Once, I played chess with the
Old Russian.
He offered me the white pawn.
I came at him quickly,
Kings Knight to Kings Bishop three,
Queens pawn to Queen four.
He moved slowly,staring agonizingly.
Kings pawn to King three,
Kings Knight to King two.

I took his Bishop, later in the game,
placing his Queen in check.
“Guard your queen”.
I looked up from the board,
expecting to see suprise,
hear some “Harumph!” of vailed praise
from the kibbitzers playing our game.
Instead there was silence,
A smile cut in steel.
I had not notised his lone and waiting
Knight
in the far corner of the board.
The Russian checked me with that Knight,
and when I moved my King to safety,
the Russian was quick to checkmate me
with the Queen my brave, quick move
had put in check.