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[loveofmasters]

[1974]Freddie was in a mood. After two years she'd gotten pretty good at recognizing them, and usually she could funnel them into practice, or the next game, but tonight he wasn't having it. She'd spent hours studying the records and games of his next opponent and she was working hard to replicate his playing style during their practice. It was the

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[pitythetrumper]

Freddie knew he was better than Florence. It wasn't boasting - although he did sometimes boast - it was just a statement of fact. But there were times like these when she could throw him with a game and she would win. Unfortunately, today seemed to be one of those freak days when he couldn't seem to win and every loss ate at him just a little more.

"Don't tell me to think," he replied shortly, staring at the board. There had to be a way out of this. He just needed to calm down. He could never think when he was angry.

He took a breath and made a move, wishing he was more confident than just a 'maybe this will work'.

[loveofmasters]

"If you just did it, I wouldn't have to."

She didn't even need to consider the move, he was falling right into the trap she'd placed. He was frustrated and making mistakes and if he did it in the next game he'd lose. He needed that game.

"Check." She placed the piece like a challenge. "Freddie, you have to relax. He set this trap two games ago, and won, if you can break it, you will. I know you can do it." She had faith in his abilities, in him which was rare for her.

[pitythetrumper]

"I'm trying," he snapped. He took a breath and stood up, taking a quick walk away. He didn't want to yell. Florence was just such a convenient target that it was hard not to. Sometimes she was even a fun target and that was why it was even easier to yell at her. But chess wasn't the place for anger.

Why couldn't he see this? It had to be staring him straight in the face and yet he was blind to it.

Maybe his knight there...no. A pawn here...no. Damn it.

"What if there is no out?" he demanded, turning back to look at her.

[loveofmasters]

"Aren't you the one that says there's always an out?"

Leaning back, she crossed her arms over her chest and watched him. The angrier he got, the more she had to force herself to stay calm. It would pass, this storm, it always did, but in the meantime she had to just wait. He'd see it, he had to, because she couldn't - she knew how to set the trap, but springing it was a mystery she hadn't solved yet.

"Freddie..." She got up and crossed to him, putting her hand on his shoulder, rubbing it a little. "Just take a deep breath and think about your opponent, not just the game. What is he not expecting, what's going to throw him off?"