Chess

Knights and kings, pawns and queens,
Rooks and bishops all lined up
Ready to do symbolic battle.

The white and black checkered field
Spreads empty before the opponents lines,
Separating pieces standing tall and ready.

Pawns move out, always forward,
Never retreating, followed by the
Knights and perhaps a bishop too.

Rooks hold hostage entire rows
And queens move out to wreck havoc
Clear across the field - and then some.

Squares change hands, some pieces
Guarded, some threatened, and
Some threaten others on the board.

A move here, a combination there,
Suddenly the tide turns and the king
Can no longer move safely - check and mate!