“Mikhail Tal received the opening kickoff, and the Chess Masters did their best to block the Mark of the Pantheon off the line. Strangely, the game began with strategic manuevering at the line of scrimmage, both sides were a bit tentative. Tal settled in behind his mummies on the right and waited. Mark defenders hit the line, and Tal shifted smartly to the left side. Ogre da Ganner knocked himself over on a block, and Tal advanced for the touchdown.

Nom the Shadow took the kickoff, and a nice hole was opened on the right side. However, Nom's pass to Doomdeer was missed. Botvinnik made the effort to scoop up the ball, but failed. Nom took another try, this time a pass into the endzone for Gorgoth, but it was intercepted by the fans, who pitched the ball back on the field. Max Euwe got the ball and was blitzed, and here's yet another chance for Nom to gain glory. Sadly, Gorgoth dropped the ball in the endzone, and the half ended.

Nom took the second half kickoff, and this time advanced up the left side. He passed to Mates with Animals, who had quite a convoy headed up the sideline. Tal and Euwe charged back to defend. Strength 5 Chaos Warrior Prince Logan was the primary escort, and he threw a block, but Mates with Animals tripped while dodging away, and was taken off the field. Prince Logan now found himself quadruple-teamed, and he battled for the ball. Tal organized the defenders, and they helped Logan into his front row seat, and out of the game.

Now, midway through the half, 7 Undead players faced 6 Chaos players. Tal took the ball back up the sideline, well covered by Lasker and Euwe. The Mark pressed the Undead against the sideline, but the Undead held on, and Tal escaped across the field to score his second touchdown. 2-0 Dead Chess Masters.

A hard-fought match against a worthy opponent.

”