STORY INFO
How to Win a Game of Chess Without Really Trying
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Author
Katy B
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Categories
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Danh mục
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Update
6 months ago
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Part Chapter
1/??
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Reads
149
Content
Disclaimer: There is no easy way to win a game of chess. But that’s only if by “winning” you mean hunting down your opponent’s king until he is gasping for air in a solitary corner, his vision fading into the black and white static of the board as your opponent (John, Meera, or Jeremy) commits seppuku by resignation. Only gradually will you return to the hard seats and smudged tabletops of your school’s B-grade lunch counter. You'll blink in a daze at the face of your opponent who, you must remember, is your friend in real life.<...
Outstanding reviews
There are unique experiences to being of mixed race; it helps to surround yourself with others who understand where you're coming from. I wanted to write a tribute to some of my best friends and one of our favorite pastimes while also exploring a creative metaphor. I enjoyed writing this one.
There are unique experiences to being of mixed race; it helps to surround yourself with others who understand where you're coming from. I wanted to write a tribute to some of my best friends and one of our favorite pastimes while also exploring a creative metaphor. I enjoyed writing this one.
This COMMENT was a delight to read! I wish I was better at giving feedback myself 😂 Such high praise from such a gifted writer means a lot to me. I tried my hardest not to push the humor and to present very realistic thought processes - I tend to think in parentheticals, hence their inclusion. I'm so glad they worked in the story :)
Katy! Big congratulations for the win! This definitely read like a winner, but I didn't want to jinx you. Glad to see you get your just dues!
Thanks, Zack! I was so thrilled!
Pretty good story.
This is absolutely AMAZING. You killed it with the third person pov and that's literally impossible to do. It was so immersive and engaging. Thoroughly enjoyed it. You deserve that win!
Thank you for your kind words, Arya! I had a lot of fun writing the story, and I'm glad so many people enjoyed reading it.
Katy, I love that you have been doing so well. As the judge who shortlisted your first piece, it fills me with joy to see you thriving (though, I think I was just happy to have had a privilege to read your work and give it its well-deserved recognition)! Honestly, this piece was great. Everything from the title down to your prose was wonderful and witty. I love how you write about race and heritage. It's inspiring, to say the least. Congratz!!
K - you are too kind. Thank you for believing in from day 1. I was quite proud if the title, so I'm glad you liked it :) Thank you so much!
Katy!!!! What a great way to tell a story and deliver some sage wisdom at the same time. I’m certain you could beat me in chess I’m just not sure if I’m allowed in the club. I do have a 50/50 story. I grew up in a household where my mother was and agnostic Catholic and my dad was an atheist Jew. I’m not sure if that counts but my sister once told a pastor she was half Jewish and half Christmas. Either way I loved your story and your style. Great job.
Thom,Thank you so much for your encouragement! The big secret about "RCIA" and the reason why I think so many people can relate is that really, everyone is different than others in some way and feels this way, so of course anyone is welcome to join :) just look at Jeremy! 😂😂 I loved your story from this week and I hope to read more soon.
Hi, I just wanted to say that this is my favorite short story I have ever read here on Reedsy. Even before I really started submitting stories, I read this one and new I wanted to be able to write as well as you do. The way you wove the story together to tell about your experiences made me want to do the same. I love it!
Awwww this is so sweet + good to hear, Kangee! I hope you've had a lot of fun writing since then <3
Awwww this is so sweet + good to hear, Kangee! I hope you've had a lot of fun writing since then <3
I am delighted to see your comments on my stories! That is so cute about your young Mexican-Japanese relatives :) thanks for taking the time to both read and comment, Cindy!
Wonderful story. It was delightful but powerful all at the same time, such a hard balance to achieve. You did it extremely well. Like you said there are so many unique experiences and emotional turmoil at times for bi-racial or mixed individuals. I would say the same is true for children born of one race who were culturized by another race as a child in a somewhat protected bubble and then grow up and have to face the eyes of the real world. Again, well done.
I can't believe I only just read this story. I loved this story and I'm sure most people could relate to it. On Reedsy too, there are writers from all over the world, many ethnicities and of course people of mixed race. Congratulations on the win 🏆
Thank you, Kanika! Yes, my hope was to make something relatable, so I'm glad that was apparent to you.
Wonderful exposition and character development here. I absolutely love character driven stories. A few parts made me chuckle. Your win was well deserved.
Thank you so very much!
I loved the story especially the quote that says"If it’s John, you know he'll vent his frustration through his unusually long and eloquent middle finger."
Thank you! That was one of my favorite lines, too.
Thank you! That was one of my favorite lines, too.
Thank you so much for taking the time to write your lovely comment! I'm honored to hear that you enjoyed the story.
Congratulations, Katy. It's a high-concept work that you pull off with ease. Well done.
Thank you Kevin!
Thank you Kevin!
Thank you so much, Kris! I'm so glad you could relate to the characters and maybe gained an interesting new perspective.
this. is. just. great.nice work!
Thank you!
Im pure Persian, but my cousin had more racial issues being half white. She looked pure white, blonde green eyes, but she had a strange name and just because her name was weird she suffered as a child;;;; plus, she suffered culture clash.
Yes, the culture clash and the fear of being a "fraud" is a real experience. Even when no one else seems to mind. Thanks for commenting!
Katy, I'm so glad that you put Meera as half-Indian. Specifically from Kerala. I am also from Kerala and do not usually see characters that are from the southern part of India. This was really inspiring to me!
Hi Hannah! I'm so glad you could relate to her character in that way :) God bless!
As a chess player, I always get over excited whenever I come across stories that involves chess in one way or another - especially describing an active game.
I'm so glad you enjoyed the story, Jeffrey!
I got a giggle about Johns “unusually long and eloquent middle finger.”
I love that line, too :) Thanks for reading!
Love this Katy! So creative. Really well done :)
Thank you Stefanie!
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