Loud cheering erupted, and camera flashes did glow
At a youth chess tournament, ages twelve and below
Looking to the door young Michael did see
Grandmaster Kozlov, the one and only
He sat across from young Michael, at a table up front
That retired grandmaster publicity stunt
Fifty-five years old and nine championships won
With a peak tournament rating of twenty-seven eighty-one
As the game began Kozlov kept right on talking
Signing autographs of fans who were huddled around gawking
With reporters all around, hanging on every word
Kozlov’s question to Michael was universally heard
“What’s it like sitting across from a chessmaster so great?”
Little Michael moved his queen before replying, “Checkmate.”