This story is as enjoyable as even on the nth re-reading, but I'm afraid I have to agree with the multiple criticisms of your naming habits. Whatever may or may not be current in British schools, in canon Harry and Ron *always* think of their non-Slytherin classmates by their first names, not their last. Use of the last name by itself always denotes enmity in the Potterverse, as when Seamus snaps "Leave my mother out of this, Potter!" after Harry sneers at his mum for believing what she reads (about Harry) in the paper.

Harry and Ron didn't call Hermione by just "Granger" even before they befriended her. She was always "Hermione" to them, or occasionally "Hermione Granger". Likewise Neville isn't just "Longbottom" to other Gryffindor students in his year. Conversely, canon-Ron would *never* call Crabbe and Goyle "Vinnie and Greg". However much the conceit enlivens Ron's chess games (which it does, greatly), it's an error of voice that makes me wince every time.

I have no interest in chess, but I am finding this story totally engaging. However, the way Ron, Harry, and Hermione keep referring to each other by surname takes me out of the story. It is a bit disconcerting; it reads wrong to me. Other than that one issue, this story is really enjoyable to read. Thank you for posting it.

What an amazing story. I love your style, I love how you write the characters. I would gladly read a sequel to this story. If you don't plan it, I hope that one day you'll write another story featuring Snape. Maybe even the long one, because you write them perfectly.

What a great story! I really, really enjoyed your entry into the world of wizard chess. You did a great job with the complex characterizations of Snape and Ron, which I think fandom is way too fast to write off based on just one of a myriad of qualities.

I would really love to read the sequel if there is one!

This was a really good story. I love chess, although the best I can claim to be is pretty good for a duffer, and I love Severus and the Weasleys. The bit at the end with the sweater made my eyes mist up.

Now I've got to go check and see if you're still writing, as this is, as far as I know, my first exposure to your work. :)

YES! Love Snape's sweater, by the way. Wonderfully written, as well. Normally I don't really care either way about Ron, but I think you wrote him excellently in this fic. Nice job, and keep up the good work!

Kuri-Kuri

Wow. I never thought a story about chess and Ron, whom I am not overly fond of in mmany fafictions, would be so freakin amazing. I actually stayed up past midnight to finish it because I simply had to find out the ending. I like your version of Ron. He is a much more mature, well rounded character, and he is actually quite charming. I actually opened this story in hopes that it would be a SnapexRon story, but this is far better even than that!

I'm hopeless at chess, I haven't the patience or impetus to learn it very well, but my cousins have this chess set I've always been enamoured with that is similar to Malfoy's. One side is the French aristocracy and the other side is the revolutionaries. So white is all wigged and fancy period clothes and the queen has big skirts and the castles are actual stone looking castle turrets, but the black side is all in rags and enraged and the castles are guillotines. It's nifty.

Why are they using surnames ?

Ron thinks of Harry as "Potter" and Harry talks about Hermione as "Granger"...

Ouch. My head hurts from all those chess moves :)

But thank you. I must see if you've written any romance, your style is amazing :)

Great story! Loved how you played out the games, brillant! So is there a sequel to this then, or is there going to be soon? Keep up the great writing!

-Mystical Panther

I'm curious why Ron addressed Hermione as 'Granger'. After all, they're best friends, aren't they? It feels weird seeing him addressing her last name .

But, I love your story btw .

I really enjoyed this story! The writing was very simple and compelling, and your character development was great :) I wonder if you've read the "Bartimaeus Trilogy"? The mentions of djinn and afrits made me think of it... if you haven't, I think you'd enjoy it.

Anyway, I love how you give Ron character in his own right, apart from Hermione and Harry. The chess aspect of this story was really nice! My brother and my dad both play, but I don't really know much about it - I think I might have to start playing again :) Chess has always been described to me as a war game; one of strategy. I guess I never really saw that until now!

Anyway, thank you for the privilege of reading a good story! Keep writing :)

Great story! Love it. Great job. :)