CHECKMATE IN SHADOWS

Chapter 2: I Resign

The room was electric with tension. Every eye was glued to the board. I could feel the pressure building, but I wasn’t about to back down.

Ke3-d4. I moved my king, calculating my next steps. The crowd watched, I was setting up something big, but he wasn’t going to make it easy.

Bc6-e4+. His bishop advanced, putting me in check. I could feel the heat rising in my chest. This was no ordinary opponent—he was good, maybe too good.

Kd3-d4. I moved my king again, trying to escape the check. Time was ticking, and I had to stay focused.

Be4-f3. He shifted his bishop, applying more pressure. He wasn’t going to give up easily.

Rd1-d2. I brought my rook to sacrifice, positioning it carefully for my next move. The crowd gasped. I wasn’t going to let him control the board.

Rc2xd2+. His rook captured mine, landing a check. BINGO! I'm winning.

c3xd2. I recaptured with my pawn, taking control of the game once again. I was slowly but surely closing in.

Bf3-d1. His bishop retreated to a defensive position. He was cornered, and I could feel the victory slipping closer.

Kd4-d3. I moved my king again, trying to escape the check, but it was getting harder to find a safe spot.

Kf5-g4. His king advanced, and I could feel him tightening his grip on the game.

Kd3-e3. I countered, moving my king into a slightly safer position. All I could see is a winning position, I can promote my pawn.

I could feel the game slipping into my favor, but I needed to focus. The crowd’s energy was electric, and I knew this was it. This was the final stretch.

“Abo, malapit na. Ilang moves na lang, checkmate mo na siya,” someone from the crowd whispered, and I could feel their excitement building. I was almost there.

Then, without warning, he stood up. “I resign,” he said, dropping his king on the board and walking away, leaving 5k behind.

I stared at the money, still stunned. He had given up. It felt too easy, too sudden. The crowd watched as he left, and then turned their attention to me, applauding.

“Galing mo talaga, Abo!” someone shouted from a nearby table.

“Grabe, that was intense! Tumaya pa ako sa’yo! Yohoo, panalo ako ng 500!” another person cheered, but my mind was still on his sudden resignation. Why did he leave? I was on the verge of winning, but I couldn’t help feeling like something was off.

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It's nearly 12 AM, and I'm still thinking about the game. I can't help but feel like I got lucky beating him. He's one of the strongest opponents I've ever played against, and I feel like he's really good at chess. Pero, paano ko siya makikilala kung ang tanging nakita ko lang kanina ay ang mga mata niya? Ang weird kasi, balot na balot siya, para siyang may tinatago. Baka naman siya'y nang holdup bago pumasok sa sugalan, o kaya'y siya ay hinahabol ng mga pulis? Hmmm, ang weird naman nun.

Biglang pumasok sa isip ko na may quiz pala ako bukas. I love my course and ayoko naman magka-low grades. I need to study pa pala. Kinuha ko yung book ko sa Introduction to Political Theories and nagbasa. Pero habang binabasa ko, may narinig akong vibrate ng phone ko. Binuksan ko, at may text: "Abo, kamusta? Si Murphy to, paluwas ako ng Manila sa susunod na araw kasi mag transfer ako dyan, laro tayo chess pagdating ko."