The Queen, in that she is the most powerful player in the game of chess stands closest to the King.
She stands on the square matching her color.
One Bishop stands beside the Queen. The 2nd Bishop stands to the other side of the King.
Essentially the King and Queen stand between the two Bishops.
Here we have one story, two monarchs standing between two spiritual figures where the threat presented in every game is the capture of the King.
And while the King can be seen as the protagonist, the figure around which the drama of game swirls, the Queen’s goal is clear.
Protect the King.
The story of each game of chess hinges on the King‘s protection from capture.
His greatest ally is the Queen.
Her greatest ally and the King‘s 2nd strongest protector is the Bishop.
The rules of place and role governing chess pieces, otherwise known in story as perspective, personality and goal, serve as motive, and thus provide plot.
Where the greatest hope of survival dwells also lives the most sincere vulnerability.
Lose the King. Lose the game.
What are the rules of the game of your story?
Who holds the position closest to your protagonist?
Around what character does the drama of your story turn?
What dilemma does your major character face?
Who is her or his greatest ally?
Who or what provides the greatest threat?
What is that threat?
Should the enemy or opposing force enact that threat, what shall be vanquished?
Should the protagonist succumb to her or his fate and greatest fear who falls with her or him?
Why does she or he matter?
What is the point of your story?
Find your self lost?
Perhaps you might want to play a game of chess.
Like life, the game of chess requires much thinking and forethought.
Writing at times asks that we stop and think, consider to what it is we are trying to say, that which is trying to find its way through us, and how best to say it.