CHAPTER HUNDRED AND SIXTY-ONE

RICHARD’S POV

Breakfast was usually my time to zone out. I had the news on in the background, just to drown out the quiet. But this morning, as I shoveled scrambled eggs into my mouth, the news anchor's voice cut through my haze.

“Today, we’re covering the ongoing challenge from the city’s most famous chess prodigy, Victor Tusk. Tusk has remained unbeaten for five years, and now, there’s a chance for anyone who thinks they can outplay him to make history.”

I nearly choked on my coffee. “Victor Tusk? Seriously?” I muttered, staring at the screen.

The camera zoomed in on Tusk, a smug grin plastered across his face as he accepted a trophy. He looked like he was one short step away from claiming he was the messiah of chess. The whole thing was a spectacle, but something clicked in my mind. This was the challenge I needed.

“Damn, that’s interesting,” I said, setting my coffee cup down with a decisive clink.

My mind raced. This was exactly the kind of public challenge I needed. A chess pr