Off the Mark by Mark Parisi for February 24, 2022

“Just going around the corner.”

Must be going to Chicago if he’s taking the L.

He wanted to take the c train, but they just weren’t willing to let him on board.

It’s traditional to explain the knight’s move to beginners as “L shaped”. It can also be described as moving one square vertically or horizontally and one square diagonally while still moving away from its original square. The F.I.D.E laws of chess say that it moves to one of the squares nearest to that on which it stands, but not on the same rank, file, or diagonal. I think it’s Lasker’s Manual of Chess that describes it as “the shortest move which is not a straight one”.

“No. I’m just playing some Tetris.”

They are just horsing around.

He’s going to L in a handbasket.

He’s just going to check the king.

Don’t forget to book your return, it may take longer than you thought.

“No, just horsing around”

Maybe he’s looking at porn.

A kinky fourway with another set of pieces.

I’ve got to get the L out of here.

L yes!

and then a step to the right

“Workin’ on our knight moves,

Trying’ to make some front page drive-in news…"

He won’t get far with those moves.

The effects of your move will ripple through the rest of ‘the game’. Choose wisely young pony.

Have gun will travel.

Just horsing around!

He’s playing Tetris