CHAPTER SIX: ITS A MAD, MAD, MAD CHESS WORLD, PART 2

28 DAYS BEFORE DISTRICT MEET...


Before Mateo and I could leave, we saw Nareen and Michael walking outside of school, Nareen ran straight towards us while Michael just watched, Nareen finally arrived infront of us and asked "Hey, you guys in the Chess group chat?"

"Nope." Mateo and I replied in unison

Nareen's eyes lit up and said "Here, Let's exchange contact information." 

After sharing contact information, Nareen offered "Me and Michael were just about to go to the nearby gym where they play chess, You wanna come with?" He asked, raising his hand out towards us

Me and Mateo looked at each other before nodding then walking away with them, From a distance it looked like they were untouchable, two chess giants in front of us made us feel so minuscule, and continued walking,

When we arrived Nareen opened the gym doors for us, and Michael walked ahead, Nareen following closely, 

"Hey, that's a familiar face." Nareen pointed out, pointing towards a buff gray haired teenager, "That's Varkas Eidolon, He was one of the best at--"

"SIPS..." Mateo interrupted. "Yeahhh.. how do you know?" Nareen asked, "We went to the same school, obviously."

 Michael walked up to a guy.. the same guy that approached me earlier, "Heyy what's up guys? And oh? You brought new faces." Victor Hale said, noticing us from behind Nareen and Michael

"Personally, I'm a fan of meeting someone new, What's up guys!" Victor said raising hand up towards Me and Nareen and we both shook his hand in turn

Michael interrupted us ordering Victor; "You should go try them.", Victor, irritated; "You think you can just order me around?" Michael gave a confused expression; as if to say "What did you just say?" 

There was a short pause as they stared at each other in the eyes, Before Victor raised his hand up pointing up towards Michael, "You are a sick man.", 

Nareen cut in saying "WOOAHHH!! Alright maybe you guys just need a drink!" 

Victor looked at us and smiled; "Are you ready for this?"  He asked us, posing flamboyantly

Victor walked us to a table with a chess set already ready, Michael and Nareen spectated our battle, It was 2 minds against 1, Me and Mateo vs Victor, Victor instinctively grabbed the white pieces and sat down against us

Nareen pat our backs and said "Go get em! Tigers!", 

Victor started with Nf3, The Réti Opening, protecting the center while developing the knight

After watching Victor play, We both instinctively reached out our hands and our hands bumped into each other, 

"HEY!" Mateo yelled out, "Woah." I reacted instinctively, "Let's try d5." Mateo offered, but I had other plans in mind saying "Lets fianchetto him!" and Nareen reluctantly agreed, sending up the g6 pawn, 

Victor without missing a beat pushed his e4 pawn, further controlling the board, Nareen got mad at me and immediately did bh6, a confusing tactic that only let Victor take advantage of the middle, 

Victor pushed d4 and Nareen immediately struck like lightning to capture his black tiled bishop, another confusing move, I reacted "H-Hey don't you think we're a little bit losing here?", Mateo replied; "Calm down and trust me, dimwit."

It didn't take long before Mateo started sacrificing pieces, a Knight and a Bishop and before I knew it, Victor already completed his formation, he looked back at us and laughed "You two really don't understand how chess works don't you?"

"It's not just about how you play, It's about how you plan, know your opponent, and how you prosecute them, in this case, I'm your prosecutor."

"Shut up mr-corn-ball-ass" Mateo reacted, angrily, I tried to stop him by getting in the way of his hand but he tugged me back and moved our rook to Rc7, Michael and Nareen reacted confused and Victor casually ended the game

1. e4 c5
2. Nf3 d6
3. Bc4 g6
4. O-O Bg7
5. c3 Nf6
6. Re1 O-O
7. Bb3 b5
8. d4 cxd4
9. cxd4 Bb7
10. e5 dxe5
11. dxe5 Qxd1
12. Rxd1 Ne4
13. Be3 e6
14. a4 b4
15. a5 Na6
16. Nbd2 Nac5
17. Bc4 Nxd2
18. Nxd2 Rfc8
19. a6 Bd5
20. f4 Bxc4
21. Nxc4 Nb3
22. Nd6 Nxa1
23. Nxc8 Rxc8
24. Rxa1 Rc7
25. Rc1 Rxc1+
26. Bxc1 g5
27. Be3 gxf4
28. Bxa7 Bxe5
29. Bc5 1–0

"You two have a lot to learn, in this case, I don't think you two even had a chance to beat me." He chuckled, standing up

We went up to Nareen and he said; "Don't worry he's always on about that 'Law' philosophy he has, I heard its because he failed Law school."

Michael reacted saying "Hey let's play.", We all reacted in confusion, after all; Michael has never deliberately stated he's wanted to play against someone, Victor chuckled saying; "Come on... You know how it'll end either way."

Michael was very insistent on having them play against one another, "Come on, let's play. Last time we faced each other was last years district meet."

Victor, ashamed, muttered to himself "I'd rather not relive that."

Michael looked away and held the back of his head with his palm and said; "Suit yourself, might have even been a training session for someone as weak as you."

His temper broke and Victor reacted angrily; "You're that confident then huuuuh? THEN COME AT ME!"

 Me and Mateo walked out of the way and they took our place, but I turned around to check out the other people in the venue, the place was huge, how come I've only ever heard about this place now?

There are people from other schools, people who I never even knew existed

A buff silver haired guy that had the same school uniform as us yelled out in the middle of his game after losing

Mateo shrugged my shoulder and said; "Dude, turn around." I turned around to see Victor already defeated and Michael standing up and walking back towards Nareen, Nareen chuckled; "Guess you still have a long way to go!"

Nareen and Michael showed us around the venue, I glanced at Mateo and Michael and felt like there was still tension from a while ago, Mateo stared at Michael's back with an unnerved look, but I decided to go against pointing it out

After being shown around we decided to hot tail it out of there and come back the next day, 

"I think it's time for us to go." I said,

"Same here." Mateo replied

Nareen followed us on the way to the entrance and closed the door; yelling "STAY SAFE!" before closing


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27 DAYS BEFORE DISTRICT MEET..........



We had our usual meeting but this time the Coach walked in announcing; "I know you all are excited for the chosen few in this years district meet, but worry not.. With the power invested in me I show you, this!" 

he pulled out a piece of paper and everyone walked up towards it, since it was crowdy I decided to stay back and wait until everyone got back into their seats, I soon noticed students crying, some students getting frustrated, disappointed and their faces in awe

I soon noticed Liam; who cried on his way back to our table, Mateo followed closely, keeping a black expression.

"I can't believe it." Liam muttered

Mateo comforted him saying; "It's okay dude, We're in our first years and we'll get them soon."

"BUT ITS UNFAIR, MY SHISHTER ISH PART OF IT BUT IM NOT!! I FEEL LIKE A TOTAL FAILURE."

I decided to walk up to the list and immediately noticed why....

"MENS CATEGORY:
FIRST BOARD: MICHAEL FAUANTE
SECOND BOARD: NAREEN KAYA
THIRD BOARD: MARCO VILLANUEVA
FOURTH BOARD: MATEO RIVERA"

I took a step back and my eyes lit up, "No way, is it because I won against Nareen? Do I actually have a shot against the big leagues?" I asked myself

The coach noticed my excitement and walked over to me, saying "You like what you see?" laughing afterwards

"YEAH! I cant believe I made it into the top 4! let alone being third! I didn't think I would be here right now!"

The coach smiled; saying "Give yourself a pat on the back, after all, they chose the rankings not me."

The coach pointed over towards Nareen, Michael was absent due to unknown circumstances, Nareen noticed the Coach pointing at him and he put his tongue out, teasing me

I chuckled saying; "I still can't believe it." and walked back to my table

I decided to help in comforting Liam but deep inside, I was grateful for the opportunity.

The meeting was shortly dismissed, afterwards I jumped out of the classroom and yelled "HELL YEAH!!", Mateo looked at me with a huge smile on his face and we both exchanged high fives, "FUCK YEAH!!" We both said in unison

Nareen walked out and said; "Looks like someones excited." chuckling, "But don't get too cocky though, the competition out there is wild." before walking away

Michael walked past us completely ignoring our existence, Mateo's face crumpled up and he muttered "Asshole, won't even congratulate me for reaching district meet."

On the other side, Liam ran outside the school campus crying, "WAAAAAAAAAAHH!!" He yelled out, the school guard tried to contain him but the sheer weight and speed he went completely shattered the guards form, launching him back, forced to watch Liam run away

We saw it by a nearby window and I kept an uneasy face; "Guess that's what happens when you don't make it."

Mateo leaned back against the window while I stood infront of him, there was a brief moment of silence until we both said in unison "We're gonna make it to the top."

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Meanwhile, Nareen and Michael walked together back to the club room, intending to clean up after the meeting, broom in hand, Michael remained calm, mentally preparing himself for the future physical battles

"I'm gonna make it to the top."

Nareen meanwhile, still haunted by visions of losing, kept a calm posture while walking, but inside, felt a brewing sensation of thirst, a thirst to win and inside himself he felt;

"I will make it to the top."


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The Coach walked outside the club room, looking directly at both Michael and Nareen heading towards the club room; he gave a smirk and hugged them both saying; "I'm proud of you both."