The Chess Masters

I’ve been trying to teach Hannah a bit of chess recently.  She really likes it and has picked up the moves easily.   Not only does she understand the mechanics, but she’s started understanding some of the humor; she thought this comic was hilarious.  Of course, Naomi was not to be left out: she wanted to play, too.  She’s not completely clear on how the pieces move, but she likes to jump the pieces around and make exchanges.  Whenever I take a piece of hers, she takes back – there’s always some piece on the board that seems to be able to recapture.

I didn’t expect Sim, the chess master, to step in.  “I want to play chess!” he announced.  At first, I delayed him by handing him captured pieces, but that wasn’t enough: he wanted to play.  So, I reset the board, put him in a chair, and took my seat opposite him.  I waited for his first move.

He stared at me from across the board, and, without making a move, solemnly announced,

“Check.”

This was awesome.  He checked me without making a move.

This has to be on a Chuck Norris poster somewhere.

“When Simeon Joseph plays chess, you’re in check before the game even starts.”