The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella) novel Chapter 1497

The crowd turned their eyes towards Arabella, a mix of envy, frustration, and jealousy simmering in their gaze.

Bagging a compliment from Mr. Albright was something many had only dreamed of!

"Mr. Albright, is there really a solution to this puzzle?" someone asked with a hint of grievance in their voice, "How do you know she can solve it?"

Eugene, with a gleam in his eye and a smile playing on his lips, said, "The puzzle was crafted by her own hand; of course, she can solve it."

"But who's to say she didn't just scribble something random?"

"If she really did draw it, maybe she's known the answer all along."

"Mr. Albright, does she even understand chess? If she's that good, why not have her demonstrate for us?"

"Yeah, we've got time. How about it, miss? Show us how to solve this game."

"I want to see this."

"Me too."

The crowd was skeptical. How could this young lady outshine many chess masters present and unravel such a complex game?

Eugene looked at Arabella with a smile and gracefully gestured for her to take a seat at the chessboard.

Arabella knew that Grandpa Eugene wanted her to dazzle the crowd, to blind them with her brilliance.

Although she found the whole show a bit childish, it was the old man's birthday, so she decided to indulge him.

Settling into her seat, Arabella said, "Assuming I'm playing white, my first move would be here."

As Arabella placed a white piece on the board, Mr. Albright swiftly captured the surrounding pieces.

Arabella continued with her second move, then the third, and the fourth. As expected, each was swiftly countered.

Then came the sixth, the seventh, the eighth.

The grumbling in the crowd ceased, replaced by shock and awe.

Only now did they begin to comprehend Arabella's initial five moves; each one was a trap.

She had sacrificed pieces deliberately, luring her opponent into a false sense of security. As the opponent unwittingly fell deeper into her web, she was safeguarding her other pieces and setting up further snares.

By the time her opponent realized what was happening, it was too late. Arabella had anticipated each of their moves well in advance.

The crowd watched as Arabella's plan unfolded, her counterattacks swift and decisive, like a predator that had been lying in wait, suddenly pouncing on its prey with ferocity.

In less than five minutes, the outcome became clear; white had taken a commanding lead, leaving black in disarray.

Three minutes later, white emerged victorious, and everyone in the room inhaled sharply at the sight.