Let me introduce the royal players:

Everyone wants to corner the King
He may be Lord of the board
but he's the most powerless thing!

His lady has to step in to defend her man
He's pretty much a sitting duck
And not worthy to command!

The other pieces....what will be their fate?  
They exist to save the wimpy monarch
All the wrong moves...Checkmate!

Manning the front row are the peons, the pawns
Lucky to make it across to promote their rank
Like helpless turtles, they inch forward on

The Bishops, like royal clergy in robes of red
Diagonal in direction, they stride and they glide
Moving this way..and that way...behind or ahead

Shapely horse heads, the gallant Knights
In L - shaped ways, they gallop into battle
Noble beasts who prove their might!

Set upon the four corners are the Rooks
Like concrete castles, with their straight-line tactics,
They make their way to advance from their nooks

Lastly, the lovely, noble Queen, not forsaken!
She rules! Nearly limitless, so watch out!
Yet if not careful, even she can be taken!

If Her Majesty is captured....you've lost the very best!
You might as well admit your defeat
You, who play this game called Chess

Let the games begin!