Fanfic - Checkmate

[elfowlgirl]

A weird fic thing. Not that good, I dunno.



It had, at first, been a simple spur-of-the-moment game, and yet had quickly been transformed into a bizarre initiation ritual.

Etho and Doc had sat down at one spare, quiet moment shortly after they had each joined the server and played a game of chess. Doc, while thoroughly methodical and overobservant in his play style, somehow managed to miss each of Etho's tricks and ploys and was trumped in no less than 15 turns.

And so, whenever someone new joined the server (he also got together with some of the older members), Etho set some time aside and the duo tried a game. A few people put up an admirable attempt - Nebris cheated in all senses of the word and still barely made it 20 rounds - while some were shot down after just starting.

They did, however, all get a fair chance. A majority of them just weren't that good.

When Vechs' turn finally came around, it took a surprising amount of time for the two to finally do battle. A series of mistakes, miscommunications, and misconceivings kept delaying their match until, one day, they found themselves together - Etho tightly clutching a chessboard and bag of matching pieces - in the pouring rain.

They quickly threw together a small underground hovel in which to stay dry as they played. It was cozy in size (a mere five-by-five-by-five meters) with wool for chairs, dirt for walls and cobblestone for a table, but it worked for what they intended.

It was a strange game. Etho, gentleman that he was, always let opponent have white. Vechs went first, moving a simple pawn as one was want to do.

The ninja had contemplated his opponent's play style for a while based on personality, and finally figured he had it down to a T - fast moves, reckless abandon, coupled with the slightest hint of a backup plan at each step.

He matched the pawn.

Vechs immediately slouched. His face as unreadable behind his goggles as Etho's was behind his mask, he muttered something quietly that sounded to the effect of "something-something-fun killer". He added another pawn, which Etho quickly took.

Bishop, queen, king, pawn, bishop took the pawn.

"Three moves in, first pawn down." Vechs quipped.

"Pigderp said you were really good at this game."

"I've played every member on the server, except you. Pak and Kurt got pretty close to beating me. Zisteau did okay."

"I'd expect him to do better."

Knight, matched knight. Queen, pawn, knight, matched knight.

"Are you mirroring me, now?"

"Are you mirroring me, now?" Vechs mocked.

Etho looked unamused.

Queen, knight, pawn, pawn. Knight, rook, pawn takes the bishop.

"That wasn't a very smart move." Etho didn't look up from the board.

Vechs ignored him.

Pawn, queen, pawn, queen, queen, knight. Bishop takes a pawn, queen.

"A bishop for a pawn can be worth it, you know."

Vechs tapped one finger against the table absentmindedly. "It just depends on the pawn."

Knight, bishop, knight, queen takes a pawn, bishop, bishop takes a rook.

"Another pawn for a rook?"

"Yep."

"You need to step up your game."

Pawn, queen takes the second rook.

"No castling." Etho reminded him.

"No problem."

King, knight, knight takes pawn, King, queen, knight takes queen.

Etho silently raised another eyebrow. "What are you..."

Bishop.

"Checkmate."

Etho stared at the chessboard in silence.

"Good match?"

"23 turns. Rematch. I understand your tactics now, and you won't pull it on me again."

"Alright." Vechs slowly started to reorganize the board.

"And this time you won't be so lucky."

Vechs moved his pawn forward. Etho matched it.

Comments

[celestepastore]

That was really good actually. If you understand chess. Which I do. <3

[mewbladexxx]

Hehehe. Kind of brushed over all the chess technicals (because I barely understand them, haha,) and just enjoyed the Etho and Vechs interaction. <3

... What if someone underestimated like thejims/Adlington/Arkas turns out to be surprisingly adept at chess? XD

[kmd222me]

I feel as though thejims would be really good at chess.