Title: Endgame
Source: Friday Fictioneers sponsored by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple
Word count: 100 words
PHOTO PROMPT © Jeff Arnold
The tables sit in a straight line. Twelve tables, twelve chess boards, twenty-four opponents each with sixteen pieces, all three hundred and eighty-four pieces engaged in battle to decide the crowning of Grand Master.
The arbiters circled like vultures waiting for the dead, held in check by the tick-tock of the game clock. The opponents fall and regroup striving for the prize.
I am the endgame, unseen, observing, manipulating. My eyes level with the boards, I influence each move.
Achieving the 8th rank, passed pawn promoted queen I look to my twin, we push the king to check and victory.
__________________________________________
Keep on writing.
Jo Hawk The Writer
Jo Hawk 
I liked “I am the endgame”
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Thanks Neil. I wrote that line more than a few times before I got it to work. 😉
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a very intense game, written with precision
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Thank you Gina. 😊
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Good one! You know your chess. 😃
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I have played a game or two. 😉
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I did too, my grand father taught me and we would play. But he would beat me mostly. Not the strategist and forward planner that one needs I be in this game. 😊
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That sounds like a wonderful memory.
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It is. He taught us all, me and my brothers. Then he would play with each of us separately. I wasn’t much good at it but my younger brother got to the point where he won a few games too. We used to have a lot of fun when my grand parents came to stay with us. Card games, chess, draughts and even origami!
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Quite an intense scene you’ve set. I can almost smell the concentration!
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Those games can be intense. Glad you liked it.
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Beautifully done, Jo. You’ve managed to convey the tension and that line: ‘I am the endgame, unseen, observing, manipulating.’ is wonderfully chilling.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Thank you Susan for your very kind words. 😊❤
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I always wanted to learn the game, but so far it is still on the list of “want to”.
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Learning to play can be a commitment of time. Like anything else to you reap what you sow. Thanks for reading.
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You obviously know a great deal about chess and mixed this with a sinister element. Good voice in this, quite menacing.
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Thank you Sandra. Glad you liked it.
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Who says chess is boring? You know what you are writing about and it shows wonderfully.
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Thanks for your kind words. They are greatly appreciated.
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‘I am the end game’ killer line.
Enjoyed the story.
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Thanks for saying so. Glad you liked it. 😊
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I chime in with the others on loving the “I am the end game”. This was an excellent read.
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I liked the idea of seeing the end before it arrived. Thank you for your kind words, Dale.
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I really liked this, especially the alliteration and the word rhythm. Great.
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I hadn’t noticed this and had to re-read the piece. Glad you liked it. 😊
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Wow, this is really cool. I love the shift of perspective! Blessings to you. 💜 Debbie
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Thanks you Debbie, your words make the writing even more fun. 😊
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You seem to know what you are doing. Great game!
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Thanks Abhijit Glad you liked it.
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I have never played chess but I thoroughly enjoyed your story, especially the rather sinister tone of the narrator’s confidence.
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Thanks Jilly,Overconfidence is never a good thing. Glad you enjoyed it.
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Incredibly atmospheric, even more so whilst reading for the second time.
Click to read my FriFic tale!
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Keith,, thanks for that observation. It is very helpful. 😊
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Dear Jo,
I know virtually nothing about the game other than it’s a game of strategy and requires intense concentration. You’ve captured this in spades. Love the title and story. Lots of intrigue. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you Rochelle I so appreciate your comments. 😊
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it looks like you know chess very well. you had captured the essence of the game in a few words. 🙂
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Thank you. I am happy you liked the story. 😊
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Really well put together.
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Thank you Lisa. I just followed a game. Glad you enjoyed it.
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You created an intense scene very well. “The arbiters circled like vultures waiting for the dead,” was a great line. Well-done!
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Thanks Brenda. I am glad it spoke to you. Can’t wait for the next prompt. 😊
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I want to learn the game too. It’s on my to-do list since I don’t remember when. I like the scene you’ve created.
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It is an intriguing game. Lately I have become interested in a game called Go. Thanks for the kind word. ❤
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This game sounds like there is a lot too win, and even more to lose…
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Losing does seem to carry a heavier burden. Thanks for reading. 😊
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I wish I understood the game better, but I certainly understand the tension and competition in your story.
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I am glad those feelings came through regardless of any knowledge of the game. I greatly appreciate your comment. 😊
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Love the melodic flow to this piece. Well told
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Thank you Laurie. So glad you liked it. ❤
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Intense and fuelled with deep sense of competition, very well told
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Hi praise from you my friend. Thank you Michael. 😊
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I only say what i feel, your story warranted it
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There are so many wonderful comment, JoHawk, I concur with them all.
I suppose that’s the bad part about coming to the party late. How about “Outstanding” ….
I don’t know where the time goes. How about “Outstanding” ….
Isadora 😎
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There are time it is difficult to keep up with everything we want to. I gladly take your “Outstanding” Isadora and tell you I am thrilled you liked the story enough to leave a comment. Thank you. 😊
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😎
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