Victory in the Chess Game

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A vast torrent of knowledge about all kinds of chess games, openings, middlegame tactics, endgame techniques, classic matches, and positional judgment flooded Kazehara Tetsu's mind, quickly merging with his existing thought processes.

In an instant, the chessboard before him seemed completely different.

The strengths and weaknesses of every opening, the possible continuations after each move, all kinds of classic tactical combinations, and positional evaluations were as clear as instinct.

"Please go easy on me, Classmate Sakayanagi."

Kazehara Tetsu's voice was calm, yet carried an unquestionable confidence.

After borrowing a seat from Senpai, the two began their game.

"Let's decide who goes first."

Sakayanagi Arisu said, picking up a white pawn and a black pawn to settle who would have the first move, as was customary.

"No need."

Kazehara Tetsu gestured for her to go ahead. "Ladies first. I'll play black."

His words drew a murmur from those around them.

In International Chess, playing white did offer a slight advantage, one that became increasingly significant at higher levels.

"In that case, I won't hold back."

She extended her slender fingers and pushed the e2 Pawn to e4.

The standard King's Pawn opening, aiming to control the center and open a line for the King's Wing bishop.

Kazehara Tetsu responded almost without thinking, moving the e7 Pawn to e5. A symmetrical King's Pawn opening.

The opening passed without incident, with both sides developing their pieces methodically and contesting the center.

Sakayanagi Arisu moved at a decent pace, showing a solid foundation and plenty of experience.

Kazehara Tetsu's responses came even faster, as if he barely needed to think, as though he had already anticipated everything.

Before long, both sides castled, moving their kings to the relative safety of the flanks.

Once the pieces were mostly developed and a clash seemed imminent, Sakayanagi Arisu struck first.

Taking advantage of a move with tempo, she brought her queen to the King's Wing, forming a potential attack with her bishop and knight and threatening Kazehara Tetsu's seemingly solid defenses there.

"Quite a sharp attack taking shape," Kazehara Tetsu thought.

Sakayanagi Arisu's style was clearly aggressive. She was good at finding and creating opportunities.

An ordinary amateur player would likely crumble quickly under her relentless assault.

But to Kazehara Tetsu, with his Master Level vision, her attack was fierce but far from flawless.

He calculated more than a dozen moves ahead. Defending passively would leave him at a disadvantage, but if he could turn the tables...

Rather than reinforce the King's Wing, he suddenly made a seemingly inconsequential move: Queen d8 to e7!

The move bolstered the defense of the e5 Pawn while quietly positioning his queen for a possible counterattack through the center. It also cleared the d7 square for his bishop on c8.

Sakayanagi Arisu's attack faltered. She keenly sensed that if she continued attacking the King's Wing, her own back rank might be exposed. She had to spend a move adjusting her Pawn Structure and reinforcing the center.

Kazehara Tetsu seized the opportunity, pinning Sakayanagi Arisu's knight and threatening to weaken white's King's Wing defenses through an exchange at the right moment.

The game shifted in an instant from Sakayanagi Arisu's one-sided attack to a complicated middlegame struggle.

Each of Kazehara Tetsu's moves not only neutralized her threats but also steadily built up small advantages—a better Pawn Structure, more active piece placement.

Sakayanagi Arisu's brow furrowed more and more, and her pace slowed noticeably.

She realized that Kazehara Tetsu's style was seasoned, his calculations far-reaching, and his understanding of the position exceptionally deep.

Every response made her uncomfortable, as if he could see through all her intentions and had blocked every attacking route in advance.

Was he really "just a little" good? This was professional-level play, if not better!

The spectators, especially the club members who knew chess, could see it too.

The chess skills of those two were far beyond what anyone their age should have. They were incredible!

"Th-they're both ridiculously good... Amazing!" someone whispered in awe.

"Especially that guy. His calculating ability is terrifying."

On the board, the pieces continued to trade.

Fine beads of sweat appeared at Sakayanagi Arisu's temples.

She pressed her lips tightly together, her eyes fixed on the board as she searched for even the faintest hope of turning the game around.

Kazehara Tetsu remained perfectly composed.

He even had time to glance at Sakayanagi Arisu, appreciating the frustration and stubbornness of the proud girl as she found herself in a Desperate Situation in their battle of wits.

In the end, Kazehara Tetsu used his rook and bishop in tandem to create an unstoppable mating threat.

She would either lose her rook or be checkmated.

Sakayanagi Arisu's fingers hovered over the board for a long time before finally falling, powerless.

She gently toppled her king, signaling her resignation.

"I lost."

Her voice remained calm, but a faint tremor could be heard if one listened closely.

For someone who had always seemed so composed, it was a considerable display of emotion.

Kazehara Tetsu looked at the girl across from him, her head lowered, and said nothing.

He knew this victory meant far more to Sakayanagi Arisu than the previous one, which he had won by exploiting a loophole in the rules.

Sakayanagi Arisu raised her head, her expression already back to its usual indifference.

"You deceived me, Kazehara."

She spoke slowly. "You said you were 'just a little' good."

"I did say that," Kazehara Tetsu admitted frankly. "But what I didn't say was that my 'a little' might not mean the same thing as everyone else's."

He paused, his tone tinged with amusement. "Besides, isn't it easier to win when your opponent underestimates you? That's a strategy too."

Sakayanagi Arisu fell silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled.

"It seems I underestimated not only your methods but your chess skills too—or should I say, your 'ability to learn'?" Her words carried an implication; she clearly suspected Kazehara Tetsu had been deliberately hiding his true skill.

"But I won't let you beat me so easily next time."

"Anytime." Kazehara Tetsu's lips curled into a confident smile.

Just then, a Senpai came over, admiration filling his eyes. "Both of you are top-notch players. Would you be interested in joining our club? You could represent the school in various competitions."

Sakayanagi Arisu looked at Kazehara Tetsu. She didn't say anything, only gazed at him quietly, as if waiting for something.

Seeing this, Kazehara Tetsu shrugged helplessly and spread his hands. "Didn't I already say it? I don't want to waste my time on something like this."

Sakayanagi Arisu slowly turned to the Senpai, a faint smile on her face. "I'm afraid I'll have to pass on your club. After seeing the level of play here, I simply can't muster any interest."

Her words were polite, but their meaning could not have been clearer.

She wasn't interested in the club. In fact, she didn't think their chess skills were worth her joining.