"You're always playing safe, Vikram. Do you really think your organization is capable of handling change?", said Sushant, as he placed his Bishop to Check the White King.
"At times it pays to be wary Sushant", Vikram countered, as he blocked the line of attack with his own.
Vikramjit Singhania and Sushant Modi went back a long time. They had grown up together and were friends at school. Always trying to outdo each other, the healthy rivalry extended to their Business School where both competed for the prestigious Thomas Muellen Allrounder trophy, that they ended up winning jointly. While Vikramjit began managing his family's diversified business empire and had taken it to greater heights, Sushant had risen up the ranks to head the operations of Ramta, an Indian group with a global presence.
Among other things, they were sparring partners in Chess, and always took the opportunity to play each other.
"Well, I think you need to be more pragmatic. Look at us - we're always willing to take up challenges", a puny black pawn moved a step ahead to stand diagonally from the mighty white rook.
"And we're not far behind in rising up to the occasion", said Vikramjit, as a white pawn returned the favour by attacking the black rook.
"Hmmm maybe, but then don't you think your core team is micromanaging things a lot? While I am fostering young blood and giving them a chance to venture into new territories, you seem to favour only the old guard of your company in doing so". Another black pawn now charged ahead to the 6th row, in contention to be promoted two moves ahead.
"The position we are in right now might call for experience, though I have never shied away from giving merit a fair chance to supersede the pecking order." Vikramjit made his Knight jump over his rook to create a fork between the black rook and queen. "What would you say now?"
Sushant was unfazed. Sensing no other way out of avoiding a piece disadvantage, he moved his queen right next to the white one.
"Juhi had mentioned how much Karishma loves the far east. Shall we plan a trip together to my resort in China? It'll be great fun!" He had now brought both their wives into the picture, trying to strike an emotional chord.
"Let's keep the women out of this, shall we?" Saying so, Vikramjit swiftly forced the exchange of their Queens. With his hand on his rook, Vikramjit professed "My Chief adviser had recently been to an elephant sanctuary, and tells me there is a lot of money to be made in wildlife-based tourism these days. What's your take on it?"
The game had already stretched beyond their usual duration of 2 hours. Both were in an exceptionally charged up mood that day, and neither seemed to relent even an inch to give the other any hint of an advantage.
"That is purely a matter of perspective. It's important to receive sane counsel". Sushant smirked and castled.
"Who's playing safe now?" Vikramjit shot back, but then a wide grin made its presence felt on his face.
"What's the big joke?" asked Sushant.
"Well, you remember the time when we were in class 5 and we had a chess tournament in school, right? You used to say you absolutely loved chess, but when Arthur tried the Castling move, you became dumbfounded and said "Hey, nice move. What's it called?"!"
This broke the tension, as both burst out into peals of laughter.
"Say, I don't think this little game of ours is headed anywhere", offered Vikramjit.
"Yeah, I guess you're right. Why don't we split the honours and call it a day?", agreed Sushant, as they got up to enjoy the rest of the evening.
=============
News Channel 365X24X7 was playing some random moments out of TV Soaps as fillers when the Breaking News ticker flashed on screen.
"And in a significant development in the corporate sector, The Singhania Group and Ramta Industries have agreed to form a JV for the US$ 3.142 Billion Hungarian Online Games company, 64 Squares, that they were both hotly contesting for to acquire. The head honchos of both the conglomerates, Vikramjit Singhania and Sushant Modi issued a joint statement saying they did not wish the process to end in a stalemate."
"At times it pays to be wary Sushant", Vikram countered, as he blocked the line of attack with his own.
Vikramjit Singhania and Sushant Modi went back a long time. They had grown up together and were friends at school. Always trying to outdo each other, the healthy rivalry extended to their Business School where both competed for the prestigious Thomas Muellen Allrounder trophy, that they ended up winning jointly. While Vikramjit began managing his family's diversified business empire and had taken it to greater heights, Sushant had risen up the ranks to head the operations of Ramta, an Indian group with a global presence.
Among other things, they were sparring partners in Chess, and always took the opportunity to play each other.
"Well, I think you need to be more pragmatic. Look at us - we're always willing to take up challenges", a puny black pawn moved a step ahead to stand diagonally from the mighty white rook.
"And we're not far behind in rising up to the occasion", said Vikramjit, as a white pawn returned the favour by attacking the black rook.
"Hmmm maybe, but then don't you think your core team is micromanaging things a lot? While I am fostering young blood and giving them a chance to venture into new territories, you seem to favour only the old guard of your company in doing so". Another black pawn now charged ahead to the 6th row, in contention to be promoted two moves ahead.
"The position we are in right now might call for experience, though I have never shied away from giving merit a fair chance to supersede the pecking order." Vikramjit made his Knight jump over his rook to create a fork between the black rook and queen. "What would you say now?"
Sushant was unfazed. Sensing no other way out of avoiding a piece disadvantage, he moved his queen right next to the white one.
"Juhi had mentioned how much Karishma loves the far east. Shall we plan a trip together to my resort in China? It'll be great fun!" He had now brought both their wives into the picture, trying to strike an emotional chord.
"Let's keep the women out of this, shall we?" Saying so, Vikramjit swiftly forced the exchange of their Queens. With his hand on his rook, Vikramjit professed "My Chief adviser had recently been to an elephant sanctuary, and tells me there is a lot of money to be made in wildlife-based tourism these days. What's your take on it?"
The game had already stretched beyond their usual duration of 2 hours. Both were in an exceptionally charged up mood that day, and neither seemed to relent even an inch to give the other any hint of an advantage.
"Who's playing safe now?" Vikramjit shot back, but then a wide grin made its presence felt on his face.
"What's the big joke?" asked Sushant.
"Well, you remember the time when we were in class 5 and we had a chess tournament in school, right? You used to say you absolutely loved chess, but when Arthur tried the Castling move, you became dumbfounded and said "Hey, nice move. What's it called?"!"
This broke the tension, as both burst out into peals of laughter.
"Say, I don't think this little game of ours is headed anywhere", offered Vikramjit.
"Yeah, I guess you're right. Why don't we split the honours and call it a day?", agreed Sushant, as they got up to enjoy the rest of the evening.
=============
News Channel 365X24X7 was playing some random moments out of TV Soaps as fillers when the Breaking News ticker flashed on screen.
"And in a significant development in the corporate sector, The Singhania Group and Ramta Industries have agreed to form a JV for the US$ 3.142 Billion Hungarian Online Games company, 64 Squares, that they were both hotly contesting for to acquire. The head honchos of both the conglomerates, Vikramjit Singhania and Sushant Modi issued a joint statement saying they did not wish the process to end in a stalemate."
Witty as ever! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you :)
DeleteThat's a pretty cool combination of chess moves and management gas. I like it :D
ReplyDeleteAnd the ending rocked!
Incidentally, you might like this: http://loonybean.blogspot.in/2009/06/game-of-kings-and-bored-undergrads.html
ReplyDeleteFor when you get bored with chess :P
Thanks Aneev :) And the Chooker concept is Hilarious!
DeleteGood one Nikhil..even though I am not really a chess guy, I liked the way your story unfolded.
ReplyDeleteThanks somnambulist, i am glad it connected with non-chess people as well :)
ReplyDelete