Ode To Caissa

Dedication to the World Chess Federation (FIDE)

Once upon a time
There was a Wise Man.
He was fond of battles,
Trophies and inventions.
He invented chess
And taught his fellow countrymen
The rules of the new empress.
He was brave to challenge the King
And the King was defeated by him…
Thus the chess was recognized
As a training tool for mind,
For exploring weaknesses,
And for guiding strategies,
How to hide the King,
How to  win without blood,
How to be a Queen.
How to resurrect and dare,
How to sacrifice and bear
Keep your cool at any time…
Be a master of your own mind,
And be brave and brisk and cautious,
All at the same time …
Chess is Art and Sports and Science!
Show your reverence to chess!
It takes a brave heart and mind
When the ghost of checkmate looms behind,
And the swords are crossed
It's the wisdom that the rivals find
In the battle of the beautiful minds.

Chess is a Divine lesson,
Where the vice and wars are banned,
Where success is a passion,
Where honest rivals are friends…
Chess, you are my favourite pastime!
Keeping me ready for any battle at any time!..

Poet Inna Radinovskaya. Translation by Svetlana Rakhimova