Blitz by John Stone - Short, Drama, Game Show - The finale and the last remaining challenger's of a Squid Game endure a game of chess versus one another. 3 pages - pdf format

Writer interested in feedback on this work

Really interesting!

Hi John, your first sequence of explanation and the ticking clock will only translate if it's titles/quote Over Black, and the image of a clock counting down. You could alt do the sound of the ticking clock. Otherwise it's all just in the dark.

I wonder if the chess moves could be done more emotionally, showing the bravado at first, then the nerves amping up, then the absolute terror on Heng's face. I don't know... The execution of this (pun) is not entirely successful or satisfying for me because I don't get to know these characters so either one could lose and I'm not emotionally invested.

Did you watch Netflix's reality version of Squid Game and the final players in a duel of rock, paper, scissors?
It works because of everything that came before it. We have our favourite etc.

Hi Libby and thanks for your comments (as always).  But you will need a chessboard and knowledge of chess to understand this scripts intention. The actual game used in this script. The King’s Gambit. The significance of the game itself. The challengers are not as relevant as you feel they should be. It’s not really about them. Have you ever played speed chess? If so then imagine you are playing for greatness or demise. The actual game is based upon a famous match between Fischer & Spassky. The loser runs out of time here but in actual fact he cannot survive the outcome under any circumstances. What’s important here is the game and not the characters. There is no time for thinking when the clock ticks. I used Squid Game as an analogy to get my message across. Sorry for any confusion and thanks.

I'm sure some chess geeks would love it. It meant nothing to me and I'm sure for a lot of people. Might as well have been reading Greek

This is a tough script to criticize.  I've never seen a script quite like this.

I think I see what you're doing -- it may work for a niche of viewers -- and speed chess can certainly be a gut-wrenching experience. I once played as a group of 15 against one guy who bounded board to board, pounding the timer move by move, and kicking each of our asses with great dispatch. So, I mean, I guess this piece succeeds at what you set out to do.

But at the breakneck pace you envision, would most viewers even have time to digest the significance of the individual moves? Perhaps the most critical moves could be made in slow motion to emphasize at exactly what point Heng is well and truly screwed?

It would also be nice if there was some quick way to make us care a bit about the fates of these two characters -- or is part of the point that we aren't supposed to care?

Quoted from Stoneyscripts ...to get my message across.

Asking with no snark whatsoever, what is the message here? Genuinely curious.

Hi Bert.

Thanks for your constructive comments and I have listened to what you have put across.

I once saw Kasparov crush as many players during an exhibition of speed chess, so I can easily relate to your own experience.

The problem with slowing the moves down would inhibit the speed factor and pressure felt by the challengers.

The message: "King's Gambit beautifully played out."

The journey for Heng was momentous, until the ultimate challenge was laid before him.

The King's Gambit being his downfall like Fischer found out when Spassky adopted it.

So here is the chess match for those of you that did not want to read the chess notation in my script. You can play this at your own speed.

https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1080046

Just copy and paste into your browser. This is the example I adopted from Spassky.

Thanks for the link to the animation. I was looking for my old chess set to work out the movements.

Interesting ending... BANG! Game over, Heng over.

Just like that.

The idea lies with Squid Game. The premise - King’s Gambit. It’s just a game show with a difference. I know my intention baffles, even I wonder why I do it but it’s a BANG from me for game over. Cheers Michael.

Libby. Greetings

Thanks for your input and constructive comments. I will certainly look at your ideas. But just wanted to keep this simple and brief.

Like the idea of the clock ticking down.

No probs, John!

Hope you had a lovely Christmas.

Thanks Don.