The man who saw seconds

"You need to think like a monster," Fish said as he and Preble walked out of the Flea House. "Just a little bit. Just enough to crush the other guy's mind." "That's always your answer." Fish's saggy, anarchic face took on a look of mock hurt. "Chess is war." "For you." This was an old debate that Preble Jefferson found ironic, given their preferred styles. Preble was the current New York state champion in both chessboxing--alternating rounds of chess and boxing--and one-minute bullet chess. Fish played traditional, slow chess. But for Preble, both chess and boxing were fun, social games that helped him train his window. He could never beat his friend at an hour-long game, which Fish insisted was half psychology and all war. Excerpted from The Man Who Saw Seconds by Alexander Boldizar All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.