Time again for Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers. So grateful to PJ for hosting this weekly challenge. Please follow little froggy for more stories.
Here is this week’s photograph and my story:
The Value of Power
Sundays, after Dad died, Mom and I would head out to church and then to the town square where I’d play chess with Mr. Frank, who taught me to play the game for several years.
When we first started playing, Mr. Frank wouldn’t put his queen down as he set up the board. “I’ll just take this piece out while you’re learning,” he said at the start of our first game. He’d winked at me, and we’d begun playing.
I’ve made a good living playing chess tournaments since then, but I’ve never appreciated the game like I did when Mr. Frank surrendered his power to help me win a Sunday game on the square.
Ellespeth
This week’s photo prompt is provided by Iain Kelly. Thank you Iain!
Views From A Poet 
I’ve half-heartedly tried to learn chess a couple of times – both times being taught by my husband. I’m too cautious, though it seems, as my 12 year old is a better player than I am! Ever played Suicide Chess? Where you untentionally get your pieces taken and the winner is the first to lose all pieces. Good fun.
A sweet and touching tale and there’s more than chess being learned here, which gives the story much more depth.
LikeLike
What a great example for teaching our youth. My husband has volunteered at the middle school chess club.
LikeLike
Hi and thanks for reading this piece 🙂 This technique didn’t work for me but it was a thoughtful gesture when I was learning the game.
Ellespeth
LikeLiked by 1 person
lovely interpretation of the photo prompt, someone that believes in you to help you grow and become something of value.
LikeLike
Thanks! At first I was ‘OMG! Chess!?” And then I remembered my husband teaching me to play this way.
Ellespeth
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh sounds like a lovely memory! Gina
LikeLike
A long time ago I had a great opponent who did as Mr Frank did, his english name was Francis. Thanks for the recalled memory. Mike
LikeLike
I’m glad the story brought back a happy memory for you. However, this teaching method did not help me one bit 😦 I’m to learn the game Go soon. The play pieces are much less distracting.
Ellespeth
LikeLike
I love Mr.Frank! Wish there were more like him. A very warm and lovely take on the prompt.
LikeLike
Thanks, Saila!
Ellespeth
LikeLiked by 1 person
A queen’s handicap – great man Mr Frank. Nice story.
LikeLike
Thanks, yarnspinnerr. I wish I was better at playing chess…that’s how my husband taught me to play. I’m a backgammon player sort of person – soon to learn how to play Go.
Ellrspeth
LikeLiked by 1 person
You wrote a great story about chess. 🙂
LikeLike
Lovely story. It takes a true man comfortable with himself to put aside competition to teach.
LikeLike
It does! This is how my main man tried to teach me to play chess…I still had to ask him, when I saw this photo, why he didn’t put his queen on the board…then, when he told me, I was like…oh no! How sweet!
ps…we don’t play chess much 😛
Ellespeth
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s so sweet! aww
LikeLike
Nice old Mr Frank, lovely take.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for this challenging photograph,.
Ellespeth
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome 🙂
LikeLike
Lovely story. Mr. Frank played an important in the child’s life. You never know how you can impact someone’s life with just a simple word or action.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We don’t think this way when we’re actually – in the moment – interacting with each other but we might have some sort of good effect in someone’s life.
PS…This is how my husband tried to teach me to play chess. ‘Tried’ is the operative word.
Ellespeth
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mine taught me as well, and I did learn, however, not well enough to ever win….so I finally stopped playing. I never cared for the game anyway. It is way too slow for me! I enjoy things that are fast, or at least constantly moving at a steady pace.
LikeLike
Ahhh, Mr. Frank sounds like a very wise and kind teacher! Great story Ellespeth!
LikeLiked by 1 person
He was! That’s how my husband taught me to play chess.
Ellespeth
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s very nice!
LikeLike
What a great teacher!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Backstory: When I first saw this challenge I thought, “Oh no! A chess photograph!” Then I remembered my main man teaching me to play chess (trying to 😛 )- years ago. So I asked him, “Um, why did you take your queen off the board when we first started playing chess?” He looked at me, stunned, and said, “Because that’s the most powerful piece!” And so, this story was born.
And, yes, a great teaching skill.
Ellespeth
LikeLiked by 2 people