CHECKMATE IN SHADOWS

Chapter 1: The Gambit of Shadow

The air was thick with tension, parang hindi ako makahinga. My eyes were locked on the board, my mind running through every possible move, calculating, analyzing. Alam kong ito na ang pinaka-critical na laban ng gabing ito. With 5,000 pesos on the line, everything was riding on this match-and if I won, I'd walk away with 10,000.

'h5 to h6', I thought, advancing my pawn with quiet determination. Bahala na-this was the start of my final plan. But my opponent wasn't giving in. e6-e5+ forced my king to shift.

I narrowed my eyes, pushing Qf5 forward, challenging him, hoping to throw him off-balance. Pero mabilis din siyang sumagot, launching his queen to a4, check, setting up a threatening position. Panic tried to creep in as I moved my king to g5. Kailangan kong manatiling kalmado. One wrong move and it would all be over.

The game turned into an all-out war: d5-d4, Bg3×e5, Nc7-d5. The rhythm of the game pulled me in. Tumingin ako sa chess clock. Shux, 58 seconds na lang time ko, habang siya may 2 minutes pa. It was just me and the board. Then, like a flash, nakita ko na ang winning move ko.

"h7-h8=Queen," I whispered to myself, fingers light on the piece as I promoted it. I watched as he scrambled, trying Ke8-e7. This was it-walang atrasan.

My hand hovered for a split second before I moved Qh8 to F8, pressing the clock with just 6 seconds left. "Checkmate," I declared, the final blow landed. A rush of victory hit me as his face dropped, and just like that, I won.

>>>

I'm Astraea Hernandez, a 2nd Year Political Science student-and yes, I'm a chess athlete. Chess has been my passion since I was five. But unlike other chess players, I don't have my family's support anymore. My dad was proud back when I was a kid winning tournaments, but the moment I entered college, he made it clear: academics first, chess out of the picture.

But chess is in my blood, and nothing-not even my dad's strict rules-can keep me from it. I've found a way to keep playing. I sneak out when I can and, well, I've taken to playing for cash. The thrill of street game gambles, the high-stakes environment-it's so different from the structured tournaments. Feeling ko lang, mas may laban talaga ang mga tambay sa kalye kaysa sa mga kalaban ko dati sa tournament. They're unpredictable, fearless, and they don't follow the textbook moves. Every game is a test of wits, grit, and nerves.

Of course, it's risky. Ilang beses na rin akong napunta sa alanganin dahil sa perang napanalunan ko. Some people don't take kindly to losing, lalo na sa sugal. Oo, I admit, it's dangerous, but... who cares? Chess is my life; it's what keeps me sane between studying and pretending to be the "perfect daughter."

I can only slip out around 8:00 pm, once my mom leaves for her night shift. She'll be gone until 8:00 am the next day, so pagdating ng umaga, balik ako sa pagiging model daughter.

As for Dad, he's working at different country and he's always reminding me of his "plan" for me. He doesn't know, of course, that I've been sneaking out. He just wants me to focus on school and make something of myself. Being a chess prodigy doesn't fit his vision, not anymore.

Knock, knock

May kumakatok sa pinto, and I already know who it is.

"Come in!" I call out.

The door opens, and there's my mom.

"Mommy's going to work na, baby. Dapat mag-aral ka lang dito ha? And if tatakas ka na naman, wag kang uumagahin," she says, her voice with that same strict tone.

I pause, wondering if she knows about my nightly escapes.

I give her a curious look, and she just smirks.

"Alam kong tumatakas ka pag wala ako," she says with a sly smile. "Pero Astri ipangako mo sa akin-walang katarantaduhan ang gagawin mo, kundi lagot ka sa daddy mo."

"Wait... so you're actually letting me go out, Mom?" tanong ko, I'm surprised.

"Syempre, ang gusto ko lang naman ay maging masaya ka."

I can't help but hug her tightly. "Promise, I'll be careful."

>>>

"Abo," tawag sa akin ni lolo, breaking my focus.

Abo - that's what they call me here. And yes, tama ang hula mo. Nandito na naman ako, surrounded by the clatter and tension in the air.

"Yes, lo?" sagot ko, approaching him.

"Tingnan mo 'yung lalaking 'yun," he pointed towards a guy in a black cap and mask. "Mahigit 30k na ang panalo niya dito, wala pang talo. Sobrang galing."

Si lolo ang pinaka-matandang chess gambler dito, and though not related by blood, he's like a real grandfather to me. Everyone here calls him "lolo."

"Kalabanin ko kaya siya?" I asked with a hint of confidence.

"Ikaw bahala," he replied, "pero pinapaalala ko lang-magaling talaga 'yun."

I glanced at the mystery guy. His match was wrapping up, and once again, he won.

'Sino kaya siya?' I thought to myself, trying to get a better look, but his black mask and cap hid most of his face. Mukha siyang ninja or... holdaper?

He was about to leave, so I shouted out, "One last game!"

He paused and turned, staring right at me. Medyo kinabahan ako for a second - ako lang kasi ang babae dito, baka akalain niyang wala akong alam. But I held his gaze, challenging him.

Everyone's eyes were on us, and I could feel the weight of their stares, like the whole room was holding its breath in anticipation.

He sighed and said, "I'm going home."

I couldn't let him walk away just like that. With a smirk, I replied, "Don't just go, let me defeat you first, Mr."

He raised an eyebrow, his voice calm but confident. "If you can."

I shot him a playful but determined look. "If you let me."

>>>

Mine King and His Tail, that's how one of the gamblers here refers to this moment-just a coin flip deciding who gets to start.

The coin spins in the air, and I wait as it lands. It's a tail, I think to myself, a bit of nervousness creeping in. Gosh, I hate black pieces. I prefer white. (And no, hindi ako racist ha-I just don't like the black pieces in chess, okay?)

He moves first with e4, a strong opening. I take a breath and reply confidently with c5. The Sicilian Defense. Let's see how he handles this.

End of Chapter 1. See you in the next chapter.

Author's Note: Hello, readers! If I have any readers, that is. If you're left wanting more of the story, I'm very sorry, but I will upload the next part as soon as I can. I know this part is short, but I promise to make it longer next time. This is my first time writing and publishing a story, so I'd be really glad to gain some readers. Love you all! I hope both chess players and non-chess players will enjoy this story.