Beginner’s Chess
Introduction
A certain king was very fond of chess. In his court, he conducted many competitions and awarded good prizes to the winners.
The Challenge
One day, two chess players visited the king’s court. They boasted about their skill in the game and declared they could defeat anyone who challenged them. True to their words, they defeated all those who played against them.
The Unexpected Opponent
Elated with their victories, the two players looked around at the humbled court and asked scornfully, “Well, is there anyone else who would like to try?” At once, a nine-year-old girl stood up and said, “I’ll play with you.” The king was crestfallen to see a slip of a girl accepting the challenge thrown by the champions. However, something in the girl’s demeanor impressed him, and he consented to hold the match.
The Game Begins
The girl asked the players to sit in two different rooms. Then she offered to play against them simultaneously. Soon, she was moving the pieces expertly, and the entire court watched in breathless amazement at the brilliant performance put up by the girl.
A Surprising Result
At last, the two champions conceded a draw each, as neither could defeat the girl. The king applauded her for her display of skill and asked, “Tell me, little one, how did you manage to beat them? Where did you learn to play like this?”
The Clever Strategy
The girl laughed and said, “Sire, I knew nothing. I made them sit in two different rooms so that one could not see the other’s game. First, I watched the first player move his piece, and then I went to the other room and moved my own piece in the same manner. Then I watched the second player move his piece and came back to the first room and did the same. In effect, the two players were playing against themselves. I did nothing at all.”
A Grateful King
The whole court was astounded to hear this and realized that the clever girl had truly outwitted the champion chess players. A grateful king showered presents on the resourceful girl and sent her home.
