I was yelling, feeling quite disheartened:
"Are you nuts? You lost our chess esteem!
They replied in our sports department:
"Fine. You’ll be the player to redeem!

Keep in mind that Fischer’s1 like no other,
Even takes his board to bed each night.
He plays cleanly, don’t expect a blunder..."
That’s all right, I am no rookie either:
Things go wrong - I’ll hit him with my knight.

Oh, my grippy, restless fingers,
Joints and muscles are like bronze!
Oh, my lacquered, wooden winners,
Chiseled soldiers, rooks and pawns!

My good friend, a soccer coach and mentor,
Started prepping me: "Don’t be afraid.
Don’t you worry for the back and center,
Better use your flanks, then straight ahead!"

Running has become my true obsession,
In the bath I’ve lost all extra weight.
There were also hockey training sessions.
After all those lengthy preparations
I will crush this guy without a mate!

Oh, my hands that knew no losses,
V-shaped muscles of my back!
Oh, my knights, my lovely horses,
Bishops ready to attack!

Then came gossip, phone calls and delations,
I can’t say it’s been without a hitch.
Not that I am burned by speculations,
I just crave to scratch my fighting itch.

"But for Schiefer it is more like dancing,"
I was told by the supporting cast.
"Even Capablanca2 won’t find answers,
For this guy is like a clockwork panzer."
That’s all right. I also wind-up fast.

Time control - I’ll have to bear it.
There could be time trouble, but
There’s a fortitude of spirit
And a perfect uppercut.

Then a boxer told me in a lobby:
"Don’t stay hunchbacked, don’t avoid the fight.
Clinching never works, attack the body,
And remember: use your stronger right."

Chess crown’s honor is at stake, however
This time Fischer won’t escape defeat.
Tal3 and I have played ten games together:
Bridge, nine-ball, and whist in equal measure.
Tal remarked: "He’s ready to compete."

Oh, the bas-relief of muscles!
Deltoids never felt so strong!
I don’t worry for his puzzles,
All his pieces won’t last long!

In the diner that is closed to others,
I received the blessings from the cook:
"Such a healthy appetite, my brother.
You’ll devour his every horse and rook!

Take your time to pack before your journey,
Stuff your backpack full with proper food.
Here’s a meat pie that could feed an army,
For that Schiefer, brilliant and unearthly,
Sure won’t miss a meal, he’s not a fool."

We are tough and we are gleaming!
This chess crown is ours to win!
Like a pawn, I lie down dreaming,
Once awake, I’ll be a king!

"Don’t forget to bring a set of skewers,
For nutrition’s everything for you!
Heavy pieces to avoid, drink fluids:
You don’t want to have those stomach tumors,
But a horse is good for barbecue!"