Playing the Rook (Friday Fictioneers)

Posted on by Prior...

Time to join in with Friday Fictioneers.

Here is the photo prompt:

PHOTO PROMPT © Jeff Arnold

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Here is the fiction:

Genre: Realistic fiction

Word Count: 100 

Title: Playing the Rook

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Playing chess with a rookie takes sensitivity. It’s about fun engagement versus domination. Waiting for his move, news headlines came to mind: year of the woman, three hate crimes, six-year-old was jumped on the bus….

Thoughts blurred back in time. You wouldn’t think a bully could be small with curly hair and freckles – but some bullies tower over others with psychological games.

“Your move,” my opponent smiled while bringing out his rook.

Strategies improving, but he overlooked my pawn, which jumped on his powerful piece.

Playing for fun doesn’t mean playing dumb. Sometimes it takes a heavy loss to learn.

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Author Note:

Without overdoing the layering in my short fiction today, I tried to connect my thoughts on “powering over others” with the game of chess (inspired by Jeff’s photo chose for Friday Fictioneers this week). Life is like a game of chess with strategy and power, but in my fiction I had my master-player not power over his opponent. I had a little play on words with the Rook piece and rookie player. I also tried to mull on different psychological engagements – that of a psychological bully and then the master player socializing with a friend without dumbing down the engagement (mindful of skill level – as he used his overlooked pawn to snatch a valuable piece like the rook – he couldn’t let it go out of “respect” – but not to dominate; however, in life, some people look for weaknesses in order to dominate, hurt, or “tower over” others out of disrespect. Oh and the rook used to be called a tower and so the title – “playing the rook” was maybe a take on “don’t play the fool” – and he was playing a rookie who then brought out his rook (played it) too soon).

In closing, sending good thoughts and prayers out to those hurt this week with the hate crimes.

 

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53 thoughts on “Playing the Rook (Friday Fictioneers)”

    1. indeed…
      and your comment made me realize the size theme here – the girl bully was little but played games – and then pawns are small… but can take powerful pieces (something like that – ha)

      Liked by 1 person

    1. I agree – horrible and no fun and could not learn.
      I once ran a chess club (I was an art teacher and just hosted chess club until someone else could take it over). I made the mistake of inviting a grand master player (old dude – maybe 80) who volunteered at a local library and he seemed so cool – he would help players learn chess for free and the librarian suggested it and so I just asked if he’d come talk to our club.
      He was so snotty and mean – and almost ruined the game for beginning players. ugh

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Wow!, that is awesome. I do like chess but never be good at it. This reminds me seeing a meet up at the local Ban and Noble, the more advanced / older player played with young kids. I was fascinated to see them playing together. Please have a great weekend!

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  7. I like you observation that not all bullies are big and physical but use mind games instead. They’re almost worse, really, and harder to see coming.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. draliman, you said exactly what i was trying to say:
      not all bullies are big and physical but use mind games
      and I used to make reference to this old song by a band called foreigner called “head games” – even though not quite the same as bullying head games

      Liked by 1 person

  9. I agree with Iain, chess is a great metaphor for many of life’s experiences.
    By the way… I dunno if my eyes are weakening but this font is small and light and so hard to read. Yes, I know, I could zoom in…

    Liked by 4 people

    2. THANK YOU! Just fixed the font – and like what the heck – it was small – what was I thinking – did I use like a size 8 font and then make it light gray???
      omg
      all better (I hope)

      Liked by 1 person

        2. Well… I was being selfish… no one else seems to have trouble reading itty-bitty font (or they zoom with their computer!)

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        3. well just because nobody else spoke up it does not mean they did not have an issue with it. And actually, I usually double check my font color because I think the default for my theme is gray (need to check) and sometimes I show my posts to people – and one time when I was sharing (or trying to) share a post we could not see it via an overhead projector because of the light gray. So I usually do change the color – and i am goign to check my default color now (but I have seen some websites use gray versus black because it is supposed to be easier on the eyes – or something like that – not sure if you heard of it)

          Liked by 1 person

        4. Yes. Even here on the reply box, it is grey… just not quite so pale, nor quite so small 😉
          So hard designing a blog site, eh?
          And well, there you go…

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  12. One of my favorite sayings is: don’t be a pawn in someone else’s game. I remind myself of this way too often anymore. Didn’t know that the rook used to be called a tower. Interesting thoughts here + I learned something too.

    Liked by 1 person

  15. I enjoyed your story very much. I get distracted when playing scrabble while waiting for my opponent to think of a word.
    Your story combines two things I detest – bullying and domination. It got me all wrinkled. Of course, that means it’s great writing. It went well with where you were going. At first, I thought it was all about the game. Then, by the end, I could see where you were going. Well done …..
    Isadora 😎

    Liked by 1 person

    1. thanks for seeing where I was going – because it sort of led me – and the comments here have helped me see a bit more as well.
      also, I wish I played Scrabble more – I used to know an old lady (Norma) who played into her 80s and it kept her mind fresh.
      And I can imagine the waiting for the players to pick – because you can only work on so many advanced words as it depends on the letters available so it is not like you can work ahead that much

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I like stories that sort-of write themselves. It’s like your being guided by an inner voice. For sure, there’s always something to learn by the comments from fellow writers. It’s the reason to write them. Learning …
        Yes, scrabble is a game I play with my husband but I also play on my Kindle. The game goes much quicker. I’ve been able to learn so many new words that help me with my writing and in playing the game. It does keep the brain sharp. I think any game that requires thinking and stradegy can help the brain. Have a super weekend 😃
        Isadora 😎

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  17. Dear Yvette,

    Life is more like a game of chess than a box of chocolates I think. 😉 Careful strategy is often required. I’m afraid I’m not very good at chess. Well played story.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hi R – I wish I played a better game but can only pursue so many interests – eh?
      And I agree that life is more like chess vs chocolates –
      🙂

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  18. I really could never play chess. My mind just doesn’t work this way, and it’s no fun playing a game you can never win 🙂

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    1. thank you thank you thank you for catching the “playin’ the foo” line – I almpost took it out but it really kept coming to mind as I made the post
      🙂

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