Road to be the Best Chess Player in the World!-Chapter 420: Sheva VS Arjun Erigaisi! (III)

’What is going on there?!’ Anna had her eyes widened in surprise when she saw a commotion around board 1. Well, not a commotion, per se. More like that table was surrounded by some players, and it seemed that everyone wanted to have a look at Sheva’s game. ’I wonder if something big happens...’

She was not the only one who thought that. Five more players seemed to be there as well, with Pragg and Predke being the most prominent ones. Poor the arbiter, he had to make sure that not a single one of them exchanged a single word or even communicated secretly.This was basically the rule that everyone knew asFIDE’s attempt to prevent cheating on the spot.Not like anyone would be stupid enough to try in such an open situation, but better be safe than sorry.

Feeling curious, she couldn’t help but approach that table, wondering if there was anything worth seeing.

’Hmm... Sheva’s kings are under so many attacks right now. It has to run away first to avoid the opponent’s chasing. It seems that Sheva is in danger...’ She couldn’t help but bite her lips. As one of the few people in this venue who knew what the game meant for Sheva, of course, she wanted to see him thriving here. However, just like anyone warned before, Arjun Erigaisi was not someone whom they all could look down on. If anything, he should be the only one who had a real shot at beating Sheva in this tournament, and based on how it went so far, it seemed that the assessment was not far from the truth.

’Yeah, that is why Sister Medina warned everyone not put more pressure on him. If in the end, he lost the game, I don’t want to imagine how disappointed everyone would be.’ She smiled bitterly.

Anna was about to leave and go back to her own table, but one more look at the table, especially when Sheva made his next move, stunned her completely.

TAK!

’Wait, he goes for an attack too?!’ She muttered in astonishment. ’When everything is under the fire on his side?! Is this a desperate attempt or does he have a plan?!’ Somehow, she got drawn into that game once again, and now, her eyes were completely locked onto that board.

It was a brilliant sequence by Sheva. Under the pressure of the opponent’s unwavering attack, he abandoned his bishop completely, sliding his E rook to infiltrate the sixth rank. In the end, Sheva’s bishop was taken by Arjun’s bishop, and it even threatened to take Sheva’s queen. However, the boy countered it with the earlier rook taking on the pawn on the G file, and the most crucial part was that it was a check as well. With that in mind, now, Sheva’s queen could slide forward as well, supporting the rook while also beginning to point out the gun at Arjun’s king.

Now, the situation changed once again. It was back to the equal game, but with how both players abandoned their defense while also getting ready to kill each other, everyone knew that sooner or later, everything would explode crazily.

"Damn! Now, Arjun has no choice but to exchange the queen, or he would get battered on the back line, but in doing so, he has to sacrifice his strongest piece in his attack to save himself! Now, even though he still has a rook battery on the F file, that is the only thing threatening Sheva, and his defense is sufficient enough to deal with it! Now, the game is back, baby!" Bagas clapped excitedly, and if it was not for Sagar next to him, the boy would’ve laughed already.

"It is hard to imagine how the situation changes drastically on the board, but this is what happens when two offensive players fight against each other." Sagar sighed helplessly. He also lamented how all of Arjun’s advantages were gone instantly, but this was not even the boy’s fault. Sheva’s ability to see even a small chance through the hole of the needle completely amazed him, and now that the situation was overturned, the man couldn’t help but worry about Arjun. "Now, it is time for Sheva to make a counter play. However, as the game enters the endgame phase, I don’t think that he would rush hastily. No, the best thing to do right now is to consolidate everything first before confronting his opponent later."

Indeed, that was the best choice in this situation. With Sheva still having two rooks, one knight, and five pawns against Arjun’s two rooks, a dark bishop, and four pawns, it was clear that the initiative was in Sheva’s hands. The one pawn difference would be a huge advantage in the later stage, but for now, Sheva had to deal with the pawn on the D3 square first. It was two squares away from queening, and while it didn’t really pose any threat for now, Sheva didn’t want that particular pawn to bite him in the ass later.

’Okay, I need to calm down.’ Sheva took a deep breath. ’With everything going on my favor, and with me being up in time, I don’t really need to rush things up. System, activate my Endgame Master Title!’

DING!

[Host has activated the Endgame Master Title! Congratulations, your concentration has increased to 30 percent! Be careful of overusing it, and good luck, Host!]

Right after that, Sheva felt like something clicked inside his head, and everything suddenly became so clear under his eyes. He could even see Arjun’s micro-expression that showed how anxious he was, even if the boy tried his best to hide it, and Sheva couldn’t help but smirk.

’Well, it seems that I finally succeeded in getting under his skin. Now, how should I capitalize it?’ He muttered, turning his attention back to the board.

Even though he was in the lead, Sheva didn’t dare to lower his guard, especially since his time using that title was quite limited. He really didn’t want to repeat the experience of passing out in the middle of the game, so the boy was determined to end this game as quickly as possible.

’Okay, first, let’s deal with that troublesome pawn, and after getting rid of it, that’s when the real party begins! Come on!’