Lucas calmly moved his knight to g4, a move that seemed to come out of nowhere. This unexpected maneuver not only protected his king but also threatened the boss’s queen, forcing him to reconsider his aggressive strategy.
The wiry boss hesitated, his earlier confidence shaken. He realized that Lucas had set a trap, and his sacrificial move had played right into it. The room was tense as the boss tried to find a way out of the predicament.
Lucas, maintaining his composure, continued to press his advantage. He moved his rook to e8, further solidifying his defense and preparing for a counterattack. The wiry boss, now on the defensive, scrambled to adjust his strategy.
With each move, Lucas dismantled the boss’s aggressive position, turning the tables and gaining control of the board. The wiry boss, now sweating under the pressure, struggled to keep up with Lucas’s calculated plays. He swallowed hard, trying to maintain his composure. “You’re good, Lucio,” he admitted, moving his rook in an attempt to regain some control.
Lucas nodded, his eyes never leaving the board. “You’ve got some strong moves yourself,” he replied, countering with a knight that threatened the boss’s queen.
The boss furrowed his brow, considering his options. “I didn’t expect you to see through my strategy so quickly,” he confessed, shifting his bishop to block Lucas’s advance.
Lucas smiled slightly, moving his queen into a more dominant position. “It’s all about anticipating the next few moves,” he said, his voice calm and steady.
The boss, realizing he was running out of options, tried one last desperate maneuver. “Maybe I can still turn this around,” he muttered, but each move only seemed to tighten Lucas’s grip on the game.
As the game progressed, the boss noticed that every piece he moved seemed to lead him into a corner or a single inevitable outcome: checkmate. Realizing the futility of his position, he sighed deeply. “I admit defeat, Lucio,” he said, pulling out a check for one billion and handing it to Lucas.
One of the other bosses, in disbelief, leaned forward. “How did you manage to counter such a famous move?” he asked, his voice tinged with awe.
Casually leaning back in his chair, Lucas explained, “That move is quite overused, and there are many ways to counter it. However, I crafted my own way to defeat it on the spot.”
The three bosses exchanged glances, stunned by the revelation. “You mean you didn’t plan this beforehand?” one of them asked incredulously.
Lucas shrugged, a hint of a smile on his lips. “It’s all about adapting to the situation and thinking a few steps ahead,” he replied, his tone nonchalant. “Sometimes, the best strategies are the ones you create in the moment.”
The burly boss snapped back to reality, a grin spreading across his face. “I admit you have some skills, but I’m sure you’ll lose this time,” he boasted, his voice dripping with confidence.
Lucas waved dismissively, clearly uninterested in the bravado. “Just sit down for the match and spare me the chatter,” he replied lazily.
The boss chuckled, shaking his head. “Oh, I’m not the one playing. I wouldn’t want to embarrass you, a newcomer, any further,” he said with a smirk. “Let me make a call.”
Lucas nodded in agreement, watching as the boss turned away to make a phone call. The truth was, the burly boss wasn’t as skilled in chess as the other two bosses, so he sought backup.
A few moments later, the boss returned, his swagger even more pronounced. “I’ve got someone lined up who’ll give you a real challenge,” he bragged, his voice full of bravado. “This guy’s a champion, a real pro. He’s competed in tournaments and won titles. You’re going down, Lucio.”
Lucas remained unfazed, leaning back in his chair with a bored expression. “We’ll see,” he replied nonchalantly, clearly uninterested in the boss’s attempts to intimidate him.
Seeing Lucas’s lack of interest, the boss fell silent, realizing that Lucas’s calm demeanor wasn’t fear but confidence. The room was quiet, the tension palpable as they awaited the arrival of the boss’s secret weapon.
After a few minutes, an older man in his 50s entered the room. His presence commanded respect, and it was clear from his demeanor that he was a seasoned chess player. The burly boss greeted him enthusiastically. “This is Axcel, last year’s world tournament champion,” he introduced, pride evident in his voice.
Axcel walked in, his expression one of mild impatience. He had been summoned by the burly boss with the promise of a billion if he won the chess match. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have bothered to come. As he approached the table, he glanced at Lucas, sizing him up with a professional’s eye.
As Axcel approached the table, he waved off the formalities with the boss. “Let’s skip the pleasantries and get this over with,” he said, eager to start the match. As he neared the chessboard, his eyes shifted to the pieces. He noticed that the white pieces had been arranged in the opening style of a famous player. When he examined the black pieces, he was taken aback by their unusual positions.
Despite his initial surprise, he was impressed, though he thought it might have been a fluke. It seemed impossible for someone to consistently make such skillful moves in every game.
Turning to Lucas, Axcel remarked, “I’m impressed by what I see from just a glance at the board.”
Lucas smiled, acknowledging the compliment. “It’s good to know a champion has an eye for detail,” he replied, his tone respectful.
The bosses, misinterpreting the exchange, thought Lucas was intimidated. The burly boss, brimming with pride, declared, “Lucio, this is your end,” grinning widely.
However, unbeknownst to them, Axcel felt a twinge of unease. He noticed Lucas’s calm demeanor and sensed an aura of professionalism about him. But what truly unsettled him was the inexplicable feeling he got when he looked at Lucas.
Taking his seat, Axcel announced, “I’ll play black.”
Lucas nodded, confirming, “Are you sure?”
Axcel nodded confidently, “Yes, I’m sure.”
Lucas adjusted the pieces, preparing for the match. The burly boss, still confident, boasted, “I always watch him play. He’s known for his incredible countering skills. They call him the Counter Master in chess.”
The two players meticulously arranged their pieces on the board. “What’s the wager?” Lucas asked casually as he set up his side.
“Two billion,” the burly boss replied with a smug grin, confident in his impending victory.
Lucas nodded, placing the last piece on the board. “In that case… prepare to lose,” he said, making his first move with a calm assurance.
The burly boss laughed, “Let’s see who ends up losing,” he retorted, grinning widely.
Lucas shrugged, unfazed. “Lose? Remember, I’m playing with free money, and besides, I don’t plan on losing,” he replied calmly.
The burly boss laughed heartily, mocking Lucas. “You’re up against a champion, not some ordinary player,” he taunted.
Ignoring the jibes, Lucas focused on the game. He made an unconventional opening move, one that seemed to defy traditional strategies. Axcel, observing the move, raised an eyebrow. It was an unusual choice, one that didn’t fit into any standard opening he knew.
Intrigued, Axcel leaned forward, studying the board. He quickly calculated a counter, moving his knight to a position that would typically pressure an opponent into a defensive stance. But Lucas, unfazed, responded with another unexpected move, advancing a pawn in a way that disrupted Axcel’s planned sequence.
Axcel paused, momentarily thrown off by Lucas’s unpredictability. He realized that Lucas wasn’t playing by the book; instead, he was crafting a strategy on the fly, adapting to the flow of the game with an almost instinctual precision.
The room was silent, the tension palpable as the two players continued their duel. Each move by Lucas seemed random at first glance, yet as the game progressed, a pattern began to emerge-a pattern that only someone with a keen eye like Axcel could discern.
Axcel, now fully engaged, found himself challenged in a way he hadn’t anticipated. He countered with precision, trying to regain control of the board, but Lucas’s moves were like a dance, fluid and unpredictable.