→ chess.

[majorhellstrom]

Dieter liked the Compound well enough in that it always had something by way of a distraction from the altogether dull routine that he had slowly developed on the island. Whether it was a book to read, a film to watch, music to listen to, or some sport to play, there was always something. This particular day found him in the rec room, holding a

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[whoneedsadream]

Anatoly peered into the rec room cautiously and finding that for once, Freddie was not profaning the place with his foul presence, he entered. To his surprise, someone was at the chess board, meticulously setting the pieces on their allotted square.

The prospect of matching wits with a new opponent was too much to resist and he headed over, hoping the other man would be amenable to a game or two. "Would you mind if I joined you?"

[majorhellstrom]

Hellstrom glanced up quickly, polite smile immediately on his features as he nodded, gesturing for the other man to sit down. He didn't recognize him, but it was just as well, he supposed.

"I wouldn't mind at all." Putting the last piece onto its designated square, he offered Anatoly his right hand.

"Dieter Hellstrom."

[whoneedsadream]

A small flicker of consternation passed over Anatoly's face as he sat in the chair opposite the man. It seemed very much a German name and while he didn't want to rush to judgment as certain people on the island, it still made him pause.

He offered Dieter a small smile as he leaned over to shake his hand firmly. "Anatoly Sergievsky."

[majorhellstrom]

It was a look Dieter had seen on a few other faces -- despite having settled in, he was still attuned to noticing the smallest details in people's reactions to things. Still, he didn't let on (beyond not really responding to the other man's introduction, a slip he caught as soon as he'd said his next sentence), nodding down at the board.

"Would you prefer to play as black or white?"

[whoneedsadream]

"Black," he answered without hesitation. Dieter didn't appear to be one for idle conversation, which didn't bother Anatoly at all. He was happy enough to talk while playing, but his preference was to focus simply on the game. There could always be conversation afterward.

[majorhellstrom]

Hellstrom flipped the board around so the black pieces were on Anatoly's side, glancing quickly over it to make sure he had all of the pieces in the correct order. For what the assessment was worth, he liked chess. He liked that it was a game that took more than brute strength, that it required proper strategy. (Strategy was something he had always tried to play up in war.)

He took a moment to think before beginning the game, hands in his lap until he knew his first move. Pawn to D4.

[whoneedsadream]

It was this part of the game that Anatoly liked best - the beginning where things were so uncertain and each move was as much about sizing up your opponent as it was setting your strategies in motion.

He was impressed with Dieter's self-control, most people fidgeted or mumbled under their breath as they decided what to do. He nodded in appreciation then swiftly moved his pawn.

Defense was the order of the day until he had Dieter's measure. Then, and only then would he go on the attack.

[majorhellstrom]

By no means was Dieter a real match for a professional chess player, but he put on a good show. He worked as though each piece were a soldier, working with strategy but too aggressive in the end.

He had to say, he was impressed with the level of the man playing him; he hadn't expected anyone so serious in measure, but the fact that Anatoly played as well as he did was a pleasant surprise. There was no fun in a game that wasn't a challenge in some way.

[whoneedsadream]

Anatoly's preferred method of dealing with aggressive players was to simply allow them to expend their energy and pieces attacking and quietly but efficiently knock off the pieces as he could until they had overextended themselves and he could move in for the checkmate.

"You play very well," Anatoly murmured approvingly during a lull as he debated on his next move. "Not too many do, here."

[majorhellstrom]

"I assume you are one of the exceptions?" The statement wasn't meant as anything but a statement of what Dieter had managed to gather about his opponent so far, and his tone said as much. Despite not knowing that much about chess, he was good at taking the mental measure of any man.

[whoneedsadream]

"I am a grandmaster and world champion," Anatoly answered quietly. It wasn't bragging, it was simply a statement of fact. He had worked too hard and sacrificed too much not to acknowledge his prowess.

His decision made, he moved his pawn, tapping thoughtfully against the side of the board as he did so. "I love the game and I am happy to play against anyone, you understand, but I cannot deny that having a challenge is refreshing."

[majorhellstrom]

Hellstrom's eyes fixed briefly on Anatoly's face. Those weren't credentials to laugh at (and they explained a lot).

"So I would imagine," he conceded, gaze back on the board. "Most things lose what pleasure they had when they become too easy."

[whoneedsadream]

Anatoly met Dieter's gaze, wondering for a moment what sort of man he was. Perhaps it was only his imagination (and regrettable innate suspicion of Germans), but he suspected there were hidden depths. There were any number of things but he wasn't going to pry - at least, not in the middle of a game.

"I suppose I should give in and ask the inevitable question - how long have you been here?"