Love and chess

"Can I tempt you to a game?"

"Well yes, why not? You must know that I find it hard to resist."

"I start then."

"What? No game board to set up?"

"No... I am happy without, unless…"

"As you wish."

"Well then… b3"

"Aha that old chestnut… from a chess nut, ho, ho…"

"Hmmm, very amusing... and your move?"

"Why, e5, of course."

"Of course... well, how about this: Bb2?"

"Oh... I see what you are trying to do. Strange to hear you commenting as you play. Should a game of chess not be a silent battle?"

"So they say, but I have always had a strong desire to discuss moves with my opponent."

"Well, please feel free... Nc6."

"Hmmm... C4 from me."

"Nf6."

"All knights to the field, it seem... Nf3."

"e4. Now let's see you move that knight."

"Back we go, then: Nd4."

"Calling now my bishop: Bc5."

"Oh, let's not bring religion into it... Nxc6 - take that!"

"I shall indeed: dxc6... and thus prepare the way."

"Doh! e3 then."

"Bf5."

"Qc2."

"Qe7. And so the ladies join the fray."

"Be2"

"I see your play but... O-O-O... beat you to it, Ha!"

"f4"

"Oh, dear... Ng4... here we go."

"g3."

"h5... and it's no use. We both know how it must end. Shall we halt before the bloodbath?"

"Agreed. It is of course all over at this point."

"In more ways than one. Why did you do it? Why such a risky opener?"

"Sometimes one must be bold, be creative, take risks."

"And did this risk pay off?"

"Well, you know it did not, if you mean the result of the game. There are those who think that to lose a game of chess is to lose everything."

"And you are not one of those?"

"No. We have to be prepared to take losses in order to learn."

"And did you?"

"Did I what?"

"Did you learn?"

"But of course. One always learns from defeat and..."

"And..."

"And I sometimes think I would rather lose to a player of his calibre than to win against the imbeciles we are sometimes confronted with."

"Surely the imbeciles, as you call them, also have a need to learn."

"Yes, of course, I know that you are right."

"Looking back, would you say this was your worst mistake?"

"Only in chess, my friend. In everything else in life, there are many mistakes I could choose from."

"Indeed and, at this point, you recall them all?"

"Each and every single one."

"Regrets?"

"Not so much the mistakes. To err is human. I only regret the pain and hurt I caused loved ones. Opportunities missed... Any chance I might have had to improve the condition of a fellow human being. For this, I wish I could beg their forgiveness."

"It is done."

"Thank you for the game. It seemed such a long one."

"It took less than a single breath."

"Did it?"

"Not a moment in time and, talking of breaths, you must understand that you have just taken your last."

"Yes."

"Are you ready?"

"I fear one is never ready."

"Ready or not, your time is up. Take my hand. I will lead the way. There is nothing to fear."