Author's Response:
I never mind constructive criticism. I consider myself a semi-professional writer, so I'm used to it :) I appreciate you taking the time to leave me an in-depth review like this.
OK-- War can be seen as a bit of a chess game itself, with the kings as the ideology. I had Tom playing white, which is considered ideal for a more agressive, offensive player. The final pawn, of course, is Harry. I have to re-read this story for the symbolism of some of the other pieces (it's been a while), but most of the others are open for interpretation.
The room is of Tom's choosing, so everything is in black and white -- with three notable exceptions: the sand in the hourglass, Dumbledore's robes, and the ash at the end. All of these are grey. Dumbledore's robes are dove-grey, for peace. Time is grey, meaning that it adheres to neither the side of dark nor light. It is neutral. And the ash at the end -- is the combination of the two simple pawns used during the battle -- the Everyman caught up in a battle he or she may not fully understand. The result for both spent pawns is the same: Death. So again, the neutrality of grey.
What can I say? I'm a sucker for symbolism!
Author's Response: Thank you!
Author's Response: Thanks! What can I say? I'm a sucker for the abstract and for symbolism.
Author's Response: Thank you! I had fun with this. I could just see Tom Riddle and Dumbledore as the ultimate chessmasters.
Author's Response: Thank you! This was the first fanfic I ever posted online and only the second one I had ever written. My best friend helped me with the Chinese history and the chess strategy, so I owe a good deal to her.