Wow, this was a three-dimensional story! I had this image of Ron back in the Philosipher's Stone, fighting across the chessboard, and an image of him playing himself in sixth year, and it went back and forth. The chess instructions served as anchors to keep the two paralel. Anyway, that's what I thought about it. Great, that's what it was.
Wow! That was a great insight into Ron's motives! I believe that too often he's seen as a coward or as comic relief, but he is an integral part of the Trio, and it's nice to see him treated as such. Good job!
Oh, one more thing, while i was reading and Ron showed his preference for a pawn as opposed to a knight I was a little confused, as he had chosen to be a knight during the life sized game they played in first year. But then i thought perhaps his self sacrifice as a knight during that game gave him pause for thought. Sorry, i just have to make everything make sense.
In the words of Ron Weasley, that was 'Bloody Brilliant'! It brought a whole new meaning to the phrase Weasley is our king. I love the symbolism. And we never see enough of Ron's strategic abilities in canon so thanks for this.
Someone posted an excerpt from this fic in the "Quotes in Fanfiction" thread on the forums, and it looked so interesting I had to come and see. What can I say? There's no way I'd be able to resist a fic on chess.
I really like the metaphors you've built up here. The pawn, the King, the black and white pieces, crossing the board, the scars on the chessboard. I agree, you obviously have put in a lot of work. Well done.
I like how there's not a word of dialogue, and absolutely no action, but it's still so attention-keeping. The repitition really does work, and the way Ron is concentrating so entirely on the chess game, doggedly going on right until the end is very in character.
The way you've sort of got two stories (Ron's musings on his life and friends, and his personal battles as well as the chess game) going on at once is great.
The only things that confused me were: when and where is it set, and what does this line
"He must do this, so the boy who plays Exploding Snap on the floor will be able to play it a century from now."
mean? Surely Harry's not going to live, let alone keep playing Explodinng Snap, until he's one hundred and around fifteen?
I'm being called to dinner now. Congrats on a great fic!
Phia
This was really brilliant. I love how you describe how Ron views chess, and how he's with Harry and Hermione. Great job.
I love your characterization of Ron. You capture his emotions perfectly. You can see how he feels inferior to Harry. I love you describe him as a pawn, someone in the shadows who rises up to his full pontential. You can his true personality come out. You really get a good look at Ron.
wow. great job!
this is a really good one-shot. 10/10
wow! i love how you have ron's reflections on life and chess intwined... the analagy is really great!
Wow. I absolutely loved how you brought out Ron's determination through the repetition. All the comparisons beween chess and life and war were really well done, and I'm sure I'll discover new meaning in this fic evertime I re-read. I don't want to re-quote the entire paragraph for you, but I loved the one about Bravery etc. The way you ended was also really powerfull. Thanks for another lovely read!
Great story. I really love chess focused stories that look at Ron's point of view. The bit about touching Hermione and Harry, and the way you inserted the pieces movements was good. Nice job!
wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. I just discovered this today and I thought it looked intereseting, and I was right! Lovely idea. Even though Ron is sometimes superficial (*jealousy*) or slow-on-the-uptake, this fic defines what he really is...a loyal friend, determined to make it all the way. Excellent, beautiful, lovely.
I really liked it, it was very layered if you see what i mean and you msut have spent a lot of time over it. I scanned the other reviews and agree with whoever said ti that it is very poetic. I couldn't bear to take my eyes off the screen it was gripping. It's a fantastic piece of writing.
This was very thought out and well writen. I enjoy your work.
Your writing is very poetic. I always fall for repetition--in this case, the little lines telling the pieces where to move. Your descriptions of Hermione and Harry through Ron’s eyes are very interesting. I’m not a very big fan of Ron, but I’ll admit that you did a wonderful job with him here.
wow! Ron is one of my favorite characters and this story put him in a whole new light for me. I loved this story, and all of your work. Keep writing! *****
I love all of your work. I enjoy the way you portray all the characters. I love how insightful your works are. Please write more soon!
Oh! You are that Seren! I recognised this fic. Well done for getting yourself involved in yet another Harry Potter thing and still having no life ;). I'll go off and review your other fics. I loved this one! Love from Guia, Harry, Leser, Emma, Rire, Grant, Stella, Arty and Mantolwen.
wait- I just remembered something... Isn't it checkers where if a piece makes it to the other side it gets kinged?
Author's Response: Yeah... that wasn't the type of King I was talking about....
