Advancement, a jump start, opening, and combat.
Counter-play, defenses, settling in.
Maneuvering, chipping away.
Then - a fork, or pin.
A cringe.
A daring recovery?
Or perhaps not.
The inevitable comes.
The castles come down.
The king is surrounded.
Shamat.
The remaining soldiers,
Paralyzed.
But just for the briefest seconds.
And then --
The board is reset.
The pieces put back.
In meticulous condition.
The ranks are clean.
The movements unplayed.
And it is another day,
Another game,
And perhaps with more wisdom.