[It's so good to hear someone else saying that for a change. Even the tiniest spark of shared hope is enough to make him smile a bit.]
Right. Absolutely. If anyone can do it, it's us.
[James really, sincerely believes that too - with all his heart. He glances at board thoughtfully before sliding a pawn forward with a wider grin.]
Speaking of "mates", I'll have check next turn.
[It's not checkmate but it's the beginning of the end and James is seeing pieces he could capture everywhere. Really, the move that would cause check could have been made this turn, but he'd rather be an arse about it first. It makes the game just a bit more entertaining...for him, anyway.]
move 15
Right. Absolutely. If anyone can do it, it's us.
[James really, sincerely believes that too - with all his heart. He glances at board thoughtfully before sliding a pawn forward with a wider grin.]
Speaking of "mates", I'll have check next turn.
[It's not checkmate but it's the beginning of the end and James is seeing pieces he could capture everywhere. Really, the move that would cause check could have been made this turn, but he'd rather be an arse about it first. It makes the game just a bit more entertaining...for him, anyway.]