Relief and curiosity struck me when my comrades and I were released from the holding chamber. I stretched my arms and my full white uniform with chain mail trimmings glimmered in the morning light. I felt awakened and alive, but the only thing I understood clearly was that I was a subordinate soldier that was to fight in a war called chess.

“Keep moving to the arena,” I heard my monarch order from behind. He wore a crown with a cross that was engraved on the top. I quickly realized he was my master, but I wasn’t to fear him, he was good. “See the gods above, they have summoned us for battle today. The one right above us is our god. He will guide us to victory!”

Moving forward, I peered up into the sky and saw the heads of two men. The one above me was thin faced with his hair parted to the side. He appeared frail in physical stature, but I could feel he was a monster of intelligence and power. I looked at the other god quickly. He seemed more round faced and very calm in his demeanor, but my fear of him was tremendous. Victory would not be guaranteed by any means and even if our army was victorious, I wondered if I could still survive the battle itself.

Questions of doubt and fear filled my mind, but I was soon distracted when we entered the arena. I saw alternating black and white squares that were well big enough to hold a horse and rider. I counted 64 of those squares altogether. Along the right edge of the arena sat two tremendous sized clocks, while large printed numbers, one through eight lined the side of the ground.

“Where do we go?” a strong young woman standing next to me asked. She was wearing an identical military uniform to mine.

I was impressed by her looks and realized she was similar enough to be my exact twin. Then I saw six more young women that were just like us. The sight was perplexing.

“Well, I’m not sure, but I see on your medallion you have the letter ‘f’ and on mine is the letter ‘e’,” I replied. “All of us seem to have different letters. If you notice on the floor along the back edge, there are a group of eight letters running across that match our medallions. I bet these numbers along with the letters correspond to reference points.”

“Pawns take your places on the second rank according to your medallions,” the monarch ordered raising his hand at us. He centered himself on the square in front of the letter ‘e’.

I knew the order was meant for our group and I was interested to hear that my rank was pawn. I moved to the spot right in front of my monarch and gave him a bow. The f-pawn moved to my right and I noticed the d-pawn sided to my left. The whole second row seemed to have perfect unification with the arena when we occupied our post. The back rank also filled with soldiers, but I could not see them as well. All I could see closely was a cleric to the monarch’s right and the most impressive soldier in the army on his left, our queen.

“Remember my young pawns,” our monarch declared. “Any one of you that makes it to the enemy’s back rank will magically be transposed into a higher order, most of the time you will become a magnificent queen. Women are our greatest fighters in this kingdom and you young pawns will be rewarded for successful combat. May our god be with you on this day of battle.”

I started to get nervous. I couldn’t possibly imagine being as powerful as a queen, something like that would be ridiculous. I looked across and started to shake when I saw the other army line up for battle. They were identical in looks to us, with the only difference being their uniforms were dark and gloomy. Out of nowhere, a lance appeared in each of the hands of the pawns, and I noticed one in mine. Odd enough, it had a twist in the handle. I was sure I could use the weapon diagonally, but thrusting forward with something like this was impossible. The situation looked grim, the other army looked too powerful.

I tried to be strong and encourage myself to trust the god in the sky that was leading us. ‘Slay the dragon,’ my mind spoke. “Dragon? They have a dragon?” I asked the d-pawn.

“What are you talking about?” she replied, but was interrupted when one of the large clocks began to tick.

My medallion started to glow and I was instantly ordered to advance two squares forward. I looked back when the medallion returned to normal and realized the whole army was behind me and I was in the middle of the battlefield, alone.

“Defend the center well young pawn,” my monarch hollered from behind.

I crouched down, held my lance and watched the opposing c-pawn advance two squares forward. He leered at me, but I felt safe from him because his lance was out of reach from me. I looked behind and saw one of our knights had advanced to the square in front of the f-pawn. I was relieved he was so close to me. He appeared indestructible on his horse and he nodded with his helmet to me.

The enemy did an interesting thing next. They had the pawn in front of their queen advance only one square forward. The c-pawn seemed to have a nice reinforcement and I envied her. I had no support yet myself, and I knew the opponent could be deadly.

My d-pawn sister rushed two squares forward and I was overcome with joy to have someone near me. However, it did not last long as the opposing c-pawn took offense and attacked the position. My sister was struck to her doom and I felt terrible that I wasn’t able to help. I tried to poke my lance at the invader, but the gods had put up an invisible barrier that made my effort useless in that direction.

The enemy c-pawn snickered at me, but to her surprise she looked up to find the knight that was around my backside had jumped into action and retaken the square by force. The knight nodded to me again and assured me I was safe for now. I stood my ground and remained ready for battle.

An enemy knight quickly took post in front of their f-pawn and I felt a threat of danger. This enemy had the power to strike me down from a distance. I was sick, but I did not panic. I held my ground and felt a neutralizing force back me up. We had stationed a knight in front of our c-pawn and the feeling of reinforcement relieved me.

The enemy advanced its g-pawn forward one square. I looked up into the sky and saw a smile on my god’s face. He seemed pleased for this advancement. Would this be a good omen or a fool’s notion? He looked confident and I heard my mind say again, ‘slay the dragon.’

A cleric advanced diagonally to the square behind me. He gave me a blessing and told me I was a brave fighter. He apologized that he couldn’t protect me at the current moment, but he felt a good aura about my day in battle. He noted the gods had been looking out for me and I would fight honorably today. I didn’t want to die in the battle, but these were my brothers and sisters and if the gods needed me to sacrifice myself to protect my king, then I most certainly would do it.

The enemy advanced the cleric right next to their monarch behind the g-pawn. Strange, the cleric appeared to be wearing a small helmet that looked like a dragon’s head. Was he the dragon we were supposed to slay? I wasn’t sure, but I thought about it while I guarded my square. Our f-pawn advanced one square forward and gave me added support from behind.

The battlefield quieted and both sides held their ground. The enemy did an odd switching maneuver that involved moving their monarch with one of those bulky fellows called rooks. The rook was a brick plated soldier that had the ability to move far, with force. His strength was that he could ram his opponents effectively, but his limitation was that he could only go straight. I feared those soldiers the most, because they could hit and run in such an effective manner. In reply to the maneuver, our queen advanced forward one square and she communicated with the cleric behind me. They definitely had something planned and if it would stop the dark army in front of me, then so be it.

I heard an opposing knight advance with his horse to the c-file. I could feel the tension rising in the brave knight that was at my side on the d-file. Our other cleric came out to the c-file and was next to the knight in danger, however, he proved inadequate to help. The opposing knight charged and was successful in knocking our knight down from his horse. Again, I felt terrible that I couldn’t somehow help and I gave the enemy knight an angry glare. My lance was useless against him, but the cleric behind me retaliated and cast a lightning bolt at him. The electricity was too much and the knight fell to his doom and disappeared from the field, while our cleric took possession of the vital square.

So much battle had taken place on that square. So many soldiers from both sides lost already. I looked up to the god above and nodded to him in a respectful way, hoping it let him know that I would hold this center square for him at all costs. I looked back down and I could see an enemy cleric advance diagonally until his location was two squares in front of me. His magic seemed no good on me, but it made our cleric on the c-file nervous. He retreated diagonally to the b-file and felt immediate protection from the ‘a’ and ‘c’ pawns that had not yet advanced.

I continued to hold my ground and watched the battle progress. I had been stationed at the same square the whole time and my view was perfect. Yet, I wondered how much longer the inactivity would last. Sooner or later, I’d have to be involved in combat unless our army struck their monarch down. As I pondered the possibilities amongst myself, I noticed the enemy’s best warrior came out from behind the last rank. She glided to the square on the a-file that had a number five next to it. She looked mighty and ready to attack. Our monarch replied using the same switching rook maneuver, the other army had performed earlier. However, it was done using the rook on the long side of the field instead. The maneuver looked dangerous, but I’m sure the monarch had the approval from the god above.

The enemy pawn from the b-file advanced forward two squares. I was surprised to see her rush into battle so quickly. She appeared strong and wielded her lance with authority. My monarch seemed upset by this, and slid over to the b-file himself. Yet, the enemy b-pawn pressed forward again. Her queen was guarding her all the way and she was taking on our knight. The knight couldn’t get an angle on the smaller attacker and was forced to flee his position. He sought my aide and arrived at the open fifth square on the d-file, while I readied my lance to protect him. I was stunned at how brave the enemy b-pawn was and I was determined to show the same mettle.

The enemy cleric two squares in front of me hollered some magical words and disappeared. He reappeared under the knight I was guarding, knocked him from his horse and gained the square. The knight was helpless, taken prisoner and led away from the field. I was in position to attack, my lance was ready, but our cleric on the b-file struck the target before I could. I felt anger from the god above. His true intention was for me to capture the enemy cleric instead. I stood firm and hoped we wouldn’t pay a heavy punishment for such neglect of his wishes.

I held my ground, while the enemy rook on the a-file slid over to the c-file. Suddenly, I felt our god was pleased again and almost missed watching our cleric move back diagonally to his previous safe spot, back on the b-file. The same enemy rook that was on the c-file moved forward one square. The move was silent, but I could tell he was up to no good.

My fellow h-pawn advanced her position two squares forward. She held her lance proudly and gave me a nod that everything would be all right. However, I saw both of our clerics giving her extra blessings. Something was not right. The enemy queen casually trotted over to the fifth square on the b-file. She seemed to be getting more comfortable than anything, but her presence scared me.

I turned my attention back to my fellow h-pawn, then back to the clerics. The clerics held their heads low and I turned to see her walk forward one square. ‘She doesn’t have a chance,’ I thought to myself. However, to my amazement, she wasn’t attacked. The enemy ordered the rook on the f-file to move over to the c-file and form a battery of attack. The two of them together were dangerous, far more dangerous than capturing my h-pawn comrade. The h-pawn took to battle and was victorious over the enemy g-pawn. I was so happy for her. She used her lance well and defeated an opponent of equal rank with one blow. However, the victory was short lived when I saw the enemy h-pawn parry and gain immediate revenge by recapturing the sixth square on the g-file.

My happiness turned to depression. The battle was heavy with casualties now and out came our g-pawn forward two squares. I hoped she wouldn’t get the same treatment. I felt helpless with all this observation, but all I could do was hold my own position. At that moment, I could see the enemy attempting the same storming attack on the other side of the field. The enemy a-pawn shot forward two squares and I could see one of the clerics and our monarch getting nervous. My g-pawn comrade pushed forward once more and was attacking the dangerous knight that had exerted so much force on my square for most of the battle. The horse rider jumped over to the fifth square of the h-file in retreat. I was much relieved that the knight had been dislodged from his attacking point. My immediate threat was gone.

The cleric next to me started praying, like he did before and I noticed he was blessing the far off rook on the h-file. I looked and saw the rook ram straight into the knight ahead of him, plowing the enemy and his horse over in one lunge. The knight met his doom, but like so many times earlier, there was a quick counter attack on the newly gained square. The lance of the enemy pawn took the rook down, along with his position.

Our rook had made a great sacrifice, but now I felt our army was out-manned. The forces in front of me appeared superior. Were we losing this war? Yet, I looked up to the god above and he seemed comfortable. So comfortable in fact, he appeared at peace with himself.

Our g-pawn advanced another square. I thought she was very brave to walk into an immediate attack. However, the cleric on the b-file put a spell on the attacking f-pawn that rendered her powerless to move. Instead, the enemy e-pawn in front of me advanced two squares forward and she stared right at me. I tried to poke her with my lance, but the gods wouldn’t allow us to harm each other. This calmed me, but I noticed our g-pawn attacked its spell-stunned enemy and was successful. Upon gaining the seventh f-square, the pawn had made such an impression that the enemy monarch himself was forced in front of her to barricade any further progress.

My heart skipped a beat and I felt momentum starting to build within our army. Could she make it to queen? Could we win the battle now? I looked on and held my lance tight. Maybe this awful battle would soon be over. The cleric to my left on the d-file moved back to the e-square behind me.

“Position, remember hold your position,” he said and gave me a quick blessing.

I crouched back down with my lance and waited. That is when the enemy attacked me with their d-pawn. They advanced her one square and put her within striking distance of my lance. I was scared to do it, but this was my chance to help our army.

My medallion started to glow and I struck her with my weapon. I pushed my opponent to the ground and forced her to let me have control of the square. She surrendered and voluntarily left the field as my prisoner. My medallion stopped glowing and I managed to get back up and steady my lance. The enemy rook on the seventh c-square slid over to the f-file and knocked my comrade pawn down that had penetrated so far into the enemy camp. She would never make queen now, but I didn’t have any time to ponder over it, my medallion briefly glowed again and I advanced forward one square deeper into enemy territory.

I surveyed the situation and I wasn’t sure what was going on. However, I did have a queen and a rook protecting me. That felt good. The enemy appeared troubled over my presence. I couldn’t believe it, but the next thing I saw was the enemy rook that had just captured my comrade, moved forward one square on the f-file and put me in his line of attack. The other cleric was looking out for me though and moved up to the fifth square of the g-file. He confused the rook and forced him to take his attention away from me.

I could feel bad things happening now to the enemy army as I watched their best warrior retreat back to the seventh square of the b-file. She was still a mean fighter, but I liked her backing off. Our cleric then committed a brave act. He attacked the enemy rook with a fireball spell and defeated him. However, the process of occupying the new square left himself open for attack from the bishop with the dragon helmet on his head. The poor fellow was struck down easily with a dark dagger and his square was retaken.

Again, there was no time to react. My medallion briefly glowed and I advanced forward. Now I was on the seventh square. Would I actually get to queen? I wasn’t sure, but I was in position to attack an enemy rook and saw a weakness in his armor. The enemy saw my threat and commanded the rook to slide over in front of me, which dashed my hopes of becoming a queen. I felt his threat now and I had no way to attack the weakness I had seen earlier. My doom felt assured now, but I prayed I’d go out fighting.

I steadied myself the best I could, and held my ground. I looked behind me and saw my strongest ally, the queen move. Something was different about her and hope entered my mind. She had a shiny sword and aimed it at the enemy monarch from her new position at the sixth square on the h-file. She had taken the attack into her own hands and was looking for the kill. The enemy monarch was desperate for a place to move, but nowhere was safe; our queen would force checkmate with only a couple of moves. Excitement gripped me when I understood her final plan. The enemy monarch realized the situation was hopeless and took off his crown and placed it on the ground. He bowed in surrender and the dark army began to fade away.

We had gained victory! I looked up to the gods above. The opposing god was quiet, but our god wore a huge smile on his face. I jumped up with joy. The rest of our army rallied around our queen and we celebrated. However, we paused and had a quiet moment for the ones we lost in battle.

“We slew the dragon today,” our monarch broke the silence. “That is the most violent strategy to fight against in the war of chess and we held strong.”

We huddled together and rejoiced our victory. Then magically, we were all placed back into the holding chamber and the light started to fade. All of our captured comrades were there and I was happy to see them and find out that they were all right. The light vanished totally and it was time to rest again until the next time we’d be summoned to battle.