Chess Fanfiction

[gargoylekitty]

I guess it could be called a writing exercise of sorts though really I did it just because I was bored witless, felt the need to write, and this came out. Could be counted as original fiction I suppose though it earns me more joy to call it 'chess fanfiction'.

 The first  is from the viewpoint of a black rook and the second is in third person focusing mainly on the White Queen. Both are entirely different games and possibly even entirely different sets. Any opinions/critiques would be greatly loved.


'March of the White Queen'

Eight of us stand on the front line, nervous and waiting for the first move. Behind me stands a knight, valiant upon his stead. He looks straight ahead, staring down the enemy with unblinking eye. Though our numbers are equally matched, they will march first, as is their way. Whether or not this will lead to their victory or demise, only time can tell.

There! A pawn like myself, yet dressed in white, moves toward us. Two paces and he stops. It's begun. Who will break our formation?

"Excuse me, my good sir." The knight behind me brushes past, moving forward, looking all the more glorious in motion as in place. I'll never know if he knew what sacrifice this move would bring in a mere seven paces, yet I don't think he would have chosen differently even if he did. The way he smirked as the White Queen took his place will forever remain etched in my memory.

The battle was long, yet at a pace where the line between winning and loosing often became blurred in a mass of minor victories and defeats. I myself had many a close call, leading me to wonder if I was but a play thing in a game of the gods. At one point I stood toe to toe with the dreaded White Queen, who took my brave knight, and somehow made it out alive. Yet, in retrospect, I would have gladly laid down my life if I knew where my survival would lead.

As fast as that first move came, we suddenly found ourselves without a Queen. Down four pawns, two knights, a rook, a bishop, and our Queen. Things looked grim. They outnumbered us by a pawn, a rook, and that wicked white witch. Down, but not out.

The battle continued. Causalties constantly rising on both sides. New plans being drawn to counter the losses and enemy movement. For a moment things started to look better, then we loss our remaining rook. The White Queen began her march to the east with hopes of trapping our King, a pawn and a bishop his only cover. All seemed lost.

That's when I saw the light. Out of the corner of my eye I saw the path to salvation, my chance to avenge my fallen comrades. Three paces to the furthest reaches of their land. I only hoped that my King could last so long.

The White Queen advanced, as did I. Another move by the White Queen and my King races for safety. The wait is unbearable as my fellow pawn is smothered in the embrace of the White Queen. Ducking past the rook on guard, I hurry forward and pray for more time. One more move to go and I am again delayed as the bishop places himself between the White Queen and our King. Cursing, she sweeps to the north and angles for another attack, the rook I'd tricked joining her side as my bishop and King make for their final stand.

A pause. I step forward once more and smirk boldly at the White Queen, thinking of my knight. Her shock and rage is all I need to know that what I did was right. Though I won't be here to see this battle through to the end, I know it was worth it. My death will revive our Queen, and maybe, just maybe, we will emerge victorious.
  

So I posted the first one over at KPSH and failte demanded one in third person. I don't think it was a serious demand though I took him up on it...


'To conquer thy enemy'

Only ten minutes into battle seemed an eternity to the intrepid White Queen. Ten minutes of sitting on the sidelines, watching her people as they surged across the board. First with the upmost caution, testing the waters of the black clothed enemy, then later with growing confidence. Victory on the horizon without her ever entering upon the field of play. Yawning she watches with only the mildest of interest as a bishop swoops past, aimed at taking another enemy pawn.

Cocky and sure of victory he turns to smile flirtatiously at her. Rolling her eyes at his open display of affection, her king so near, she almost misses his fall. Quick and without mercy the Black Queen charges in to send him to his demise. Rejoicing over the minor victory, she glances at the White Queen, a challenge in her eyes. 'Take me.'

A bit of a frown forms on the lips of the White Queen in the wake of her young lover's fate. The seed of vengeance is planted as she calls out to her army. "Death to the Black!"

A rallying cry that does more harm than good. Shouting for victory they charge into the black-heavy zones, never taking heed of the danger around every square. Within three minutes half the remaining pawns are wiped out and a rook speared in her prime. The Black Queen smirks. 'Take me.'

Furious, the White Queen steps forward, cutting down a bishop as the Black Queen had done to hers. She looks over, the smile on her lips faltering from the ever present smirk of the Black Queen. Enraged by the lack of effect her actions had upon said object of her loathing she turns, looking for a new target. There! A knight in range.

Glancing back at the Black Queen she growls then storms toward the unsuspecting horseman. One. Two. Three. Wait... She falters, noting the knight has seen her approach yet takes no look of horror in his apparent defeat. A need for logic bubbles to the surface, forcing her to take note of her surroundings. 'Bitch.'

She stops, backtracks and rethinks. A moment before she'd almost been made the Black Queen's prey, the knight an alluring piece of bait. How had she missed it? Had her rage been so great as to strike her blind and dumb? No. If victory is to be achieved then a calm mind is a must. Breathing deeply she looks over the field once more. Despite the recent failings, they're still fairly matched, piece for piece. Six for six. Rook. Knight. Pawn. Pawn. King. Queen.

Denied the savory crushing of a knight she instead takes out a pawn, her smile renewed. Surely she'd figured out the Black Queen's plan. Only, she needs not look at her dark enemy to know the smirk remains. It's unnerving.

Five minutes pass, now twenty minutes since the first move. Seven remain. Black rook. White knight. Black pawn. White King. Black King. White Queen. Black Queen. A faux smile and a confident smirk.

The Kings cower behind their guard, the board neatly split. Black's turn. The White Queen watches her adversary approach, halting one step short of her reach. Twenty minutes of across the board glares and for the first time the enemy stands so close one can feel the electrical surge of their opposing polarities in the air. White's turn. She steps forward, still one step short of the Black Queen's grasp. A new game starts.

Round and round the Queens seem to dance over the battlefield, constantly just out of reach yet remaining wary of the other's desire for victory. The Kings shift nervously, waiting for them to come to blows. White's turn. Black's turn. White's turn. Black's turn. She doesn't move. White's turn. The White Queen panics, realizing the game had changed once more. Her eyes dart around and she spies the rook coming up behind her. 'Is that all?'

Smiling confidently at the foolish rook she step to the side, out of range. Safe. Black's turn. The White Queen freezes at the hand on her shoulder and twirls around, face to face with the Black Queen, who smirks in victory as she raises her weapon. 'Fuck.'