Gemotions

The clatter of the chess pieces seemed unusually loud in the otherwise silent room. Mark nervously adjusted his glasses as Coach Evans announced the switch. "Mark, you're going to play black." He’d always played white, always controlled the opening, always had the advantage of the first move.

Now, he’d have to react, anticipate his opponent's moves, be prepared to defend. The weight of it settled on him. He felt suddenly claustrophobic. His fingers fidgeted with the edge of the board. The thought of losing, of letting his team down, loomed large.