Gemotions

“Another win, Dad!” Liam’s voice boomed from the other room. The triumphant shouts of victory echoed through the house. Mark closed his eyes, the image of the chessboard burned behind his eyelids. He used to love chess. The strategic planning, the complex calculations, the thrill of the game. He'd poured over books, analysed openings and endgames, and spent countless hours perfecting his game. Now, Liam’s dedication to chess surpassed his own, and the constant reminders – the cluttered chess books, the post-game analysis, the endless tournaments – weighed heavily on Mark. He found himself avoiding the chess board, the once familiar pieces seeming to mock his now-absent interest.