Mizuse Niimi

Just like last time, Mizuse was allowed to go first, and opened by moving her pawn to d4. Daria responded by moving her pawn to d5, prompting Mizuse to go for a Queen's gambit by moving her pawn to c4.

"Hmm, you certainly have improved. However, a Queen's gambit won't work on me," Daria stated as she moved her pawn to e6.

"Queen's gambit declined then," Mizuse nodded as she moved her knight to c3.

"Answer me this though, why did you end up on the streets if you're this dedicated to chess?" Daria asked as she moved her knight to f6.

"My damn butler decided to stage a coupe against me," Mizuse replied as she captured the pawn at d5 with her c-pawn.

"Why?" Daria asked as she captured said pawn with her e-pawn.

"Probably because he never approved of me," Mizuse scoffed as she moved her bishop to g5.

"Could it have been because of your attitude towards the company you inherited?" Daria asked as she moved her pawn to c6.

"... Perhaps. Though he was always loyal to my father and not me, so I believe that's the greater root of it," Mizuse replied as she moved her pawn to e3.

"I see, so it's not as simple as a disgruntled employee revolting against his boss," Daria nodded as she moved her pawn to h6.

"Why are you asking anyway?" Mizuse grumbled as she captured the knight at f6 with her bishop.

"It simply piqued my interest, that's all," Daria stated as she captured said bishop with her queen.

Mizuse went silent and moved her pawn to e4, prompting Daria to capture said pawn with her d-pawn. She then moved her queen out to d2, prompting Daria to seize the initiative and capture the pawn at d4 with her queen. Mizuse grimaced at her error, and moved her knight to f3, however, Daria simply moved her queen to the safety of f6.

Mizuse scowled, and moved her rook to d1, while Daria moved her bishop to f5. She then moved her rook up to d4, while Daria brought her knight out to d7. Howver, Mizuse was ready to draw blood, and captured the pawn at e4 with her knight. Much to her surprise though, Daria moved her queen to e6, forcing her to rethink her strategy and eventually move her pawn to b4.

Daria castled queen's side, while Mizuse decided to advance the pawn to b5. However, Daria countered by moving her pawn to c5, forcing Mizuse to move her rook to c4. Yet Daria didn't let up and moved her knight to b6, once again threatening the rook.

"You sure are persistent. Check," Mizuse scowled as she captured the pawn at c5 with her rook.

"And it's clear to see that you've most certainly improved since our first bout, however, you're still far from my level," Daria nodded as she captured the rook at c5 with her bishop.

"And just what is your level? Grandmaster?" Mizuse asked as she captured said bishop with her knight.

"Impress me enough, and I'll tell you," Daria stated as she moved her queen to d6.

The statement renewed Mizuse's desire to win, however it also caused her to blunder into an eventual forced mate by moving her pawn to g4. This move allowed Daria to move her h-rook to e8, which would serve as the prelude to a nasty checkmate.

Mizuse made the best play she could think of and moved her knight to e5, however, Daria naturally captured said knight with her rook. Mizuse then launched her pawn to f4, hoping to goad Daria into capturing her queen, yet Daria saw through it and moved her queen to d2, forcing Mizuse's king to f2.

Now Daria was free to cpture the pawn at f4, sending Mizuse's king to g2. She followed up by moving her rook to d2, leaving Mizuse with no choice, but to begrudgingly capture said rook with her queen, resulting in said queen being captured by Daria's queen.

"Well so much for exceeding expectations," Mizuse sighed as she moved her king to h3.

"You made mistakes quite early in the game, however, compared to how you were playing in our first bout, this is a welcomed improvement," Daria stated as she moved her rook to e3.

"Improvement you say? Perhaps my chess has improved, but looking back, it feels wasted considering I madly devoted all my attention and resources to improving my game, yet this is all it amounts to," Mizuse sighed as she moved her king to h4.

"Then perhaps you need a new outlook on things. I guess I shall divulge that you have impressed me enough to consider passing you," Daria nodded as she moved her queen to f2.

"Pass me!? For what!? I'm about to lose," Mizuse glared as she moved her king to h5.

"Checkmate. You see I am looking for chess players to serve as secret puzzle cafe managers," Daria stated as she moved her bishop to g6, winning the game.

"'Secret puzzle cafe managers'?"

"Yes, perhaps you've heard of secret puzzle cafes. Well, the WWCF has decided to allow an expansion on them from 3 to 7. Thus, I'm wondering if you would like to become an SPCM."

"So then you're a WWCF official?"

"Not so much an official, but an employee nonetheless. I am Maestro Himitsu of Japan," Daria stated as she displayed her WWCF card.

Mizuse was floored by the astronomical rating of 3200 displayed on the card, and began laughing. "So I stood no chance whatsoever. Ah, now I feel like a fool for wasting everything away."

"It wasn't a complete waste, you have talent. Though I should warn you that WWCF guidelines require that all SPCMs have their ratings frozen and are forbidden from future tournament play. The job pays well though, but you are also required to play at the level of the rating you have. That means if you were to agree to join me now, you'd have to forever play at the level of a 2012-rated player, though if that's the best level you can play at, then there's nothing to worry about. As for the matter of your company, this decision will not effect the offer you were presented earlier, however, I would recommend at least settling that matter before focusing on SPCM duties should you choose to become an SPCM. Now, what is your choice?"

Mizuse sat in silence for a moment before smiling and rising. "In that case I refuse. I want to achieve a winning first before I cash out. But I will selfishly request, that you do offer me the position once I've become a grandmaster."

Daria stared in bewilderment before a smile appeared on her face. "Now you're beginning to impress me. Very well, I shall keep your request in mind, but make no promises, as I could run into someone else that catches my eye at any time. Yet I will say the chances of me honoring your request are high, since I do wish to have an SPCM from Okinawa.

"Oh, and if you could call that man back here immediately, that would be appreciated as well."

"So you're ready to take back your life then. Very well."

"Oh, and I have one more thing to say; my name is Mizuse Niimi."

"'Niimi'?"

"Yes, it means "new beauty", but the kanji for new, can also mean "renew", which is exactly what I plan to do to myself."

"Then I wish you the best of luck, Mizuse Niimi."

The full game:

White: Mizuse Niimi Black: Maestro Himitsu (Daria Inoue)

1. d4 d5

2. c4 e6

3. Nc3 Nf6

4. cxd5 exd5

5. Bg5 c6

6. e3 h6

7. Bxf6 Qxf6

8. e4 dxe4

9. Qe2 Qxd4

10. Nf3 Qf6

11. Rd1 Bf5

12. Rd4 Nd7

13. Nxe4 Qe6

14. b4 O-O-O

15. b5 c5

16. Rc4 Nb6

17. Rxc5+ Bxc5

18. Nxc5 Qd6

19. g4 Rhe8

20. Ne5 Rxe5

21. f4 Qd2+

22. Kf2 Qxf4+

23. Kg2 Rd2

24. Qxd2 Qxd2+

25. Kh3 Re3+

26. Kh4 Qf2+

27. Kh5 Bg6#