Luck of the Irish gambit

In an undisclosed location, a bound and gagged Ina glared as she laid before a crate.

"Ara ara, no need to make such a face. We've been treating you quite well for a prisoner of war. Sure we need to keep you tied up 24/7, but it's better treatment than what similar folks in your position would be subjected to," Sorcha smiled.

While Sorcha wasn't part of the English team, she had come to Budapest primarily to stand guard over Ina. The decision to bring Ina to Budapest was largely rooted in the fact that Heather feared an invasion of England by the WWCF while she and the others were competing in the tournament. That being said, thanks to Northern Ireland being a part of the UK, she had been able to not only form, but join a team from said nation. Despite that, she hadn't played a full 6 rounds in the tournament, though that allowed her to properly stand guard over Ina nearly the entire time.

"Seriously, why am I even here with all you!?" Abigail snarled as she found herself seated across from Sorcha at a chessboard.

"That's an easy answer, we can't have a full team of Spriggans, lest the WWCF would try to halt our participation," Vitoria stated.

"Not like they really could thanks to them already approving the men's team, but I guess having her on the team did help avoid that," Bette grumbled.

"Yet you don't even let me play!" Abigail fumed.

"Not true, we've had you sub in a few rounds, but since you lost those games so badly, you've suppressed all memory of them in your mind," Medeucesa smirked.

As everyone bantered, Heather sat at the far end of the room, gazing out the window. In her hand was a notebook which contained copied texts of Scharlachrot's guides on how to be an effective villainess.

"Sorcha, did you make contact with THEM?"

Sorcha chuckled and replied, "Tá gach rud leagtha i gcloch [Everything is set in stone]."

Tired of always being the outcast and out of the loop, Abigail demanded she be made aware of everything, and was naturally denied.

"How stupid are you? We know you're disgruntled and have allegiance to the Desperado, Skaberghast, so why the hell would we divulge our plans to you?" Bette growled.

"Ara ara, we should at least give her a chance, how about via a little "bet"?" Sorcha giggled as she finished setting up all the pieces on the board.

"So you're giving me the chance to settle this in chess?" I'll take it!" Abigail glared.

"Now, now, there's a little condition. See, I want to throw in an extra bet. If the game ends in 7 moves exactly, you'll have to do something for the team later down the line. But if not, you'll be exempt from it. But in order to learn of our league's plans, you must naturally win. Lose and we don't tell you jack shit."

"What a load of crap, but alright, I'll play. I've got nothing to lose."

Sorcha happily nodded and opened the game by moving her pawn to e4. Abigail responded by moving her pawn to e5, leading to Sorcha moving her knight to f3.

"Well talk about stupidity. This is a standard opening sequence. No way it's ending in 7 moves," Abigail scoffed as she moved her knight to c6.

"Are you sure about that?" Sorcha giggled as she captured the pawn at e5 with her knight.

"DEFINITELY sure now," Abigail scowled as she captured said knight with her knight.

"Really? The Irish gambit isn't to be underestimated," Sorcha smirked as she moved her pawn to d4.

"This isn't the Chigorin Irish gambit. What you've played is nothing more than a botched Halloween gambit," Abigail scoffed as she moved her knight back to c6.

"Hmm? Really?" Sorcha grinned as she moved her bishop to c4.

"Oh will you shut up!?" Abigail fumed as she moved her pawn to a6.

"When given the chance to talk during a game, I can and will," Sorcha smiled as she moved her queen to f3.

"Then learn to shut up!" Abigail snarled as she moved her pawn to b5.

"Ara ara. I really am glad I used that deluxe wax on my head this morning. Luck is coursing through my veins. Checkmate," Sorcha smiled as she captured the pawn at f7, winning the game.

Abigail's jaw hung open in disbelief before she dejectedly sunk her hand into her face and began to cry. She had blundered and lost in 7 moves to the Irish gambit.

"And thus, we the Spriggan league will mandate your participation in something that will take place in a few days," Heather snarled.

"And just what will that be?" Abigail wearily asked.

"You'll find out when the time comes."

The full game:

White: Sorcha Glas (777) Black: Abigail Boffin (2013)

1. e4 e5

2. Nf3 Nc6

3. Nxe5 Nxe5

4. d4 Nc6

5. Bc4 a6

6. Qf3 b5

7. Qxf7#