by Ryszard Krasowski

Created on: February 05, 2009

THE CHESS GAME

"You are not telling the truth, sir." Detective Richardson looked straight into the eyes of a man with a glass of whisky in his hand.

James Watt frowned and nervously sipped from the glass.

"I've told you everything I know."

"Let's go through your story again, sir." Detective Richardson put his hand into the inside pocket of his coat and took out a small notebook. Turning over the pages, he peered at James Watt from time to time.

"Do you mind if I make myself another drink?" asked Watt. "Before you'll find what you're looking for."

"Go ahead." Richardson smiled. "You are at home, sir."

"Would you like something to drink, too? Whisky, gin, vodka?"

"It is very kind of you, sir, but no, thank you. I don't drink when I'm on duty."

What is he up to? Watt asked himself, pouring whisky into the glass full of ice cubes. Have I forgotten something?

"You know, Mr. Watt?" Detective Richardson stopped thumbing through his notebook. "I play chess, too. Of course, I'm not as good at it as you are." Embarrassment was painted on his face. "But I find it a fascinating game. Don't you think so, sir?"

"Yes, I think so. It is fascinating indeed." Watt looked at the detective suspiciously, surprised by his unexpected remark about chess.

"I used to play chess with my son, you know. He is only ten years old, but I think he'll be a good player. He already showed me some interesting tricks." Richardson looked about as he talked. Then he went down on his knees and stared toward a little table with a chess board.

"Have you lost something?" Watt asked abruptly." The detective's behavior has begun to irritate him.

"No, no. I'm sorry. How many chess sets do you have, sir?"

"I have never counted them, but I think you may find quite a few in this house. As you probably know, I'm a chess collector as well."

"Do you use them all?"

"Sometimes. When I practice different variants of a game I may use three or four sets."

"This one looks interesting." Detective Richardson approached another table and pointed to the chess board on it. It seemed that he asked questions, but didn't listen to the answers, as if he already knew what they would be. "Do me a favor, sir. Could you, please play with me just one game? Maybe I'll show you the tricks my son taught me."

Watt looked a little confused. "But you didn't come here to play chess, did you?"

"Just one game, sir," Richardson looked at Watt in anticipation. "If I tell my son that I played with you he'd be thrilled."

"All right then." Although reluctant, Watt

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>