Scene: Chess Game with Jay
Ryan leans forward, fingers twitching over the rook.
Ryan: "Bishop takes knight."
Jay counters immediately, calm as ever.
Jay: "Rook takes bishop."
Ryan narrows his eyes and slides his rook into place.
Ryan: "Rook to B8. Check."
Jay, unfazed, moves his king one rank down and leans back in his chair.
Jay: "Come on, kid. You know how this ends. We've both got a rook and two pawns. No matter how much we bang our heads against the board, this position's locked up tighter than airport security. Call it?"
He extends a hand across the board.
Ryan: grumbling "Damn it… I really wanted to win. But I don't see a way through. Shouldn't have traded queens so early."
Jay: "Yeah, maybe. But even if you didn't, I could've forced a draw. Look, you've got talent, but you lack experience. More than that, you haven't watched many classic games, have you?"
Jay pauses, his brow furrowed as if something clicked.
Jay: "Wait here."
Ryan: "Now where's he going?"
Jay disappears into the garage. A few minutes later, he returns with a box covered in dust and nostalgia.
Jay: "This old thing's been gathering dust for years. But you know what they say—old is gold."
He gently opens the box to reveal several VHS tapes labeled with names Ryan instantly recognizes.
Jay: "My old man was obsessed with Bobby Fischer. Recorded every match he could get his hands on. These are all Fischer games. And watching you play today… it finally hit me."
Jay eyes him with a mix of amusement and scrutiny.
Jay: "You play like Mikhail Tal. Or, well… a very clumsy version of him."
Ryan: offended "Hey!"
Jay: raising a hand "Relax. I'm not saying you're terrible. But Tal was chaos with a brain—sacrifices, tactics, flair. You've got a little of that. What you don't have is his depth. I learned a lot just watching games with my dad. These tapes helped me get better. They'll do the same for you."
He pushes the box toward Ryan.
Jay: "Learn from the greats. You've got something, kid. Don't waste it."
Ryan: "Thanks… I guess."
Ryan's POV
That moment… it meant more to me than I let on. I was thrilled. Getting access to Fischer's matches felt like unlocking a new path. But I also felt something else—sadness. Sadness for Jay.
Having Patrick Jane's observational abilities was a blessing in many ways, but sometimes it felt like a curse too. I could read people too well. Jay and DeDe—always at odds—were colder than usual lately. Snarky barbs, forced smiles… everything screamed tension.
Mitchell stood between them, lost and conflicted. I could tell he leaned slightly toward his mom, but it wasn't an easy choice for him either.
And Jay... Jay was like one of those old-school grandpas—rough exterior, but secretly full of warmth. He reminded me of those grandpa characters in anime who bark but love deeply. He'd become that for me, in a way.
I did get my childhood memories back—the first four years in the orphanage weren't the happiest. Which made this family all the more precious to me. They weren't perfect, but they were kind. And for me, kindness was rare gold.
Later That Night…
I'd been watching and analyzing a legendary match between Bobby Fischer and Mikhail Tal for the past 30 minutes. Fischer had pulled off a queen sacrifice—Tal's signature style—and still managed to win. Beautiful. Brilliant. Breathtaking.
As the game ended, I got a notification.
+10 EXP (Chess – Tal-Fischer Analysis)
Whoa. That was a huge gain.
I realized something important: analyzing high-level games gave me more experience than actually playing mediocre ones. Drawing with Jay earlier gave me +3 EXP. Beating Alex? Just +1.
There was a pattern here—and a plan forming in my mind.
Ryan's Thoughts
"Chess really only boomed online in the 2020s thanks to YouTubers like Agadmator, GothamChess, and ChessBase India. Lichess, Chess.com… they all exploded after that. But right now, none of those platforms even exist.
Chess.com starts in 2007. Agadmator launches a few years after that. If I play this right, I could be first to the scene."
I could start a YouTube channel early, play games online once Chess.com launches, stream analysis, review classic openings from databases like ChessBase... it could be the perfect way to earn money and EXP. Two birds, one gambit.
And hey—I wouldn't limit myself to chess content. I like video games. I'm decent at them. With the Kazuma template, I'll only get better. He was a NEET, but also a resourceful guy. Streaming games could be fun—and profitable.
I may get nothing now but it would escalate quiet well in the future .
Future Vision:
5–10 minute videos explaining openings
Game breakdowns from Fischer, Tal, Capablanca, etc.
When Chess.com goes live, I'll do live streams.
Play bullet, blitz, rapid—earn experience and build an audience.
Tournaments? Sure, but I'm not going pro. It's too stressful. I want to enjoy chess, not be consumed by it.
On the Jane Front…
I also need to upgrade my Patrick Jane template.
While browsing the net, I realized psychology and mentalism books would be key. Jane used memory palaces—something I haven't mastered yet. I'll need books on cognitive psychology, human behavior, memory techniques. Cold reading, too. I'm already getting decent at reading people just by observing.
So… next step?
Ask Dad for a library pass.
That'll give me access to both chess archives and psychology resources.
I'm building my foundations now—for both intellect and instinct. For now, it's slow progress. But one day… I'll be something special.
[Status Screen Updated]
Current Templates:
Mikhail Tal – Beginner (460 / 10,000)
(+250) Mid-game intuition significantly improved. Bold sacrifice instincts sharpening. Can now detect deeper tactical possibilities in chaotic positions. Slight sense of initiative emerging. Trait unlocked: Calculated Madness — +10% tactical accuracy when down in material.
Increase from before after some more games + analysis of recordings
Kazuma Satou – Intermediate (10 / 10,000)
Template Rank: INTERMEDIATE. Basic luck increased. Mild danger sensing activated. 100% Luck for Rock Paper Scissors, Minor Luck boost and concentration increase for any game.
No change
Patrick Jane – Beginner (230 / 15,000)
(+50) Enhanced observational awareness. Emotional reading improving. Minor influence from performing magic tricks: understanding deception as a tool. Confidence and presence during "performances" now noted.
Increase after observation for quiet a while