As it began

My friend Bill and I played a game of chess via e-mail many years ago.

At the beginning of the game I asked him his preference: white or black.

He responded by composing the following poem that not only communicated his choice, but threw in a little light-hearted 'trash-talk.'

I choose the armies of the night,

Whose black-hearted souls will crush the light.

So launch your pallid pawn up to E-4

And we will underway this friendly war!

His poem became the inspiration for a game where every move (save one) was accompanied by a poem that somehow related to it - mostly utilizing chivalric imagery that is naturally inspired by the symbolism of chess pieces.

Copyright © 2009.

The mechanics of the game

Some explanation as to the system used to communicate moves would probably be in order in case someone would like to plot our moves on their own board. Let me humbly acknowledge, however, that this is not Grandmaster-level play. But what we lacked in tactics and strategy, I believe we made up for in creative output (over 70 poems in all.)

We utilized a common grid system employing letters A-H and numbers 1-8. The accompanying graphics for each move will show which piece has moved and from where.

The actual move is constructed with the abbreviation of the piece being moved (K=King, Q=Queen, B=Bishop, N=Knight and R=Rook) and the alpha-numeric designation of the square it is going to. Thus the move 'Bf5' would mean that a Bishop is moving to the f5 square. The odd exemption to this standard is the Pawn which is noted only by the square it has landed on.

Playing over e-mail, not face-to-face, with two independent boards had its pitfalls and more than once we had to double-check to be sure our board layouts were identical. Occasionally it was discovered that we were out of sync. A move would have to be taken back resulting in its corresponding poem having to be reworked or altogether scrapped. Bill had it worse than I, having chosen the black pieces, he was having to work with the grid in reverse. For him the eighth rank was closest and the first farthest. The files went from 'h' on his left to 'a' on his right. Very counterintuitive!

First Move - White

White: e4

I imagine that a great number of chess games start with White advancing his King-pawn two squares, and so it was the case with our game.

It was when I e-mailed this move to Bill that I proposed the idea of writing a poem for every move. Regrettably, I wrote no verse for this move (the only one missing from the entire game).

I had always meant to go back and write one, but never did. Now that the game is long over, I don't think that adding one for the sake of completion is reason enough. I cannot go back all these years later and recreate the inspiration and excitement of our creative collaboration.

First Move - Black

Black: d5

Now into the breach

My pawn extends its reach

As so many times before

I counter pawn to d4.*

*This is the first instance in which the diabolical reverse grid tripped Bill up. His verse puts his pawn as landing on d4, but he actually meant to move it to d5. My notes indicate that he wanted to re-write this verse, but it was most likely forgotten on the 'back-burner' as we got into the heat of battle.

Second Move - White

White: Nc3

Little brother, out so far

like the shining morning star,

fear that none put out thy light,

for I send forth protecting Knight.

Second Move - Black

Black:Nf6

You caught the error in my verse,

But I tell you now it could be worse.

This oath I take by all saints alive:

My pawn rests safely on d5.

For how to stem this coming hoard

We'll search for answers o'er the board.

Good counsel comes from those who say

Our Knight must now enter the fray.

Third Move -White

White: e5

Mad lad running in the night,

take care care thy hide so pearly white,

lest you turn to seek a friend

and find instead a lonely end.

Third Move - Black

Black: d4

The looks of this board really gives me the spooks.

I'm some moves ahead now defending my rooks.

But you could help me -- just stick out your neck.

I'll make it quite painless. C'mon, what the heck!

Fourth Move - White

White: Qf3

Did'st Satan fill Eve's heart with pride

to coax her from her husband's side?

Out beyond love's watchful screen

the fateful apple calls our Queen.

Fourth Move - Black

Black: c6

"The White Queen walks and the night grows pale

Stars of loveliness in her hair."

But I see your plot, you winsome witch.

I counter pawn c7 to c6.

Fifth Move - White

White: e x f6

O Black Knight, I tire of thee

Oppressing like a dark oak tree,

so I'll release me from thy shade

and prune thee with my humble blade.

Fifth Move - Black

Black: d x c3

Knight for Knight we'll swing and fight

In thund'rous blows, for Might makes Right!

Here's a sight to give you fright:

My pawn to c3 doth replace thy Knight!

Sixth Move - White

An orderly house, so proper and clean

is the goal of every Queen.

When dust is discovered, without delay

it must be uncovered and then swept away!

Sixth Move - Black

Black: g x f6

Out! Out! Darn'd spawn, away!, Be gone!

Thy presence starts my blood to seethe.

g7 to g6, my pawn takes pawn

While yonder Queen doth pick her teeth!

White Fang, take shelter from the storm

You'll find no comfort far from home

Black is home to Conqueror Worm

Who delights in white of fleshless bone.

Seventh Move - White

White: d4

Sing a song of Knave and Knight,

Equal measures of shadow and light,

What holds the journey, none can tell,

Save for the vict'ry of heaven o'er hell!

Seventh Move - Black

Black: e5

This board's center we must control,

So pawn e7 assumes its role.

With shield in place, it dares survive

As it takes its place on square e5.

Eighth Move - White

White: d x e5

It seems that I travel a troublesome path,

and now that you're near I see clearly your wrath.

Your size may be small, but your intent is cruel

so I shall act fast in this little mans duel.

Eighth Move - Black

Black: Bg7

Why can't I think more than one move ahead?

If I could I'd see fewer of my pieces dead.

I'm blind. Can you tell me -- am I wearing a frown?

I ought to for playing a worthy man pawn down.

I'd like to lash out and make up for my loss,

But to do so would only send more to the cross.

This move I'll make to buck up the troops:

A man of God supports you! Onward you dupes!

Ninth Move - White

White: e x f6

An advantage at last we have seen,

we rejoice although it is lean,

to seal the deal, we throw a pawn to the wheel

to stand 'tween the Church and the Queen!

Ninth Move - Black

Black: B x f6

Bishop with cudgel doth crack at the head

Of the pawn who asked to be sent to his bed.

Now Queen, says the mitre who's feeling his oats,

Stand fast and I'll eat your sweet liver on toast!

Tenth Move - White

White: Qd3

Thou shalt never eat my liver,

dusty feeble sermon-giver!

O'er thy eyes pull pointed cap

and return to thy cob-webbed nap!

Tenth Move - Black

Black: Qa5 (check)

Let us now thy King imperil,

Tho' truth be told, we do but vex

And seek to shake thine sweet repose.

What future might this movement herald

We'll soon see as fate directs

And we wade on through purpled prose.

In Check now find the crown unscreened

While outward lies the dread Black Queen!

Eleventh Move - White

White: Qd2

Most imposing with your visit,

Thank you, Queen, for stopping by,

Let us show you to the door now

And on your broom prepare to fly.

Eleventh Move - Black

Black: Q x d2 (check)

Cat fights know no civil laws

Just claws and jaws and bloodied maws

Where pet and kiss draw painful calls

When one bust stands and one bust falls.

Oh, Righteous Vict'ry! Tell what news

Doth rise amidst the scattered pews!

"The White Queen lays in broken jewels

And King of Whites alone now rules."

Rejoice we now o'er fallen foes!

Black will reap whate'er it sows!

"Aye, and Pyrrhic vict'ry be thine goals.

For Black, in sooth, this bell soon tolls."

Twelfth Move - White

White: K x d2

Sun o'er the checker'd horizon has set,

Dark clouds now blacken the cursed sky.

Why need we go on, fellows?

For sad is our living and without reason.

One hope only, hollow revenge to get,

Stark, singular, she knows she must die.

Nigh now the fiery river of hell flows,

Torment shall be hers in endless season.

Twelfth Move - Black

Black: castles

To safe Castle Kingside the regent repaired

When word of the Black Queen throughout the world aired.

Though no one mistook as to how that dame faired,

Let no man tell lie that her forces despaired.

Let no man tell lie that her forces despaired!

The King, he now rose for to take the command

As conscience and custom were wont to demand.

The Pawn, Knight and Bishop he made understand

The love of their lives rested now in God's hand.

The love of their lives rested now in God's hand!

All brave were the worthies who waited on White

To rise up in arms and to bring forth the fight

They'd swing through the day and then into the night

With faith in the end that did banish all fright.

With faith in the end that did banish all fright!

Let no man tell lie that her forces despaired!

The love of their lives rested now in God's hand!

With faith in the end that did banish all fright!

Thirteen Move - White

White: Nf3

Stomp and snort, whinny and reel,

clank and clatter, hoof and steel,

"Down, horse! Let us survey the land's lay,

and where might be best to join in the fray!"

Thirteenth Move - Black

Black: Rd8 (check)

Check check check, the Rook says check

Run like a pony and save your little neck

Hopalong hopalong better move fast

One foot in the bone yard, the King won't last