The King is Dead
Michael J Ingram“Check.” Vera fought to keep her face impassive once she’d made her move. She placed the captured bishop with the rest of the hoard and clicked the timer, her previous tremor no longer present.
The Commandant’s eyes widened as he surveyed the board. His banal chatter had ceased several minutes ago and the laughter from his cronies had become a petulant silence.
Vera chanced a glance at Kolya. He smiled and dabbed at his brow for the umpteenth time. She caught his barely perceptible nod.
Vera’s eye returned to the board. She had started with her favourite opening when playing white, the Queen’s Gambit. He had responded with e6 and then proceeded with a black bishop Ruy Lopez.
The Commandant played to match his personality; arrogant and disdainful. His m
