Land

<center><b>Prologue</b></center> Morton believed that he had led a good and decent life. He never hurt anyone on purpose, and had tried to be kind, and help people. He had his faith and tried to be ethical in his dealings with everyone. He had his faults - everyone does, but he was basically a fine man. Although it wasn't the most important thing in his life by any means, Mort had an obsession with Chess. Ever since he was a young boy, the sixty-four squares held a special fascination with him. He enjoyed the social aspects of chess a great deal. Every chess player, regardless of background, wealth, and status in life was equal at the chess board. You were either proficient, or you weren't. Snobbery doesn't count in chess. You prove your mastery over the board, while you engage in a struggle to the death with your opponent. [[-->->2]] <div id="portraitL"><img class="responsive-image" src="images/mort_neutral_closeup.png"><center>Morton<br>Quillwaddle</center></div><div id="portraitR"><img class="responsive-image" src=""></div>

<center><b>Prologue (Continued)</b></center> The stress of a serious chess game is hard to describe to a novice. Every serious chess player enters each encounter with every fiber of his being, trying to produce a game worthy of the contest. Every opponent is taken seriously, until he has proven, by his weak play, that such an assumption is unwarranted. During a challenging game, the emotions run back and forth, between hopefulness and despair, until the position on the board is clarified. The pulse quickens, and, sometimes, sweat appears on the brow. The physical effects can be uncomfortable, but it is the mental strain that takes the most out of you. Morton was blessed (or cursed) to be one of those souls who engaged in correspondence chess. This meant that positions were always in his head - that he was thinking about his games even when involved in family activities, going to church, or while doing something else. Chess played in this manner had impact on his sleep, as well can be imagined. It also meant that his strength at chess was raised two or three categories from his over the board ability. In correspondence chess, he could consult reference books and really study the positions of the game, with little concern with time controls or the chess clock. He enjoyed the fact that he was a better player at correspondence chess. [[-->->3]] <div id="portraitL"><img class="responsive-image" src=""></div><div id="portraitR"><img class="responsive-image" src=""></div>

<b>Chesstopia III - The Land of Caissa</b> Copyright © 2020 by John C. Knudsen – all rights reserved. This gamebook is adapted from my short story <i>The Land of Caissa</i> which appeared in my book (link: "Assembling Chess III")[(open-url: 'https://www.amazon.com/dp/1070788317')] which was first published in 2019. It is available from Amazon in paperback and kindle formats. For continuity purposes, I suggest that you play <i>Chesstopia I</i> and <i>Chesstopia II</i> first, before this one, though that is not required. Authored using Twine (v2.39) and Harlowe (v3.1.0). Simple Visual Novel Format template for Twine by S. A. Welland - thank you. All character images for this project not mentioned separately in the image credits were made at (link: "Character Creator.")[(open-url: 'https://charactercreator.org/')] Thank you. The text font used is <i>Unna.</i> Thank you, Omnibus-Type and Google Fonts! The IFID is: 7418D1CB-049F-4CAC-937C-A10D7CFD14A3

John C. Knudsen (Des Moines, Iowa, USA) has been playing chess for about 50 years. He was the webmaster of the popular web site CORRESPONDENCECHESS.COM from 1996 to 2006. In 2001, he was awarded the Correspondence Chess International Master (IM) title from the International Correspondence Chess Federation (ICCF). In 2003, that body awarded him the title of Senior International Master (SIM). He is now retired from competitive play. He has authored numerous books, most of which are available on Amazon and elsewhere. John's other major interest besides chess is interactive fiction. His blog is at https://distancechess.com John can be contacted at knudsenjohnc@hotmail.com

<center><b>Prologue (Concluded)</b></center> He still enjoyed over the board chess, because other forms were more sterile, without social interaction. As he grew older, he noticed a definite flagging of his physical and mental abilities over the board. There was still much he could do to enjoy his favorite game. He could visit tournaments, watch the masters - and also play speed chess. Both of these activities had very little or no stress, compared to serious chess. Once and awhile, he enjoyed playing in a tournament, and experienced the old highs and lows, depending on the outcome of the games. It was during a local chess tournament that Mort encountered that endgame position that every mortal will eventually face in their life journey. Death, like check mate, decides things. There is no going back, changing things - it is final. When it happened to Morton, he did not realize it at first. It just sort of happened, all of a sudden. And, it was not an unpleasant experience. What happened to Morton when he died? <center>[[Absolutely nothing.]]</center> <center>[[Something else.]]</center> <div id="portraitL"><img class="responsive-image" src=""></div><div id="portraitR"><img class="responsive-image" src="images/death.png"></div>

<h5><center><b>Image Credits</b></center> * Title image chess pieces: Aekashics/Ækashics http://www.akashics.moe/ * Grim reaper image: PNG GURU * Headstone image: Custom Tombstone Maker. http://www.tombstonebuilder.com/index.php * Garden path image: Marie Tevosyan on UNSPLASH. * Mist image: Dave Hoefler on UNSPLASH * Sign image: Kaizen101 on ITCH-IO * Rook gate image: Claudio Schwarz/UNSPLASH + GameSupplyGuy/ITCH-IO * Sad slime image: Red Chan on ITCH-IO * Cat image: FREE PNG IMAGES http://freepngimages.com/ * Kord image: Donald Teel on UNSPLASH * Tunnel image: Sharosh Rajasekher on UNSPLASH * Castle path image: Sandra Ahn on UNSPLASH * Dwarf image: Aekashics/Ækashics http://www.akashics.moe/ * Hall image: Hans Eiskonen on UNSPLASH * Steinitz image: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS * Morphy image: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS * Fischer image: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS * Najdorf image: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS * Menchik image: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS * Demonstration board image: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS * Tournament director image: Mari Lezhava on UNSPLASH * Nimzovich image: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS * Messy desk image: Wonderlane on UNSPLASH * Fairy image: Aekashics/Ækashics http://www.akashics.moe/ * Scroll image: PNG GURU * Win screen background image: Johannes Plenio on UNSPLASH </h5>

Morton died, and he was buried beneath a beautiful headstone. Everyone he knew resumed their normal lives until, they too - died, were buried and placed under beautiful headstones. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. Not very exciting for an adventure story, is it? <center>MORTON DIED AND THE STORY ENDED</center> <div id="portraitL"><br><br><br><img class="responsive-image" src="images/headstone.png"></div><div id="portraitR"><img class="responsive-image" src=""></div>

<i>This is strange. I don't feel any pain any more. I can't remember how long it has been that I haven't suffered from some kind of ailment. Am I dead? I must be - there is no other explanation. It is nice to know that the ultimate mystery, whether there is life after death, or not, has been revealed to me. I am a bit anxious as to what comes next...</i> Mort found himself standing in a pleasant garden, with lovely trees all around. The path that he was standing on lead in only one direction - forward. He turned around and there was no path leading in the other direction. It was like he was dropped out of the clouds onto this spot. Turning around again, he debated what to do. <i>The choices are limited. For some reason, all I can think of is the scene from the Wizard Of Oz - "Follow the yellow brick road." In chess, there are always choices to be made. Apparently, not always in the afterlife...</i> <center>[[Strolling along.]]</center> <div id="portraitL"><img class="responsive-image" src="images/garden_path.png"></div><div id="portraitR"><img class="responsive-image" src="images/mort_neutral_upper.png"></div>

As he started strolling down the path, Morton felt a strange calm come over him. He could see no dwellings, or any other sign of human activity. It was strangely quiet, and beautiful. <i>Is this heaven? If so, the only thing that is missing is human contact. I should be patient - I can't do anything about it anyway. Not a bad place to be, all in all. Perhaps this path will lead me to some answers.</i> He walked briskly now, anxious to see where he was going. After a mile or so, Mort noticed a change in the path. It grew bigger - but still only in one direction. Up ahead, off to the right, he saw an area clouded in fog, and mist. He resolved to stop there, to check it out. <center>[[Into the mist.]]</center> <div id="portraitL"><img class="responsive-image" src="images/mort_neutral_full.png"></div><div id="portraitR"><img class="responsive-image" src="images/mist.png"></div>

The fog and mist proved to be a thin layer. Morton walked through and soon found himself in a clearing. This time, the path continued in two directions. One to the left, and one to the right. There was a sign at the junction of the path. <i>What is this, some kind of joke? The afterlife is divided into two groups - "Others," and "Chess-players?" Is it a test? Some kind of fateful choice that chess players have to make? What happens if you pick the wrong way? I've had plenty of forks, in my chess life, but this is serious - it could have serious consequences. To thine self be true...</i> <center>[[Take the path to the left.]]</center> <center>[[Take the path to the right.]]</center> <div id="portraitL"><img class="responsive-image" src="images/mort_surprised_closeup.png"></div><div id="portraitR"><img class="responsive-image" src="images/sign.png"></div>

The path quickly leads to a very dark area. Ahead is a tunnel which leads to a bright light. As you walk slowly down the length of the tunnel, the bright light becomes bigger. You feel uneasy, the closer you get. <i>Just what am I getting myself into with this other path? you ask yourself.</i> <i>And, why the heck am I still wearing these glasses?</i> You chuckle to ease the nervousness. <center>[[The end of the tunnel.]]</center> <div id="portraitL"><img class="responsive-image" src="images/tunnel.png"></div><div id="portraitR"><img class="responsive-image" src="images/mort_neutral_full.png"></div>

Mort chose the path to the right, come what may. Perhaps he could come back to the junction if he didn't like this choice - maybe the choice could be changed. He continued down the path, glancing anxiously ahead in all directions. There was a curious built-up area ahead. To the left, and to the right, there were two huge Rooks made of stone - castle turrets. In between them, there was a twelve foot high wooden gate. He noticed that the gate had a door with a huge metal knocker affixed to it. As he approached, he could not see beyond the Rook Towers, or the gate. <i>Still time to turn back, to take the other path. If this is the afterlife, and I have eternity to live, could I live with myself, knowing that chess players might be behind this wooden gate? What does one do for eternity, anyhow? This is all new to me, and it is a difficult choice. I've never calculated a position with such a small amount of information before.</i> <center>[[Proceed.]]</center> <center>[[Turn back.]]</center> <div id="portraitL"><img class="responsive-image" src="images/mort_neutral_closeup.png"></div><div id="portraitR"><img class="responsive-image" src="images/gate.png"></div>

Morton let out a small sigh, shrugged his shoulders, approached the door, and, using the knocker, knocked three times. "Welcome to the Land of Caissa!" a voice from beyond the door boomed. "Are you a chess player?" "Yes, I am," Mort meekly replied, in a hesitant way. "We shall see, if you are, or are not," the voice retorted. "You cannot be admitted until you pass a chess test. Many want to join our community, but few are allowed." "I understand," Morton replied. "What was the name of Alekhine's cat?"<p><center>[[Wolf.]]<br>[[Cat.]] <br>[[Chess.]]<br>[[Euwe.]]</center> <div id="portraitL"><img class="responsive-image" src="images/gate.png"></div><div id="portraitR"><img class="responsive-image" src="images/mort_neutral_full.png"></div>

You turn around to leave when you notice her. "Caissa - is that you?" you ask, surprised. "What are you doing?" Caissa demands, clearly angry. "Well, I-I-I..." you stutter. "Nevermind that. You ARE a chess-player, are you not?" "Well, yes, of course I am. You know me, from my dream trips to <i>Chesstopia</i>." "Well, what kind of chess-player are you, anyway?" she is steaming. "Do you realize that this is my Land, my domain?" she has calmed down, but not much. "Apparently so," you mumble. "Well, then, I command you to turn around and go back to the gate!" <center>[[You bow and comply with Caissa's demand.]]</center> <center>[[You fight Caissa.]] <div id="portraitL"><br><br><br><img class="responsive-image" src="images/caissa_angry_closeup.png"></div><div id="portraitR"><br><br><br><img class="responsive-image" src="images/mort_surprised_closeup.png"></div>

You charge directly at Caissa. <i>What's she gonna do, kill me?</i> you think to yourself. She merely laughs a hearty laugh and says, "I'll fix you - you puny human!" She swirls around you a bit and you feel yourself being transformed into a pile of slime. "Now, go meander around my gardens for eternity!" she commands. You meekly comply and start roaming around aimlessly. <center>IT'S GAME OVER FOR YOU</center> <div id="portraitL"><br><br><br><img class="responsive-image" src="images/caissa_smiling_upper.png"></div><div id="portraitR"><br><br><br><img class="responsive-image" src="images/slime.png"></div>

<center><img src="images/divider.png"></center> <center><h5>[[Credits]] | [[Image Credits]]<br>[[About the Author]] | [[Restart->Untitled Passage]]</h5></center> <h5><i>Chesstopia III - The Land of Caissa by John C. Knudsen</i></h5>