The chessboard was the gym of my brain. I knew how to handle a pawn and make it a star even when they lined up to be slaughtered by the nobility. I loved the game.

I relocated to this remote village in western Rajasthan. I was alone and managed the cleaning and cooking myself. It used to be hot during the day and cold at night. I didn’t stay there for long. And the climate or my loneliness was not the reason.

I had rented a two-room house which was almost abandoned for many years. What drew me towards the house was a big chessboard and I instantly knew that it would give me company.

One night, after dinner, I moved a piece, got bored and then went to sleep. The next morning, I saw an opposing piece had been moved!

I left the place that very week.