The opening move

Text: an original contemporary sports-commentary-style practice extract.

The first move at the chess final took less time than the photographer needed to adjust her camera. After all the introductions, the handshake and the careful placing of the clocks, a hand advanced one piece and withdrew. The audience had been prepared for an occasion. The board supplied a small action.

Ten minutes later, we had entered a different kind of time. A player reached towards a piece, stopped and folded his hands. The commentator explained two possible continuations without declaring either inevitable. Nothing on the board moved while the account of what might happen grew longer. Beside me, a spectator checked the programme as though a schedule might reveal when a decision would arrive.

When the player finally moved, the camera clicked several times. The photograph would show the hand and piece, but not the interval that had made them important. The final was being decided through actions separated by thought. Watching required us to accept those separations rather than treat them as delays between the real event.

Analyse how the writer uses language and structure to interest and engage the reader.

In your answer, consider:

• language features and techniques
• structural techniques
• the effect on the reader.

Support your views with detailed reference to the extract.