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The Game of Chess
| Open Poetry #1 |
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The Game of Chess |
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Andrew Scott Member Elite
since 1999-06-24
Posts 2558Redlands,CA,USA |
In the summer of my seventh year my grandfather, Pepe, taught me the stratagem of Chess. Many were the lessons learned about the game and about life in general. I was sixteen when I finally got the last word in. I wish it never had happened. This one's for him and every fan of the game. Sixty four squares, eight to a side A checkered land where armies collide Thirty two pieces, half of them yours Sixteen a set ready to wage war The Pawn, fodder for the attack Takes courage within the pack The Rook, a castle of defense Patrols the lines, guards the fence The Knight, galloping the land It matters little barriers they plan The Bishop, most pious of pieces Slashes too the farthest reaches The Queen, beware Her royal might She'll travel abroad, wherever the fight The King, well He is the prize And that's where victory lives, and dies "Forward," the call The front rank responds Into no-mans land Maneuver the pawns Establish the line Set and brace Thrust and parry Face to face Shore up the line Commit the cavalry Worry the flanks Check their savagery Draw out the enemy Find the flaw Was that an opening? A feint, that's all Roll the cannons Blessed by the priest Concentrate fire For soon they'll feast Now secret the King Safe in his castle Bordered by men He'll brook no hassle A play for the center! First blood is drawn Sacrifice little Only a Pawn Sweep them aside The opposing force Capture another Charge the horse Throw down the gauntlet Challenge the fight Commit the forces Here comes their Knight With lowered lances The two do meet And in the end They both loose seat Now comes the Queen To command the field With council in tow The Bishop she'll wield "Beware," pickets report Enemy in sight Probing the flank Protect the right Shift in defense A fatal move Loss of position A piece to remove Rethink the attack Consider defense To late There's a hole in the fence Recall the armies Surrender ground Where's the Queen? She's also gone down The church is a loss So is the state The King's position A foregone fate The enemy gathers Storming the castle gate To utter one word "Checkmate" [This message has been edited by Andrew Scott (edited 07-09-99).] |
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| © Copyright 1999 Andrew Scott - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
As a student of the game, I can really appreciate this work. You did a wonderful job, Andrew. (but I always thought checkmate was what an Austrailian hollered when he was ready to leave the restaurant) Wonderful poem. I'm beginning to realize where the phrase 'Great Scott' came from. |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
Andrew, my friend - I followed each move diligently, and I'm quite sure that if I were to "castle" right now, it would at least be a stalemate This is a tremendous piece of work... Love it!!  |
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Sally S. Senior Member
since 1999-06-07
Posts 847Ohio |
This was brilliant! After the grand descriptions of the pieces, you could actually feel the battle as you read. I think you captured this challenging game very well. |
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Andrew Scott Member Elite
since 1999-06-24
Posts 2558Redlands,CA,USA |
The two of you have made me blush. Thank you, thank you, thank you. |
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Aly Junior Member
since 1999-07-01
Posts 35 |
Very good! I like to watch chess but I am a very bad player. I always lose. But I can apprecite your work. Well done!  |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
What? I didn't make you blush??? |
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Andrew Scott Member Elite
since 1999-06-24
Posts 2558Redlands,CA,USA |
Sorry Balladeer. Sally jumped in before I could post. I will admit it was to you and Nan, but Sally and Aly have made it spread. From both my grandfather and I, thank you all! |
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