the Chess Tournament
Baron had been hosting a Chess Tournament for all the noble children every year, and with the four royal children staying with him and Naomi while their parents were away, it seemed as good a time as any.
So, Rex brought his daughter and nieces, and Jude arrived with his two children...
So, Rex brought his daughter and nieces, and Jude arrived with his two children...
the Reigning Champion
All the children loved playing the huge floor chess game, and Baron always arranged the competition games so everyone would have several chances to play on it.
The children gathered round as Baron explained how the competition would be run this year.
"At the end of today's tournament, the champion will have the honour of taking home this beautiful gold trophy."
It was quite an impressive trophy....
...and for the past few years it had been David who had always defeated everyone else to become the Chess Champion of the Year.
"The challenge today," said Baron, as David picked up the trophy, "will be to see if David can retain his title of Chess Champion."
"Or if this will be the year that someone else finally unseats him."
David just smiled to himself, thinking there wasn't much chance of that.
After all, he had played most of the others many times before and had never lost a game.
"So, shall we begin?"
Getting Started
Baron always arranged it so that all the children had several chances to play a couple of rounds on the large floor game. The first match of the day was between Paige and her sister Nami....
Meanwhile, so that everyone didn't have to stand around waiting forever for a turn, there was also a smaller board set up on the table. The first match there was between Ringo and Judith....
Back on the floor, Nami and her sister were actually quite well matched....
David always studied the best player's moves in order to help determine his own strategy when it came time to play them.
But Faye and Daisy just sat together chatting in the window. "Do you like playing chess?" asked Faye.
"Yes, I do enjoy a good game from time to time."
More Games
All the children had turns playing each other. JIt was Jamie's turn to play Lisa at the table....
Lisa cornered his King.
"Check mate!"
Then Jamie was paired against Ringo on the floor...
...and promptly defeated him.
While Paige went against Judith at the table...
At the end of each game, the children would set up the board again for the next players....
"There, almost set up again for the next round."
Lunch Time
David and Jamie were playing each other on the floor, when the match at the table ended, making it the perfect time to clear the table and set out some lunch...
"I asked the kitchen staff to make some of my favourite foods from when I was your age."
"There's hot dogs and hamburgers, and pizza..."
"..and devilled eggs, donuts, and cupcakes."
"They may seem new and unusual to you,
but I hope you enjoy them as much as I always did."
"It does look kind of strange," commented Judith, as Jamie was getting distracted by the goings on over at the table.
Paige had been treated to Naomi's pizza before on a previous visit and had loved it.
"Well, I think 'pizza' is delicious." she commented as she reached for a slice.
"Well, I think 'pizza' is delicious." she commented as she reached for a slice.
Distraction
David and Jamie were in the middle of a game when lunch arrived...
...and it proved to be quite the distraction.
The girls all chose something and sat down to enjoy it...
"You sure you don't want some?"
The boys tried to go on with their game...
...but lunch just smelled so good.
The distraction proved to be too much, so the boys finally decided to take a break, have some lunch, and continue their game later.
Final Rounds
After lunch was finished, David and Jamie resumed their game, and after Jamie was defeated he went to watch his little sister, Bonnie, play against Faye at the table.
Both girls had low scores with no hope of winning the tournament, but they still looked forward to playing a game together.
Meanwhile, over on the floor it was the final championship round of the tournament, between Daisy and David. The two of them were both undefeated, and tied with the highest scores for the day, and now they needed to play each other to see who would become this year's champion.
The two of them were very well matched, and it was a very close game.
Everyone watched in anticipation,
...especially David's siblings.
Was this the year their brother would finally meet his match?
Daisy studied the board.
Daisy made her last move....and smiled at David....
"Checkmate!"
Everyone was stunned....
Daisy had just defeated David, the reigning champ.
A New Champion
Daisy offered her hand to her rival. "Well played!'
Baron was a little surprised at the turn of events....
...but impressed with the girl's ability, and sense of honour and sportsmanship.
"Thank you for an excellent game."
"I'd love to play you again some time."
A New Champion
The adults had returned for the presentation of the trophy.
They were all a little surprised at the turn of events.
Baron presented Daisy with the trophy. "Congratulations! You are our new Chess Champion!"
"Yes, congratulations!" added Lisa and Jamie.
Daisy went to show her uncle her trophy...
"Congratulations Daisy!"
"Very well done!"
Meanwhile David was over helping the others clean up the floor game....
Where Ringo was trying to get Bonnie's attention.
"So, what happened?" asked Jamie. He knew David had a crush on Daisy, "Did you let her win?"
"No, of course not." he sighed, "I take chess very seriously, and would never throw a game on purpose."
"It was actually the most challenging game I've ever played."
"She's just really good."
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