inconspicuous gem

Guillermo slides his rook across the board and into your territory.

“Check,” he says.

As you study the board, you realize that his knight is pinning your queen; and his rook is in-line, ready to take your king.

You lean back, contemplating. Everywhere you look—he’s positioned to overtake.

“What are you thinking?” he asks, his eyes magnified behind thick lenses. He effuses casual arrogance as he stands up and puts on his jacket—ready to make his final move.

And then you find it—a pawn—that inconspicuous gem, hidden in plain sight, would change the tides. Your pawn would take his knight, saving your queen, and open up a new field of opportunity.

“I’m thinking…” you push the pawn into his knight, knocking it over, “... sit down and get comfortable.”

It’s a new game.

-m

January 14, 2021

Photo Credit: Taha Ajmi