Lesson Twelve: “Check”

Black rain poured down hard and fast. The garden lights flickered, and soon the castle lawn became a pool of water bent on reflecting an angry night sky. 

King Korben's mood matched the storm outside. He had lost another game. Occasionally losing was one thing, but this was too much. Every game ended in defeat. "I'm no good at chess. It's too complicated and not at all fun.”

“You’ll feel better once you get the hang of it. Just give it some time,” said Queen Sofia as she followed King Korben into the castle's amber warmth. 

“I guess. But who wants to practice a boring game?"

"What would make it more fun?"

“Maybe, if I didn't feel so lost… it could be fun. But I’m so stressed that I can’t see the danger in time. And before I know it, I’m captured.”

"We can help with that! Remember, our long necks enable us to see everything. We'll whisper to you when danger is lurking. Let’s practice!”

As the storm howled outside, they huddled over a worksheet in King Mateo’s fire-lit study.

Behind them, Wilbur strolled in and quietly cleared the table. Then he set down a curious little board. Tiny pieces—miniature versions of the two Kings and their quirky companions—stood proudly in formation as if understanding the weighty adventure before them.

“I crafted this in my spare time,” Wilbur said with a glint of pride in his eyes. “Figured it might come in handy on a rainy day like today.”

King Korben sat with Queen Sofia on his side. Queen Zaziwe took her place across from them and they began to play.

Two minutes later, Zaziwe’s knight slid into place. “Got you,” she said with a grin. Korben groaned. ‘You see? Even with your help, I keep losing." Korben stomped his feet in frustration.

Sofia saw through King Korben's outburst and felt a sense of connection. She knew what it felt like to be overwhelmed and underprepared. After all, the others expected the Kings to be great leaders. To guide and direct them through challenges on and off the board. She took a moment to think before she responded.

"King, I see what's happening. Let me help. Look here, you're ignoring the force fields. Or you’re thinking you can outrun them. But you can't. Remember, in this game, force fields work like invisible boundaries… Watch."

The Queens reenacted a game where Korben was quickly captured.

"Look again. See how the force field runs along this rank or file - what's essentially a path, until it hits the edge of the board? That means you can't outrun it. But you can avoid it."

"How?"

“Put simply, stay out of its way. In the Serengeti, even the wind avoids these forces of light."

"But there's something else you can do. As co-king, you can make reasonable changes to the game."

“Wait... I can?”

"She's right, you can," said King Mateo as he entered the study followed by the Bull Rooks, Billy Goat Bishops, and Puppy Pawns.

Queen Sofia’s face lit up. "Come in, all of you! We’re just about to change the rules a bit. This new version will give the Kings more safety as they direct us!"

"How so?" asked Sho.

Well, we suggest suspending the rule that allows the Kings to be captured. Instead, we propose introducing a 'check' and 'checkmate' system."

"Perfect. But how does this new system work? And what does check and checkmate mean?" asked King Mateo.

"Well, for starters, 'check' is another way of saying 'Danger!' But we only say ‘check’ when the King is in immediate danger of being captured. This is a warning, giving him one last chance to escape.”

Korben was intrigued. "Escape how?" he asked.

Zaziwe raised three fingers. "Three ways," she said. "Move away from the danger, block against it, or capture it yourself.

For example, whenever your opponent shouts the warning—' Check!'

That’s your cue to spring into action. You can either:

• Move out of danger, and get to a safe square.

• Throw up a block between you and the force field,

• Or, if they’re within reach, go hero mode and capture them!

⠀

If you can do any these options, then boom—you’re still in the game."

"Ok, but what if I can't do any of those things?” asked King Korben.

"That means you're trapped. If you're in danger with no safe place to move to or hide behind—and neither you nor a teammate can capture the player that's closing in on you, and in one move, then the game is over. Checkmate."

“OK, let me get this straight... check equals danger I can escape from... and checkmate means I'm trapped and the game is over?”

"Exactly! And if you're ever unsure about which is which, just remember: You can't have a checkmate without a check first. Does that make sense?”

“I think so. Let’s try it,” said King Korben. “But… I'd feel better if you stayed by my side. I’m not as good at spotting danger as you are.”

“I'm right here King. Remember, it's our job to keep you safe. We're a team." smiled Sofia. " So, from this day forward,” she turned to face the whole group, “we shall play Tribeccean Chess — the game where Kings can’t be captured, but they can be trapped! It's up to us, their teams, to keep them safe!”

"What's the second rule change?" Zaziwe was twitching with excitement.

"The second change is this: it is officially illegal for the Kings to put themselves in danger!"

"Ok... What does that mean exactly? asked King Korben

“Well, for starters, you’re not allowed to step into an enemy force field. If a King accidentally enters a danger zone, the move is reversed automatically. The board won’t allow it, it understands the rules. Also, it means that during a rescue mission, or when playing on the chessboard, our Kings aren't allowed to be near each other. After-all, they’ve got force fields now too, and those force fields prevent them from being next to each other. Consider it a gift from the Serengeti, our homeland. It has the highest concentration of force fields on the planet, which officially makes us the keepers, and the givers, of force fields!”

"This is going to be so much fun!" whispered the Bull Rooks.  

The rain bashed against the windows as the Queens reset the chessboard and got their team's pieces into position. Wilbur stood by ready to give the signal to begin.

"On your marks, get set... go!"  

“Now it’s your turn. Gather your team, set up your board, and give Tribeccean Chess a try!”