Page 10 of Love Is A Draw
“I’ve come to warn you against holding it at the Jews’ place.” Sofia tsked as if disgusted by the word.
“Denied,” Greg said. “It’s the perfect venue and shows what this tournament is about. Merit, not birth or titles.”
Sofia’s attention lingered on Victor with pointed interest. “And who, may I ask, is your champion?”
Victor did not stand. He lifted his cup and met her gaze—not with arrogance, but with unflinching calculation.
“Victor Romanov,” Hermy supplied smoothly. “He’ll be representing the Crown’s interests.”
Sofia arched a brow. “Is he playing in the Jews’ division? A Jew against nobility?”
“No,” Hermy replied, her voice like cool silk. “There won’t be one. No divisions. No exceptions. Same board.”
The room stilled.
Sofia’s lips curved into something that wasn’t quite a smile. “How… egalitarian.” Her tone was sweet, but her eyes glinted like glass. “Then I suppose I may register as well.”
Greg’s jaw tensed. “This isn’t White’s. If the match is to take place outside club rules, it’s open. But you’ll have to qualify—like anyone else.”
“I came ready to qualify,” Sofia said smoothly. “I brought my own board.”
Victor’s fingers paused on the rim of his teacup. Of course, she had.
Sofia’s gaze returned to Hermy with deliberate slowness. “I cannot wait to play you again, Lady Stone. Do you suppose yourhusband will allow you the final match if you were to lead until then?”
Hermy’s laugh was low and unreadable. “Let’s hope the best player earns it.”
Victor said nothing, but his thoughts sharpened. Sofia’s arrival wasn’t a courtesy—it was a maneuver. She wasn’t here to spectate, she was here to claim ground for her husband, to use the open rules as a foothold—and perhaps do far more than play in a tournament that would now allow Jews and women.
The board was set. The stakes had shifted. And now the real game would begin.
CHAPTER 6
Chessman’s Chronicle – Special Announcement
Vol. XXIII, Issue No. 4
THE BOARDMEN’S TOURNAMENT TO BE HOSTED AT PEARLER HOUSE on July 26, 1818.
In a striking departure from tradition, this decade’s Boardmen’s Tournament will be hosted not at White’s nor any of London’s gentlemen’s clubs, but under the distinguished roof of Pearler House—the estate of the Crown jewelers themselves.
This marks the first time the tournament welcomes players outside the traditional spheres of nobility and club membership, including foreign players, Jewish strategists, and even women.
The final round, as confirmed by the League and the Chronicle’s own sources, will be overseen by none other than the Black Knight himself, Lord Gregory Stone. An undefeated tournament champion and member of Parliament, Lord Stone has announced he will personally host the closing match and face the strongest contender in afinal game that promises to crown not only the season’s best player, but possibly a new era in English chess.
Critics are divided. Is this a gesture of bold meritocracy—or the reckless opening gambit of a man too sure of his legacy?
One thing is certain: with players from the Continent such as Baron Wolfgang von List of Prussia rumored to compete, alongside emerging talents serving the Crown whose names have yet to be tested on London’s elite boards, the question is no longer who may play—but who dares to win.
And what will be left of the Black Knight’s legend when they do?
A list of registered players follows…
The quietest rooms always gave her away, and the next day was no different. Even before her footsteps reached Fave Pearler’s study doorway, Gail knew Rachel had heard her enter. The lady’s head remained bent over a small stack of correspondence, but Gail sensed the slight shift in the air now that she was playing in the tournament.
“I’ve brought the announcement back.” Gail held out the well-thumbed volume ofChessman’s Chronicleshe’d read as soon as it had been delivered in the morning. Her name was on the list of players. Unbelievably forward—or stupid. She wasn’t certain which yet, so she moved carefully, placing it beside the inkwell and quills on Fave’s desk without disrupting anything.
Rachel didn’t blink. “You found the von List match, I assume?”
