Square Four Showdown

Pushed past the porch screen flap and jogged three blocks down to the park pavilion! Hauled myself up the concrete pedestal to the game tables, and boom—sitting right on a checkered stone square was a hefty, dark carved wooden knight, looking all stoic and serious. You think I’m letting that snooty horse hold down the center for free? Zero chance! I backed up three black squares, hit full sprint, and leaped both sneakers dead onto its carved wooden mane. It tilted, rocked on its felt base, and slammed flat against the stone with a loud CLACK! I vaulted off the saddle, landing a clean two-footed crouch on the next tile. Grandmaster status locked in!