The calmest player had the smallest chair.
Seven Minutes
Mr Bell had been thinking for seven minutes.
His opponent used the time to wash one ear.
Across the chessboard, Milo sat in the smallest chair in the room. It had a curved back, four carved legs, and a cushion that had once been a pincushion. From it, he could see nearly the whole board if he stood on his hind paws.
Mr Bell leaned forward. Milo’s knight had just moved to the edge of the board.
“Interesting,” Mr Bell said.
Milo smoothed the fur behind his ear. “Is it?”
“A knight there could be planning several things.”
“I should hope so,” said Milo. “It has rather a long way to go.”
Mr Bell studied the board again. His own knight stood near the middle, beside a pawn. Milo’s knight was at the edge, where it seemed to be watching a great deal of empty space.
“Are you hoping I’ll move my queen?”
“I’m hoping you’ll move something.”
A Very Suspicious Move
Mr Bell lifted his hand over a pawn, then drew it back. He considered moving his knight instead. That might leave another piece unprotected, unless Milo intended to move his bishop first.
He looked at Milo.
Milo looked at the board.
“You’re very calm,” Mr Bell observed.
“I’ve had practice waiting.”
Mr Bell took a sip of tea. When he put the cup down, it made a small click against the saucer. Milo’s whiskers twitched.
“Would you like a crumb?” Mr Bell asked.
“After your move, perhaps.”
At last Mr Bell moved his pawn forward one square. He sat back, folded his hands, and watched Milo closely.
“There,” he said.
Milo stood, examined the board, and climbed onto the table. He walked along its edge until he was beside his knight. The piece was almost as tall as he was.
He placed both front paws against it and pushed. It shifted a fraction, then stopped.
Mr Bell leaned closer. “Aha.”
“Aha what?”
“So that’s your plan.”
“My plan is to move the knight. I can’t quite reach the square from here.”
A Longer Reach
Mr Bell offered a finger. Milo climbed onto it, and Mr Bell carried him to the other side of the board. From there, Milo could see the square he wanted, but the knight was still too heavy to move cleanly.
“Could you lift it for me?” he asked.
Mr Bell paused. “And put it where?”
Milo pointed with one paw. “Two squares in that direction, then one across.”
Mr Bell followed the route with his finger. The square was empty. He picked up the knight and set it down where Milo indicated.
“That’s a legal move,” he said, a little disappointed.
“I was hoping it would be.”
From its new place, the knight no longer blocked the little pawn behind it. Mr Bell bent low enough to look along the row.
“You only wanted to make room.”
“I also wanted my knight closer to the middle,” Milo said. “It’s been looking at the edge for some time.”
Mr Bell returned Milo to his chair and moved the crumb plate within reach.
Both Ears
The door opened, and Mr Bell’s granddaughter Anna came in. She paused beside the table.
“Who’s winning?”
“We haven’t decided,” Mr Bell said.
Milo selected a crumb and held it between his paws. “It’s Grandpa’s turn again.”
Anna looked at the board, then at the little chair.
“How long does a game take?”
Milo considered this. “I’ve had time to wash one ear.”
Mr Bell reached for a piece. Milo put down his crumb and began on the other ear.
“Perhaps both,” he added.
Livora Gracely ♥
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