The chess game in SS/PS, quidditch, and Snape's potion puzzle...

[koinonia02]

No: HPFGUIDX 109706

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, <Aisbelmon at h...

"K" (originally wrote):

> ~Harry fretted about this next to the fire in the Gryffindor 
> common room, while Ron and Hermione used their time off to play a 
> game of wizard chess.
 
> "For heaven's sake, Harry," said Hermione, exasperated, as one of 
> Ron's bishops wrestled her knight off his horse and dragged him 
> off the board. "Go and *find* Justin if it's so important to you."
> cos/ch 11/pg 197-198
 
 
Message 109553: 
> Valky:
> REALLY Good "K"!
> 
> By this comparison are you saying that Justin Finch-Fletchley is 
>one of the two pieces mentioned here on the board?
> I am seriously intrigued.

"K":

I don't know.  ^-^ I've been reading CoS again and since I had just 
read this part it was easy for me to find. But to be honest I didn't 
think much about it until I read the post by Vivian (109258). 

>From now on I am going to pay close attention to chess matches and 
other statements made by the characters that could describe a chess 
game.

vmonte (Message 109556)

>I have another chess game scene.
>Page 217 SS

>"...Harry headed straight back to the Gryffindor common room, where
>he found Ron and Hermione playing chess. Chess was the only thing
>Hermione ever lost at, something Harry and Ron thought was very good
>for her." (Again we are told that Hermione is not a good 
>strategist.)

>"Don't talk to me for a moment," said Ron when Harry sat down next 
to
>him, "I need to concern--" He caught sight of Harry's face. "What's
>the matter with you? You look terrible."

>"Speaking quietly so that no one else could hear, Harry told the
>other two about Snape's sudden, sinister desire to be a Quidditch
>referee.

>"Don't play," said Hermione at once.
>"Say you're ill," said Ron.
>"Pretend to break your leg," Hermione suggested.
>"Really break your leg," said Ron.


"K"

That's just the kind of example I'm talking about. Now let me give a 
few more. 

"I'm going to play," he told Ron and Hermione. "If I don't, all the 
Slytherins will think I'm just too scared to face Snape." 
ch 13- pg 221-us

Below is a statement Harry makes before the chess match in SS.

"I might be able to hold Snape off for a while, but I'm no match for 
him, really."
ch 16-pg 286-us

"...but I'm no *match* for him, really." And of course we do know 
Harry will win.


So there are at least five examples of Snape being mentioned with 
chess or in a way that could be used to describe a match.

(1)
"Speaking quietly so that no one else could hear, Harry told the
other two about Snape's sudden, sinister desire to be a Quidditch
referee.

"Don't play," said Hermione at once.
"Say you're ill," said Ron.
"Pretend to break your leg," Hermione suggested.
"Really break your leg," said Ron.
ch 13-pg 217-us


(2)
"I'm going to play," he told Ron and Hermione. "If I don't, all the 
Slytherins will think I'm just too scared to face Snape." 
ch 13-pg 221-us


(3)
"That's chess!" snapped Ron. "You've got to make some sacrifices! I 
take one step forward and she''ll take me -- that leaves you free to 
checkmate the king, Harry!"

"But—"

"Do you want to stop Snape or not?"

"Ron—"

"Look, if you don't hurry up, he'll already have the stone!"
ch 16-pg 283-us


(4)
"I might be able to hold Snape off for a while, but I'm no match for 
him, really."
ch 16-pg 286-us


(5)
"Harry dear, said Mrs. Weasley, poking her head into his and Ron's
bedroom..."

snip

"Professor Snape would like a word with you."

Harry did not immediately register what she had said. One of his
castles was engaged in a violent tussle with a pawn of Ron's, and
he was egging it on enthusiastically.

snip

"Squash him --- **squash him**, he's only a pawn, you idiot. Sorry,
Mrs. Weasley, what did you say?"

"Professor Snape, dear."
oop-ch 24-pg 517-us


vmonte (109561):

>I seem to be in the minority though about how time-travel actually
>works. I believe that time-travel can actually change history, while
>many fans do not. 

"K":

I will agree with you on this point. I'm not going to quote canon 
(lack of time) now though I have in the past. But if one goes back 
and reads PoA and the warnings that Hermione received, then IMO it's 
obvious the past can be changed. 

vmonte:

>I think that the chess game is also a clue as to
>how Dumbledore uses time-travel. When Dumbledore changes his
>strategy/influences history he must factor in a whole set of
>considerations. I think that he is very cautious when he uses time-
>travel because changing history may not always work in your favor.

"K":

I do believe it's possible Dumbledore is using time-travel. And if 
he is then wouldn't it stand to reason that others are also doing 
the same?

I'm still standing by my theory that Harry started some of this time-
turning mess.

Anyway, I love the chess discussion and will be paying closer 
attention to any game references in the books!

"K"