A Precise Opening Gambit

Stepping out from home along Georgia Avenue after a quiet morning indoors, I headed to the pocket park. On the concrete chess table under the tree shade, someone had left behind an unfinished match. A weighty wooden knight carved from dark polished walnut sat overturned beside the board. Approaching with steady deliberate steps, I gripped the curved neck with both hands and eased it upright onto a sunlit square. Its felt base settled cleanly against the inlaid stone without a wobble, balancing the board perfectly.