My palms were sweaty as I stepped into the ring. My heart felt like it was in my throat and my stomach was twisted up in knots. They set the pieces on the board but all I could think about were the rules of engagement and how many times I'd been forced to throw in the towel in the past. But this time, it wasn't a literal fight—it was a battle for love and I was determined to win. Mom's words echoed in my head: 'Be brave, stay focused, never give up.' No matter what happened next, I knew checkmate was inevitable.