The Art of Warfare

‘Chess was always a man’s game’
She smiled laconically as the men
Hunched and frowned over the board
‘Rook takes Queen C5’
She was not aware of the etiquette
Talking is prohibited
That commentary commanded
The art of warfare remain silent
‘What’ll you do now –
Wasn’t she important?’
A frisson of impatience
Inflected their hushed sighs
Each man knew the battle
Critically depended on white
Making good her sacrifice
Black blushed in embarrassment
He’d won the battle and lost the game.
White rook takes black rook C5
Did white use his wife
To provide a diversion?
His sacrificed Queen had won.
Two moves to check mate
No possible escape
From back row mate
Black laid down his King
White could not exult in victory
When the games were over
He’d give her a good rollicking.
‘But you were winning,’ she exclaimed.
The art of warfare is not a woman’s game.