Late nights

XVIII

There were multiple games going on at once, but Tom was only watching Lola's - she was playing some young man. Even with that being the first game, Lola took a couple of moments to look away from the board and think about what to do. 

After about two hours, Lola's opponent put out his hand to shake. Lola smiled, shook his hand, and walked back to Tom.

- That's a win. - Tom hugged Lola. - Let's get some dinner.

Tom and Lola went to a spot to have lunch - a lot of other chess players were eating there as well. 

- So, how was it? - Tom asked.

- It was alright. His opening was really good. He pretty much had nothing on the offensive, but his defense was like a tank in a bank vault. It was insane. I kept attacking and it's like I kept running into walls. Anyway, he really had no endgame, so I took him pretty well.

- Nice, nice. What are further plans?

- I'm gonna play another game today and then that's it. If I win, I play tomorrow and if I don't, I can go home. - She finished eating. - Oh boy, I think I might throw up.

- Why? Is something happening? Are you okay?

- Turn around. - She said.

Tom turned around and saw some people eating a couple of tables apart from each other. Unfortunately, he didn't recognize them. 

- Okay, who are they? - Tom asked.

- Are you kidding me? That's Magnus Carlsen, Fabiano Caruana, and Ding Liren sitting just a couple of tables from one another. Those are #1, #2, and #3 in the WORLD!

- Huh, so they're a pretty big deal, then. - Tom took another glance.

- Oh yeah. They're quite something. Anyway, let's go check who I'm playing and we'll go to another match.

- Sounds like a plan. - Tom stood up from the table.

Lola figured out who she was playing, got to the board where her opponent was already waiting for her. Tom sat relatively far away but could still clearly see the board.