Noah had spent six Saturdays having chess lessons with his dad.
Before their next family game, he slipped Grandma five pounds and asked her to lose. Not too quickly, though. Dad had to watch, and it had to look real.
Grandma offered to play for free.
Noah insisted she keep the money.
She asked why winning one game mattered so much….
Noah’s dad, Paul, had decided that his son should learn chess.
It teaches patience, he said.
Noah was nine. He had other plans for Saturday morning.
Paul bought a board, opened a book and began with the pawns.
Noah moved one.
Why there? Paul asked.
It was in front.
You need a plan.
My plan was to move it.
For the next six Saturdays, they played at the kitchen table. Every move brought a question. Every answer brought a lesson.
Why had Noah moved the knight? Had he looked at the bishop? What was the other player planning?
Noah asked whether the other player was planning to let them have lunch.
Paul said patience took practice.
At Sunday lunch, he told his mother that the lessons were going well.
You ought to play Grandma, he told Noah. She taught me.
Grandma, whose name was June, smiled.
I’d enjoy that.
Paul said he would watch. He wanted to see whether Noah remembered what he had learned.
And if I win? Noah asked.
Then I’ll know you can manage a whole game on your own.
No more Saturday lessons?
Not if you beat your grandma.
June reached for the potatoes. Noah asked what time she would be free the following Sunday.
That weekend, he arrived before his parents.
He carried the chessboard under one arm and a small envelope in his pocket.
June put on the kettle.
Would you like to set the pieces out?
Noah placed the envelope beside her chair.
It contained five pounds in coins.
That’s from my money box, he said.
What’s it for?
Our game.
We don’t need to play for money.
Noah looked towards the front door.
I need you to lose.
June tried not to smile.
I’m quite capable of losing without being paid.
Not straight away, though. Dad would notice.
She sat down.
How long should it take?
About half an hour. And you should say I’ve trapped your queen.
Have you learned how to do that?
I’ll point at something. You can help.
June counted the coins. There were several pennies. He had clearly brought everything.
She pushed the envelope back.
Keep your money. We’ll have a nice game.
Noah pushed it towards her again.
I want to pay.
Why?
Because this is important.
Paul’s car turned into the drive. June heard the doors open.
She leaned closer to her grandson.
You don’t have to buy a win, love. It’s only a game.
Noah glanced through the window at his dad, who was carrying the chess book.
Grandma lowered her voice.
Five pounds is a lot for half an hour.
Noah shook his head.
It’s for getting my Saturdays back.
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