573 Check

As the White Queen's decree echoed through the expanse of the Chessboard, Ren's mind raced with his own strategy.

Time became a precious commodity, each passing moment carrying the weight of impending defeat. The pressure mounted, and beads of sweat formed on his brow as he contemplated his next move.

His eyes darted across the intricate arrangement of the alabaster army and the opposing forces of the White Queen's loyal subjects. Each piece represented a potential move, a calculated risk that could tip the scales in his favor or seal his downfall.

Ren's gaze met the intense stare of the White Queen, her eyes gleaming with a mix of confidence and challenge. Time ticked away, the seconds slipping through his fingers like sand. Every decision he made needed to be swift yet carefully considered.

His mind danced through countless possibilities, evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of both his own forces and the White Queen's formidable army. He visualized the potential outcomes, weighing the consequences of each move against the limited time at his disposal.

"Time is a precious commodity, mortal. Within the Chessboard, quick thinking and decisive action are required. Both you and I have a minute after each move, failure to do so would mean one point to the other side. The game will last until the King is killed or the one hour game period reach its end. Tick-tock, the clock is ticking."

Ren felt a surge of frustration. The pressure mounted, and he realized that he had to make split-second decisions, relying on his instincts and intuition.

The White Queen moved her Pawn, and Ren checked what piece opened for her next move, and he was shocked to find that the Queen herself could break through the Chessboard in her next try.

Then the only possible move for him to make was . . . mirroring her move. He moved his Pawn forward, freeing Elena to move into the next round.

However, he was surprised to know that instead of the Queen, another pawn was moved forward, and it was in the split second that he made his. And now he only has a minute to decipher and strategize around her move from among the countless possibilities.

"R-Ren?" Elena's worried voice rang out. The one minute was almost up.

Ren had no choice but to mirror the White Queen's move again. He couldn't formulate what the White Queen's plan was with just two chess pieces. He needed to play out the game some more.

Ren was keenly aware that he couldn't just mirror everything the White Queen did. But he didn't have a choice right now. He was still reading the Queen's strategy to no avail.

When running the game, Ren took note of her Alabaster Army's feature and its many elements; each piece filled a strategic role in combat. The King was both the Queen's greatest strength and weakness, and she was protecting it at all costs.

The rooks were bastions of defense around which pieces could be protected and positioned. The knights were her offensive powerhouses, capable of trampling enemies and dealing considerable damage.

The bishops were flexible support pieces, and the pawns were fodder and shields used to protect the Queen and her important knights. The White Queen's move was a delicate balance between protecting her King and crushing her enemies.

As the game went on Ren's heart raced as he surveyed the remaining pieces on the board. The pieces he only had left were one of his rooks, one bishop, a knight, and his Queen and him, while the Queen has two of her rooks, bishops, a knight, some pawns, and her King.

The odds seemed stacked against him, with the White Queen still commanding a formidable army.

On the board, the White Queen was a terrible foe indeed. Ren thought. He didn't have to tell anyone that the Queen was leading in points, and he didn't know if he could close that gap.

With ten minutes left from the allotted time they had to play the game, Ren was sweating buckets, and his stomach churned. He knew that the only way to win was to eliminate the King before the time was up.

Elena knew that too and so she daringly suggested, "Let's take the king."

Ren whipped his head over to her, and the determination itched on her face made him think of something.

Maybe he was really putting too much effort into protecting himself. That's why his movement was restricted, and that's why he was losing.

"Push me forward and away from friendly pieces, leaving you exposed to all manner of assault," Elena said. "Let's bait the Queen to unguard her king."

That was a bold declaration coming from her. "You do realize that one wrong move meant the end of your relationship with the Prince, right?"

"I know." Elena bit her lips. "But we don't have a choice here. It's either that or we will truly lose."

So they were losing now. Not that Ren commented. They were losing, but he didn't like to admit it. He likes to see it as a . . . strategically losing to win.

Ren's eyes darted from piece to piece, analyzing the possibilities. His thoughts hovered above the Chessboard, contemplating his next move.

Ren, positioned as the King, understood the importance of a well-executed plan. His mind raced as he studied the layout of the pieces, searching for an opportunity to turn the tide in their favor.

With a calculating gaze, Ren surveyed the board, analyzing every possible scenario. He knew that defeating the White Queen would require a strategic sacrifice. His eyes settled on his lone pawn, standing tall amidst the battlefield.

Ren made a bold decision. He finally moved from his spot in a vulnerable position, seemingly exposed to an imminent attack. It was a calculated risk, a bait that he hoped that the White Queen would not be able to resist.

As expected, the White Queen's eyes narrowed, her attention fixated on the seemingly exposed King. She moved her pieces, directing her rooks and bishops towards the perceived weakness, hoping to eliminate Ren and end the game once and for all.

Meanwhile, Elena, positioned as the Queen, watched Ren's plan unfold. She understood the importance of her role in this battle. Her next move would be crucial in seizing the opportunity Ren had created.

While the White Queen's forces focused their attention on Ren, Elena seized the moment to position herself, gradually closing in on the enemy King. It was a delicate dance, a symphony of calculated moves and feints.

A little more . . . he could corner the King. Ren thought, but the Queen deviated and didn't take the bait and instead bypassed his exposed rook and went directly to him.

The Queen grinned. "Check."