Arrival in Budapest

As soon as everyone grabbed their luggage, they all exited the airport and gazed out at Budapest. Hungary was know for having a rich chess history, so it was natural it be chosen for the host city for the Chess Olympics.

Thanks to the WWCF's policy update, there was now a secret puzzle cafe located in Budapest run by a DSPCM. Daria had hyped everyone up by stating that said DSPCM was a top Hungarian player, that was even competing at the Chess Olympics.

Mimoko was quick to guess and dream that perhaps it was Judit Polgár herself, but Okisato quickly reminded her she wasn't competing for Hungary, though she would be commentating on the matches and be present at the opening ceremony. Though despite adamantly believing the DSPCM was not Polgár, he had no idea on who it could be.

Since Hungary was the host nation, it was allowed to field b and c teams in both the men's and women's sections in addition to their top teams. This meant the DSPCM could be any number of those players. Far too many to fathom a reasonable guess with what little info there was to work with.

Eventually, everyone managed to find the secret puzzle cafe and to their surprise, the one manning it was none other than Hungary's top player, Randy Report. Randy was a tall man that towered over all, and he was one of the top chess players in the world, boasting a rating of 2723. While Hungary wasn't a team that was considered to be a title contender, they were still quite formidable.

...

Okisato stared in confusion as he entered his hotel room to find Maida. "M- Maida-sensei?"

"Hmm? Tanabe-kun? My apologies, but I was told to reside here for my stay. And NO, you will not be sleeping in the same room."

"I'm more surprised as to why you're here."

"I honestly don't know myself. All I can remember is that I was at school, and then I was being sheared bald in humiliating fashion."

"You look hot though."

"Tanabe-kun, flattery will only increase my anger, for I hate everything about my hairless state."

"... Sorry."

"Now get out. I wish to turn in for the night."

"Got it. I'll ask Shouben-san if he knows anything about why you're here."

"Um... 'Shouben-san'?"

"Ugh, Yuusuke Shousen."

"Yuusuke Shousen? Who's that?"

Okisato froze. Maida was not the type of person to forget that easily. Once again he asked, but Maida could not remember Yuusuke. A scowl began to form on Okisato's face as he figured something had likely gone down with Yuusuke.

He left Maida and went to Mimoko's room to call a meeting.

"What!? Maida-sensei's here!?"

"Yes, and likely thanks to a DESPER. Shouben-san might also have been swept up so-"

"Um, Tanabe-kun... Who's this 'Shouben-kun'?"

"Ugh, Shousen-san."

"Huh? But Shousen-chan's been missing, and why are you referring to her by such a vulgar nickname?"

"Uh, I'm talking about her son, Yuusuke."

"Yuusuke?"

Okisato began to go pale as he realized things might be worse than he thought."

"Oi, he's the vice-president of the chess club. Don't tell me you forgot!"

"The vice-president? Hmm... I thought we had one, but I can't remember."

"He beat me in a landslide vote and I beat him- Yes, look at my game- ...!?"

To Okisato's shock, all his games he played against Yuusuke now listed Yuusuke's name as "Error not found".

He immediately requested Daria look up any recent DESPER matches that occurred, but nothing of the sort came up. Okisato clenched his fist as he realized he was the only one that remembered Yuusuke's existence.

He quickly ran back to ask Maida for more details, however, she couldn't remember anything else.

"Seriously, you said you were shaved bald. Who did it!?"

Maida clutched her head, however she was unable to remember. Skaberghast had covered his tracks perfectly. Okisato decided to change tactics and dialed up Utami, asking if anyone had seen Maida's abduction. None reported seeing anything, so Okisato went with a new gamble and challenged Jackie to an online match.

"Haha! So you challenge me and let me play as white!? You are doomed!" Jackie declared as she moved her pawn to g4.

"I'll oblige just for this, now did Skaberghast make any moves?" Okisato asked as he moved his pawn to g5.

"Skaber-who?" Jackie asked as she moved her pawn to f4.

"Skaberghast. I have my doubts you're truly Numakawa or at the least Numakawa in full control of this girl's body," Okisato glared as he captured the pawn at f4 with his g-pawn.

"FOOL! We are now one, and you have accepted the Coca-Cola gambit, dooming yourself!" Jackie laughed as she moved her knight to f3.

"Then tell me if I'm right if I win," Okisato snarled as he moved his pawn to e5.

"That will never happen!" Jackie scoffed as she captured the pawn at e5 with her knight.

"Just did. Checkmate," Okisato snarled as he moved his queen to h4, winning the game.

Jackie sunk into despair, and revealed Skaberghast did do something, but she didn't know what. However, that was all Okisato needed.

"So that bastard's behind this. Damn him."

The full game:

White: Jackie Egghead (1000) Black: Okisato Tanabe (2700)

1. g4 g5

2. f4 gxf4

3. Nf3 e5

4. Nxe5 Qh4#