『System Shop』
『Purchase: Skill: Board-Game Master – 250 points』
『Confirm.』
『Points -250.
Remaining points: 473.』
『Skill: Board-Game Master has been equipped.』
A massive influx of information regarding various types of chess knowledge, openings, middle-game tactics, endgame techniques, classic matches, and situational judgment flooded into Kaedehara Tōru’s mind, rapidly merging with his existing thoughts.
In an instant, the chessboard before him looked completely different.
The advantages and disadvantages of every opening, every possible subsequent variation, various classic tactical combinations, and positional evaluations became as clear as innate instinct.
“I’m in your care, Sakayanagi-san.”
Kaedehara Tōru’s voice was flat, yet it carried an undeniable sense of powerful confidence.
Just like that, they borrowed a spot from an upperclassman, and the two began their match.
“Let’s draw for sides.”
Sakayanagi Arisu said, picking up a white pawn and a black pawn, preparing for the customary draw to decide who would go first.
“No need.”
Kaedehara Tōru made a “please” gesture.
“Ladies first.
I’ll take black.”
As soon as he said this, faint whispers broke out among the onlookers.
In chess, playing white and going first does indeed grant a slight advantage, which often becomes more crucial in high-level matches.
“In that case, I won’t stand on ceremony.”
She extended her slender fingers and pushed the e2 pawn to e4.
A standard King’s Pawn Opening is intended to control the center and open lines for the kingside bishop.
Kaedehara Tōru responded almost without thinking, moving his e7 pawn to e5.
An asymmetrical king’s pawn opening.
The opening phase was calm, with both sides methodically developing their pieces and vying for the center.
Sakayanagi Arisu’s playing speed was not slow, demonstrating a solid foundation and proficiency.
Kaedehara Tōru’s responses were even faster, as if he required no thought at all, as though everything was within his expectations.
Soon, both sides castled on the board, moving their kings to the relatively safe flanks.
Once the pieces were basically deployed and the contact battle was about to begin, Sakayanagi Arisu was the first to strike.
Taking advantage of her initiative, she moved her Queen to the kingside, forming a potential attacking combination with her bishop and knight, threatening Kaedehara Tōru’s seemingly solid kingside position.
“A very sharp offensive spark,” Kaedehara Tōru evaluated internally.
Sakayanagi Arisu’s style of play was clearly aggressive, adept at finding and creating opportunities.
An average amateur expert would likely collapse quickly under her storm-like assault. This chapter is updated first at g.com.
However, in the eyes of Kaedehara Tōru, who possessed master-level vision, this wave of attack, though fierce, was not flawless.
He precisely calculated the variations for the next dozen or so moves and realized that if he simply defended, he would fall into a passive position, but if he did the opposite…
Instead of choosing to reinforce his kingside, he suddenly made a seemingly inconsequential move: Queen from d8 to e7!
This move both strengthened the protection of the e5 pawn and secretly positioned his queen for a potential counterattack in the center, while also clearing the d7 square for the c8 bishop.
Sakayanagi Arisu’s offensive stalled.
She keenly felt that if she continued to press the kingside, her own rear might be exposed.
She was forced to spend a move adjusting her pawn structure to consolidate the center.
Kaedehara Tōru immediately seized this opportunity, pinning Sakayanagi Arisu’s knight while simultaneously threatening to weaken White’s kingside defense through an exchange at the right moment.
The game instantly shifted from Sakayanagi Arisu’s one-sided attack into a complex middle-game struggle.
Every move Kaedehara Tōru made not only neutralized the opponent’s threats but also continuously accumulated small advantages—a better pawn structure, more active positioning.
Sakayanagi Arisu’s brow furrowed tighter and tighter, and her playing speed slowed down significantly.
She discovered that the Kaedehara Tōru before her had a sophisticated style, deep calculation, and an extremely profound understanding of the board.
Every response he made left her feeling uncomfortable, as if all her intentions were seen through and all her attack routes were blocked in advance.
Did he really “only know a bit”?
This was clearly professional level, or even higher!
The surrounding spectators, especially the club members who knew the game, also began to see what was happening.
The chess skills of the two before them were not at all what people their age should possess; they were too strong!
“This…
the level of these two is extraordinary…
so strong!” someone whispered in amazement.
“Especially that guy, his calculation power is terrifying.”
On the board, pieces were being exchanged continuously.
Fine beads of sweat broke out on Sakayanagi Arisu’s forehead.
She pursed her lips tightly, her eyes staring fixedly at the board, trying to find a sliver of hope for a comeback.
Kaedehara Tōru, on the other hand, remained as calm as ever.
He even had the leisure to look at Sakayanagi Arisu, appreciating the unwillingness and stubbornness of this proud girl as she fell into a desperate situation during this battle of wits.
Ultimately, Kaedehara Tōru utilized a rook-bishop coordination to create an unresolvable checkmate threat.
She would either lose her rook or be checkmated.
Sakayanagi Arisu’s fingers hovered over the board for a long time before finally dropping powerlessly.
She gently tipped over her king, a gesture of resignation.
“I lost.” This chapter was taken from g.com without permission.
Her voice was still calm, but if one listened closely, a very faint tremor could be detected.
For someone who always presented herself as composed, this was already a significant emotional fluctuation.
Kaedehara Tōru looked at the girl across from him with her head lowered and didn’t say much.
He knew that this victory carried far more weight for Sakayanagi Arisu than the previous one where he had exploited a rule loophole.
Sakayanagi Arisu looked up, her expression having returned to its usual indifference.
“You lied to me, Kaedehara-san.”
She said slowly, “You said you ‘only know a bit.'”
“I did say that.”
Kaedehara Tōru admitted frankly, “But what I didn’t say is that my ‘a bit’ might be a little different from what others understand as ‘a bit’.”
He paused, his tone carrying a hint of playfulness.
“Besides, isn’t it easier to win when the opponent underestimates you?
That’s also a form of strategy.”
Sakayanagi Arisu was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled.
“It seems I not only underestimated your methods but also your chess skills—or should I say, your ‘learning ability’?” Her words were pointed, clearly suspecting that Kaedehara Tōru had been hiding his true strength before.
“However, next time, I won’t let you win so easily.”
“Anytime.”
Just then, an upperclassman walked over, his eyes full of admiration.
“The chess skills of both of you are top-notch.
Any interest in joining our club?
You could represent the school in various competitions in the future.”
Sakayanagi Arisu looked at Kaedehara Tōru.
She didn’t speak, but simply gazed at him quietly, as if waiting for something.
Seeing this, Kaedehara Tōru shrugged helplessly and spread his hands.
“Didn’t I say it before?
I don’t want to waste my time on such things.”
Sakayanagi Arisu slowly turned toward the upperclassman, a faint smile appearing on her face.
“I’m so sorry!
As for your club, I think I’ll have to pass.
After all, seeing your level of chess skill just now, it’s really hard to get interested.”
Although her words were polite, the meaning behind them couldn’t be clearer.
She had no interest in this club and even felt their chess skills weren’t worth her participation.