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Playing chess with my son. He just moved his King 4 spaces diagonally. I jokingly asked if it’s because he identifies as a Queen. He said ‘yes’.
He/she identifies. (He = my son, she = the piece).
This has left me in a huge quandary. He is clearly cheating but I can’t be seen to deny his King this right. You’d think as a King they could self bestow this law anyway.
(I mean a chessboard could well be a constitutional monarchy, rare as it is. Though I can’t imagine the bishops would ratify this break from tradition)
Game update. I have asked if my pawns can self-identify as knights. My son has said no and that would be ‘silly’. I now feel bad for deviating the game from a serious gender issue.
I suggest that for a pawn to be ‘knighted’ all that requires is a ruling monarch - of any gender.
He points out this is immaterial as there are no spare horses. This line of enquiry is now shut.
He points out this is immaterial as there are no spare horses. This line of enquiry is now shut.
(Makes mental note to not move pawns to final row of board to avoid future developments on this thread)
This is stressful. I can’t even question the legality of this development without sounding like a TERF sympathiser. And my moral sensibilities want to support his King’s decision.
Note he has not ‘dressed up’ his king to represent the new status. Or discussed his/her preferred pronouns. I just have to accept it. As it should be.
On a separate and more pressing note, with two queens rampaging round the board he is now whipping me.
Sod this. I’ve told him I respect the piece’s right to self-identify but also reminded him the game of chess ends when a player loses the King. The move to reassign gender has left his side Kingless and he has to forfeit. Therefore I win immediately.
Ok. Argument. Impressively he’s standing behind his King’s decision and is asking me how this is fair. An 8yo is on the verge of accusing me of a hate crime.
I’ve doubled down. I’ve told him I have the authority simply because I’m white.
Yes. I am trying to win by default, by deflecting that the fight against institutionally entrenched racism supersedes transgender rights issues. 
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The board has been knocked over. Stalemate.
Merry Christmas!
