Greetings to Splinterlands and chess fans. The story takes of after the events of the first one. It takes some inspirations from the winning entry of @henruc.
Jolius sighed after his defeat.
Buns leaned back in his chair, looking pleased with himself. Across the table, Jolius stared at the chessboard.
“I still say that was lucky,” Jolius muttered.
“I'm just good,” Buns replied. “I made my own luck.”
From behind them came a mixture of chuckle and neighing sound.
The centaur who had been watching the game stepped forward. He had the upper part of a monkey instead of a human. He has been standing near the fireplace for most of the evening, observing every move. His purple crystal staff rested against his shoulder.
“Interesting game,” he said.
Jolius looked up. “You think you can do better?”
The centaur glanced at Buns.
“I'd like to find out.”
Buns raised an eyebrow. “You're challenging me?”
The centaur moved to the opposite side of the table.
“Sure.”
Jolius immediately laughed.
“Oh, this I have to see.”
Buns sighed and began resetting the pieces.
“Fine. But don't complain when your king gets mated.”
The centaur nodded.
“We'll see.”
"What's your name?" Jolius asked.
"I'm Khan Feywest." the centaur replied. "I'm a magnificent creature. As you can see, my upper body is a chimpanzee and my lower half is that of a unicorn."
"Unicorn, huh?" Buns commented incredulously.
"Yes, I can do magic."
"Fine, I'm Buns and this is Jolius. Let's start the game. I'll play white."
For several minutes, neither player said much. The tavern's usual noise filled the background mugs clinking and someone loudly complaining about the price of SPS.
After a few more minutes a critical position was reached.
"It looks like I won a pawn." Buns smiled.
"Don't be so sure." replied Khan as he picked up his bishop and took the pawn on h2. "Check."
Jolius who was watching can't help but laugh. "Oh you're cooked, Buns!"
Buns stared at the board in disbelief. With not much choice, he took the bishop.
Khan whipped his pieces and offered another bishop sacrifice. Buns was stunned while Jolius was watching the game eagerly.
"Double bishop sacrifice! This game is getting really interesting." Jolius chuckled.
"Be quiet!" Buns said annoyed.
"I can't take the bishop otherwise Qg4 followed by Rd5, Rh5 will be mate." Buns thought to himself.
A few moves later the following position was reached.
"Boom! Another sacrfice, this time, the rooooooook!" Jolius shouted like Levy.
"You're really enjoying this aren't you?" Buns commented.
All the while Khan was silently calculating each move.
More moves followed and the following position was reached.
"Mate in one." Khan finally spoke. He moved his bishop for the kill. "Checkmate."
Buns slumped his head.
"Thanks for the game. I enjoyed that one." Jolius said
"But you didn't play." Khan replied.
"I enjoyed watching Buns lose....spectacularly. Drinks on me!" Jolius shouted.
They passed the night drinking and talking about mundane Splinterlands tales.
The positions were from a game between Aron Nimzowitsch and Siegbert Tarrasch, 1914.
Game link: https://lichess.org/7bu9D9Qn#0
