Chess City, Kalmykia
T he Chessmaster’s men usher me toward a building decorated in Buddhist ornaments and architecture. It’s one of the most memorable buildings in Chess City. No one says a word to me.
Inside, a few Tibetan women help me take a bath and put on better, cleaner clothes. They take care of my nails and hair, but they don’t speak my language, so I don’t know what’s going on.
I have no choice but to go along, since the Chessmaster, though having found what he wanted, has refused to release the world leaders.
“You and I, Alice, we have one last chess game to play.” These were his words. “I want you to look good for the end of either your life or mine.”
One of the women brings me a chessboard, books about chess, and DVDs about the Chessmaster’s previous games. This one, unlike the others, speaks English.
“Why those?” I ask.
“You need to prepare yourself,” she says. “The Chessmaster has never lost a game. He even won the game with…”
“God, I know, and I don’t care about all of this propaganda. I don’t have any idea how to play chess.”
“Then you will die.” She grins happily.
“Is he seriously intent on playing a final chess game with me?” I ask. “A real game of chess? I thought it was a metaphor.”
“The Chessmaster loves chess. It’s his life, and just so you know, there is a prophecy about you and him playing the last chess game in the world.”
“I know about the stupid prophecy. I read it in some ancient note,” I say. “But this is ridiculous. He knows I will lose.”
“If you lose, people will die, and the world will end, too.”
“Thanks for reminding me.” I cough, almost chortling. “Are you saying I’m playing that same game he killed the Pope with?”
“And all the other world leaders,” she remarks. “He has killed a few more in the last few hours and put more cities to sleep. They say Oxford and London will be put to sleep next.”
“I have to see the Chessmaster and talk to him. He needs to know I can’t play chess. Whatever happened between us in the past, there must be another way to solve it.”
“No other way. Win or lose,” she says. “Remember, after every move, you drink a small cup of poison. The poison makes you dizzy and doesn’t kill you until your seventh move. If you can’t beat the Chessmaster before this one, you will die. Thank you very much.”