Kings, Kingdoms, Voice and the Clock

Have you ever read of stories of wise servants advising their emperors/kings only to be silenced or killed? Those stories were true. When I read about the Romance of Three Kingdoms as a child, I used to wonder what's the point of rulers employing people who could not disagree with them. They got death sentences for offering wise counsels. What price! People say words are cheap. Not all of them, that's for sure!

Well, those are old stories. But it's the same even now.

I remember clearly of a lesson on servanthood. Someone taught this: to really serve the kingdom under the ruler who has gone "kuku" (astray), may mean you may have to go against that ruler, and the government who has lost its way. That "someone" paid his price.

What is the price of a prophet these days? I wonder what's the price for finding your voice, and using it these days. I wrote sometime ago that one of the greatest tragedies in life is not recognizing your own voice. And not using it.

Many ways of doing it. Many voice out blatantly in media. Some are so upfront that they got shot. Some made their voice heard in a different manner, like the assasination attempt on Hitler's life (and those evil Chinese emperors of old). Many also do it in songs, through their music. Through art. Some are writers, some poets. Some make movies (one came to my mind right now is 'V' for Vendetta). Many had become so disillusioned by everything that they turn to drugs, drinking and other forms of escapism.

I'm biding my time.

During my chess tournament days (long long time ago, I miss those battling days), my captain and teammates used to nickname me the Python. Because I never go for the kill when I had my preys in my hands. I toyed with them, slowly and patiently wrapping around their legs, thighs, torsos, hands and then finally the neck. I didn't do it consciously but that was just me.

I remember one particular match where I laid the perfect 'clock trap' for my opponent. In the midst of a tense middle game where the positions of the pieces were quite chaotic, I deliberately made a quick move and left my seat for the bathroom, which was a long way away outside the tournament hall. He fell right into my trap by rushing his move, seeing that I was away, so he could hit the clock and "steal" my time (not much left), and continued thinking his subsequent moves. That was a hasty move which cost him everything. I was all smile (on the inside) upon returning to my seat, discovering what blunder my opponent had made. Of course I put on a panicked face, but a few moves later, the match was all over. It's not about how much time you can make how many number of moves. Because ONE move can win or cost you the match.

This is how I like to normally play, and do things. But my mom used to lament that I'd always leave things till the very last moment.

Ok, I hear the chess clock ticking....but I'll not let it run out on me. I still need to test a few positions before I make up my mind. Every piece can be tested. But not every piece carries the same weight.

Just thinking what gambit should I play next?