Pawn saves the King

About a week ago something wild happened.

There was a stabbing in Black Territory. Some guy was talking to the wrong girl and an ex boyfriend of hers decided to take his jealousy out on him with a knife.

I was present at the time. And I am totally the type that would have been talking to a random woman. The only reason I wasn't right there where I would have potentially been the one talking to this woman is that there was someone else present within Black Territory that I was more interested in talking to.

She is a pawn that I placed a few weeks ago when I ran into the White Queen. I knew she was going to be present that night so I intentionally went to be able to hang out with her. Developing this friendship seemed like a good idea, especially if I was placing her on my board.

Because I spent the night hanging out with her I did not spend the night talking to random people. I did not talk to THAT random woman. I therefore was not even in the room when the act of violence occured.

While it is presumptious to say that I avoided injury only because I was spending time with a pawn, when I look at the realm of other possibilities that night I can clearly see the night having gone much worse for me.

So, correctly or not, I do thank this pawn for keeping me out of trouble. Among the many things I thank this pawn for, she's a sweet and wonderful woman.

Placing pawns

Today three pawns seem to have advanced into center board. No En Passant yet either, although I can see it as a possiblity with one.

Before I even go into detail I will admit that I was hastey placing these on my board. I'm not desperate for pieces, but, well, I like to see things develop. Which pieces make it to the 8th rank and become transfigured? Thanks to the wonder of modern technology, all three pawns progressed today via Facebook.

The one that is threatened places me in an interesting tactical position. I could lose the entire board because of this pawn and the position it took. But it is my job too to see to this pieces development. It's a fine line to play, and if it makes it across board it will be worth it. This pawn lept forward today by engaging me in a battle of wits and words, layered with double meaning. The pawn was clever and brought me to laughing on more than a single occassion.

The second pawn is a lot like me. Scarily so in fact. As the pawn develops the board it will be interestng to see the path it takes. I'm committed to it's success, and it, well, it is committed to the success of the threatened pawn.

The third pawn is quickly developing the board. Someone that I didn't know, but probably should have. Having met this late in the game there is an unexplainable connection and growing friendship. It's nice to see this piece progressing.

So I placed three new pawns on the board today. A decision made recklessly, we shall now see if it is disasterous.

Tomorrow I enter deep black territory for what should be a fun night. I don't know if any black players will be there, but I haven't been there in almost 2 weeks, it will be enjoyable to be in my territory again.

Positional Analysis- Tampa

So yesterday I went to Tampa with a group of high school and middle school students for a Model United Nations conference. The students did very well, and we left with major victories. Not a chess game, but hey, it's all tactical.

Going to Tampa for something like this clearly moves the king from the first rank. Suddenly, I was among the pawns.

The pawns pulled off a stunning victory, "pawns are the heart of chess" after all. I do also have other friends in the Tampa area. Other pawns. This part of the board is being developed by black.

I don't know white's position here, although I am guessing some of the other school's fell to becoming white pawns after our "pwnage." This puts us into risk of En Passant.

Pride comes before the fall. If these pawns try to move too quickly, a white pawn will be there to take them.

The team did a marvelous job, but can't rest on their laurels. We can't come back to Tampa thinking that we can't be defeated. Take it step by step and develop the board wisely. Keep the larger goal in mind.

And those of you that became my pawns last night, congratulations. Welcome to The Game.

The White Queen

I worked for a short time at the airport. One of my favorite people to work with was this cute, short, bubbly little thing. She was always full of energy, lots of fun to work with, kept me laughing most nights.

She was also sneaky and liked to see what she could get away with. Not in a bad way mind you, it was always fun. I played along with mostly everything, there was no reason not to, and it kept things interesting.

She was though, strictly speaking, a competitor.

So I started to refer to her as the White Queen. Again, just fun, but it made the whole Chess is Life thing that much more interesting.

I ran into the White Queen this past Monday at a local bar that I enjoy visitig. The bar is like a high school reunion every week I go and I enjoy the company. The Royal Key Bar is an awesome place.

I was hanging out with the incredible band Day Minus Seven. There were about 8 of us or so ("all things are eight" -Pythagorian Maxim). Which leads me to believe that the White Queen had entered Black territory.

I mean, knowing as many people as I knew at the Royal Key I am cerain it was Black Territory. The White Queen was in a dangerous position. I have to wonder if she was there with anyone other than her hubby. A player on her side may have been transfigured that night. Either way, I had a marvelous time, and I am pretty sure I was changed a bit. I know a couple black pawns cerainly entered the game that night. I can always use the reinforcements, after all, "Pawns are the heart of chess."