A Quick Question

There is an old man in the park who seems to know everything. He’ll answer any one question you have but there is a catch: he will only talk to you over a game of chess. Only once the game starts can you ask your question. He will only speak when it is his turn, and if he thinks you are intentionally delaying your move, he will end the game there. Finally, once you have played him once he will never talk to you again.

I had a question I needed the answer to. Having looked everywhere else I could think of, I came to this old man. I found him sitting under a maple tree with a small table with two seats opposite each other. On the table was a simple black and white chess game all set up and ready to play. As I approached him, he gestured to the open seat across from him.

“Black or White?” he asked as I sat. His voice was deep and rough, but not unpleasant.

“White” I replied. He turned the board so the white pieces were closer to me and gestured at me to start the game. I did.

1: f3

He quickly replies with a move of his own.

1: … e5

It is my turn again and I know I must move soon to not draw his ire. I make my move and start to speak.

2: g4

“So…” I start.

Before I can get out another word he makes his move and declares “Checkmate.”

2: … Qh4#

I look down at the board in disbelief. It is indeed a checkmate and I have lost. I look up hoping to convince him to let me try again, but the old man is gone. I missed my chance to ask my question. I stay seated under that maple tree and weep.