OPENINGS

"Pawn to E4," Nezu declared as he pushed his white pawn forward.

Izuku didn't bother touching any of his pieces. "Mate in five-hundred and forty-nine."

Nezu slid his pawn backwards. Then he pushed another white pawn forward.

"Checkmate in six-hundred and fifty-seven."

"Better than the E4 opening?" Nezu asked.

"With forced repetitions on black's side," Izuku added. "Excluding lines accounting for forced repetition that avoid a draw, the total drops to five-hundred and twelve."

Nezu hmmed and pushed another pawn forward. Izuku answered, "Mate in one-hundred and ninety-seven."

"The Queen would be most displeased to hear that the English opening loses out to the French."

"The French line tends to surrender," Izuku pointed out. "While the English opening proves more stubborn to take down."

"Well, how does the Italian Game fare?"

"Mate in ninety-seven."

"Not even triple digits. Can't say I'm surprised." Nezu sighed and played B4.

"Mate in-"

Nezu brought the pawn back and pushed A4.

"Fifty-seven."

"Yes," Nezu said irritably, "I can see that line. You'd think there would be some opening that isn't a complete dead end for the game. You'd think with ten openings to choose from, and ten responsed by black, with exponentially more responses thereafter, there'd be some room for ambiguity, but nope! We've solved the game."

"Are we going to play? It is okay if you need more time to think through your first move."

Nezu sighed and sipped his tea. "Very well. We'll go with my favorite opening."

Nezu played E4. Izuku said, "Mate in five-hundred and forty-nine," and pushed his own pawn to C5.

"Sicilian? And here I thought Italy had a poor chess game."

"They do not. The quality of their chess game is not a reflection of their own military prowess."

"Hmm… someone better tell that Zero kid, treating war like chess. What did he always say? If the king doesn't lead, how can he expect anyone to follow him?" With a chuckle, Nezu pushed his king forward. "What nonsense."

Izuku stared silently at the board. Nezu, with an edge of excitement in his voice, asked, "Haven't you computed this line?"

"Insufficient data."

"Really? Out of all openings, the Bongcloud has you stumped?"

Izuku looked up. "Initiating Magnus Carlsen dot exe."

Nezu grinned back and said, "Bring it."

Pieces darted across the board. Discarded pawns, knights and bishops littered either side of the board as their game racked up casualties. Out of defenders, Nezu's white king tipped sideways, announcing his surrender.

"Bongcloud opening, French variation," Nezu announced. "Splendid game. Shall we play again? I'd like to try for a more English take on the Bongcloud."

Nezu pushed E4 again, and this time, Izuku went E5. Perplexed, Nezu pushed his king forward.

"Mate in twenty-four."

"Rats. And here I thought I'd have another chance to take you down. Sicilian defense not working for you?"

"It would appear you are correct. The Italian chess game is reflective of their military prowess."

"Then all is right in the world. Same time next week?"

500

Nezu plays against the ultimate chess bot, and Lelouch feels a disturbance in the force.

Have they played chess before? Probably. It's been way too long and I honestly have no idea.