"King Poison" , Slayer of Chess Champions

This is a story of
Hardship and Grief, mixed
with hard work and extraordinary dedication, leading to the
pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. "King Poison" is the
name this gentleman received from the Louisiana State
Prosecutor's during his 1975 murder trial. King Poison was
charged with (what else?), but poisoning his ex-wife. During
his trial, "King Poison" showed little or no remorse for
this crime.
Although he insisted on
his innocence.
His Public Defender, (a brain dead man with a brief case)
called upon the alibi that he was at home looking through
back issues of Bondage and Dominion the jury found no sympathy and actually found his
alibi quite tasteless. The jury, after deliberating for 10
minutes, returned a guilty verdict. "King Poison" was
sentenced to die in Louisiana's Electric chair.
It appears that during his 15 years on Death Row, a number of events took place. One being his constant and relentless thirst for knowledge of the game of chess. His reading and studying of well over 500 chess books, manuals and commentaries, has without doubt made him one of the worlds finest players.The other and probably the most important development, was through the the advances in forensic science, (IE) DNA,chemical analysis,etc, it would be relatively simple to prove "King Poison's", complete innocence.
Having lost all previous appeals, most of which were never even judicially entertained due to some dubious rule of law which pre-empted any chance at a new trial, his fate was all but sealed.

Enter Mr.Arnold Howe, Esquire.
Mr.Howe it seems while visiting another inmate prior to his release, had heard of the unbeatable chess player, A.K.A "King Poison". Being an avid Chess aficionado himself, his interest was aroused.
A meeting was arranged, and representation was discussed. A deal was proposed by Mr.Howe.
"If you can beat me at a game of chess, I will represent you, using the full resources of my international law firm,and most likely you will be acquitted.
However this does not go without a payment agreement. I want half the proceeds of any book deal that may arise out of this, also I must play the color white."
Another stipulation was that if he loses the chess match "King Poison", would greet and readly be seated in old Sparky, with its rich history of vengence and justice. "King Poison readily agrees.

Prior to his offer, Mr. Howe, had done his homework, he knew through his legal acumen and connections, he could get "King Poison" acquitted. Through the recent D.N.A testing and other lab results, it was rumored that, King Poison may indeed be innocent. However this was something the state attorney and prosecutor
had no interest in pursuing. It's bad PR putting innocent people away for that length of time. It also means the police still have a killer at large, and that, really does not bode well with any community.

"King Poison" was oblivious and ignorant of the fact that Mr Howe, was a Grandmaster chess player who had studied under Bobby Fischer while in college.
In fact, Mr. Howe had won many state championships, but that was years ago. Another interesting thing, was that Mr. Howe had a penchant for gambling.
A compulsion for high stakes. It becomes apparent that the highest stake in any gambling event, would be life itself. "King Poison's" life, in this case.
In the event of this defendants loss at chess, Mr. Howe would have the compunction to not object at trial. He was amoral. He would simply allow the prosecution to protect itself, while making useless objections to insignifant facts, which in some way would give the appearance of defense. Mr. Howe knew that being the attorney of record would grant him the priviledge of a ring side seat , at old Sparky. This is after all, is what the chess match was all about. This would not be the first time that Mr. Howe had heard the death row phrase, "In accordance with Alabama Law, electricity shall now be passed through your body, until you are dead. May God have mercy on your soul" . The simple fact is, it was Mr. Howe's soul that needed mercy.

The Chess match was to take place on "King Poison's" birthday, December 25th, presently two weeks away. "King Poison" had an intuitive feeling about Mr. Howe. He was curious, as to his sudden interest. Also the conditions of the match. Why insist on white? Why insist on a willingness to sit in the chair of death?
The prison library was full of periodicals,old newapapers and very old books, and that is where he started. "King Poison", instead of focusing on opening gambits or even the middle game, his attention was drawn to the end plays and gambits. Why?, because he was determined to win. He felt this was the crucial key.

What even, the warden did'nt know, was that King Poison's IQ, was stratospheric, he was psychic as well. Years of prison life had taught him to dumb down.
He had to blend in. The other inmates thought of him as some kind of introverted chess nut. They left him alone. The chess board with its squares of black and white, kept his mind active as he worked out complex mathamatical formulas, only some relating to chess. His voracious reading appetite brought him to several articles regarding, none other than, guess who? Mr. Howe. It would seem he had a preponderence of presence during executions, given the multiple photo's and sightings during these events.Coincidence? Perhaps. Always though, in a black suit. Further research brought him to Mr. Howe's chess playing days. An aged photo of a young Mr. Howe with none other than Bobby fischer himself. He was beaming proudly at a huge trophy.

So this was his opponent, a chess champion with a predilection for execution. It all made sense now. He was here to show his feeble intellect, and watch another roasting. So knowing who, Howe's mentor was, would provide a wealth of insight. "King Poison" hit the books on every victory won against Bobby Fischer.

Game Day, a one hour time limit on the game is agreed upon. Who ever has the most time left on the clock at the end of one hour, wins regardless of pieces captured or position. King Poison had played speed chess as a kid in Central Park N.Y.These guys taught him speed. Always able to stay a couple of minutes faster than Howe, It would prove crucial in mid game. Howe, had to think, only to move 5 minutes later, in what, King Poison, saw in seconds. Logical mathamatics applied. Quickly. 59:50 and no checkmate yet. A tough fight. Howe's King ,now in check, sacraficing Queen to King Poison's, pawn .A 2nd Queen
emerges on behalf of King Poison. Howe loses final Rook defending his King. King Poison's Knight moves into position. CHECKMATE, a pawn, a Knight and a Queen have Howe's King trapped and in check.------Game Over-----Winner--> "King Poison"! A game well played by all!

The very next day, the full force and fury, of the Legal firm, Dewey,Cheatham and Howe, are brought to bear on the Louisiana court system. After 16 years in custody,
"King Poison" is acquitted. The state is forced to pay 5 million dollars in lost wages and time. His name now cleared , he lives a life of obscurity, sharing the royalties of the printed book "Square One", with Mr. Howe.