After half the pawns have left the board
leaving a few that yet may reach
the other side
replacing what you've lost
maybe a castle or a queen

And after bishops have been swapped
for knights and knights for bishops
then you're down to a board that's
nearly empty and it's easier
to see the options

Now every move seems weightier
more fraught with consequences
and though the end may be
a given the important thing
is how the game is played
better if no cheating
but with ingenuity and your share
of laughter

If your opponent's white then you
are black and vice versa
it hardly matters
you may win for a while
but there's no stalemate
in this game

As you get down to
the last moves
it's no small blessing
if you still have your queen