Chaturaji

Chaturaji is extremely talented at chess, but she hasn't been able to win the championship for years. Everyone, including herself, knows that she is actually far better than the actual champions, but in the final match, Chaturaji always "accidentally" loses to her opponent. This had led to much speculation in the chess world.

However, the truth is much simpler than what the rumors claim. No dirty business is involved. Chaturaji simply hates the feeling of being at the top, of being alone without equal. Chaturaji always refused the title of champion because she felt that if she won it, something important to her would disappear.

Chaturaji first learned about chess when she was 5. At the time, chess was a popular game among the upper classes, and many people used their skills at chess to move up the social ladder. When at a banquet with her father, she watched the national champions of each year be showered in praise.

Chaturaji never formally learned how to play chess. But on that day, she beat that year's national champion as the crowd's expression changed from jeering to amazement. Even though the champion played handicapped, Chaturaji's feat became the start of her legendary chess career.

Despite sitting on a tall stool while playing, nobody dares underestimate this young girl when she's before the chessboard. Even grandmasters have a hard time when she comes up with a new strategy.

Under her youthful appearance, Chaturaji has a very mature and careful play-style. She always plays incredibly defensively and refuses to give up even a single pawn. Some experts believe that Chaturaji's play-style mirrors Steinitz's exceptional understanding of defensive positional play; she traps the opponent in a slow game of trench warfare, a "closed match" with no flaws, the perfect defense.

As the first world champion of chess, Steinitz ruled the chess world for eight long years. Steinitz's only match was Zukertort, his good friend and greatest enemy. Under the eyes of the international media, they played each other for dozens of games straight until Steinitz emerged as the world champion. After Zukertort expectantly died at an early age, people thought that Steinitz would then dominate the chess world. However, he never won the championship again, and refused to take in any disciples. Despite his former glory, he ultimately passed away in an asylum after suffering for years from mental breakdowns. Among Steinitz's possessions that he left behind was an exquisite crystal chess set; What nobody knew was that contained in this chess set was all the knowledge that he had learned, along with a tinge of regret...

After mercilessly defeated her chess mentor over and over, Chaturaji finally convinced her father to let her enter the world of professional chess. After tearing her way through the competition, Chaturaji made it to the national finals. She was only one step away from winning the esteemed championship.

On the morning of the finals, her father gifted her with a crystal chess set passed down from generation to generation. It was intended to be for good luck, but on that day, Chaturaji was placed second for the first time of her life...