COTE x TBATE | A Masterpiece

Chapter 12: 8-legged-Spider

// Kiyotaka Ayanokoji //

Sitting across the old elf, Virion Eralith, my eyes stayed glued to the white cup with teal engraving over it. A small cloud of mist raised up from the cup, as its temperature dropped just enough so I could take a sip from it.

The black liquid moved sideways as I gave a slight twirl to the cup from its base. Bringing it close to my mouth, I placed my lips over the corner and took a small sip. The lukewarm liquid entered my mouth making its way down my throat, "You seem to have improved", I remarked, looking at the wide sets of traps and feints set up by Virion.

Virion rested his chin on the palm of his hand as his fingers backed off from his 'Knight', "And you seem to be holding back more than usual". His face was impassive as his eyes meekly looked all around the board. Removing his chin, he bent forward and picked up his cup as soon as I placed my own down.

Leading with the Rook, I jumped it three horizontal squares, taking out his second knight. A smirk formed over his face as I relaxed and placed my back against the chair. "You fall for some really obvious traps. I don't know if you're trying to lose on purpose or I am really getting better at it but guess I will get my first win today", he spoke as he took out my Rook with his queen, aligning a straight path to my king.

"Check", he spoke softly, interlinking his fingers and resting his face over it.

"Never celebrate when you've won a battle", I said as I silently took away his Queen with my pawn, "especially when the war has just begun", I muttered as he left the comfort of his chair and stood up.

There it is.

The same disbelief in his eyes that I've seen hundreds of times in the eyes of people who saw what I was capable of.

It is always implied to look at the big picture. When someone takes this advice way too seriously, their basic defenses become compromised. The small building blocks are what make the foundation of a long-term victory. While looking at the bigger picture of "Checking" me, he totally forgot about the pawn just one diagonal square away.

A pawn can usually not take out a queen when a king is in check. However, if that move can free the king out of its CHECK, then a pawn is allowed to take the opposing queen out. Since the only threat to my king was the reckless queen, once it was out, my king was in the safest corner again. All I had to do now was compromise the defense. His offense focused strategy was a good change from his normal defense focused.

But,

Haste makes waste.

Stroking his long beard, he continued to look down on the chess board, a frown housing on his wrinkled face. "The queen is substantial. Lose the queen and you'll lose most of your assets", I advised, taking out another piece.

"Even more than the king?" Virion spoke as he desperately made a fortress of pawns around the king.

One pawn or hundred. They never make a difference.

"The king must remain in the shadows", I said, taking out a pawn such that I am not compromised by their diagonal shift, "the queen should get the hands dirty. But when the time comes, the king has to leave the contour of deception and stand alongside it. The others...", my voice trailed off as I saw Virion take out my knight.

"Good", I complimented, a morbid satisfaction at seeing him take out my second piece since we started playing.

"The others what?" Virion asked, prompting me to continue my previous line.

"The others... never hesitate to dispose of them off. No matter the personal attachment or preference." I said and looked into his eyes. He was looking at me intently. His eyes showed something I had seen in myself.