[Written for a prompt by mystery . Word count – 998 words]

The echo of her jump resounded across the dim room as Shira landed softly on the floor. After holding onto the narrow ledge projecting from the wall for a prolonged minute, her fingers had brushed against what she had been searching for, and the woman had let go a split second before the ledge retracted with a low rumble.

Shira eyed the minute pendrive in her hand. It displayed no visible marks that aided in her mission whatsoever, except for the fact that it could only be plugged into a computer.

She considered the room for a long moment, her eyes settling on the numerous wooden crates lying in the corner – each identical in shape and appearance.

I'm supposed to be looking for a specific item to help me get out of here, she recalled in annoyance.

The clue indicated an emblem, which I'm assuming is hidden in one of those crates.

More than thirty crates stared back at Shira, as though mocking her state of bafflement, which a former military career should have effectively prevented.

The woman paced around, before becoming aware of the tiny device in her palm. She stopped to observe the pendrive. With a computer-compatible device that seemed like a significant clue, it only stood to reason that there would be a computer lying around...

"Found it," Shira muttered as the antique, dilapidated desk in the corner of the room called her attention.

She strode up to the table, taking note of the half-closed laptop beneath a pile of empty folders. Sweeping the files that she assumed was only meant to throw players off track, Shira opened the laptop and swiftly slid the pendrive into the USB port on the device's side. Promptly, the screen blinked to life.

Instead of the usual home screen or password request that popped up after a system was switched on, Shira was greeted by a video that had begun playing the moment the screen turned on.

It was a short clip of a longer video that she had watched countless times, and had attempted to simulate on the various ocassions she brought out her chessboard.

The 1956 Fischer versus Byrne chess match had been fittingly dubbed "The Game of the Century", with thirteen-year-old Fischer leading his opponent into a stunning checkmate.

Her lips formed an amused smile as she replayed the famous video in her mind, in sync with the on-screen footage.

Imagine losing to a teenager, with your Queen still on the board, unable to defend your King.

With a final view of the chessboard positions after Fischer's victory, the laptop went blank, jerking Shira back to her dismal surroundings.

If you're suggesting that I play this strategically, it's not helping.

Before she could place the laptop back on the desk, letters began to arrange themselves on the screen, forming three glowing lines of text in a few seconds. Shira frowned at the sentences, which seemed straight out of one of those books with moral lessons.

"Power does not guarantee success.
Byrne had the power, but lost the battle.
Seek the power; the key emerges."

The power? How did Byrne have the power? He lost the game!

Shira tapped her foot absentmindedly.

The power... The power on the board.

The most powerful piece...

The Queen.

Shira whirled around to face the neatly arranged crates stacked near the wall. Standing on top of the crate closest to her, Shira gazed down at the grid of boxes. She smiled to herself.
Her premonition had been accurate.

64 crates, arranged in a grid of 8 × 8 boxes.

Precisely like a chessboard. 

So, the power would be the Queen... And Byrne's Queen was, at the end of the game, in...

Shira craned her neck to glimse the second box from the left in the row farthest from her.

Square b8.

Hopping across the grid by swiftly stepping over the boxes on the ground, she reached the desired crate that lay inconspicuously by the wall.

The lid came off with a light tug, bringing its contents into view at once. Shira raised her eyebrows, impressed with their attention to detail, as she picked up the emblem inside the container –
An exact replica of her Israel Defence Forces Captain's badge.

Shira grabbed the badge and sprinted towards the locked door, making up for lost time. Spotting a narrow slot beside the exit, she slid the IDF insignia through the gap.

On cue, the large steel door slid open, allowing the lady to step out with a sigh of relief.

*****

"You just experienced our new collection of personalised solo escape rooms, Dr Kaganov," a man in a sharp suit remarked with a broad smile.

"I hope it was worth your attention?"

Shira tilted her head in consideration, walking down the corridor with him and two staff members of Kvest Escape Rooms in tow.

"I admire your attention to detail. I haven't been tested like this in quite some time," Dr Kaganov began. She paused for a moment, recalling her rigorous experience.

"The only suggestion I can think of... is for you to employ the deadline technique with the fake exit."

The CEO nodded, prompting the psychologist to continue.

"The psychological technique of a deadline can be used by setting a timer on the fake exit, exceeding which the player can no longer use that exit. People are more likely to choose the fake exit when there's a deadline involved, so we can observe how they make faulty decisions when given a time limit."

The man nodded again, the smile on his face growing broader.

"We will note that down, Dr Kaganov. Once again, thank you for joining us at Kvest. It's a pleasure."

A young intern behind them grinned to herself.

"Your physical performance was fantastic too, doctor. Very impressive for your age." She chuckled playfully.

Shira smirked at the remark, turning to the girl.

"Oh, come on. I could beat you kids at your own Saharan escape room."