Checkmate in the Red

[Intro] [Instrumental: two-bar octave-doubled lead riff; guitars and bass enter, drums join] [Verse 1] The hall goes still; the clock eats red One pawn behind, a price unpaid Your hand hangs over the open file You count the seconds, not the miles [Pre-Chorus] No room to wait, no room to plead A quiet square conceals the key [Chorus] Take the queen—let the whole board turn One clean loss for the win you earn You see the line they never saw A single move—and checkmate’s yours [Verse 2] The seconds fall like measured blows You read the trap beneath the rows A bishop pinned, a king exposed You give up more than they suppose [Chorus] Take the queen—let the whole board turn One clean loss for the win you earn You see the line they never saw A single move—and checkmate’s yours [Guitar solo] [Instrumental: twin-guitar lead solo] [Chorus] Take the queen—let the whole board turn One clean loss for the win you earn You see the line they never saw A single move—and checkmate’s yours [Outro] Clock stops. the room knows why. One move. no time to reply.