Lesson Missed

Today Ren and I played some chess. Jonas was with us, watching the game. Needless to say, I lost each time. I don’t think that was the point though…

I’m pretty sure Ren was trying to teach me a lesson, but what that lesson was, I am completely clueless.

The first game we played I was doing suprisingly well. I was about to take one of his pieces, when he suddenly said, "Bishop, if you take that piece, you will regret it." I looked to Jonas to see if he would give me some help, but he was looking oddly at Ren, so I instead moved one of my pawns forward. Before I knew it, he was the one who had me cornered.

"Wow, Ren. You check-mated me with the piece I was about to grab, isn’t that funny!"

"I bluffed you, Bishop. You would only have gained by taking that piece earlier."

"Oh."

The second game we played, I was doing reasonably well. I was deliberating my next move when Ren said, "Bishop, if you take that piece, you will regret it." When he said that, I noticed that a piece he possessed was able to be taken by one of my pieces. I quickly took the piece, feeling very proud of myself. He took my piece, and before I knew it, he once again had me cornered.

"Wow, Ren. You check-mated me even after I took your piece. It’s funny again!"

"I dared you to, Bishop. You would have been better off not taking that piece."

The third game we played, I made some early mistakes and was in bad shape quickly. I kept waiting for Ren to say something, but he didn’t. Finally, he had me cornered.

"Was there a lesson in that game that I missed, Ren?"

"Yes, Bishop. I remained silent."

"How is that a lesson?"

"Well, Bishop, a good strategist knows when a bluff can avert disaster, and when a dare can instigate an advantage. A great strategist knows when to bluff, when to dare… and when he should just remain silent and gather his resources."

I thought his words were odd, and I glanced up from the board to see if his face could tell me any more, but he was looking at Jonas. I glanced to Jonas, but he just exhaled noisily and walked off without a word.

I thought Jonas was disappointed that I didn’t get the lesson, but then Ren smiled at me and said, "Thank you, Bishop. This has been a good lesson."

I guess I learned a lesson, because Ren said I did. I think the lesson I really learned is that I should always bring a glass of water to the chess table. Three games can make a man thirsty!