Sigil: The City of Doors

[Thank you! Although being only SLIGHTLY better at chess than Ikkit is, it was a challenge at times :lol:]

"Sure. Let me introduce you to the President. The living example that sometimes you can play a game for decades and only get marginally better at it."

/fade to black-on-white chess pieces violence

[sure; thanks for thread]

"Wouldn't mind another go 'gainst someone a bit less [i]expert[/i]."


[Which Ikkit's player would suggest handwaving as a nice fade out on the scene :P ]

A slightly smug smile curled on Dare's lips:

"Chess might be the oldest game in the multiverse that is nonetheless still played today. There may be a good reason or two for that.

Do you wish to see if we can find a less experienced opponent for you now? Maybe on another day? Life's clock is also ticking."

Ikkit peered over the board.

"Not a bad time, anyway."

"In the late game, it's not uncommon to triangulate, that is making a move that has no other effect than giving back the initiative to the opponent.

But yes, a game isn't real life. Doesn't mean they aren't lessons to be learned from them that can help in real life."

"Yeah, but often in life, the best move is to bide your time"

He shrugged.

"'Course, games're different."

"[i]Zugzwang[/i]. The obligation to make a move when any move will worsen your position.

You're forgetting a critical factor though. The clock."

She points at the contraption on the side of the board.

"Any important game is timed, whether it's five minutes or four hours for each player. And thus not taking a move will always end up with defeat in the end, as for when your time is up you always lose.

And, no big reveal there, life itself is timed. Often, when you're already in disarray, temporizing a bad outcome just means wasting time on a potential later comeback."

"Hm. Well, that comes naturally to me... 'cept in this game, y'always have t'make a move..."

"Definitely. There are general principles that are valid for beginners and experts alike however.

Usually a move is good if a. it saves me from losing something b. it allows me to win something c. it unlocks new opportunities. Often in that exact order of priority.

Which is rather instinctive once you get past the specifics of the game's representation. To rephrase it, it's nothing more than: first save your ass; second go for the prize; third engineer new opportunities."