King's Gambit
He stared at the board
In hyperfocus!
Oblivious to the world
Intense and nervous...
This never gets old
Yes, this is serious!
Finally!!!
A smile lit his face
He figured it out!
He put the piece in place
Deliberate; without a doubt
Knight to King Bishop Four.
Clock showed few seconds more...
A brilliant move!
The chess gods should approve...
Alas!
He looked at the board again
Error made! Horror in his eyes
His chest bursting in pain;
It was a useless sacrifice!
And he felt his blood drain
For no counters will suffice...
Now he saw it clear as day
And he felt like a fat cow
His king will be slayed
A mere ten moves from now!
Kernel-size beads of sweat
Furrowed down his forehead
His hands clammy and wet
And his eyes turning red
He prayed his opponent won’t see
The predicament his king is in
But it’s so obvious, it will be easy
He’ll see it; and go for the win!
So he looked across the table
At his twelve year-old son
He’s smiling, looking agreeable
Certainly, his king’s undone!
Oh well... the gambit didn’t pay off
His opponent simply too tough!
11-08-2015
© Vic A Evora
(2015)
I taught my son to play chess when he was about five years old. And we played a lot when he was growing up. I never let him win; I didn't want him to think things will be given to him and I wanted him to fight for it. He was around twelve when he beat me in a game, for the first time. And I could still see the feeling of accomplishment in his eyes.
Benjamin G. Sangalang
9aStressful game!
Vic Evora
7a@Benjamin: Thank you amigo. Two years later LOL
Charlotte B. Williams
9aNice poem, sounds like fun , always thought of chess as a game for intellects you must be very smart. and taking time for your children is always a great thing to do.
Vic Evora
9aThank you Charlotte. My son is now 43 years old. I don't think I can beat him in a chess game these days. :)
The Verse
9aThe King's Gambit is an incredibly aggressive opening move. One of my favorites to play with against friends but only sparingly. Never in tournaments. I know that the King's Gambit is no longer played at the grandmaster level because of some of its...inadequacies.However, one of the greatest players of all time, Bobby Fischer, used the King's Gambit against Borris Spasky in their championship rounds. It was an intense game
Vic Evora
2a@Oyet Vincent Thanks for liking and faving. My son and I have a big laugh when we recall that day. 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Francisco P.
2aI remember when I used to play chess the whole day with friends during Fisher/Spassky Era. Great poem brod!
Vic Evora
2a@Francisco Potato Thank you. In our little town then (a big city now), my best friend and I were chess prodigies. As 7-year olds we used to beat everyone in the barber shop. We read all the chess books (all four of them 😂😂) in the town’s public library. Then we turned eleven and started looking at girls. That was the end of our chess careers. Thanks for liking Brod.
C.R.Stanger
2athe second time tonight ive said great fun!...its so hard to write an in depth poem that is also delightful and fun...this was actually both...the whimsy is something ive yet to master! nice!
Vic Evora
2a@C.R.Stanger Thank you so much. I had a lot of fun writing this poem. My son really liked it too. Thanks again
Vic Evora
2a@Stuart Munro.Thank you.
Nelson D Reyes
2aBeautiful! Like a father can be! Like. Thanks Brod.
Vic Evora
2a@Nelson D Reyes Thank you 😊 for liking Brod.