The Sovereign Gambit

A brisk promenade down the brick avenue brought me to the park pavilion, where an unfinished game lay abandoned across a heavy stone chess table. Right near the center, a carved soapstone knight lay toppled gracelessly on its flank. Such disorderly surrender on an open board cannot stand. Planting my platform heels upon the cool marble slab, I seized the steed's arched mane with both hands, hoisting the weighted piece upright. With a decisive shove, I slid it cleanly into the contested center square, commanding the open lane. True strategy requires neither hesitation nor retreat.

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