Chess Forum / General Topics / May 2009

After Richlieu, the arch rogue and secret tofu eater, dismissed the
obvious superiority of the best female player in France over all
current French players, Candide fled to Normandy en route to Brest,
and the secret Celtic Chess Schools there centered around Carnac and
it's stones, their symbols, their advanced opening theory... [inc.
tablebases of endings]

On the way she ... had experiences of an here understated lubricious
nature ... including a wayward advance from a loose monk plus that
from a minor Viscomt.

On arrival she was ushered into the reserve known only to chess
players, passing successfully through the 'Sicilian' maze, and thus to
the Tower itself, where, on the 4th etage, she was to make her realm
for years to come.

A realm overlooking the tidal flows of the estuary, [Freudians take
note], her consequent development was conducted by Priors and
Prioresses alike, in their outer senses and otherwise, until one day,
the very day before the ordeal and ceremony of mastership was granted,
including official uniform, medals, and underwear, an hooded figure
arrived at the tower one dark night wearing the three tulips, sign of
mastery of the order, [minimum Elo 1900] and who declaimed himself to
be a monsieur Victor Hugo, Master of the Gates of Prion.

Her interview with him was... after he had discarded his dripping coat
to the flagged floor, dismissed the servants for the night, then sat
himself with cognac beside the great fire in the great room,
significantly the only source of light there; its flicker alternately
aspecting his face as Maistro and Demon, both ...

to be continued...

Phil Innes