As he entered the arena for his final group match against the formidable Rook Slide, he noticed his little group of fans with a homemade banner.
BRING ON THE BEATDOWN!!!
At the table, he caught Rook's eye and tried his best to indicate 'They're not with me'. Subtle facial gestures were not his strong-point and the whole pantomine could easily have been misunderstood as 'I have acute indigestion as well as trying to avoid producing audible flatulence'. Whatever Rook thought he meant, he just gave an awkward sort-of smile. Maybe. Kolb wasn't particularly good at reading subtle facial gestures either, nevermind those of a 'unihorn'. (He misheard the word 'unicorn' and has yet to be corrected ... )
The match began oddly. On his second move, Kolb had accidentally moved his c-pawn as opposed to the e-pawn. Maybe it was those damn Sovans, always in the corner of his eye. However, it appeared to work to his advantage. By the time Rook had fianchettoed his bishop, Kolb had a wall of pawns in the centre of the board and seemed quite pleased with the fact. He knew that Rook would be inclined to play defensively, why not give him something to defend against?
5. ... e5
Finally, Rook offered a pawn. Maybe he wanted to break the wall? Kolb had other ideas.
6. d5 Nb4
7. Qa4+ ...
"Check"
Kolb took visible pleasure in announcing check to his opponent. Remembering the events of the Ramos match the Sovans began making excited noises. Studying the board, Rook realised his blunder. He'd lost a knight, there was no escaping that.
... Nc6
8. dxc6 b6
Most of the middle game was tentative. Neither player wanting to give an inch. This appeared to be frustrating Rook, or at least that's how Kolb interpreted it, but he had a game plan. Slowly pile on the pressure and hope the early mistake causes cracks to show.
17. Qb5 f6
18. Nh4 g5
19. Bxb6 ...
Boom! It was one of the first concepts of chess that Kolb had learnt. 'Your opponent can only ever take one piece at a time' and he had exploited this perfectly. Rook was left with the difficult choice of whether to take the knight or the bishop but whichever he chose, the other would punish him. If he took the knight on h4, the other knight would fork his rooks. If he took the bishop, his queen would be threatened. Rook chose to take the bishop.
... cxb6
20. Ng6+ ...
Kolb was in no hurry and putting the king in check allowed him to save his knight.
... Kg8
21. c7 ...
Rook wasn't looking comfortable. Kolb put on his smug face just to heap on the pressure.
... Qc8
22. Nge7+ ...
Things just weren't going Rook's way ...
... Kf7
23. Nxc8 Raxc8
24. Qc6 g4
25. hxg4 Bxg4
26. Nxb6 ...
Kolb wondered exactly what must be going through the unihorn's head. After losing to Rook previously in only 8 moves, he was now on fire. It was as though he knew the best move, all the time just willing Rook to screw up with his steely gaze.
... Kg6
27. Nxc8 Rxc8
28. Rh4 ...
Rook looked long and hard at the table. Kolb saw Ng5 29.Rxg4 hxg4 30.Qb7 Re8 31.c8=Q and felt that with two queens on the table, Rook would surely submit. He didn't have to wait and Rook toppled his king and offered a hoof. Kolb accepted the handshake and had he shook with anymore gusto, Rook may have probably blacked-out. The Sovan horde cheered and for once, Kolb was grateful of their presence.
To the quarter-finals and the mysterious Bob ...