Happy Chess Velentine!

From the National Championship, in between today's preparation and a walk outside, confronting the winter's wrath, I wish you all a great day!
We are celebrating it by playing chess, what else?! If you have never thought that chess and romance could go together, take a look at the card underneath, from the 20th century, maybe it will change your mind:)

Here you have the full text:


The Chess-Board by Edward Robert Bulwer-Lytton



My little love, do you remember,
Ere we were grown so sadly wise,
Those evenings in the bleak December,
Curtained warm from the snowy weather,
When you and I played chess together.
Checkmated by each other's eyes?


Ah! still I see your soft white hand
Hovering warm o'er Queen or Knight;
Brave Pawns in valient battle stand;
The double Castles guard the wings;
The Bishop, bent on distant things,
Moves, sliding, through the fight.


Our fingers touch; our glances meet,
And falter; falls your golden hair
Against my cheek; your bosom sweet
Is heaving. Down the field, your Queen
Rides slow, her soldiery all between,
And checks me unaware.


Ah me! the little battle's done:
Dispersed is all its chivalry.
Full many a move, since then, have we 
'Mid Life's perplexing chequers made,
And many a game with Fortune played;--
What is it we have won?
This, this at least,--if this alone:


That never, never, never more,
As in those old still nights of yore
(Ere we were grown so sadly wise),
Can you and I shut out the skies,
Shut out the world and wintry weather,
And, eyes exchanging warmth with eyes,
Play chess, as then we played together!