ALLTHEKINGSHORSESfromWELCOMETOTHEMONKEYHOUSEbyKurtVonnegut

ColonelBryanKelly,hishugefigureblockingoffthelightthatfiltereddownthenarrowcorridorbehindhim,leanedforamomentagainstthelockeddoorinagonyofanxietyandhelplessrage.ThesmallOrientalguardsortedthrougharingofkeys,searchingfortheonethatwouldopenthedoor.ColonelKellylistenedtothevoicesinsidetheroom.

Sarge,theywouldntdaredoanythingtoAmericans,wouldthey?Thevoicewasyouthful,unsure.Imean,theredbehelltopayiftheyhurt

Shutup.WanttowakeupKellyskidsandhavethemhearyourunningoffatthemouththatway?Thevoicewasgruff,tired.

Theyllturnuslooseprettyquick,whaddyabet,Sarge?insistedtheyoungvoice.Oh,sure,kid,theyloveAmericansaroundhere.ThatsprobablywhattheywantedtotalktoKellyabout,

andtheyrepackingthebeerandhamsandwichesintoboxlunchesforusrightnow.Allthatsholdingthingsupistheydontknowhowmanywithmustard,howmanywithout.Howdyawantyours?

IdjustliketoShutup.Okay,IdjustShutup.Idjustliketoknowwhatsgoingon,isall.Theyoungcorporalcoughed.Pipedownandpassthebuttalong,saidathirdvoiceirritably.Therestengoodpuffsleftinit.Donthog

thewholething,kid.Afewothervoicesmutteredinagreement.ColonelKellyopenedandclosedhishandsnervously,wonderinghowhecouldtellthefifteenhumanbeings

behindthedoorabouttheinterviewwithPiYingandthelunaticordealtheyweregoingtohavetoendure.PiYingsaidthattheirfightagainstdeathwouldbenodifferent,philosophically,fromwhatallofthem,exceptKellyswifeandchildren,hadknowninbattle.Inacoldway,itwastruenodifferent,philosophically.ButColonelKellywasmoreshakenthanhehadeverbeeninbattle.

ColonelKellyandthefifteenontheothersideofthedoorhadcrashlandedtwodaysbeforeontheAsiaticmainland,aftertheyhadbeenblownoffcoursebyasuddenstormandtheirradiohadgonedead.ColonelKellyhadbeenonhisway,withhisfamily,toapostasmilitaryattachinIndia.OnboardtheArmytransportplanewiththemhadbeenagroupofenlistedmen,technicalspecialistsneededintheMiddleEast.TheplanehadcometoearthinterritoryheldbyaCommunistguerrillachief,PiYing.

AllhadsurvivedthecrashKelly,hiswifeMargaret,histenyearoldtwinsons,thepilotandcopilot,andthetenenlistedmen.AdozenofPiYingsraggedriflemenhadbeenwaitingforthemwhentheyclimbedfromtheplane.Unabletocommunicatewiththeircaptors,theAmericanshadbeenmarchedforadaythroughricefieldsandnearjungletocomeatsunsettoadecayingpalace.Theretheyhadbeenlockedinasubterraneanroom,withnoideaofwhattheirfatesmightbe.

Now,ColonelKellywasreturningfromaninterviewwithPiYing,whohadtoldhimwhatwastobecomeofthesixteenAmericanprisoners.SixteenKellyshookhisheadasthenumberrepeateditselfinhisthoughts.

Theguardproddedhimtoonesidewithhispistolandthrustthekeyintothelock,andthedoorswungopen.Kellystoodsilentlyinthedoorway.

Acigarettewasbeingpassedfromhandtohand.Itcastitsglowforaninstantoneachexpectantfaceinturn.NowitlightedtheruddyfaceofthetalkativeyoungcorporalfromMinneapolis,nowcastruggedshadowsovertheeyesocketsandheavybrowsofthepilotfromSaltLake,nowbloomedredatthethinlipsofthesergeant.

Kellylookedfromthementowhatseemedinthetwilighttobeasmallhillockbythedoor.TherehiswifeMargaretsat,withtheblondheadsofhersleepingsonscradledinherlap.Shesmiledupathim,herfacemistywhite.Darlingyoureallright?Margaretaskedquietly.

Yes,Imallright.Sarge,saidthecorporal,askhimwhatPiYingsaid.Shutup.Thesergeantpaused.Whataboutit,sirgoodnewsorbad?

Kellystrokedhiswifesshoulder,tryingtomaketherightwordscomewordstocarrycouragehewasntsurehehad.Badnews,hesaidatlast.Rottennews.

Well,letshaveit,saidthetransportpilotloudly.Kellysupposedhewastryingtoreassurehimselfwiththeboomofhisownvoice,withbrusqueness.Theworsthecandoiskillus.Isthatit?Hestoodanddughishandsintohispockets.

Hewouldntdare!saidtheyoungcorporalinathreateningvoiceasthoughhecouldbringthewrathsoftheUnitedStatesArmytobearonPiYingwithasnapofhisfingers.

ColonelKellylookedattheyoungsterwithcuriosityanddejection.Letsfaceit.Thelittlemanupstairshasallthetrumps.Anexpressionborrowedfromanothergame,hethoughtirrelevantly.Hesanoutlaw.HehasntgotathingtolosebygettingtheUnitedStatessoreathim.

Ifhesgoingtokillus,sayso!thepilotsaidexplosively.Sohesgotuscold!Whatshegoingtodo?Heconsidersusprisonersofwar,saidKelly,tryingtokeephisvoiceeven.Hedliketoshootusall.

Heshrugged.Ihaventbeentryingtokeepyouinsuspense,Ivebeenlookingfortherightwordsandtherearentany.PiYingwantsmoreentertainmentoutofusthanshootinguswouldprovide.Hedliketoprovethathessmarterthanweareinthebargain.

How?askedMargaret.Hereyeswerewide.Thetwochildrenwerewakingup.Inalittlewhile,PiYingandIaregoingtoplaychessforyourlives.Heclosedhisfistoverhiswifeslimp

hand.Andformyfourlives.ItstheonlychancePiYingwillgiveus.Heshrugged,andsmiledwryly.Iplayabetterthanaveragegamealittlebetterthanaverage.

Ishenuts?saidthesergeant.Youllallseeforyourselves,saidColonelKellysimply.YoullseehimwhenthegamebeginsPiYing

andhisfriend,MajorBarzov.Heraisedhiseyebrows.Themajorclaimstobesorrythat,inhiscapacityasamilitaryobserverfortheRussianarmy,heispowerlesstointerveneinourbehalf.Healsosayswehavehissympathy.Isuspecthesadamnliaronbothcounts.PiYingisscaredstiffofhim.

Wegettowatchthegame?whisperedthecorporaltensely.Thesixteenofus,soldier,arethechessmenIllbeplayingwith.Thedoorswungopen.

Canyouseethewholeboardfromdownthere,WhiteKing?calledPiYingcheerfullyfromabalconyoverlookingtheazuredomedchamber.HewassmilingdownatColonelBryanKelly,hisfamily,andhismen.YoumustbetheWhiteKing,youknow.Otherwise,wecouldntbesurethatyoudbewithusforthewholegame.Theguerrillachiefsfacewasflushed.Hissmilewasoneofmocksolicitousness.Delightedtoseeallofyou!

ToPiYingsright,indistinctintheshadows,stoodMajorBarzov,thetaciturnRussianmilitaryobserver.HeacknowledgedKellysstarewithaslownod.Kellycontinuedtostarefixedly.Thearrogant,bristlehairedmajorbecamerestless,foldingandunfoldinghisarms,repeatedlyrockingbackandforthinhisblackboots.IwishIcouldhelpyou,hesaidatlast.Itwasntanamenitybutacontemptuousjest.Iamonlyanobserverhere.Barzovsaiditheavily.Iwishyouluck,Colonel,headded,andturnedhisback.

SeatedonPiYingsleftwasadelicateyoungOrientalwoman.ShegazedexpressionlesslyatthewallovertheAmericansheads.SheandBarzovhadbeenpresentwhenPiYinghadfirsttoldColonelKellyofthegamehewantedtoplay.WhenKellyhadbeggedPiYingtoleavehiswifeandchildrenoutofit,hehadthoughthesawasparkofpityonhereyes.Ashelookedupatthemotionless,ornamentalgirlnow,heknewhemusthavebeenmistaken.

Thisroomwasawhimofmypredecessors,whoforgenerationsheldthepeopleinslavery,saidPiYingsententiously.Itservednicelyasathroneroom.Butthefloorisinlaidwithsquares,sixtyfourofthemachessboard,yousee?Theformertenantshadthosehandsome,mansizedchessmenbeforeyoubuiltsothattheyandtheirfriendscouldsituphereandorderservantstomovethemabout.Hetwistedaringonhisfinger.Imaginativeasthatwas,itremainedforustohituponthisnewtwist.Today,ofcourse,wewilluseonlytheblackchessmen,mypieces.HeturnedtotherestiveMajorBarzov.TheAmericanshavefurnishedtheirownchessmen.Fascinatingidea.HissmilefadedwhenhesawthatBarzovwasntsmilingwithhim.PiYingseemedeagertopleasetheRussian.Barzov,inturn,appearedtoregardPiYingashardlyworthlisteningto.

ThetwelveAmericansoldiersstoodagainstawallunderheavyguard.Instinctively,theybunchedtogetherandglaredsullenlyattheirpatronizinghost.Takeiteasy,saidcolonelKelly,orwelllosetheonechancewevegot.Helookedquicklyathistwinsons,JerryandPaul,whogazedabouttheroom,unruffled,uninterested,blinkingsleepilyatthesideoftheirstunnedmother.Kellywonderedwhyhefeltsolittleashewatchedhisfamilyinthefaceofdeath.Thefearhehadfeltwhiletheywerewaitingintheirdarkprisonwasgone.Nowherecognizedtheeeriecalmanoldwartimefriendthatleftonlythecoldmachineryofhiswitsandsensesalive.Itwasthenarcoticofgeneralship.Itwastheessenceofwar.

Now,myfriends,yourattention,saidPiYingimportantly.Hestood.Therulesofthegameareeasytoremember.YouarealltobehaveasColonelKellytellsyou.Thoseofyouwhoaresounfortunateastobetakenbyoneofmychessmenwillbekilledquickly,painlessly,promptly.MajorBarzovlookedattheceilingasthoughhewereinwardlycriticizingeverythingPiYingsaid.

Thecorporalsuddenlyreleasedahalfselfpity.Thesergeantclappedhishandovertheyoungstersmouth.PiYingleanedoverthebalustradeandpointedafingeratthestrugglingsoldier.Forthosewhorunfrom

theboardormakeanoutcry,aspecialformofdeathcanbearranged,hesaidsharply.ColonelKellyandImusthavecompletesilenceinwhichtoconcentrate.Ifthecoloneliscleverenoughtowin,thenallofyouwhoarestillwithuswhenIamcheckmatedwillgetsafetransportoutofmyterritory.IfhelosesPiYingshrugged.Hesettledbackonamoundofcushions.Now,youmustallbegoodsports,hesaidbriskly.Americansarenotedforthat,Ibelieve.AsColonelKellycantellyou,achessgamecanveryrarelybewonanymorethanabattlecanbewonwithoutsacrifices.Isntthatso,Colonel?

ColonelKellynoddedmechanically.HewasrecallingwhatPiYinghadsaidearlierthatthegamehewasabouttoplaywasnodifferent,philosophically,fromwhathehadknowninwar.Howcanyoudothistochildren!criedMargaretsuddenly,twistingfreeofaguardandstridingacrossthesquarestostanddirectlybelowPiYingsbalcony.FortheloveofGodshebegan.

PiYinginterruptedangrily:IsitfortheloveofGodthatAmericansmakebombsandjetplanesandtanks?Hewavedherawayimpatiently.Dragherback.Hecoveredhiseyes.WherewasI?Weweretalkingaboutsacrifices,werentwe?Iwasgoingtoaskyouwhoyouhadchosentobeyourkingspawn,saidPiYing.Ifyouhaventchosenone,Colonel,Idliketorecommendthenoisyyoungmandowntheretheonethesergeantisholding.Adelicateposition,thekingspawn.

Thecorporalbegantokickandtwistwithnewfury.Thesergeanttightenedhisarmsabouthim.Thekidllcalmdowninaminute,hesaidunderhisbreath.HeturnedhisheadtowardColonelKelly.Whateverthehellthekingspawnis,thatsme.WheredoIstand,sir?Theyoungsterrelaxedandthesergeantfreedhim.Kellypointed

tothefourthsquareinthesecondrowofthehugechessboard.Thesergeantstrodetothesquareandhunchedhisbroadshoulders.Thecorporalmumbledsomethingincoherent,andtookhisplaceinthesquarenexttothesergeantaseconddependablepawn.Thereststillhungback. Colonel,youtelluswheretogo,saidalankyT4uncertainly.Whatdoweknowaboutchess?Youputuswhereyouwantus.HisAdamsapplebobbed.Savethesoftspotsforyourwifeandkids.Theyretheonesthatcount.Youtelluswhattodo.

Therearenosoftspots,saidthepilotsardonically,nosoftspotsforanybody.Pickasquare,anysquare.Hesteppedontoaboard.Whatdoesthissquaremakeme?

Youreabishop,Lieutenant,thekingsbishop,saidKelly.

Hefoundhimselfthinkingofthelieutenantinthosetermsnolongerhuman,butapiececapableofmovingdiagonallyacrosstheboardcapable,whenattackingwiththequeen,ofterribledamagetotheblackmenacrosstheboard.

Andmeinchurchonlytwiceinmylife.Hey,PiYing,calledthepilotinsolently,whatsabishopworth?PiYingwasamused.Aknightandapawn,myboyaknightandapawn.ThankGodforthelieutenant,thoughtKelly.OneoftheAmericansoldiersgrinned.Theyhadbeensticking

closetogether,backedagainstthewall.Nowtheybegantotalkamongthemselveslikeabaseballteamwarmingup.AtKellysdirection,seemingalmostunconsciousofthemeaningoftheiractions,theymovedoutontotheboardtofillouttheranks.

PiYingwasspeakingagain.Allofyourpiecesareinplacenow,exceptyourknightsandyourqueen,Colonel.Andyou,ofcourse,aretheking.Come,come.Thegamemustbeoverbeforesuppertime.

Gently,shepherdingthemwithhislongarms,KellyledhiswifeandJerryandPaultotheirpropersquares.Hedetestedhimselfforthecalm,thedetachmentwithwhichhedidit.HesawthefearandreproachinMargaretseyes.Shecouldntunderstandthathehadtobethiswaythatinhiscoldnesswastheironlyhopeforsurvival.HelookedawayfromMargaret.

PiYingclappedhishandsforsilence.There,godnowwecanbegin.Hetuggedathisearreflectively.IthinkthisisanexcellentwayofbringingtogethertheEasternandWesternminds,dontyou,Colonel?HereweindulgetheAmericansloveforgamblingwithourappreciationofprofounddramaandphilosophy.MajorBarzovwhisperedimpatientlytohim.Oh,yes,saidPiYing,twomorerules:Weareallowedtenminutesamove,andthisgoeswithoutsayingnomovesmaybetakenback.Verywell,hesaid,pressingthebuttononastopwatchandsettingitonthebalustrade,thehonorofthefirstmovebelongstothewhitemen.Hegrinned.Anancienttradition.

Sergeant,saidColonelKelly,histhroattight,movetwosquaresforward.Helookeddownathishands.Theywerestartingtotremble.

IbelieveIllbeslightlyunconventional,saidPiYing,halfturninghisheadtowardtheyounggirl,asthoughtomakesurethatshewassharinghisenjoyment.Movemyqueenspawnforwardtwosquares,heinstructedaservant.

ColonelKellywatchedtheservantslidethemassivecarvingforwardtoapointthreateningthesergeant.ThesergeantlookedquizzicallyatKelly.Everythingokay,sir?Hesmiledfaintly.

Ihopeso,saidKelly.HeresyourprotectionSoldier,heorderedtheyoungcorporal,stepforwardonesquare.Thereitwasallhecoulddo.NowtherewasnoadvantageinPiYingstakingthepawnhethreatenedthesergeant.Tacticallyitwouldbeapointlesstrade,pawnforpawn.Noadvantagesofarasgoodchesswent.

Thisisverybadform,Iknow,saidPiYingblandly.Hepaused.Well,thenagain,ImnotsosureIdbewisetotrade.Withsobrilliantanopponent,perhapsIdbetterplayflawlesschess,andforgetthemanytemptations.MajorBarzovmurmuredsomethingtohim.Butitwouldgetusintothespiritofthegamerightoff,

wouldntit?Whatshetalkingabout,sir?askedthesergeantapprehensively.BeforeKellycouldorderhisthoughts,PiYinggavetheorder.Takehiskingspawn.Colonel!Whatdyoudo?criedthesergeant.Twoguardspulledhimfromtheboardandoutoftheroom.

Astuddeddoorbangedshutbehindthem.Killme!shoutedKelly,startingoffhissquareafterthem.Ahalfdozenbayonetshemmedhimin.

Impassively,theservantslidPiYingswoodenpawnontothesquarewherethesergeanthadstood.Ashotreverberatedontheothersideofthethickdoor,andtheguardsreappeared.PiYingwasnolongersmiling.Yourmove,Colonel.Come,comefourminuteshavegonealready.

Kellyscalmwasshattered,andwithittheillusionofthegame.Thepiecesinhispowerwerehumanbeingsagain.Theprecious,brutalstuffofcommandwasgonefromColonelKelly.Hewasnomorefittomakedecisionsoflifeanddeaththantherawestrecruit.Giddily,herealizedthatPiYingsobjectwasnottowinthegamequickly,buttothinouttheAmericansinharrowing,pointlessforays.Anothertwominutescreptbyashestruggledtoforcehimselftoberational.Icantdoit,hewhisperedatlast.Heslouchednow.

Youwishmetohaveallofyoushotrightnow?askedPiYing.ImustsaythatIfindyouaratherpatheticcolonel.DoallAmericanofficersgiveinsoeasily?

Pinhisearsback,Colonel,saidthepilot.Letsgo.Sharpenup.Letsgo!Youreinnodangernow,saidKellytothecorporal.Takehispawn.HowdoIknowyourenotlying?saidtheyoungsterbitterly.NowImgoingtogetit!Getoverthere!saidthetransportpilotsharply.No!Thesergeantstwoexecutionerspinnedthecorporalsarmstohissides.TheylookedupexpectantlyatPi

Ying.Youngman,saidPiYingsolicitously,wouldyouenjoybeingtorturedtodeath,orwouldyouratherdoas

ColonelKellytellsyou?Thecorporalspunsuddenlyandsetbothguardssprawling.Hesteppedontothesquareoccupiedbythe

pawnthathadtakenthesergeant,kickedthepieceover,andstoodtherewithhisfeetapart.MajorBarzovguffawed.Helllearntobeapawnyet,heroared.ItsanOrientalskillAmericanscould

dowelltolearnforthedaysahead,eh?PiYinglaughedwithBarzov,andstrokedthekneeoftheyounggirl,whohadbeensitting,expressionless,at

hisside.Well,itsbeenperfectlyevensofarapawnforapawn.Letsbeginouroffensiveinearnest.Hesnappedhisfingersfortheattentionoftheservant.Kingspawntokingthree,hecommanded.There!Nowmyqueenandbishoparereadyforanexpeditionintowhitemansterritory.Hepressedthebuttononthestopwatch.Yourmove,Colonel....

ItwasanoldreflexthatmadeColonelBryanKellylooktohiswifeforcompassion,courage.HelookedawayagainMargaretwasafrightening,heartbreakingsight,andtherewasnothinghecoulddoforherbutwin.Nothing.Herstarewasvacant,almostidiotic.Shehadtakenrefugeindeaf,blind,unfeelingshock.

Kellycountedthefiguresstillsurvivingontheboard.Anhourhadpassedsincethegamesbeginning.Fivepawnswerestillalive,amongthemtheyoungcorporalonebishop,thenervypilottworookstwoknightstenyearoldfrightenedknightsMargaret,arigidstaringqueenandhimself,theking.Themissingfour?ButcheredbutcheredinsenselessexchangesthathadcostPiYingonlyblocksofwood.Theothersoldiershadfallensilent,sullenintheirownseparateworlds.

Ithinkitstimeforyoutoconcede,saidPiYing.Itsjustaboutover,Imafraid.Doyouconcede,

Colonel?MajorBarzovfrownedwiselyatthechessmen,shookhisheadslowly,andyawned.ColonelKellytriedtobringhismindandeyesbackintofocus.Hehadthesensationofburrowing,

burrowing,burrowinghiswaythroughamountainofhotsand,ofhavingtokeepgoingonandon,digging,squirming,suffocated,blinded.Gotohell,hemuttered.Heconcentratedonthepatternofthechessmen.Aschess,theghastlygamehadbeenabsurd.PiYinghadmovedwithnostrategyotherthantodestroywhitemen.Kellyhadmovedtodefendeachofhischessmenatanycost,hadriskednoneinoffense.Hispowerfulqueen,knights,androoksstoodunusedintherelativesafetyofthetworearrowsofsquares.Heclenchedandunclenchedhisfistsinfrustration.Hisopponentshaphazardrankswerewideopen.AcheckmateofPiYingskingwouldbepossible,ifonlytheblackknightwerentdominatingthecenteroftheboard.

Yourmove,Colonel.Twominutes.coaxedPiYing.AndthenKellysawitthepricehewouldpay,thattheyallwouldpay,forthecurseofconscience.Pi

Yinghadonlytomovehisqueendiagonally,threesquarestotheleft,toputhimincheck.Afterthatheneededtomakeonemoremoveinevitable,irresistibleandthencheckmate,theend.AndPiYingwouldmovehisqueen.Thegameseemedtohavelostitspiquancyforhimhehadtheairofamaneagertobusyhimselfelsewhere.

Theguerrillachiefwasstandingnow,leaningoverthebalustrade.MajorBarzovstoodbehindhim,fittingacigaretteintoanornateivoryholder.Itsaverydistressingthingaboutchess,saidBarzov,admiringtheholder,turningitthiswayandthat.Thereisntagrainofluckinthegame,youknow.Theresnoexcusefortheloser.Histonewaspedantic,withthesuperciliousnessofateacherimpartingprofoundtruthstostudentstooimmaturetounderstand.

PiYingshrugged.Winningthisgamegivesmeverylittlesatisfaction.ColonelKellyhasbeenadisappointment.Byriskingnothing,hehasdeprivedthegameofitssubtletyandwit.Icouldexpectmorebrilliancefrommycook.

ThehotredofangerblazedoverKellyscheeks,inflamedhisears.Themusclesofhisbellyknottedhislegsmovedapart.PiYingmustnotmovehisqueen.IfPiYingmovedhisqueen,KellywouldloseifPiYingmovedhisknightfromKellyslineofattack,Kellywouldwin.OnlyonethingmightinducePiYingtomovehisknightafresh,poignantopportunityforsadism.

Concede,Colonel.Mytimeisvaluable,saidPiYing.Isitallover?askedtheyoungcorporalquerulously.Keepyourmouthshutandstaywhereyouare,saidKelly.Hestaredthroughshrewd,narrowedeyesat

PiYingsknight,standinginthemidstofthelivingchessmen.Thehorsescarvedneckarched.Itsnostrilsflared.ThepuregeometryofthewhitechessmensfateburstuponKellysconsciousness.Itssimplicityhadthe

effectofarefreshing,chillingwind.AsacrificehadtobeofferedtoPiYingsknight.IfPiYingacceptedthesacrifice,thegamewouldbeKellysThetrapwasperfectanddeadlysaveforonedetailbait.

Oneminute,Colonel,saidPiYing.Kellylookedquicklyfromfacetoface,unmovedbythehostilityordistrustorfearthathesawineachpair

ofeyes.Onebyoneheeliminatedthecandidatesfordeath.Thesefourwerevitaltothesudden,crushingoffense,andthesemustguardtheking.Necessity,likeachildcountingeeny,meeny,miney,moearoundacircle,pointeditsfingerattheonechessmanwhowouldbesacrificed.Therewasonlyone.

Kellydidntpermithimselftothinkofthechessmanasanythingbutacipherinarigidmathematicalproposition:ifxisdead,therestshalllive.Heperceivedthetragedyofhisdecisiononlyasmanwhoknewthedefinitionoftragedy,notasonewhofeltit.

Twentyseconds!saidBarzov.HehadtakenthestopwatchfromPiYing.ThecoldresolvedesertedKellyforaninstant,andhesawtheutterpathosofhispositionasdilemmaas

oldasmankind,asnewasthestrugglebetweenEastandWest.Whenhumanbeingsareattacked,x,multipliedby

hundredsandthousands,mustdiesenttodeathbythosewholovethemmost.Kellysprofessionwasthechoosingofx.

Tenseconds,saidBarzov.Jerry,saidKelly,hisvoiceloudandsure,moveforwardonesquareandtwotoyourleft.Trustingly,his

sonsteppedoutofthebackrankandintotheshadowoftheblackknight.AwarenessseemedtobefilteringbackintoMargaretseyes.Sheturnedherheadwhenherhusbandspoke.

PiYingstareddownattheboardinbafflement.Areyouinyourrightmind,Colonel?heaskedatlast.Doyourealizewhatyouvejustdone?

AfaintsmilecrossedBarzovsface.HebentforwardasthoughtowhispertoPiYing,butapparentlythoughtbetterofit.HeleanedbackagainstapillartowatchKellyseverymovethroughagauzeofcigarettesmoke.

KellypretendedtobemystifiedbyPiYingswords.Andthenheburiedhisfaceinhishandsandgaveanagonizedcry.Oh,God,no!

Anexquisitemistake,tobesure,saidPiYing.Heexcitedlyexplainedtheblundertotheyounggirlbesidehim.Sheturnedaway.Heseemedinfuriatedbythegesture.

Youvegottoletmetakehimback,beggedKellybrokenly.PiYingrappedonthebalustradewithhisknuckles.Withoutrules,myfriend,gamesbecomenonsense.

Weagreedthatallmoveswouldbefinal,andsotheyare.Hemotionedtoaservant.Kingsknighttokingsbishopsix!TheservantmovedthepieceontothesquarewhereJerrystood.Thebaitwastaken,thegamewasColonelKellysfromhereonin.

Whatishetalkingabout?murmuredMargaret.Whykeepyourwifeinsuspense,Colonel?saidPiYing.Beagoodhusbandandanswerherquestion,or

shouldI?Yourhusbandsacrificedaknight,saidBarzov,hisvoiceoverridingPiYings.Youvejustlostyourson.

Hisexpressionwasthatofanexperimenter,keen,expectant,entranced.KellyheardthechokingsoundinMargaretsthroat,caughtherasshefell.Herubbedherwrists.Darling,

pleaselistentome!Heshookhermoreroughlythanhehadintended.Herreactionwasexplosive.Wordscascadedfromherhystericalbabblecondemninghim.Kellylockedherwriststogetherinhishandsandlisteneddumblytoherbrokenabuse.

PiYingseyesbulged,transfixedbythefantasticdramabelow,obliviousofthetearfulfrenzyoftheyounggirlbehindhim.Shetuggedathisblouse,pleading.Hepushedherbackwithoutlookingawayfromtheboard.

ThetallT4suddenlydivedatthenearestguard,drivinghisshoulderintothemanschest,hisfistintohisbelly.PiYingssoldiersconverged,hammeredhimtotheflooranddraggedhimbacktothesquare.

Inthemidstofthebedlam,Jerryburstintotearsandracedterrifiedtohisfatherandmother.KellyfreedMargaret,whodroppedtoherkneestohugthequakingchild.Paul,Jerrystwin,heldhisground,trembled,staredstolidlyatthefloor.

Shallwegetonwiththegame,Colonel?askedPiYing,hisvoicehigh.Barzovturnedhisbacktotheboard,unwillingtopreventthenextstep,apparentlyreluctanttowatchit.

Kellyclosedhiseyes,andwaitedforPiYingtogivetheordertotheexecutioners.HecouldntbringhimselftolookatMargaretandJerry.PiYingwavedhishandforsilence.Itiswithdeepregrethebegan.Hislipsclosed.Themenacesuddenlywentoutofhisface,leavingonlysurpriseandstupidity.Thesmallmanslumpedonthebalustrade,slitheredovertocrashamonghissoldiers.MajorBarzovstruggledwiththeChinesegirl.Inhersmallhand,stillfreeofhisgrasp,wasaslenderknife.Shedroveitintoherbreastandfellagainstthemajor.Barzovletherfall.Hestrodetothebalustrade.Keeptheprisonerswheretheyare!heshoutedattheguards.Ishealive?Therewasnoangerinhisvoice,nosorrowonlyirritation,resentmentofinconvenience.Aservantlookedup

andshookhishead.BarzovorderedservantsandsoldierstocarryoutthebodiesofPiYingandthegirl.Itwasmoreoftheact

ofascrupuloushousekeeperthanapiousmourner.Noonequestionedhisbriskauthority.Sothisisyourpartyafterall,saidKelly.ThepeoplesofAsiahavelostaverygreatleader,Barzovsaidseverely.HesmiledatKellyoddly.

Thoughhewasntwithoutweakness,washe,Colonel?Heshrugged.However,youvewononlytheinitiative,notthegameandnowyouhavemetoreckonwithinsteadofPiYing.Staywhereyouare,Colonel.Illbebackshortly.

Hegroundouthiscigaretteontheornamentedbalustrade,returnedtheholdertohispocketwithaflourish,anddisappearedthroughthecurtains.

IsJerrygoingtobeallright?whisperedMargaret.Itwasaplea,notaquestion,asthoughmercywereKellystodoleoutortowithhold.

OnlyBarzovknows,hesaid.Hewasburstingtoexplainthemovestoher,tomakeherunderstandwhyhehadnochoicebutheknewthatanexplanationwouldonlymakethetragedyinfinitelymorecruelforher.Deaththroughablundershemightbeabletounderstandbutdeathasaproductofcoolreason,astepinlogic,shecouldneveraccept.Ratherthanacceptit,shewouldhavehadthemalldie.

OnlyBarzovknows,herepeatedwearily.Thebargainwasstillinforce,thepriceofvictoryagreedto.BarzovapparentlyhadyettorealizewhatitwasthatKellywasbuyingwithalife.

HowdoweknowBarzovwillletusgoifwedowin?saidT4.Wedont,soldier.Wedont.Andthenanotherdoubtbegantowormintohisconsciousness.Perhaps

hehadwonnomorethanabriefreprieve....ColonelKellyhadlosttrackofhowlongtheydwaitedthereonthechessboardforBarzovsreturn.His

nervesweredeadenedbysurgeaftersurgeofremorseandbythesteadypressureofterribleresponsibility.Hisconsciousnesshadlapsedintotwilight.Margaretsleptinutterexhaustion,withJerry,hislifeyettobeclaimed,inherarms.Paulhadcurleduponhissquare,coveredbytheyoungcorporalsfieldjacket.OnwhathadbeenJerryssquare,thehorsescarvedheadsnarlingasthoughfirewouldburstfromitsnostrils,stoodPiYingsblackknight.

Kellybarelyheardthevoicefromthebalconymistookitforanotherjaggedfragmentinanightmare.Hismindattachednosensetothewords,heardonlytheirsound.AndthenheopenedhiseyesandsawMajorBarzovslipsmoving.Hesawthearrogantchallengeinhiseyes,understoodthewords.Sincesomuchbloodhasbeenshedinthisgame,itwouldbeapitifulwastetoleaveitunresolved.

BarzovsettledregallyonPiYingscushions,hisblackbootscrossed.Iproposetobeatyou,Colonel,andIwillbesurprisedifyougivemetrouble.ItwouldbeveryupsettingtohaveyouwinbythetransparentrusethatfooledPiYing.Itisntthateasyanymore.Youreplayingmenow,Colonel.Youwontheinitiativeforamoment.Illtakeitandthegamenow,withoutanymoredelay.

Kellyrosetohisfeet,thegreatframemonumentalabovethewhitechessmensittingonthesquaresabouthim.MajorBarzovwasntabovethekindofentertainmentPiYinghadfoundsodiverting.ButKellysensedthedifferencebetweenthemajorsdemeanorandthatoftheguerrillachief.Themajorwasresumingthegame,notbecausehelikedhit,butbecausehewantedtoprovethathewasonehellofabrightfellow,andthattheAmericansweredirt.Apparently,hedidntrealizethatPiYinghadalreadylostthegame.Eitherthat,orKellyhadmiscalculated.

Inhismind,Kellymovedeverypieceontheboard,drivinghisimaginationtoshowhimtheflawinhisplan,iffornothing.Inanordinarygame,withnothingatstakebutbitsofwood,hewouldhavecalleduponhisopponenttoconcede,andthegamewouldhaveendedthere.Butnow,playingforfleshandblood,anaching,ineradicabledoubtovershadowedthecleancutlogicoftheoutcome.Kellydarednotrevealthatheplannedtoattackandwininthree

movesnotuntilhehadmadethemoves,notuntilBarzovhadlosteverychancetoexploittheflaw,iftherewasone.

WhataboutJerry?criedMargaret.Jerry?Oh,ofcourse,thelittleboy.Well,whataboutJerry,Colonel?askedBarzov.Illmakeaspecial

concession,ifyoulike.Wouldyouwanttotakethemoveback?Themajorwasurbane,acaricatureofcheerfulhospitality.

Withoutrules,Major,gamesbecomenonsense,saidKellyflatly.Idbethelasttoaskyoutobreakthem.

Barzovsexpressionbecameoneofprofoundsympathy.Yourhusband,madame,hasmadethedecision,notI.Hepressedthebuttononthestopwatch.YoumaykeeptheboywithyouuntiltheColonelhasfumbledallofyourlivesaway.Yourmove,Colonel.Tenminutes.

Takehispawn,KellyorderedMargaret.Shedidntmove.Margaret!Doyouhearme?Helpher,Colonel,helpher,chidedBarzov.KellytookMargaretbytheelbow,ledherunresistingtothesquarewhereablackpawnstood.Jerry

taggedalong,keepinghismotherbetweenhimselfandKelly.Kellyreturnedtohissquare,dughishandsintohispockets,andwatchedaservanttaketheblackpawnfromtheboard.Check,Major.Yourkingisincheck.

Barzovraisedaneyebrow.Check,didyousay?WhatshallIdoaboutthisannoyance?HowshallIgetyoubacktosomeofthemoreinterestingproblemsontheboard?Hegesturedtoaservant.Movemykingoveronesquaretotheleft.

Movediagonallyonesquaretowardme,Lieutenant,Kellyorderedthepilot.Thepilothesitated.Move!Doyouhear?

Yessir.Thetonewasmocking.Retreating,eh,sir?Thelieutenantslouchedontothesquare,slowly,insolently.

Checkagain,Major,Kellysaidevenly.Hemotionedatthelieutenant.Nowmybishophasyourkingincheck.Heclosedhiseyesandtoldhimselfagainandagainthathehadmadenomiscalculation,thatthesacrificehadwonthegame,thattherecouldbenooutforBarzov.Thiswasitthelastofthethreemoves.

Well,saidBarzov,isthatthebestyoucando?Illsimplymovemyqueeninfrontofmyking.Theservantmovedthepiece.Nowitwillbeadifferentstory.

Takehisqueen,saidKellytohisfarthestadvancedpawn,thebatteredT4.Barzovjumpedtohisfeet.Wait!Youdidntseeit?Youdliketotakeitback?tauntedKelly.

Barzovpacedbackandforthonhisbalcony,breathinghard.OfcourseIsawit!Itwastheonlythingyoucoulddotosaveyourking,saidKelly.Youmaytakeitbackifyoulike,but

youllfinditstheonlymoveyoucanmake.Takethequeenandgetonwiththegame,shoutedBarzov.Takeher!Takeher,echoedKelly,andtheservanttrundledthehugepiecetothesidelines.TheT4nowstood

blinkingatBarzovsking,inchesaway.ColonelKellysaiditverysoftlythistime:Check.Barzovexhaledinexasperation.Checkindeed.Hisvoicegrewlouder.Nocredittoyou,ColonelKelly,

buttothemonumentalstupidityofPiYing.Andthatsthegame,Major.T4laughedidiotically,thecorporalsatdown,thelieutenantthrewhisarmsaroundColonelKelly.Thetwo

childrengaveacheer.OnlyMargaretstoodfast,stillrigid,frightened.Thepriceofyourvictory,ofcourse,hasyettobepaid,saidBarzovacidly.Ipresumeyourereadyto

paynow?

Kellywhitened.Thatwastheunderstanding,ifitwouldgiveyousatisfactiontoholdmetoit.Barzovplacedanothercigaretteinhisivoryholder,takingascowlingminutetodoit.Whenhespoke,itwas

inthetoneofthepedantoncemore,thewielderofprofundities.No,Iwonttaketheboy.IfeelasPiYingfeltaboutyouthatyou,asAmericans,aretheenemy,whetheranofficialstateofwarexistsornot.Ilookuponyouasprisonersofwar.

However,aslongasthereisnoofficialstateofwar,Ihavenochoice,asarepresentativeofmygovernment,buttoseethatallofyouareconductedsafelythroughthelines.ThiswasmyplanwhenIresumedthegamewherePiYingleftoff.Yourbeingfreedhasnothingtodowithmypersonalfeelings,norwiththeoutcomeofthegame.Mywinningwouldhavedelightedmeandtaughtyouavaluablelesson.Butitwouldhavemadenodifferenceinyourfates.Helightedhiscigaretteandcontinuedtolookatthemwithseverity.

Thatsverychivalrousofyou,Major,saidKelly.Amatterofpracticalpolitics,Iassureyou.Itwouldntdotoprecipitateanincidentbetweenourcountries

justnow.ForaRussiantobechivalrouswithanAmericanisaspiritualimpossibility,acontradictioninterms.Inalongandbitterhistory,wevelearnedandlearnedwelltoreserveourchivalryforRussians.Hisexpressionbecameoneofcompletecontempt.Perhapsyoudliketoplayanothergame,Colonelplainchesswithwoodenchessmen,withoutPiYingsrefinement.IdontliketohaveyouleaveherethinkingyouplayabettergamethanI.

Thatsniceofyou,butnotthisevening.Well,then,someothertime.MajorBarzovmotionedfortheguardstoopenthedoorofthethroneroom.

Someothertime,hesaidagain.TherewillbeotherslikePiYingeagertoplaywithyoulivemen,andIhopeIwillagainbeprivilegedtobeanobserver.Hesmiledbrightly.Whenandwherewouldyoulikeittobe?

Unfortunately,thetimeandtheplaceareuptoyou,saidColonelKellywearily.Ifyouinsistonarranginganothergame,issueaninvitation,Major,andIllbethere.

(1953)