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Post by Katsumi Hirata on May 31, 2023 11:23:01 GMT
Sundays were a blessing for Katsumi Hirata, even though she wasn't religious by any measure of the term. School was closed on Sunday, and though she enjoyed her classes, there were times where it became evident that she wanted a break from the rigamarole of daily living. In these instances, it helped her to visit Yoyogi Park, the largest public space throughout Shibuya, which was especially ironic, considering her overly shy demeanor and the enormous crowds of people that would be there today. Mom and Dad didn't care where she went, provided she return home before the start of dinner, like always. Rather than head straight for the park benches and tables, where there were bound to be people playing chess there, Katsumi made it a point to pay a visit to Meiji Shrine today, as she had felt especially good about her odds of winning several games against the locals. For her to do this, it was important for her to pay respects to the spirits of prosperity; again, Katsumi was not religious, but the idea of praying to the higher powers for luck and prosperity was a practice all too common among Japanese folk, and she liked to believe that such a routine helped her to concentrate on matches. She had chosen to pay respects to Inari at the Kitaya Shrine, a contemporary little altar situated just outside of Yoyogi Park's world-famous path of Zelkova trees. The pathway was clear of people, which allowed Katsumi to drop her offering into the commissary box without issue and take her time in establishing a prayer for herself and her family's fortune and success in all things. Foxes were regarded as messengers of the gods; perhaps she'd see one on her way to the park? " Please bring my father and mother success in their work, and please bring me success in school..." Katsumi muttered to herself, pouring all of her belief into the words that left her mouth. She clapped her hands a few times to dispel and ward off evil, then bowed before the altar in reverence to the deity that was enshrined within. " And please, bring me success in my next chess match." One more prayer, for good measure. Following this, Katsumi made her way to the Daily Yamazaki, a convenience store, and purchased a can of refreshing spring water and a loaf of melon bread for herself to consume as she transitioned her way over to Yoyogi Park, all while contemplating on the various different openings she could commit to. Should she start kingside, or queenside? Ruthless offense, or cunning defense? Then there was the matter of countergambits and variations. Wearing a long dress with a checkered pattern of white, blue and red squares, Katsumi's choice of apparel perfectly reflected her state of mind. It was a truly rare opportunity for her to sit back and relax.
Notes: Open! We chess in this club.
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Post by ricochet9-Kima on May 31, 2023 12:03:42 GMT
Making his way towards the park was one of Kima's partner digimon Blaster. The disguised Ballistamon's holosuit had took on the appearance of a teen boy likely high school aged and he seemed to move almost as if gliding as he made his way towards the benches. The disguised blonde saw various locals going about playing chess and the former nightclub DJ decided why not he may as well join in and try a few games cause he figured it might be fun. Besides he knew it wouldn't be long before Kima caught up to him and since everyone else was in her Xros Loader except for Takoda then he knew the half Shoshone and half Japanese teen wouldn't be without protection if things got outta hand.
Speaking of the proverbial devils both Kima and Takoda had been passing by the Kitaya Shrine. Takoda, in his holosuit giving the disguised puma digimon the appearance of a Native American man, was quietly admiring the sight of the shrine. It was then the sight of someone entering and leaving caused Takoda to point and Kima nodded quietly in acknowledgement while watching the girl near her age leave. It was then they remembered they were going to meet up with Blaster in the park so they started walking.
At around the same time Katsumi had arrived at the park Kima and Takoda had arrived as well. If anyone questioned the pair Takoda's cover story was that he and Kima were cousins. Soon they spotted Blaster engaged in a chess game and seemed to be enjoying himself despite being in a difficult but not impossible spot. His king was at risk and quite a few of his pieces were gone but an experienced player could likely use that to lure an opponent into bringing about their own destruction. Blaster was however a novice but still didn't mind losing as one could learn from lose as well. As far as he was concerned even if he lost this was all in good fun. Kima and Takoda quietly watched the all the games going on not wanting to be disruptive. Besides Kima was still struggling with opening up to new people due to being bullied most her life. Heck she still lacked the confidence in herself to be the Xros General fate seemed to have directed her to become.
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Post by Katsumi Hirata on May 31, 2023 12:31:47 GMT
Upon arriving at Yoyogi Park proper, Katsumi took in a deep breath of fresh air and savored the taste of nature entering her lungs, smiling as she did so. While she had wished her parents well before leaving home, a part of Katsumi was thankful to be away from their suffocating presence. If they had the time of day to accompany her, Mom and Dad would have spent all of it telling her where to go and what to do. Their absence would not go unappreciated. Adjusting her shoulder bag, Katsumi peered around for signs of activity she could participate in, noticing a handful of people engaged in the very game she had intended to play. One such individual was a boy about her age with blond hair, and he seemed to be locked in play with another boy, whom Katsumi immediately recognized as Shunsuke Moriya from her homeroom class. Katsumi gulped. Moriya was one of the better chess players at school, and he made sure everyone knew it. She had always wanted to compare her skills against him, but lacked the confidence to ask him for a game on account of his outwardly distant and aloof demeanor, in addition to her own disposition as a shrinking violet. Based on the current state of his board, it would seem that even his opponent for today was little more than target practice, cannon fodder for when he was ready to step up against a proper challenge. Understandably worried over this new development, Katsumi made sure to avoid making her presence known to the other two boys, standing behind Moriya so that she could remain in his blind spot without him noticing. She couldn't help but notice the arrangement of pieces on the board, with White being at a severe material disadvantage, and feared for the other boy's ability to make a comeback against an arguably superior foe. Moriya merely sighed, obviously bored with himself and his opponent. It was only going to take but a handful of moves to achieve checkmate against this guy. Hopefully he wrote his obituary column for it.
Notes: We got ourselves a badass over here, watch out
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Post by ricochet9-Kima on May 31, 2023 21:20:20 GMT
Kima's attention went back to Blaster and his opponent while Takoda's attention briefly flicked to the unknown teen girl who was also watching Blaster's match and noticed how the girl seemed uncomfortable. She had even gulped which caused Takoda's attention to shift to Blaster's opponent. Sure Blaster wasn't doing so well in the chess game but he knew the disguised Ballistamon was far from in danger from any of the humans in the park. Takoda then glanced to Kima before he, in a whisper so as to avoid being heard by others, asked "Hey, Kima. Do you know that young man playing against Blaster?"
Kima shook her head before she answered "No but then again I don't interact with many kids my age due to those girls who bully me at school." Though true that since Blaster and Chaytan had enrolled and hung out with Kima during lunch the bullying lessened. Heck Blaster and Kima were even in the same homeroom. Chaytan ended up not sharing most of his classes except for an elective with Kima. Yet destiny decided to mess with the disguised Hawkmon by putting him in most of his classes with Blaster. Sure Blaster and Chaytan occasionally rubbed one another the wrong way but they still had a strong sense of respect for each other. Basically it seemed like a friendly rivalry between the two of them. As for Chaytan he had decided to quietly remain in Kima's Xros Loader so likely wasn't feeling like socializing.
The game went on and despite Moriya being bored and Blaster not pulling himself out of the hotspot he was in soon he was in checkmate. However Blaster didn't seem at all upset at losing. In fact Blaster smiled before getting to his feet holding out his hand for his opponent to shake before he said "Thanks for tha game man. It was fun. I may just be learnin' but maybe one day I'll beat ya in a rematch." Leave it to Blaster to not only be friendly but a good sport. At the high school he went by the name Tamaki cause no human he ever heard of was named Blaster.
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Post by Katsumi Hirata on May 31, 2023 22:13:05 GMT
Katsumi had become too focused on the game itself to pay any attention to her immediate surroundings, failing to notice that a small crowd had gathered around the two chess players. Judging by the pawn structure, it seemed as if Moriya had successfully avoided a King's Gambit and entered into a Falkbeer Counterattack. From there, it was simply a matter of corralling his opponent's king into a position of acquired helplessness, which allowed Moriya to deliver the finishing blow with his queen piece. Rather than accept the other boy's handshake in a proper show of good sportsmanship, Moriya scoffed and dismissively waved his hand at him, as if to brush away his friendly gesture. " Come back in a million years, twerp. That was hardly a warm-up." Hearing his abrasive words sent Katsumi's skin crawling with disgust. How dare he talk so poorly towards somebody less experienced than himself? That sort of behavior was what scared people away from joining the Chess Club! She could only clench a fist before the offending student turned around and, noticing her in the crowd, gave off a smug sneer. " What do we have here? Hirata Katsumi walks among the living." Katsumi grit her teeth behind closed lips, aware he was taunting her, but unable to do anything without drawing even more attention to herself. Starting fights wouldn't have been very becoming of her, either. " Here to beat these scrubs, too? Go ahead. I just cleaned house. Unless you're just here to bask in my greatness?" Her throat seized up, preventing any sound from leaving it. All Katsumi could do was glare ferociously at Moriya, who raised an eyebrow before shrugging, " What? Don't tell me you feel sorry for these losers?" Standing up, he rolled his shoulders free of any stiffness, then chuckled. " Oh, that's right. You're a scrub, as well! It's only natural that you dorks would wanna play with each other." Concerned gasps and whispers came from the crowd as he berated the young girl for simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time, before even this became boring and he desired other stimulation. " Later, dipsticks. Have fun pushing wood!" Moriya let out a grating laugh before departing from the scene with both hands shoved confidently into his pockets, leaving Katsumi all the more furious with him. As the crowd began to scatter once he had finally fell out of view, her anger quickly dissolved into disappointment, not for the outcome of the encounter, but for her own inability to stand up to Moriya's bullying antics. It was always like this with him; he had no reason to be so cruel and hurtful to people whenever he won a game of chess. Katsumi bowed her head in shame. If only she could teach him a lesson in humility...
Notes: Katsumi gets mad, but can't bring herself to push back against the bully.
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Post by ricochet9-Kima on May 31, 2023 22:47:11 GMT
Blaster as if not remotely bothered by Moriya's blatant arrogance and lack of sportsmanship merely shook his head and shrugged at the boy's insult. He had heard better insults out of drunken digimon patrons back when he was a nightclub DJ. Then his opponent turned his insults to a teen standing not far from them or Kima. However, like Kima, this Hirata Katsumi was also silent. Yet, unlike Kima, Katsumi was glaring ferociously at Moriya.
At this point figuring enough was enough Blaster made his way between them his movements graceful his steps looking as if he was gliding across the ground. He moved with the grace of a dancer but still kept his tone from being aggressive as he said "Greatness? That's amusin' seein' as I doubt ya can get a date with havin' all tha charm of a rotted corpse." As Blaster spoke one eyebrow quirked up as if in challenge to Moriya. As for Kima, who was still standing near Takoda, the withdrawn girl couldn't help but briefly snort with laughter at Blaster's statement. It seemed some of her partners were gradually rubbing off on her cause before she became a Xros General she never would of snorted in laughter at a comment like Blaster's even if she found it funny.
As Moriya with charm of a rotting corpse and all left with his grating laugh Blaster turned to Katsumi who was bowing her head in shame and asked "Now tha he's gone and crawled back ta tha hole he came outta are you alright miss?"
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Post by Katsumi Hirata on Jun 1, 2023 11:02:23 GMT
There had been an attempt to rebuff Shunsuke Moriya's nasty behavior, but Katsumi had failed to notice in the midst of her own personal humiliation. How could she just stand there and take it like that? She could have said something, anything. And yet she chose to do nothing. When the boy who had lost against Moriya stepped forward to offer consolation, Katsumi couldn't bring herself to look him in the eyes. " I'm fine..." she muttered, although instincts were compelling her to run away, find a hole to stick her head inside, and never pull it out again. " Sorry about Moriya-san... He's always like that..." Why? That's what her mother and father would have asked. Why are you apologizing for someone else's behavior? Conduct yourself with some dignity. Have some class. Stop the simpering. Katsumi could imagine her parents criticizing her right now, which only made her feel even worse about the outcome of that short yet heated encounter. It took Katsumi a moment to recognize that there were other people who had known the boy that lost his match, and that they had appeared extensively foreign compared to the rest of the locals. Were they Ainu? Some of what they wore didn't seem like it came from the north. None of this mattered, anyway. Katsumi had encountered her worst enemy and lost before she ever had a chance to confront it. Moriya was the least of her concerns.
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Post by ricochet9-Kima on Jun 1, 2023 11:39:31 GMT
Kima, Takoda, and Blaster all noticed that the girl seemed to not be able to bring herself to look Blaster in the eyes as she said she was fine. Then she apologizing for that boy's behavior. As if not put off by how the girl was, in a calming tone, Blaster said "Ah don't worry about him. He didn't upset me none." Blaster glanced at Kima and Takoda for a split second before he then said "Anyway tha name is Suoh, Tamaki. Nice ta meet ya." Blaster then held out his hand offering a handshake not sure if it would be reciprocated.
Takoda placed a hand on Kima's shoulder causing his self confidence lacking general to look at him and he nodded which convinced Kima to step forward. Then while nervously rubbing her arms worried about the possibility of being bullied said "Hello. I'm Aiuchi, Kima" She wasn't sure if Takoda came up with a surname to use for the sake of his cover as her older cousin.
However there didn't seem to be any need to worry as the disguised Pumamon said "As for myself, I am Kima's older cousin from America. My name is Blackhawk, Takoda."
Kima began to approach the other girl but still didn't seem sure as she then said "I was born here in Japan. My mother is Japanese while my father is of the North American Shoshone tribe. He met and married my mom while she was studying in America he moved here and eventually became a Japanese citizen."
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Post by Katsumi Hirata on Jun 1, 2023 12:04:59 GMT
The boy didn't seem too particularly fazed by Moriya's hostile behavior, which had all but surprised Katsumi, who seemed to lack a spine in the face of such people. He introduced himself as Tamaki Suoh, plainly telling the teenage girl that it was nice to meet her. For Katsumi, statements like these were always unexpected. What was nice about her, anyway? Another girl stepped forward, revealing her name to be Kima Aiuchi. Yet another man, taller and with darker skin, identified himself as Takoda Blackhawk, claiming to be Aiuchi-san's cousin from America. Further elaboration from the only other girl on the scene illustrated that she was half Japanese and half indigenous American by virtue of her father's genetics. Seeing as how she knew absolutely none of these people, it took Katsumi some time for her to process everything that had just been blurted out. Wasn't it excruciatingly difficult for American expatriates to obtain citizenship here in Japan? He must work as an ambassador, or have some other kind of job that the government found crucial to Japanese development. It was the only explanation that Katsumi could think of, based on all she knew about her own culture. Not to mention the looks this girl must receive for being of mixed heritage. It had to be difficult. She chewed on the idea of revealing her own name, as they were strangers, until it dawned on her to remain courteous and polite, even when confronted by people she didn't know. " Hello. Hirata Katsumi," she said plainly, choosing to bow her head rather than opting to shake hands. Only boys did something like that, or at least, that's what Mom and Dad would say. She glanced over at the chessboard that Moriya had left behind, staring mournfully at Suoh-san's pieces. She could only wonder about how badly her classmate had thrashed him, but, then again, only a person who played chess regularly could perceive these kinds of defeats in so serious of a light. From Katsumi's point of view, it was as if Moriya had taken a magnifying lens to a colony of defenseless ants. That sounds about like him.
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Post by ricochet9-Kima on Jun 1, 2023 12:32:19 GMT
The three of them quietly observed the teen girl around Kima's age as she was quiet for some time. Was she shy or struggling with self confidence like Kima as either could make things difficult for others to socialize. Blaster seemed to lightly bounce on his toes before standing still again. He couldn't help it sometimes as his love for dance and music as well as his friendly energetic demeanor all made it hard occasionally for him to control his energy. In class he occasionally fidgeted unless he was actually doing something with his hands while seated at a desk.
Blaster wondered if he had done something wrong and before he said anything the other girl introduced herself as Hirata Katsumi and bowed her head. Blaster looked at his hand as he pulled it back and lightly chuckled at himself before he said "Sorry hangin' with Takoda as often as I do made tha handshake thing common for me to resort ta. My mistake Hirata-san." At least he remembered that aspect of Japanese custom.
Blaster then glanced in the direction of the chessboard taking notice of how Katsumi stared at the pieces before he said "Somethin' wrong? I know I got whooped good and proper but I was just playin' not only ta have fun but maybe get a bit better at tha game."
"Shame you aren't as good at chess as you are at dancing eh Tamaki-kun?" Kima asked which caused Blaster to chuckle wholeheartedly.
"Maybe you should consider the chess club, Tamaki-kun. That is if you don't mind the risk of dealing with that charming young man from before." Takoda said the word charming spoken in a sarcastic tone.
"My. My. I never thought I would hear sarcasm from you, Takoda-sama." Blaster said figuring sama fit the digimon that was technically Kima's primary partner. Heck he'd probably address Kima with sama as well since she was his general except knowing Kima the girl probably wouldn't feel completely comfortable with that so san would do.
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Post by Katsumi Hirata on Jun 1, 2023 12:59:31 GMT
The boy named Takumi Suoh, having noticed Katsumi staring at the board, asked if anything was wrong, reiterating (mostly to everyone else) that he simply played for the sake of having fun and learning to improve. " N-No, nothing's wrong. It's just..." Katsumi trailed off, unable to finish her commentary without the fear of sounding as if she were being critical. She couldn't help it. Chess was a game that required the highest levels of critical thinking, and even a single mistake could cost a person the entire match. There was a reason that both White and Black pieces were depicted as opposing armies; it was a battle for territory, for material, and for supremacy. But it looked as if Suoh-san wasn't really playing to win, so much as he was trying to experiment with how each of the pieces moved and interacted with one another. A mindset that Shunsuke Moriya took full advantage of. People of his caliber should be instructing others on how to play better, rather than taking advantage of his intellect to bully weaker opponents. Uninvolved with the group's conversations with one another, Katsumi took one more glance at the board before saying to Suoh-san, " If you like, I can teach you some pointers." She would have never considered offering this proposition to anyone else, but this was Shunsuke Moriya they were dealing with. Anything to take him down a peg or two. " Chess is a hobby of mine." That much was true. However, Katsumi began to wonder if even she would be too skilled for him to play against. Either way, she was determined to help, in any way she could.
Notes: Ope, Katsumi's offering a short game!
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Post by ricochet9-Kima on Jun 1, 2023 21:09:14 GMT
Blaster listened as Katsumi said that nothing was wrong before saying it's just and Blaster said "Look I get many chess players are more serious than I appear ta be. However I actually am more serious than tha laid back attitude suggests Hirata-san. There is more to chess, or any other game for that matter, than winnin' especially when one is just learnin'."
"Tamaki-kun may not be know for being a master strategist but don't let that fool you, Hirata-san, because he is actually quite brilliant. From what Kima-san said about him he has been getting higher grades than her." Takoda said.
"Sure I get pretty good grades like Cs and Bs with most classes with only As in one class. Oh and Tamaki-kun is actually quite brilliant at fixing machines." Kima said feeling confident enough to communicate especially with Takoda and Blaster around. It also didn't hurt that Katsumi didn't seem to be a mean person like Kima's tormentors.
Blaster smiled at Katsumi's offer to teach him some pointers before he said "I wouldn't mind havin' someone give me pointers. Chess is fun but all tha strategies are somethin' I haven't gotten used to yet. I bet you got inta chess cause you also found it fun."
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Post by Katsumi Hirata on Jun 2, 2023 0:13:39 GMT
Suoh-san tried to reassure Katsumi that he was far more serious than his happy-go-lucky attitude seemed to suggest, a detail that both Blackhawk-san and Aiuchi-san went out of their way to confirm in their own series of dialogues. It was as if all three of them were conspiring to sway Katsumi's opinion toward a more positive light. " I see," said Katsumi. The young teenager didn't need to be convinced of anything; at the end of the day, they were still strangers to one another, and she wouldn't have any use for the information that they were providing her. Although Katsumi had wanted to give Suoh-san credit where it was due—that there was more to games than simply winning them—it seemed as if though he wasn't fully grasping the objective of chess here. Or maybe he did, and he simply didn't care. Of course, one could argue over the exact goal of chess itself, but that was a separate conversation entirely. Regardless of what Katsumi thought or knew, she was pleased to find out that Suoh-san was willing to allow her a chance to give him a lesson in developing key strategies, and further commented by wondering if she started playing because it was fun. " Yes. I began playing when I was very little," Katsumi said. She did not elaborate on how she got into chess; that was not a topic she was willing to explore just yet. " Do you want to play White or Black pieces?" This is not a serious game, Katsumi mentally reminded herself as she made her way toward the table, deferring the choice of piece color to Suoh-san in case he had a preference. Opening moves and theories. The goal was to offer advice and improve another player's standing in the chess world, even if that player was merely an amateur at best. She sat down atop the bench, hands folded into one another, and back straightened as if she were back at school. Class was in session.
Notes: None!
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Post by ricochet9-Kima on Jun 2, 2023 0:49:47 GMT
Did Katsumi take them seriously when they spoke up for Blaster. Possibly but, then again, there was also the possibility she didn't. However such was not such a big deal seeing as they all had barely met. Then when Katsumi mentioned she began playing when she was very little Kima couldn't help but be curious and asked "Really? About how young were you when you began? I bet you must be pretty good at chess then."
When she asked Blaster which pieces he prefered to play with the disguised Ballistamon just shrugged before he said "Either color of pieces works for me. I don't really prefer one over tha other." Then with his typical way of walking he practically glided over towards the table before he sat down at a random side of the table resting his hands in his lap. He also sat upright like one would in a classroom with a smile on his face that reflected that he was clearly ready to learn before he said "Ready ta start whenever you are, Hirata-san." Meanwhile Kima and Takoda sat themselves down in the grass not far away deciding to watch.
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Post by Katsumi Hirata on Jun 2, 2023 1:28:14 GMT
" Since I was five," Katsumi addressed Aiuchi-san's query with an honest answer. Some kids start even younger, but her love for the game and others like it had come from her late grandmother. But being told she was good at it made her blush a little. " P-Please, I'm not that good at it..." she said, before coughing slightly as if to regain her composure. Suoh-san, in an act of indifference, allowed Katsumi to choose her pieces accordingly. " Okay, then I'll play White. As you already know, White goes first, meaning it's your job as Black to defend against me." This was where her inner hobbyist began to peek through her delicately crafted exterior, a valuable glimpse of the real Katsumi Hirata. Her sharp green eyes seemed to light up as she began moving her hands around the board, grabbing pieces and arranging them against their starting squares. " First, you set your pieces up like so..." Each of the pawns went to the second and seventh ranks. " Then you put these here..." Next went the rooks, then the knights, followed by the bishops. " The queens always begin on the square that matches their color," Katsumi instructed, showing Suoh-san how to align the king and queen accordingly. When everyone began to get themselves situated, Katsumi took in a deep breath, recalled her prayers to the god Inari, and put all of her focus on the board. It was time to begin. " Okay, Suoh-san. As White, players typically begin with moving either the king's pawn, his knight, or the queen's pawn forward. Good players will move their center pawns first, because it gives them control of the middle early in." To demonstrate this, Katsumi moved her queen's pawn forward two spaces, a move aptly named the "Queen's Pawn Opening". " You likely know this, but pawns can move up to two spaces forward if they begin that turn on their starting square. Otherwise, they only move one space forward." She patiently waited for Suoh-san to make his move with her eyes intensely fixated on the board and its pieces, calculating as many as thirty moves ahead from this one single opening as a matter of both intensive training and honed instincts. Her mind was practically made for chess, and she was about to give this boy extremely valuable insights into the subtle art of conquering the board.
Notes: Including my nifty chess board below as a visual reference! ♜ | ♞
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