Chapter 7
The Rules of Ōgi

Wanting to lighten the mood, I tried a more playful approach. You hide your game well, princess.

My tone was meant to be casual, but something in her attitude intrigued me.

Careful not to confuse the player with her pieces, she replied.

I wouldn't dare, I assured her. But this game and these pieces seem to me worthy of Her Majesty.

You think big, she breathed with an enigmatic smile. It is indeed the King's¹.

The King's. The words rang strangely. Was she talking about her husband? A lover? Or was it a metaphor I was not grasping?

I felt my jaw tighten. An official variant, then?

Her eyes blazed with a new gleam. It is not a variant. Rather the original shōgi, if you like. Older. More... pure.

I was captivated by this explanation that led nowhere. This woman and her game, defying all known logic, fascinated me as much as they baffled me.

Determined to clear things up, I leaned forward. What about captured pieces? If you take one of my pieces, will you be able to use it against me?

Her smile widened, as if my question were exactly the one she had been waiting for. I certainly can.

I felt my stomach knot. A game where your opponent could turn your own pieces against you? Isn't that a little unfair? I asked frankly. I mean, if you capture my queen, for example...

Her face stayed serene, almost amused by my confusion. I went on all the same: In chess, a captured piece is out of play for good. Here, you could use it against me?

Her eyes did not let go of me. In its primitive form, yes. Then she added, as if it were obvious: Captured pieces lose their power before being reborn as ōgi pieces.

Fuck, I understood nothing. To clear it all up, I tried again: So... if you capture my queen...

She would go back to being a simple pawn, she finished, her eyes shining with satisfaction. Before being converted into an equivalent piece of my game.

I thought for a moment. A queen that would go back to being a simple pawn, you say?

She leaned slightly toward me. If in chess a pawn can be promoted to a queen, why couldn't a captured queen be demoted to a pawn?

I must admit her logic struck me. I nodded.

One moment, I resumed, looking for the flaw. If you alone can bring captured pieces back into play, the advantage is likely to tip quickly in your favour, don't you think?

Her expression changed abruptly. Her eyes turned cold, distant.

One does not win with an army of pawns, she said curtly. Her gaze plunged into mine, implacable.

I often leave them... to one side, she declared in an icy voice.

The contrast with her earlier warmth startled me. A heavy silence settled.

So, she resumed, her eyes regaining their sparkle, are you ready to plunge into the unknown?

A jolt of adrenaline ran through me.

Let's play.