I played this game last night and took an unconventional approach. I'm not going to do a computer analysis on this, just my personal thoughts and narration. I threw caution to the wind in an all out assault on the kingside position, constantly squeezing my opponents cramped position.
Coming from the philidor defense starting at move 7, no pieces have been taken but there is tension on the battlefield. Both sides have formed a shield wall hoping to control the center. Our hero king must make his retreat to the fortress of safety, but first I want to deal with this forward bishop harrassing my men - Will no one rid me of this meddlesome priest?
A lone soldier lines up for the task. Taking a flanking position he commands the priest to disarm. Will the priest follow through on his threats? Will this be the end for our brave knight?
The priest retreats. COWARD! There is no place on this battlefield for men of ill courage. But now the dark priest finds himself trapped, hopelessly clashing against my shield wall.
Our brave knight gives chase. The priest is tired from his journey, having made his retreat - but he's not run far enough.
The dark witch enters the battle. She has been observing the priest's cowardice from afar, and intends to fill his role after his inevitable demise.
All across the battlefield the soldiers of darkness are struggling to get out of each other's way, and it's now creating a lull in the battle. Our hero king uses the opportunity to withdraw to the fortress of safety, where he can properly oversee the war effort. Meanwhile our brave knight awaits his orders.
The dark knight gives chase, taking up a very threatening position in the center. It's a valiant effort. The king's personal advisor, Harold (light squared bishop) now finds himself at the mercy of the dark knight, with nowhere to run. Shall he suffer the same fate as the coward on e6?
Our brave knight takes one last look back at our hero king, now viewing the battle from the window of his fortress of safety. The king nods. "Do it." he whispers to himself. Turning about, our brave knight carries out his orders without hesitation. He leaps forward, plunging his sword deep into the heart of the coward. And just like that, the first casualty of this battle.
The dark witch lets out a shriek that can be heard across the field, avenging the fallen priest and ending the life of our brave knight...
But there is another. Our brave knight's comrade in arms, Sir William Frederick III, steps forward to avenge the death of his fallen brethren. The soldiers of darkness have left a weakness in their back ranks. Left unchecked Sir Frederick will use this weakness to attack the entire dark royal family simultaneously.
The second dark knight sees the threat and immediately hurls himself atop Sir Frederick. Things are heating up! Has the dark knight done his duty in protecting the royal family?
The shield wall closes in on the dark witch's position. The witch must take flight, but where will she go? Back to safety? 3 men and a coward have now fallen at her feet, but she lacks not the courage to charge the battle.
The now battle hardened witch sidesteps the soldiers attack, pressing forward to lead the charge on our hero king's fortress.
But now the dark forces face a new problem. Namely, they're stepping all over each other again. The dark lord's advisor must step aside so the king can get to his own fortress. But in doing so must block the dark witch's line of retreat. Harold, the hero king's advisor, sees an opportunity in the queen's foolhardy charge. Fortunately our fallen comrades have bought us just enough time for Harold to escape the clutches of the now lone dark knight. Harold encirles the dark knight, while at the same time eyeing down a line behind the dark army's shield wall.
The dark lord prepares to take his command post. He dismisses his advisor priest and throws him aside. Unfortunately there is nowhere for him to go but behind the dark witch. There is a weakness brewing within the dark army's lines. Do you see it?
A horn sounds. We must get a head start in charging the dark lord's fortress as he makes his retreat. One of our hero king's guard takes the first step forward.
The lord withdraws to command his forces from the proper position. The dark lord is now exactly where he should be. The dark witch, however...
Our hero king quickly follows his guardsmen. He's a warrior at heart and will not sit idly by as his men hog all the glory.
A second horn sounds on the opposite corner of the field. The dark army charges, threatening to break the lines of our shield wall.
But our hero king has the dark army on the ropes. He must not lose sight of his goal! Another of the king's guard marches forward, closing ranks on the dark witches position. If she didn't see the danger coming before, she most certainly does now!
The dark lord's priest, ever in the way, attempts to make way for the dark witch's retreat. But it's too late. We will draw her into battle yet!
"Attack left!" The king's guard thrusts forward. To her horror the dark witch now finds herself staring down attacks from both the king's guard and one of our stormtroopers.
The dark witch must think fast. She leaps upon the king's guard, avenging the fallen unnamed soldier and sidestepping the attack from our stormtrooper. But any relief she may feel now is premature, as our attack is only beginning...
A second priest of light leaps into the fray, skewering the positions of the dark witch and a lone soldier behind her.
The dark witch steps back, finding temporary relief from the charging army.
The charge continues. One of our hero king's guards attempt to secure a position for the priest of light to continue his attack from g5.
But the dark lord's guardsmen have a reply for that. "This far, and no further!" He shouts. The guard flanks around to secure our attacking position before we can get there. But there is still more opportunity to be had...
Meanwhile the lone dark knight is still waging battle in the center, but he is surrounded by both the priest and queen and his position is now undefended. He must be forced from his post immediately. One of our priests moves in for the attack.
The lone dark knight retreats. There was one soldier who could have moved forward to defend his position, but that very same soldier was already under orders to attack our shield wall in the center. There is only one position for the knight to withdraw, and he does so.
But the lone dark knight finds his new position under attack just as quickly. And yet again, he is left with but one place to go.
His only escape. Unfortunately, that position also happens to be one of the few remaining escape routes for the far more valuable prize - the dark witch.
The soldier at the front of our shield wall decides to take the fight to the enemy, nobley sacrificing himself to hold the line.
His sacrifice will be remembered.
Now our soldiers begin their advance on the opposite side, putting a fierce halt to the enemies own march.
But one of the dark army's soldiers didn't get the memo. He continues his advance regardless. You fools.
And here we can see the importance of proper battlefield communication. The soldier's advance has allowed our priest to skewer the positions of the dark witch and the stormtrooper behind her.
The witch steps aside, saving herself at the expense of the king's personal stormtrooper.
The priest wastes no time as he charges the castle and runs the stormtrooper through.
The witch immediately enters the castle and strikes the priest to the ground. Enraged at the loss of the king's stormtrooper, she now seeks revenge on our advancing left side troops.
At this, our queen decides she has remained dormant for too long. She moves to defend our advancing troops. From her position she takes a view of the dark lord. She can see the fear and rage in his eyes. He's just watched the demise of his personal stormtrooper, right there in his own home! The attacks are growing too close for comfort, but there is nothing he can do for now.
The dark witch withdraws from the castle. She's no use to her king from there, and he needs her now more than ever.
But with a quick strike the dark queen quickly finds herself in danger yet again as the lines open up...
The lone dark knight presses forward, ready to assist the queen in her attack on our advancing left side troops.
Our own stormtrooper enters the fray. What a devastating attack! The queen has only one place to go.
Back to the castle it is. Taking aim yet again at our advancing left side troops.
Harold to the rescue, yet again! I freaking love you Harold! He feigns an attack on the lone soldier, but his real target is much bigger.
Finally, the lone knight decides it's safe to attack our left side troops. But it is too little too late.
Finally, the fate of the dark witch is sealed. Our stormtrooper bursts through the castle door, staring the now terrified witch in the eyes. As he charges forward, a voice - "HALT!" The dark lord steps from behind the witch. He knows he is surrounded with nowhere to run, but at least he can save his love. The lord removes his crown and hands it to the stormtrooper. "I surrender."
So thanks for reading and I hope you guys enjoyed that as much as I enjoyed making it. If so, there will certainly be more to come.
I realized I haven't introduced myself yet. I'll get around to it. I've just been lurking and enjoying all the great posts here, thought I'd contribute something of my own.
Here is the full game for anyone interested: https://lichess.org/RBSXsyO4BBLQ
And feel free to challenge me on lichess.org here: https://lichess.org/@/YippeKiYay