Lesson Nineteen: “Bughouse!”

The buzzer sounded. The fourth round was over. King Mateo added up his points.

“No checkmate,” he murmured disappointedly. “Twenty-three points isn’t bad. But I’ll need to win this final game.” King Mateo wiped his brow and buried his face in his hands.

“You’ve got this,” Gemma whispered as she noticed King Mateo’s distress. “Remember, you’re not alone. We win as a team and we lose as a team. But no matter what, we’re a team.”

King Mateo took his first deep breath in minutes. “You’re right. Besides, we’ve one game left. Let’s both do our best, for the team.”

“That’s the spirit! Let’s reset our boards. The faster we reset, the more time we’ll have to plan our first moves. After all, every second counts!”

All around them chimed the jumbled sounds of games ending and resetting.

“Teams! Competitors!” bellowed King Baruti. “You’ve made it to the final round. This is your last chance to win. But remember, this tournament is decided by points, not just checkmates. Here, every piece counts. So capture as many pieces as you can. The more you capture, the more points you win!”

The spectators finished their snacks and returned to their seats. There was an energy in the air. This last game would decide the winning team!

While the village buzzed with excitement, King Baruti continued.

“One last thing. A surprise for the participants. It’s time to let our hair down a bit. Bring a little joy into our game. So this last game, our fifth and final round, will be played a bit differently. Get ready to play Bughouse!”

King Mateo’s head whipped round to the stage. A smile formed in the corners of his mouth. “Ohhhh…. this is going to be good! Gemma, let’s be partners!”

As everyone shuffled into their places, King Baruti continued.

“Now, as a reminder, in Bughouse - a four player game, captured pieces are passed to your partner and can be used on their partner’s board. You choose when to introduce that piece but it has to be during your turn, not at any random moment. Don’t forget… fair play still matters. So no cheeky moves, like using a piece from your partner for immediate pawn promotion. And as usual, the game ends when you either checkmate your opponent, or you run out of time. Any questions? Alright, let’s get ready!”

The village green became filled with chatter as the teams plotted their strategies. Then a hush settled over everyone as the starting bell rang clear. On each board, the chess pieces came to life. The pawns eagerly pressed forward, the rooks stood strong, ready to make pillars of power, the knights leaping all over the board, and the bishops ever watchful for long paths to their targets. Soon the Queens would enter the fray while the Kings delivered their instructions.

Move after move after furious move… the time was flying by as the players battled for checkmate. But as the seconds ticked down, Korben froze. His hand hovered above the board. There it was, calling to him: checkmate. His unsuspecting opponent, Charlie the cheetah, wouldn’t see it coming.

With a steady breath, Korben placed his partner’s piece on his board. Charlie moved his piece, still unaware of the lurking danger. Korben, ready for his turn, hesitated. “What if I got it wrong? No, there’s not time for doubt.” And with renewed confidence, he swept in for the checkmate!

“I did it. Guys, look! I did it. I finally won!” everyone cheered. Well, almost everyone. Charlie was none the happier. But as always, he was gracious in defeat and shook Korben’s offered hand. Korben looked him in the eyes and said, “Well done, mate.” King Mateo paused his game. “We knew you had it in you Korben!” he said as he celebrated his brother’s win.

But before he could return to his seat, the buzzer went off. The countdown ended. Only then did King Mateo realize what his outburst had cost him. “I ran out of time! The game is over!”

King Baruti blew his whistle. “King Mateo is right, this chess tournament has officially ended. Everyone, tally up your points! Our checker is coming around to record your scores.”

King Mateo quickly added his pieces values together. He was so close, only two more moves and he would’ve won! “Drats!” he mumbled.

The village went silent as the checker tallied the scores.

“OOOhhhh… I can’t take the suspense,” whispered Sho as he rubbed his hooves together in delight. “I bet we lose. These Serengeti players are in top form. But you know, it’s been a delightful ride. So I don’t much mind.”

Soon, a trumpet sounded. All eyes went to the stage.

“It seems we have a winner!” King Baruti’s voice cut through the expectant air. “And here to present the Grand Prize to the winning team is… The curtain at the back of the stage parted and two mysterious people stepped forward.

King Mateo burst into tears. Korben ran to his side. “Come along, brother, let’s say hello to our parents.” King Mateo’s family was together again, at last! Old King Carlos and Queen Carmen wiped their darling sons’ happy tears and squeezed them tightly.

The Serengeti King smiled and handed them the mic.

“Thank you, King Baruti for allowing us to surprise our sons. But now we have the great pleasure of announcing the winners of the Savannah Chess Olympics… can we get a drumroll please? The animals drummed on the tables, conjuring up ancient polyrhythms, infectious and sweet, as King Mateo’s parents opened the envelope containing the winning team.

“And the winners are… Team Tribeca!!!” The trumpets burst into happy song. Confetti poured down from the treetops. King Mateo’s team rushed the stage, with shouts with joy. All around the village green and across the stage, old doubt melted away. The bull rooks stood taller. The Knights delighted in their new confidence. And look! The Bishop sisters couldn’t believe their eyes as the crowd parted and there, thousands of miles from home, stood their father!

King Mateo looked back at his own happy family, joking and laughing with the puppy pawns. And for the first time in months, he felt completely at peace.

But that’s when he caught sight of the Queens, Sofia and Zaziwe. Something was wrong.

King Baruti looked up and motioned to King Mateo, “Please, come.”

With a determined step, King Mateo made his way to the Royal Giraffes.

“I seems we have a bit of a problem,” said King Baruti with a grave expression.

King Mateo felt a moment of panic. He didn’t know what to say.

“Apparently, your Royal Ballet has offered my daughter, Zaziwe, a place in their company. Just when I thought she was home for good…”

A single tear escaped from King Baruti’s stoic face.

“Forgive me King, I didn’t realize her audition had gone so well. I mean, it’s no wonder, she’s an incredibly hard-working and talented dancer. And of course, it would be our honor to have her sir, but only if it’s what she wants, what you all want.”

“Their mother once taught me an important lesson about those who we love… it is unwise to stand in the way of their hopes and dreams. It’s just…”

“What, what is it father?” asked Zaziwe.

“I’m afraid it’s me Zazi,” said Sofia, her sister. “I’m not sure I’m quite ready for us to follow our own paths. We’ve always done everything together. I can’t imagine you not being here, with me. But I mustn’t be selfish,” she continued as she wiped away her tears. “I want this for you. And I’ll be in the front row for your first performance, if you’ll allow me.”

“Us too!” shouted the village in unison. “We’ll all travel to Tribeca to watch our Serengeti Queen show those New Yorkers how it’s done!” Zaziwe couldn’t hold back her tears though her laughter. “I’ll do my best to make you all proud, that’s for sure!” she said.

“Well, it seems that every piece has found its square,” said Old King Carlos with a smile.

“Not everyone!” roared Leboo the Lion.

With hands, paws, and hooves to their ears, the village was stunned into silence.

“It seems someone is still playing games.” Leboo handed a device to King Baruti. “This was left on the table with a note that simply said, “Press play."

Pressing in against him, the entire village watched with stilled breath as King Baruti’s finger hovered over the screen.

King Mateo grabbed his wrist... “Whatever it is, we're with you.”

King Baruti touched the black screen.

A short paragraph appeared.

"King Mateo: Every Kingdom has a choice. Your choice, though, will become a threat to the stability of our world. This isn't a game." And with that, a shadowy figure flashed past the screen as it cut to black.

"What could that possibly mean?" said King Baruti.

"Well, it looks like we have a new mystery on our hands!" said King Mateo with a grin.

Somewhere, a shadowy piece was already on the move. Join us for King Mateo's next mystery in Book Two!