The Chess Game
"Ha!" Erik deftly moves his Knight into position to threaten Christine's Queen.
"Are you certain that move is wise?" Aquamarine eyes widen at the bold movement.
"Wise for whom – you or me?" he asks, unable to hide a smirk, half hidden beneath his mask.
"You, of course. Your Knight is most definitely in a position to be taken now by my Bishop."
"Then let it be so – it is a mere Knight."
"But you love your Knights – you always go on and on about how brilliant Knights are because they are not limited by straight lines to move around the boards. How you spent many of your younger years as a Knight traveling the world, never following the beaten path…"
"Enough…enough," he replies. "I am always appreciative of the Knight in chess and am no less so now. Sometimes a mighty warrior must sacrifice himself for the greater good."
"Harrumph. You are entirely too eager in sacrificing your piece. I see you chomping at the bit to announce mate." Squinting at the board, she examines the layout of the pieces.
"Perhaps if you put your glasses on."
"Now you are being rude – trying to distract me. I can see the board perfectly well without them, but…" Flashing a small glare, she wipes her spectacles on an embroidered handkerchief before putting them on.
"You are most attractive with your glasses, my dear."
"Flattery will get you nowhere – you yourself suggested they might help my game."
"Did I say that? I do not recall saying that." He says, resting his chin on his hand, eyes gleaming – the smirk morphing into a broad smile.
"You are being horrid, Erik, and just trying to distract me," she says, scrunching her nose. "Now, hush."
"Of course, my dear. Mum is the word." Pressing a long finger against his lips, he sits back in his chair, arms folded observing Christine's obvious consternation.
"Hmmm, I must assess the board for a moment." Her smooth brow furrows into a frown, studying every piece in play with her enhanced vision.
Erik chuckles at her distress. Christine has turned out to be a most astute student in chess – a pleasant surprise after years of playing with Nadir who almost never offered him a suitable challenge. Her skill was such, he began introducing deceptive moves to confuse her.
"You are a cruel master, Erik," she pouts. "This is one of your tricks, I know it."
"You are correct, my dear – the move is a decoy."
"You want me to take that square?"
"Precisely."
"Why?"
"Because then I can take your Bishop, so…" making the moves and removing both pieces, placing a Rook in the empty square, declaring. "Checkmate."
"Oh, you tricked me."
"You are becoming too expert at the game. I must use all my wiles to win these battles with you."
"This was particularly unfair – the game had hardly begun – you usually take much longer to entrap my King."
"Forgive my haste, I was fascinated by your sweet, rosy lips and wished to claim my prize," he chuckles. "I believe you owe me a kiss."
"But I get a kiss when I win – so you would have a kiss either way. Why must you rush?"
"Because not only do I get my kiss, I win the game as well."
"I shall keep that in mind when next we play." Rising from her chair, she moves to his lap to give him his reward. "If you want a suggestion, though, since you insist on attaching prizes to winning and losing…"
"You challenge my competitive nature, what are you thinking?"
"How would you feel if when someone loses a piece, he or she removes a piece of clothing?" she giggles.
Erik flushes, then laughs at her suggestion, "You are quite the vixen, my wife. Is there are grand prize then? For the winner?"
"I suspect something will come to mind."
"Very well – I knew I would be a happy man when I taught this little game to you."
"Better than Nadir?"
"Infinitely better than Nadir."