Experts

The grandmasters took their seats at the chessboard. A heavy hand came down on the mechanical clock, and the hand began to move.

Behind a glass wall, spectators gathered in anticipation of a keen battle. Distinguished experts, exemplary commentators, and amateurs alike could observe everything that unfolded – surely far better than the players themselves.

As the grandmasters made their opening moves, weighing thousands of possible continuations, the discussion behind the glass was already in full swing about how this game ought to be played. Best practices, potential endgame outcomes, the players’ weaknesses, and, of course, concrete advice – the moves that must inevitably be made in a position the board had not yet seen, but one in which the opponents would surely find themselves.

When the game reached the middlegame, opposing ideas began to surface from different sides. This raised no questions among the amateurs – they eagerly jotted down what they heard, so that next time, when they found themselves in a similar situation, they would certainly evaluate the position correctly and win.

While the spectators’ time dragged on in languid anticipation of the next move, the grandmasters relentlessly used every moment – only unwavering discipline and erudition could alter the outcome of the confrontation. At last, the game entered the endgame.

The experts began to discuss the grandmasters’ obvious mistakes – those moves should never have been played, under any circumstances! The amateurs, having already forgotten about the game itself, copied down advice and listened open-mouthed to the astonishing authorities who seemed to have answers to every question. Inspired, they shouted at the grandmasters how they should have played, where the true danger lay, and what now awaited them.

The grandmasters sat behind the glass and did not hear the experts. At last, the game came to an end. After the obligatory handshake between the opponents, the spectators left the hall accompanied by the experts. The professionals, meanwhile, exchanged a few precise words and quietly withdrew.