Close to Home by John McPherson for May 14, 2021

Hopefully he’s not a secret Chess Grand Master in his spare time.

The Queen’s Grab it?

He should have probably checked with his mate first.

Hopefully, he’s not just being used as a pawn.

Hopefully. he doesn’t get rooked.

That’s a sound strategy. So, were are the dice? I see at least two easy jumps there.

Don’t let him take bleeb

I’m sure he’ll honor his commitment should he lose…

You must have some really cruddy stuff on your first floor…

What strategy works best on a 9 × 9 chess board?

Wait a minute… the windows open and that guy is wearing a black shirt, black pants, black shoes, black ski hat, black mask, and he has a flashlight, crowbar, and a bag-of-loot! I’m gonna use those details to surmise that he is a:

Interior decorator!

Nailed it! シ

The mask keeps him from recognizing Bobby Fischer.

Bleeb has been quite cheerful as of late.

It is a little hard to figure out who is winning here. Tell the burglar to quit cheating and put his king on ONE space! Now I think the homeowner already took Black’s queen; if that is the case, he is doing well for now.

Cool strip, John!

How about win or lose, I just call the cops!

A short story by Lawrence Block finds Bernie Rhodenbar in a similar situation