
“Shut up and play”
“…”
2. Nf3, g6
3. c4, Bg7
4. g3, O-O
5. Bg2, d6
6. O-O, Nbd7
7. Nc3, e5
“Maybe your opening knowledge is fine, but what are you gonna do now? Ready to get crushed like your “ace of the chess club”?”
Playing his mind-games the boy tries to taunt Aria.
“…”
But he doesn´t get a reaction out of her
“Hmpf, fine then” he grumbles to himself
8. Dc2, exd4
9. Nxd4, Nb6
10. b3
Suddenly, a nearly visible grin covers Aria´s mouth before playing c5
11. Ndb5, a6
12. Na3
“You really like chasing my knight over the whole board, don´t you? Well that ends now, get ready to have your pieces hunted”
“We´ll see” Aria plays Bf5
13. e4
She chuckles “Hehe, interesting. Let´s try this then” Nxe4 is played
“Ohhh nooooo” kids the boy “You think you´re soooo smart, right?”
14. Bxe4, Bxe4
15. Nxe4, Bxa1
(Hey do you see that? Isn´t she winning)
(She´s not, the game is pretty even. Though I like her position better)
(He is not going easy on her, right?)
“But now your lucks running out”
16. Bg5, f6
17. Bh6
“Now what are you gonna do? Huh? Come on”
“You really don´t know how to play a nice, quiet round of chess, do you? Haaaa” Aria sighs, immediately after Bd4 is played. The boy seems a little surprised
18. Bf8
“And there goes your rook, you still so confident?”
“I am” Dxf8
19. Dd3, Nd7
20. Nc2, Ne5
21. Dd1, Nc6
22. Nxd4, Nxd4
By now the trash talking has stopped. Both parties are seriously focusing on the game as the time also begins to run low. The bystanders´eyes are glued to the board. The tension high, the silence deafening
23. Re1, f5
24. Nc3, Re8
25. Nd5
As soon as the boy played the move, Aria releases a breath she didn´t know she was holding. The boy is confused by this, but with the next move
Rxe1+
He seems to have noticed as well
“Aaah, dammit”
They play it out:
26. Dxe1, Nf3+
With this check, he surrenders. All students have their eyes wide open.
(No way, she actually won?)
(Who is she? She won against the one who crushed our best player?)
(Hey, should we invite her to the chess club?)
(We have to! Did you see her play??)
(Mr Trash Talk got crushed, jesus!)
(Serves him right!)
As if synchronized, all gazes fall on Mr Trash Talk who just lost, looking forward to payback for what he did to the “ace of the chess club”. But Aria, only extends her arm:
“Good game, I haven´t had this much fun in a while” She smiles at him
And unexpectedly
“Haha, you think so? Good game, I really was no match for you” the boy shakes hands with Aria
Rather than being furious or ashamed, he is genuinely impressed. Filled with a feeling of respect for his opponent. No, let´s call it admiration
“You really got me there, your moves were damn solid, are you a Grand-master or what? Where did you learn to play like that? And why aren´t you in the chess club? You would easily be number 1”
Aria ponders
“You know, I often used to play with my grandpa.” she then replies
“Gramps was an outstanding player, I´ve never really been a match for him. And now chess is my last connection to him. Every time I play I feel him having my back.” with a melancholic gaze, Aria lowers her head
“But, you know, because of this connection I don´t like playing competitive. For me chess is more than just a game. Oh sorry, I´m rambling”
“I´m… Sorry” Is everything the boy manages to say
“No, it´s fine. This is all in the past. Thank you for the game”
Aria smiles.
All of a sudden she jumps up
“Wait, how is it so late already? My English teacher is gonna kill me… see you around!”
With that Aria grabs her backpack and rushes out of the cafeteria into the main building.
“Wait!” The boy yells while stretching his arm after her, but she´s gone already
(She´s right! Mrs. Simons will be furious)
(Let´s hurry back, what are you loitering around for!)
(C´m on, let´s get outta here)
In the blink of an eye, the boy remains alone in the cafeteria, staring out of the glass pane onto the main building. He looks at the board where his king is still checked. Then looks at the stopped clock at the side.
“You even bet me in time” he laughs to himself
“And I didn´t even give you my name”
He now regrets his behavior a little
“Maybe, I´ll try playing some games with your mindset”
With these words Kyle collects his pieces and leaves the school.