Chess Poem by J.B. LeBuert

The best strategy game ever
Children should be introduced, to become clever
It teaches, how to think ahead
To be great, you must be well read
Each side has sixteen pieces or men
Intuition can help, but know the value of Zen
Played on a board of sixty four squares
You play alone, and not in pairs
I usually like white, they always move first
Try not to get your men too dispersed
Control the board's center is a good plan
It's quite important, and of that, I'm a fan
The queen is my favorite piece these days
She takes her square's color, not once, but always
She devastates the enemy quickly
And I've seen her turn an opponent sickly
By moving like a bishop or castle
She roams the board and causes a hassle
The castles or rooks come in pairs
They inhabit the very corner squares
They move straight forward or back
Beware of their forceful attack
The knight is special, and rides, or is a horse
Two of these ride an "L" shaped course
It's the only attacker that can jump
Over other pieces, and capture with a thump
The bishops play an important part
They move diagonally right from the start
The pawn or foot soldier begins the battle
And they number eight and your mind, they'll addle
They're very important, of that they'll prove
They move one or two spaces on the first move
They capture diagonally, or en passant
They change into any piece that you want
When they reach the other side of the board
They guard your King of their own accord
All of the pieces protect the King the same
Until you reach the very end of the game
The end game is the most important
Master it, and you'll pay the rent
To get there is an artful task
If you don't know why, please don't ask
A threat to the king is called check
It's commonly done without a beck
The end of the game is usually checkmate
Be proud when this, when it, you create
Fool's mate is a four move checkmate
Don't try this on your very first date
There is so much more to this intricate game
I've left out so much, but please don't blame
Me because, it's really up to you to pursue
This great game's details, and that's so true
You'll never know all about this game
But if you're good, you may achieve fame