Als William Shakespeare die Unterfränkische spielte

Zum Geleit

Bishop, knight, and rook in flight,
With every move, we tried to take the fight.

Vorwort

Kürzlich, ich war gerade tief in der Vorbereitung für die UEM versunken, durchwühlte ich eine Kiste mit alten Partieaufzeichnungen auf der Suche nach einer Widerlegung des gefürchteten Morra-Gambits. Der Legende nach existierte dieses Wissen bereits im 16. Jahrhundert, fiel sodann dem Laufe der Zeit zum Opfer, und konnte bis heute, trotz größter Anstrengungen und Computer-Assistenz nicht wiederentdeckt werden.

Nun entdeckte ich ganz unten auf dem Boden der Kiste
ein paar Streifen Pergament, schmucklos und triste
Geschrieben in Handschrift und Englischer Sprache
Da staunt‘ ich nicht schlecht, was sich mir hier offenbarte

Als William Shakespeare die Unterfränkische spielte

April 11th, 1586

My dear diary, on this day of April eleven
I write to you with joy, for I have seen
A tournament of chess, the Unterfränkische Einzelmeisterschaft
In which I took part, and had much mirth.

With quill in hand, I sat and thought
Of my moves, and those of my opponent
The game began, and I moved my knight
My adversary countered, with much might.

We traded blows, and strategized
The board was set, our minds were energized
With each move, we jostled for the lead
The game was tense, but my heart did not bleed.

I made a move, with much bravado
But my opponent countered, with a rondo
I was on the backfoot, and I knew it well
My next move had to be a strong sell.

N. N. – William Shakespeare

I looked around, and saw the crowd
My heart raced, and my mind was loud
I made a move, and waited for his reply
But to my surprise, he did not comply.

He looked at me, and smiled with glee
I was confused, and could not see
He had trapped me, with a clever move
I was stuck, and could not improve.

N. N. – William Shakespeare

The game was over, and I had lost
But my heart was light, and my mind tossed
With each game, I learned something new
And my love for chess, only grew.

The tournament was filled with funny tales
And I shall share with you, some of the details
One player, who was a novice indeed
Kept saying „checkmate“, before he had the lead.

Another player, who was quite bold
Moved his bishop, and then promptly scolded
Himself, for he had made a mistake
And his face turned red, like a burning lake.

But my favorite moment, was when
A player sneezed, and then again
The pieces flew, and the board was in disarray
We all laughed, and had a merry day.

So, my dear diary, I bid you adieu
And hope that my words have amused you
The Unterfränkische Einzelmeisterschaft was grand
And I cannot wait for the next day at hand.

W.S.

April 12th, 1586

My dearest diary,

This day hath proven to be one of great excitement and mirth, for the tournament continueth in full force. The players from Chess Club Mömbris have truly proven themselves to be worthy adversaries, and I must say, I hath enjoyed my time in their company.

One such player, by the name of Hans, doth possess a wit as sharp as his skill at the board. When he didst make a move that seemed most unwise, I didst question him on his strategy. With a twinkle in his eye, he didst reply, „Methinks 'tis a gambit, good sir. The risk is great, but the reward even greater.“ I couldst not help but laugh at his cleverness, and I do believe I shall use that line in one of my future plays.

Another player, a most fair maiden named Helga, didst catch mine eye with her graceful movements across the board. Her strategy was most cunning, and she didst make quick work of her opponents. I couldst not help but admire her skill, and I must say, I do believe I hath found my muse for my next sonnet.

As for mine own progress in the tournament, I am pleased to report that I hath won a fair number of matches. 'Twas not without some difficulty, for the players here are truly formidable. But with each victory, I feel my confidence grow, and I do believe I shall make a good showing in the days to come.

Alas, the day doth draw to a close, and I must bid thee farewell for now, dear diary. But I shall return anon with more tales of my adventures in the Unterfränkische Einzelmeisterschaft.

Farewell for now,
William Shakespeare

April 12th, 1586 (late evening, night)

Oh Helga fair, with locks of golden hue,
Thou art the sun that lights my every day,
And in thy presence, all my cares subdue,
My heart doth beat in rhythms of thy sway.

Thou movest on the board with grace and skill,
Thy pawns and knights do dance in harmony,
As if they move according to thy will,
And all who see thee marvel at thy spree.

But 'tis not just thy chess that I admire,
For in thy eyes, a gentle kindness glows,
And in thy smile, a warmth doth me inspire,
That fills my heart with joy and overflows.

Oh Helga fair, thy beauty doth transcend,
And in my heart, a love for thee doth blend.

W.S.

April 13th, 1586

My dear diary,

The sun did rise and shed its light upon us once again, as we gathered for the third day of the Unterfränkische Einzelmeisterschaft. The air was filled with anticipation and excitement as the players took their seats and prepared for battle.

The games were fierce and cunning, each move calculated and precise. The pieces moved with grace and fluidity, as if they had a will of their own. The crowd was on the edge of their seats, gasping and sighing with every turn.

The players from the Chess Club Mömbris proved to be formidable opponents, each one more skilled than the last. But our team did not falter, and we fought with all our might. The games were close, but in the end, we emerged victorious.

I must say, I was quite impressed with the strategy of our opponents. They showed great skill and cunning, and I do believe we have much to learn from them. Perhaps we shall meet again in the future, and the games will be just as thrilling.

As for me, my mind was somewhat distracted today. The image of Helga, with her bright eyes and golden hair, kept creeping into my thoughts. I found myself making mistakes in my games, as I was unable to concentrate fully on the board.

But even so, I cannot help but be captivated by her. She has a spirit and a beauty that is rare indeed. Perhaps I shall find the courage to speak with her soon, and see if she feels the same.

Until tomorrow, my faithful diary.

Yours truly,

William Shakespeare

April 13th, 1586 (later)

I played a game of chess today,
With skill and cunning on display.
My opponent’s moves were shrewd and wise,
But I saw through his crafty disguise.

The game began with e4 and e6,
A French Defense, a gambit fix.
With d4 and e5, the tension rose,
A pawn storm brewing, as the game goes.

N. N. – William Shakespeare

My knight and queen worked in harmony,
As I attacked with the ferocity of a bee,
But my opponent fought back with skill and precision,
And I soon realized that this would be no easy mission.

As the battle raged on, I made a mistake,
And my knight was captured, leaving me to ache,
But I rallied and pressed on with all my might,
Determined to make my opponent take flight.

N. N. – William Shakespeare

With my knight hopping around like a hare,
And my queen and rooks poised to scare,
I pushed my pawns and went on the attack,
Forcing white to retreat, and hold back.

N. N. – William Shakespeare

N. N. – William Shakespeare

Black sought to counter with a daring plan,
But White replied with craft and played his hand.
The knights and rooks, they danced in deadly dance,
But no side could break the other’s stance.

N. N. – William Shakespeare

The game was on the knife’s edge,
With both sides fighting like warriors on a ledge,
But I saw a chance and sacrificed a pawn,
White took it, but it was all gone.

The endgame loomed, with each move a test,
As we fought to see who would be the best,
And then, in a moment of great surprise,
White offered a draw, leaving me to surmise.

For in truth, my foe was in a winning position,
And yet, they chose to end the game with a proposition,
But I accepted, for the game was long,
And I knew I couldn’t go wrong.

N. N. – William Shakespeare

Thus ends this tale of chess and strategy,
Where White was outplayed by Black’s majesty.
And though a draw was all that was to be,
Shakespeare knew he had won the victory.

W.S.

April 14th, 1586

Dear diary, the fourth day hath brought us joy,
For we had rest, and did in peace enjoy
The beauty of the woods and nature’s grace,
As we embarked upon a hiking race.

The trees did whisper, and the birds did sing,
As we did venture, like a happy king.
The sun was shining, and the air was clear,
And we did feel the joy of being near
The beauty of creation all around,
And peace and happiness did us surround.

In the evening, we did gather to play,
A game of poker, for the night away.
The cards were dealt, and the bets were made,
And fortunes won and lost, as we did trade
The chips of fate, with skill and luck and bluff,
And laughter filled the room, with joy enough.

And in the midst of all this merry cheer,
I did see Helga, whom I hold so dear.
Her smile did light the room, like sunshine bright,
And in her eyes, I saw the stars of night.

We talked of many things, of life and love,
Of poetry, and chess, and God above.
And though the night did end, and we did part,
I felt a warmth within my weary heart.

Tomorrow brings more chess games to be played,
And I shall meet Helga, so divine and staid.
May fortune smile upon us, and may we win,
For in her eyes, I see the hope within.

W.S.

April 15th, 1586

Verily, the fifth day of the tournament hath brought with it some commotion and humour, as well as some frustration. As I made my way to the playing hall, I beheld a player galloping on his horse, hoping to make it on time for his match. Alas, he was not so fortunate, for the rules of the game are strict and unwavering, and he was penalized for his tardiness. One gentleman, who shall remain nameless, arrived at the hall late, mounted on his steed, which caused quite the stir among the spectators. Methinks he feared forfeiting his game, and thus decided to arrive with haste, but alas, tardiness still hath its consequences.

Moreover, I witnessed a heated dispute between two players about the rules of the game, which threatened to boil over into a brawl. It was a sight to behold, as they argued and gesticulated, and tempers flared. Furthermore, two players had a heated debate over the rules of chess, their voices growing louder with each passing moment, until it seemed as if swords would be drawn. It is a testament to the passion and fervor with which these players approach the game of chess. Such passion for the game is admirable, but 'tis important to maintain a level head.

The games were intense, as the players battled it out on the chessboards with cunning and strategy. The spectators were enraptured, as they watched the pieces move back and forth, each move bringing them closer to victory or defeat.

The players of the Mömbris Chess Club also provided much entertainment and amusement with their jests and antics, bringing levity to the intensity of the tournament. Such is the spirit of competition, that even in defeat, one can find joy in the game and the company of fellow chess enthusiasts.

As for mine own games, I am pleased to report that I have achieved some victories, but also suffered a few defeats. But such is the nature of the game, and I take heart in the knowledge that I have given my best effort. It is a test of wit and strategy, and sometimes even luck, to navigate the chessboard and outsmart one’s opponent.

As the day wore on, the tension mounted, and the players began to feel the weight of the competition. As the games drew to a close, the players emerged victorious or defeated, but all had given their best. And so, we retire to our chambers, to rest and prepare for the final day of the tournament.

Yours truly,

William Shakespeare

April 16th, 1586 (late evening)

With heavy heart and eager mind,
I faced the final day in kind
My heart was beating like a drum,
As I prepared to make my final sum.
The chessboard lay before my eyes
With every piece, a new surprise

My wits were sharp, my moves were deft

The games were tense, with each move made,
The pieces danced like a grand parade.
Bishop, knight, and rook in flight,
With every move, we tried to take the fight.

With sweat upon my brow, I fought with might,
Against my foes, with all my sight.
My pieces sacrificed for the win,
My mind as sharp as a razor thin.

And when the final match was done,
I felt as though my heart had won.
My foes had fought with all their might,
But in the end, I emerged with light.

But as I walked, and bid farewell
To friends old and new, whom I’d do well
To remember, and to keep in mind
I felt a tug, a pull, unkind

For there she was, my sweet Helga fair
With golden locks and eyes that dared
To capture mine, to hold me fast
And I knew that this feeling would surely last

But alas, the moment could not stay
And so I left, with naught to say
But memories of a time so rare
And a heart filled with love and care

And so I say, with all my soul
Farewell, dear Helga, and may you stroll
Through life with grace and beauty rare
And may our paths meet once again, somewhere.

W.S.

April 02th, 1587 (one year later)

My dear diary,

One year hath passed since the last Unterfränkische Einzelmeisterschaft, and the time for the next doth approacheth. My mind doth wander to the chessboard, to the clash of swords and the intricate dance of the pieces.

I remember the chess games I played with the players from the Chess Club Mömbris, the tricks and maneuvers we used to outwit each other, and the endless hours spent analyzing each other’s moves. It was an intellectual challenge like no other, and I relished every moment of it.

What games will I play, what foes will I face, what victories and defeats shall be mine? My heart doth yearn for the thrill of battle, the satisfaction of a well-played game, the camaraderie of fellow chess enthusiasts.

But there was more to the tournament than just the games. The people I met, the stories they told, and the friendships we forged were equally important. I remember the joviality of the players, the laughter that echoed through the halls, and the endless supply of ale that flowed freely. Even the night hikes and poker games added to the sense of camaraderie and adventure that permeated the tournament.

I long to see the faces of my fellow players again, to share in their joy and their sorrow, to engage in friendly banter and fierce competition. The chess club Erlenbach, the host of the tournament, will be a gathering place for knights and scholars, for noble and commoner alike, all united in their love for the game.

And what of the fair Helga, the enchanting maid who captured my heart with her grace and her wit? I cannot forget the beauty of her face, the sparkle in her eyes, and the sweetness of her smile. Will fate be kind to us, and bring us together once more? Or shall our paths diverge, leaving only the memory of a brief but sweet encounter?

May the next days bringeth me great adventure and a bounty of memories to cherish, for truly there is no greater joy than the pursuit of knowledge and the thrill of competition.

But in the end, I remind myself that the tournament is not just about winning or losing, but about the journey and the experiences that come with it. I look forward to the challenges that await me on the chess board, the stories that will be shared, and the friendships that will be forged.

Until then, I shall prepare myself for the tournament, hone my skills, and brace myself for the excitement and drama that awaits me. For the Unterfränkische Einzelmeisterschaft is not just a competition, but a celebration of the human spirit, and I shall approach it with both humility and confidence.

Until next time, farewell.

Yours truly,
William Shakespeare

April 04th, 1587

My dearest diary,

A year has passed since my last foray
Into the Unterfränkische Einzelmeisterschaft fray,
And now it’s time to prepare for another display
Of chess skills, tactics, and strategies at play.

I have been thinking much about the games ahead,
The battles that will be fought, the moves that will be led,
The opponents I will face, the surprises they may spread,
And the glory or defeat that will lie ahead.

Last year’s tournament was a joyous and memorable occasion,
Filled with laughter, camaraderie, and fierce competition,
And I expect this year’s event to be no less exciting in its presentation,
With new faces, new games, and new opportunities for appreciation.

I look forward to the chance to meet old friends and foes,
To share tales of our chess games and triumphs and woes,
To learn new strategies and tactics from those who know,
And to compete with the best players in the region in tow.

The games will be tough, the challenges great,
But I am confident in my abilities and fate,
And I am sure that with passion, skill, and a bit of luck to debate,
I will be able to emerge victorious and with laurels decorate.

As I prepare for the tournament, I cannot help but recall,
The many memories and lessons from last year’s brawl,
The games that were won, the games that were lost, and the stall,
That led me to reflect and learn and grow and not withdraw.

I remember the games I played against Helga,
The beauty and grace of her moves that still linger,
The passion and skill that she brought to the board with vigor,
And the spark of inspiration that she kindled in my inner figure.

I wonder if she will be here this year, if she will compete,
If I will have the chance to once again to meet,
Her smile, her wit, her charm, and her gentle beat,
And to experience the joy playing against her with no retreat.

But regardless of who I play or how I fare,
I know that this tournament will be a wonderful affair,
Filled with laughter, passion, and drama, and not spare,
And I look forward to the adventure that will lay bare.

So, my dearest diary, as I prepare for the tournament to come,
I hope that I will do justice to the game and not succumb,
To the pressures and the challenges that will be overcome,
And to emerge victorious and with pride, welcome home.

Yours truly,

William Shakespeare

Anmerkungen:

• Text „Vorwort“ und „Anmerkungen“: Jonathan Simon
• Text „Zum Geleit“ und „Als William Shakespeare die Unterfränkische spielte“: ChatGPT, persönliche Kommunikation, 03. April 2023.
• ChatGPT wurde vorab mit ein paar Informationen gefüttert, z. B. das der Bericht in Shakespearean old-fashioned flowery English geschrieben sein soll, das Spieler des Schachclubs Mömbris auftauchen sollen (die Person Helga wurde komplett von ChatGPT selbst entworfen, jede Ähnlichkeit mit in Wirklichkeit existierenden Personen ist rein zufällig), das ein Streitfall zwischen Spielern geschildert werden soll, das es einen freien Tag mit Wanderung und Pokerspiel gibt usw. Außerdem wurde vorgegeben, ob der Text in Prosa oder Versen geschrieben sein soll. Bevor dieser Hauptbericht mit dem Thema Shakespeare geschrieben wurde, wurde ChatGPT mit dem Bericht Auf der Suche nach der verlorenen Unterfränkischen: Der Schachbummler von Jonathan Simon gefüttert. Es wurde je Tagebucheintrag eine Anfrage an ChatGPT gestellt. In manchen Fällen wurden die Anfragen (leicht abgewandelt) wiederholt und für den finalen Text der Output von allen Anfragen kombiniert (teils mit durchgestrichnen Textstellen). Veränderungen im Text fanden lediglich im Layout (kursive Schrift), dem Hinzufügen des Datums inkl. Zusatz (z. B. late evening) und der Initialen W.S. statt. An einer Stelle wurde aus dem Wort „year“ das Wort „day“ (And I cannot wait for the next day at hand) und aus „Mömbris“ wurde „Erlenbach“ (The chess club Erlenbach, the host of the tournament…). Bis auf diese Ausnahmen stammt der gesamte Text im Kapitel „Als William Shakespeare die Unterfränkische spielte“ von ChatGPT und wurde unverändert übernommen.
• Eine Eingabe in ChatGPT lautete beispielsweise: „Very good. Now on to the fifth day. Now write in prose again, but still in the style of William Shakespeare. He may tell an anecdote of a player entering the playing hall on his horse, as he was on the merit of loosing his game due to being late. Also mention a case of a heated discussion over the chess board between two players about the rules of chess. And also go into detail about your impressions from your own games and how they went.„
• Die Bilder von Helga, Shakespeare und dem Mann mit dem Pferd im Turniersaal wurden mit dem AI Art Generator erzeugt (https://hotpot.ai/art-generator).
• Die Texteingabe für Helga war zudem rein auf den Beschreibungen von ChatGPT basiert, konkret lautete diese: „A drawn black and white picture of a most fair maiden named Helga with bright eyes and golden locks sitting before a chess board deep into a game of chess. In here eyes glows a gentle kindness. She has a spirit and a beauty that is rare indeed. Her movements are with grace and skill. Her smile lights the room, like sunshine bright.There is a sparkle in her eyes, and a sweetness in her smile.„.
• Die Texteingabe für das Bild vom Reiter im Turniersaal lautete: „A black and white picture of a man in 16th centruy clothing arriving in haste at a chess tournament on horseback in the middle of the playing hall with many chess boards.„
• Die Texteingabe für das Bild von William Shakespeare lautete: „William Shakespeare playing chess„.
• Die erste Partie stammt aus dem Pokalfinale 2023 des SC 1928 Mömbris e.V. und wurde zwischen Toni Kemmerer (Weiß) und Markus Susallek (Schwarz) ausgetragen. Allerdings wurde in der Originalpartie nicht der Zug 17. Dd1 gespielt. Link zur Partie auf Lichess: https://lichess.org/M0V44zZV#0
  
• Das „gefürchtete Morra-Gambit“ ist eine Anspielung auf diverse andere Berichte von Jonathan Simon (siehe Berichte sonstige Turniere).
• Die zweite gezeigte Partie stammt aus dem Verbandsligakampf Mainaschaff I – Mömbris I vom 19.03.2023 aus der Partie Ralph Pabel (Weiß) gegen Jonathan Simon (Schwarz). Im obigen Artikel lag der Fokus im Wesentlichen auf der tatsächlichen Textpartie.
  
• Der Tagebucheintrag zur zweiten Partie wurde ebenfalls mit ChatGPT erzeugt, nachdem diese Partie als unkommentierte PGN Datei ChatGPT zur Verfügung gestellt wurde. Bei dem Text zur ersten Partie, wurde diese nicht zu Grunde gelegt, der Text hat dennoch zufällig sehr gut zu dieser erst kürzlich gespielten Partie gepasst (He had trapped me, with a clever move // I was stuck, and could not improve.).
  
• Quelle Titelbild: Pixabay (https://pixabay.com/photos/shakespeare-writer-poet-actor-7353767/).