CHECKING OUT

She stands regally, all in white
Between two castles she reigns
Beside her king, silent and still
Sees a mounted knight‘s advance
Riding alone into the battlefield
Armoured, with a lance to wield
A diagonal path, taking a chance
Soon searching for an early kill
Cautiously seeking simple gains
An enemy pawn, to his right

As frontline troops are edging out
Church leaders mutter and move
Engagements now are one on one
Changing fortunes mask the plan
A strategic vision guides the hand
That few onlookers will understand
A clear focus since this battle began
By clever moves not to be undone
A game that historians can approve
Strict rules of war, none shall flout

Senior figures extend their reach
Proximity poses a constant threat
The enemy are always in plain sight
A bird’s eye view sees a clever tactic
Making retreats that soldiers can’t
But who can kill another en passant
To an ending that may be climactic
Moving to and fro to avoid a fight
Even gladiatorial, with spear and net
No Art Of War that books can teach

Panic moves become the clearest sign
The whole battle now nears the end
Forces depleted, gone from the field
The black army struggles to recover
A flurry of unemotional battle scenes
Resulting in the loss of both queens
A fateful outcome that’s like no other
The king is exposed, his fate is sealed
No escape, nor position left to defend
No alternative left but to fall and resign