A voice broke her concentration. Standing across the table was a man she hadn't seen in a decade—the opponent from that fateful night. He didn't wait for an invitation; he sat down and mirrored her position on the board.
It was more than just a maneuver; it was the ghost of her greatest failure. Years ago, in a tournament that should have defined her career, she had missed the decisive rook placement that would have secured the "Retame" checkmate. Since then, the very word—meaning "challenge" or "re-match"—had become her shadow. Retame April Russell epub
"It’s not just about the rook," April replied, her voice steady despite the hammer of her heart. "It’s about the king's safety. Protecting the king from attack is paramount." "Then prove it," he challenged. "Retame. One more game." A voice broke her concentration